HUNDREDS of sailors of all levels flocked to the waters of Weymouth and Portland to compete in part of the largest sailing race in the world, Bart’s Bash.

The event, held in memory of the late Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, who tragically died in a sailing accident while training for the America’s Cup in California in May last year, was very inspiring for everyone involved.

On the Saturday evening prior to the race, members of all the yacht clubs of Weymouth and guests from Poole Yacht Racing Association (PYRA) gathered at Weymouth Sailing Club for a final fundraising event.

In addition to a hog roast, raffle and conker competition, everyone was delighted to be joined by Olympic sailors Iain Percy and Paul Goodison.

In addition to giving a brief overview, Percy shared his feelings on sailing the Star boat which he had not sailed since the last time with Simpson and which he was due to sail the following day with Andrew’s young son Freddie.

They then spent some time talking to members, passing round their medals, signing T-shirts and starting off the conker competition.

Percy and Goodison were presented with a cheque for £1,000, which was raised at the Weymouth Keelboat Regatta.

On the Sunday, Weymouth Sailing Club, with a group of yachts from PYRA, yielded a turnout of more than 60 boats.

The day brought with it exciting and challenging conditions with big waves.

While the racing at the Wey-mouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) was postponed to await some abatement in the wind, Weymouth started at 10.50am as planned.

This did result in some of the dinghies retiring before the start due to the conditions.

During the race there was a record number of breakages among the dinghies as well as some spectacular capsizes.

In the fast keelboat fleet, Rich-ard Woof and crew onboard JO 90 showed their dominance by winning the race in front of Bill Barker on Flair II in second place and Rocket in third.

For the smaller yachts in-volved in the race, the slow keelboat fleet saw some close competition.

Paul Barford on Sole Bay won the race by only 25 seconds, just ahead of Jamie Lawrence on Circe in second and Steve Ives on C-Seven in third.

The Squib fleet was won by Peter Jackson on Aldebaran with Simon and Jill Vines on Quan-tum in second and Gareth Evans on Cold Fusion in third.

Meanwhile, in the dinghy fleet, there was much confusion as to when the start of the race was.

Mike and Penny Fenwick sailing a Merlin Rocket showed their skills as they won the race.

Terry Curtis and Nick Framp-ton sailing a Hornet took second place and Mark and Rima Bugler, also sailing a Merlin Rocket finished in third place.

More than 14 boats had hoped to finish the dinghy race however, with the tough conditions, only nine were able to complete.

Among the fleet were a number of younger members.

In the dinghies, only three young helms completed the race.

These included Sam Mottershead, 17, sailing an RS Feva with Ellie Curtis, Alexandra Stevenson, 14, in her Laser Radial Kiwi and Sarah Shelley, 16, on her Laser 4.7.

The view of the racing from the Nothe was magnificent with the very large yachts from Poole in full sail, the tiny dinghies speeding across the waves and TS Pelican in the background.

Cannons were fired to signal the end of the race for each fleet.

Overall, Weymouth Sailing Club hosted a very well organised event and everyone taking part had a thoroughly good time.

The race officials, independent observers and the safety boat crews all did an excellent and professional job in difficult conditions.

At the prize-giving held at the WPNSA, the Weymouth winners were presented with their prizes.

Michelle Pascoe is also to be congratulated for organising a very successful fundraising event, which yielded in excess of £1,400.

Due to such a great success, the event will run again next year on September 20, 2015.