SAILORS returned with a vengeance for this year’s Mersea Week event.

After last summer’s cancellation, competitors enjoyed some very competitive racing on the River Blackwater estuary.

Aside from the sailing, there was lots to see and do throughout and, after the final prizegiving, there was a spectacular firework display, courtesy of the Mersea Week committee and Mersea Homes.

Despite the first day’s racing being lost to strong winds, the full schedule of races was completed in a variety of conditions.

The 47th running of this popular event had the usual cruiser classes, along with Smacks, IRC Sportsboats, Sonata ODs, Classic Yachts and Gaffers, Mersea Fisherman’s Open Boats.

Gazette: Off and running - sailors make full use of the conditions Picture: CHRISSIE WESTGATE

Off and running - sailors make full use of the conditions Picture: CHRISSIE WESTGATE

There were also three dinghy classes and this led to high entry numbers once again.

In the Smacks class, three race wins saw CK52 Kate prevail, skippered by Will Crossley.

Winning all but one race, the clear winner of the IRC Sportsboats class was Toby Ramsay’s self-designed and built one-off Mojito.

In the Sonata class, with five race wins, there was a clear win for Tony Hawkes and Pat Hill’s Aubie Too.

There was a 15-strong entry in the Classics and Gaffers class and the fast division winner was Julian Lord’s Tumlare Zest.

Gazette: Spectacular sight - Ross Wey's beautifully-restored 47ft Alfred Mylne yawl Gudgeon Picture: CHRISSIE WESTGATE

Spectacular sight - Ross Wey's beautifully-restored 47ft Alfred Mylne yawl Gudgeon Picture: CHRISSIE WESTGATE

In the slow division, first place went to Peter Clarke’s Buchanan ECOD Tasman.

The main locally-handicapped cruiser entry was divided into A and B classes.

In the former, the overall winner was Stuart Howells’ Beneteau 31.7.

The B division saw four boats needing to be separated by a tie-break, with the victory going to Barry Ashmore’s C&C27 Algonquin.

With an entry of 18 boats, the white sail class enjoyed some close racing and a single point separated the top two.

Gazette: All hands on deck - Simon Lewington's Brittany class Droleen II Picture: CHRISSIE WESTGATE

All hands on deck - Simon Lewington's Brittany class Droleen II Picture: CHRISSIE WESTGATE

Rob Smith’s Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 323 Tamarisk recorded more consistent results, just having the edge over Andrew and Jill Stebbing’s Hanse 311 Seahawk.

The Mersea Fishermans Open Boats were the usual wide range of sizes and sail areas, with the 24-strong entry split into fast and slow divisions.

The fast and overall winner was Tom Bowman’s CK59 Mystery.

In the slow division, top spot went to Graeme Provan’s WM27 Willotte.

The dinghy entries were dominated by Alex Canham, ahead of Lindsey Allen and Alex Clarke.

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