100 boats in Norfolk Yachtmasters Three Rivers Race

A total of 103 boats took on the challenge, covering 50 miles of the rivers Bure, Ant and Thurne within a 24-hour time limit.

Leaving from Horning, the competitors set sail in fleets of 10 on Saturday morning (June 3).

The 62nd annual Yachtmasters Three Rivers Race (Image: Holly Hancock)

With the wind in their sails, they made their way to the more open waters of the Bure before choosing which order to navigate the remainder of the route, which included Fleet Dyke to South Walsham Broad, the River Ant to Ludham Bridge, under Acle Bridge beyond Stokesby to the Stracey Arms windpump, and under Potter Heigham Bridge to Hickling Broad.  

The boat Dingy Skipper, a Yare & Bure One Design, skippered by Martin Thompson and James Dugdale, was the overall winner with a time of 8:23:50, followed by the Yeoman boat Firefly by Roger Hannant and Chris Tuckett (8:40:55) and Wayfarer Compleat Fiasco skippered by John Clementson and Guy Marks (8:42:53).

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Holly Hancock, ex-commodore at event organisers Horning Sailing Club, who competed in the race, said: “It was a really good race with almost 80 finishers.

“In the top 10 there was a real mix of different boats and classes. There were dinghies, keelboats and river cruisers, so it wasn’t just dominated by one class as it has been in the past.

“It really showed that this year’s race was wide open, with around 25 competitors entering for the first time."

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The race has a long and rich history. It first began in 1961 when then-secretary of Horning Sailing Club, David Hastings, and fellow members Peter Mallender, Dickie Keogh and Eric Smith, proposed a new sailing challenge for club members.

Now in its 62nd year, organisers said the continuation of the race is a "fitting legacy" for the race’s first-ever winner, Hugh Tusting, who passed away recently.