Bursledon Regatta Down Under

The theme of this year's Bursledon Regatta was Down Under so we were expecting kangaroos, shrimps on the barbie and maybe a guest appearance from Crocodile Dundee.

The Elephant boatyard had as usual gone to town with both the Sydney Harbour bridge and the famous opera house built along the pontoon backdrop.

I popped down early on Saturday morning to get some pictures before the crowds arrived, some of the decorated dinghies were looking spectacular.

Without doubt the fastest entry Australia 2 built from what looks like a converted 12m Sharpie dinghy, in the background the Whitsunday Islands come to Bursledon in the shape of a converted Opti complete with palm tree.

The morning dinghy racing was well attended, due to a diary malfunction I'd already agreed to safety boat duties at Hamble River SC so I could only watch from the shore.

A Laser Stratos mixing it up with a Wayfarer, the results are not up yet but it will be interesting to see how they got on, clearly I'm rooting for the Stratos.

 
As far as I can tell this was the only Hamble Star entry, great to see this local classic out on the water.

After the start the fleet drag racing down towards Mercury, the race goes down the wooded river to Warsash and back, given there are some 3500 boats moored on the river with plenty moving around on a busy Saturday there are plenty of challenges.

The evening fireworks and music were spectacular, as always a big thank you to the committee and everyone involved.