Find all the information on the regatta (including programmes, entry sheets and hog roast order forms here;

http://www.puntclub.co.uk/?page_id=103

Just like so many Broads classes, the Norfolk Punt Class is kept alive by myriad dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate owners, who work tirelessly on their treasures, not just to keep them afloat but still winning! The combined age of the first 3 overall for the Punt Open at Norfolk Punt Club was 252 years! But more of that later… Frivolities kicked off in fine style Saturday with plenty of sunshine and a light NE breeze. Or at least it was until just before the start when it virtually died and swung round 180°! A very slow first round was mercifully followed by a very pleasant second when the sea breeze kicked in. The race was won by the veteran of the fleet (the boat, not the helm – allegedly), No. 19 Prawn, built by Walter Woods in 1918. Crewed by Bill and Alison Glover, who had her lovingly restored, she is very narrow and revelled in the light airs. Runner-up was Carolline Jarrold in 27 Rushlight and 3rd ‘Rev Nev’ Khambatta in 37 Gamecock, built respectively in 1930 and 1936. The wind was kinder in the second race which was taken by Mark Elson in his HardChine 49 Snark (a mere 57 years old!) from Rob Daniels in 35 Swallow 2 (also built 1936) and Rev Nev. The last race was taken decisively by Swallow 2, followed by Snark and Prawn. That left a very interesting overnight position of Swallow 2 leading both Snark and Prawn by only 1 point. It doesn’t come much tighter than that! All 3 races featured a long, broad reach virtually the length of the broad and it was fascinating watching the different ways each boat worked the leg to best advantage, with asymmetric boats having to reach-gybe the whole leg while symmetric and non-spinnaker boats tried various combinations of reaching and running. Sadly, Snark was unable to turn out Sunday so, as is often said in footie circles, it was all to play for! A gentle WSW greeted the fleet and Prawn took advantage of the port line bias to sail a stonking first leg, giving her enough of an early advantage to get 2nd place, beaten only by Swallow 2 who seemed to find every miracle lift on the course! Hardchine no. 54, Tern, sailed by Simon Jenner made her first appearance in the results by taking 3rd. That left Daniels still just one point ahead of Glover going into the last race. At this point and just in time for the last start, a certain Brian Wilkins appeared with 61 Shovellor (which he had been putting together the whole weekend), much to the amusement of all, who inevitably commented on his nationality (somewhere to the west of Liverpool). They were laughing on the other side of their faces when he took both line honours and 1st place! Sadly for Prawn, the wind blew up a bit, which doesn’t favour her. Swallow 2 was only 9 seconds behind Shovellor on corrected, to take second place and the beautiful Ardea Trophy for the event, with Prawn just 4 points behind and Gamecock 3rd overall. It was no surprise that, with such light winds when the fast-planing designs could not exploit their potential, the older boats would do well. However, it was wonderful seeing such a diverse mix of traditional and modern head-to-head, proof positive that the punt class is very much alive and kicking!

Weather conditions today started with a sunny morning with a gentle westerly, which switched to a gentle easterly in a few seconds, which brought heavy rain for a while which desisted when the wind switched to a Force 4 from the north which built to 5-6 as the afternoon progressed, culminating in sunshine but no let up in wind strength. 
The Bitterns had their annual outing to Barton but the early rain put off a couple and only four boats attended. Their only race was an absorbing affair, though, and the stiff wind brought about the first rescue of the day when Golden Oldie was overwhelmed at a gybe mark and filled sufficiently for her race to be ended, fortunately without damage to boat or crew. The Bitterns unanimously decided to end their outing to Barton after this one race but were grateful to the club for our hospitality.
Three more races took place in the afternoon with Andrew Wilton revelling in being a big bloke in a Laser in a high wind; he won all three. Resistance came firstly from Mark Elson with two crew in Snark, then Rupert Wickham with brother Fred crewing their Wayfarer, and in the last race Tim Edmunds and Martin Mills in the club Vision. The unlucky Tim suffered a halyard failure in Rhode Island Red earlier in the day but a switch to the Vision only brought about a spinnaker jam which hauled them over.
OOD Nick Dixey, assisted by the Commodore, the energetic Helen McFadyen on all-day teas and the resolute Ian McFadyen frequently on rescue boat.

Race 1
Bitterns
1. Boomer, John Atkinson
2. Teal, Paul Tegerdine
3. Little Gem, Colin Burrow

Race 2
1. Vivance, Andrew Wilton
2. Snark, Mark Elson
3. Greyling, Alastair Drew

Race 3
1. Vivance, Andrew Wilton
2. Zhara, Rupert Wickham
3. Club Vision, Tim Edmunds

Race 4
1. Vivance, Andrew Wilton

Bunn retains trophy but a close call with Carrington.

The Norfolk Punt Club (NPC) hosted their annual week-end event for the Consortium Cup together with a newly trophy donated by Ann Whelpton to be presented to the first boat overall from the host club.

There were 11 starters for all four races.   Saturday’s racing was a breezy but fickle wind, shifting NW – NE.   In the 12 o’clock Chris Bunn (Fox) took an early lead in front of Paul Carrington (Peacock) and Simon Daniels (Silver Blue) but Felicity Foulds (Copper Captain) fought hard to finish third behind the two leaders.

Before the second race, Bunn seemed to have trouble with his gaff and the sails not hoisted until the I minute bell but he was still first to the windward mark.   Cath Mason (Cupido), with local knowledge, tried the East gap by the island but it gave no advantage although Daniels also familiar with the Broad, used a good lift along the East shore to gain third place behind a repeat of the two dominant boats.

Sunday morning was too quiet for the 10.30 start and a postponement was followed by an uncertain North-easterly which hindered many on the line but Carrington used it to take an early lead.   Bunn and Foulds again worked their way through the fleet and, after a shortened course, finished second and third respectively but it was Carrington taking the honours and so throwing open the final race for the trophy.

By 12.30 the wind was still light and variable and more Easterly.   Foulds and Bunn in that order, shadowed each other for the first lap with Carrington always close in contention and needing specifically a first place to secure the trophy.   Knowing this, on the second lap downwind, Bunn luffed Carrington almost to the Western shore allowing others of the leading fleet through to the gybe mark.   Carrington, to his enormous credit, fought back through the fleet but only finishing third behind David Adler (Marsh Ringlet) and Peter Robbins (Small White). The latter consistently well up the fleet in all races and having profited from the Bunn / Carrington battle to secure the Ann Whelpton Trophy, narrowly beating Simon Daniels.

Final Results.

Consortium Cup.

1^st.       Fox  (Cris Bunn)

2^nd.      Peacock  (Paul Carrington)

3^rd.       Copper Captain  (Felicity Foulds)

NPC Ann Whelpton Trophy.

1^st.       Small White  (Peter Robbins)

2^nd.      Silver Blue  (Simon Daniels)