A race around the Goodwin Sands and hot weather for start of Ramsgate Week 2024

By Karen Cox

Yesterday (August 12) was the official start of Ramsgate Week and the Commodore of the Royal Temple Yacht Club, Karen Cox was delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Ramsgate, Cllr. Laurie Hudson, as well as the Town Sargent Paul Revuelta, to visit the Race Hut team as they prepared to start the race.

Sadly, although the weather was gloriously sunny, due to a lack of wind the race had to be abandoned. This decision is not taken lightly and all three of the Race Officers present were in agreement.

The Royal Temple Yacht Club is open to everyone during the Regatta, which is till Friday this week, opening from 12.30pm till late.

This year’s prelude to Ramsgate Week (on Sunday) was the iconic race around the Goodwins Sands. The sponsors for this race were the long-time supporters of Ramsgate Week and the RTYC, Trews Workwear now operating as Kent Workwear.

RYTC thanked  Trevor Kenny the outgoing chief and Ian Wade who is taking over.

To commemorate their 200th Anniversary, a percentage of the entry fees amounting to £300 has been donated to the RNLI.

On one of the hottest days of the year, 32 boats were started from the Committee Boat in light winds. Flying Pig lived up to its name with a flying start and was leading at the North East Goodwin but in intermittent winds on the outer sands they were soon left behind. Others were forced to retire including, Manaña, Xpedite, Elfin, Carpe Diem, Dipper, Fox out of the Box and Sidewinder being unable to round marks on the fast tides.

However, some strong finishes led to an exciting finish to the race.

The results were as follows:

CLASS 6 -Yachts retired