Greenwich Yacht Club hosted the 2015 London Regatta on Sunday 27 September. It is the largest annual sailing event held on the River Thames. 41 boats from eight clubs and sailing centres took part.

The event is always held on the day of the annual test closure of the Thames Barrier. Whilst providing a rare backdrop, it also means that the tidal river is temporarily more like a lake, and closed to through traffic on the river.

This provides a once-a-year opportunity for dinghy sailors throughout London to compete on the stretch of the river from the Thames Barrier to the O2 Arena without need for a special qualification.

The weather was a mix of cloud and sunshine, reaching 19C and with wind speeds of 10-15 mph.

Boats were divided across two race tracks. Racing nearest the Thames Barrier were 17 Bosun class dinghies. The overall winner of the five races for Bosuns was Greenwich Yacht Club’s Alan Soper and his crewperson Anki.

On the other track nearer the O2 Arena were a mix of 18 boats of eight different types, and they raced each other on a timed handicap system. The overall winners in an X1 class boat were Valentin Nedyalkov and Chris W. Ingram from the London Corinthian Sailing Club in Hammersmith.

Also on the track nearer the O2 Arena were six Topper dinghies sailed by the competition’s youngest entrants. The winner of this Youth Section was Sasha Martin of Thamesmead YMCA.

Simon Powell, Race Director and captain of the GYC Dinghy Section said “It was great to see so many people out enjoying the river on a great day for sailing. Congratulations to everyone who took part and thank you to all members of GYC who helped to make it happen. We welcome everyone to come back again next year.”

Trophies were awarded by Royal Greenwich’s Deputy Mayor Olu Babatola and Council Leader Denise Hyland.

Based on information supplied by Clive Reffell.