LymeLiving - OCTOBER 2026 - Edition_compressed (1) - Flipbook - Page 11
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LymeLiving - The Lyme Regis Town Council Magazine
The Mayor’s Shield
HE inaugural Mayor’s Shield
T Sailing Race offered an
exciting afternoon of racing in the
bay.
The event was created by Lyme
Regis Sailing Club as part of the
town council’s Sporting Lyme
initiative.
The racing was held as close to
shore as possible to promote the
club and the sport, by providing a
spectacle for spectators rather than
the usual triangular course miles
out to sea where the sailing boats
are less visible.
It also provided a rare opportunity
to combine the club’s dinghy and
cruiser fleets to compete together
in one race and one start.
The best way to achieve this was to
run the race from the club start line
on the end of Victoria Pier by the
Cobb buildings, which was in fact
where the former sailing club
clubhouse was located.
This, along with the strong turnout
of 19 dinghies and six cruisers,
meant the start promised to be
interesting to watch from the shore.
Race officer Cameron Moss had the
course set, but the wind remained
very light, so the majority of sailors
were over the line, resulting in a
general recall for a false start.
On the second time of asking, the
fleet judged the start perfectly and
with a slight gust of wind, set off
towards the first mark.
This was an awesome spectacle
from the pier and the shoreline
where past commodore and sailing
club stalwart Jeremy Wallace
provided commentary on
proceedings.
At the first mark, sailing club
commodore Andy Robinson led the
fleet in his Albacore crewed by new
member Sarah Wallis, closely
followed by vice commodore Allan
Tyler, also in an Albacore and
crewed by wife Chris with
granddaughter Lily.
Rear commodore Graham Cook
rounded in third in his ILCA.
The fleet then headed out
to the South Cardinal
mark, which is visible
from the beach, before
turning back toward the
harbour and the finishing
line.
Due to the light winds,
only one lap was sailed.
Graham Cook in his ILCA
picked the wind patches
and tide advantage to end
up finishing a matter of
seconds behind Andy.
This gave him a decisive
win on handicap, the
ILCA being a slower boat.
Sailing boats on the water
Photograph by Rob James
Jeff Vander Bought in his
K1 also made up ground
on the light downwind
leg to claim second on
handicap, with Andy
taking third place overall
despite crossing the line
first.
Special mention was
given to youth member
Rhys Roscoe, who
finished fifth to claim the
top youth spot, as well as
Rob and Margaret
Wiscombe for their result
as the top cruiser.
The prize giving took
place on the Marine
Parade where Graham
received the new shield
from the mayor, Cllr
Philip Evans and his wife,
Jackie.
From left, mayor Cllr Philip Evans, Simon Bones from
Lyme Regis Skatepark Committee and mayoress Jackie
Evans at the Sporting Lyme opening event
Graham Cook receiving his
shield from mayor, Cllr Philip Evans
Race officer Cameron
thanked Jeremy Wallace
for his commentary,
sailing secretary Ian
Wallace, his race team on
the water and ashore, all
the competitors and
those who assisted.
Graham thanked the
mayor for promoting the
race and added:
