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Last Sunday's Club Racing

For pictures of last Sunday's racing please click Last Sunday's photos.

Queen Mary SC's annual Bloody Mary pursuit race on a snowbound Queen Mary Reservoir on Saturday 9 January was sailed in a bone chillingly cold north easterly wind which varied between 12 and 25 knots. It was only the second time since the event was first held that it has attracted fewer than 100 entries. There were 61 boats from 20 different classes. By midway through at the front were a Laser, two Merlins, a Miracle and a Firefly. The final start of the race was for a good number of foiling Moths.

By halfway through the race many of the fleet had wisely retired, some having endured at least a couple of capsizes. This fate befell the only Tamesis competitors, Charlie Morgan and Stewart Colley, sailing Mango Tango (Merlin 3579) – so it was into the club for a hot shower for them.

The atmosphere at the club was very jolly with a huge army of volunteers helping with the running of the event. (Report by Max Vines)

Stewart Colley and Charlie Morgan prepare to launch (Photo:  Jeremy Vines)

Arthur Henderson's fifth in Cadet World Championship helps Britain win team prize

Arthur Henderson and Matthew Currell finished fifth overall in the International Cadet Class World Championship in a fleet of 34 boats on the River Plate at Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Monday 4 January.  Sailing Bad Influence (8561), they were 20th in Race 11 and sixth in Race 12 and after two discards had to count a fifth, first, 13th, first, third, second, eighth, 14th and ninth from the earlier races.  The championship was won by Clara Cosentino and Cristobal Billoch of Argentina with a race to spare and a total score of 40 points.  Chris Brewer and Ole Alcock from Britain were second with 52 points.  Arthur and Matthew had 68 points.  The combined scores of the top four boats from each country gave the team prize to Britain.  

Arthur, the UK National Cadet Champion, and Matthew had been leading overall on Wednesday 30 December but dropped back to second on Thursday 31 December. 

Abigail Croft and Matthew Shorrock sailing On the Edge (8363) were the fourth British boat and 18th overall, scoring an 18th and 19th in the two final races.  Their best result was a fourth in Race 9.   Abigail was also the first girl helm.

Mary Henderson, Arthur's sister, was fourth overall in the Promotional Fleet crewed by Ben Shorrock of Frensham Pond SC in Pulling Power (7630). 

The championship was organised by the Yacht Club of Argentina from 29 December to 4 January.. 

Abigail Croft and Matthew Shorrock (Photo:  David Croft)

The British team in Buenos Aires (Photo:  Andy Shorrock)

Heavy going in light winds for the Boxing Day six

It could have been caused by an excess of turkey and Christmas pud, followed by heavy overnight rain and gale warnings for most local sea areas, but only six boats turned up for the annual Boxing Day race at Tamesis on Saturday 26 December.  Or perhaps the usual contestants had been misled by the insistence of certain banks and local authorities that the real Boxing Day was on the Monday.  Whatever the reason, Race Officer Colin Stokes assisted by Caroline Stilwell had an easier time in the starting box than the 10 competitors he sent on a modest dogleg course in what turned out to be a light south westerly wind.  The fast running stream made it impossible to tack out from the Surrey bank without being swept back down river and all the boats kept close to the shore from the Lensbury mark to the east-west dogleg and then equally close to the Middlesex bank on the way to Canbury. Some got caught on the trees and moored boats. Returning downstream was a doddle but clearing the bottom mark was tricky.  After five rounds Richard and Harry Harris won the Merlin race in Passing Cloud (1079) and Matthew Peregrine Jones was the leading Laser in Inxs-ive (122399) after only three rounds.

Richard and Harry Harris with the Merlin prize

Matthew Peregrine Jones was presented with a substitute Laser pot in the absence of the real thing

It was hard going for the Merlins

Stewart Colley has crossed finish line in the ARC

Tamesis Laser sailor Stewart Colley completed his 2,700 mile crossing of the Atlantic crewing in the yacht Star Chaser, a Swan 51, in the 24th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers half an hour before midnight GMT (19.50 local time) on Tuesday 8 December. Star Chaser was seventh in Cruising Class E and 74th overall in an entry of 216 yachts.  For a full report please see  NEWS  page of the website.  

Ranelagh's Autumn Trophy won by Andrew Harris and Sara Warren in strong winds 

Andrew Harris and Sara Warren won the Autumn Trophy at Ranelagh SC on a violently windy day on Sunday 1 November and Mike Stephens and Matthew Peregrine Jones were second. Early weather forecasts predicted heavy rain and suggested that the SW wind might produce gusts of 30 to 40 mph.  Five of the 10 starters capsized - some as a result of trying to fly spinnakers in the gusty conditions - and only four boats finished the race.  Sailing Millie (3649) Andrew and Sara beat Mike and Matthew in Luka (3560) by about two minutes.  Loss of the first place meant that Mike Stephens failed in his attempt to win this year's Thames Series, which went to Duncan Salmon of Wembley SC in Salmon en Croute (3702), who finished third.  Four of the 10 starters were Tamesis boats, two of which suffered damage in the severe conditions.  Phil Plumtree in Shenandoah (3088) split his mainsail early in the race and Ken Duffell and Brian Corking in Harry (3599) smashed their carbon mast in half for the second time this year when they capsized near the bank soon after the start.  Two other boats also lost their masts.  

Rob Wilder wins Trowlock Trophy

Rob Wilder won the 47 year old Trowlock Trophy by about one minute on corrected time at Ariel SC's annual handicap pursuit race on Sunday 1 November. Jeremy and Max Vines were second in their National 18 (375) Rhapsody. The club race officer wisely postponed the planned start in the hope that the strong SW wind would moderate and with a reduction in strength to between 15 and 20 mph a single race was held in the early afternoon.

The five boat entry included a Laser, Enterprise and Wayfarer as well as Rob's Solo and the National 18.

Rob Wilder in Wild Wood (Photo: Carolyne Vines)

Wild Wood gets away to an early lead (Photo: John Dunkley)

Eight firsts win de May Vintage Trophy for Mike Stephens 

Mike Stephens has won the Merlin Rocket Vintage de May Series for the second year in succession in Flinkidink (1097) with firsts at Cookham Reach, Upper Thames, Ranelagh, Thames and Hampton Sailing Clubs, the Norfolk Broads and Minima Yacht Clubs, and Tamesis.   He is also leading the Thames Series with only one more event next weekend at Ranelagh.

With only the best five results to count, Mike won the de May Trophy after discarding his three first place results!  He once again flew the Tamesis burgee at Minima 's annual long distance race to Hampton Court and back on Sunday 4 October and took the Kingston Trophy for first overall on handicap.  He was crewed in most events by Matthew Peregrine Jones.

Mike Stephens wins battle for Trafalgar Trophy

A gentle south westerly breeze gave the 22 competing boats some anxious moments in the Trafalgar Trophy class handicap pursuit race at Tamesis on Sunday 18 October. After some impressive sailing from the Solos, the first class to start in the absence of any Cadet entries, the race settled down to a battle between last year's winners, Richard and Harry Harris in Passing Cloud (Merlin Rocket 1079) and Mike Stephens and Liz Foxley in Luka (MR 3560), who had been beaten by Harris in the Sondown Cup the previous Sunday. In rather less wind than the week before Stephens took his revenge, pulling clear ahead from a convergence of other boats at the last mark after one and a half hours racing.

Race Officer Eric Webb set a modest course with the Canbury buoy just downstream of Stevens Eyot and the Lensbury mark a third of the distance along Trowlock Island. This gave a beat up river and a downstream run, but there were many tricky moments with bunching at both buoys and the best of the sailing in the breeze coming across the recreation ground and between the buildings on the Teddington shore. The Surrey bank was the favoured side but with very little stream some contestants made faster progress in the middle of the river and one Merlin briefly attempted to fly a spinnaker to take advantage of an up river gust.  

The three Solos showed the Lasers how to make the most of the opportunities in the light conditions and both Joe McLaughlin in Bada Bing (4850) and Rob Wilder in Wild Wood (5041) kept well ahead of the fleet until passed by the two leading Merlins, which lapped many of the other boats.  This battle of the Solos was almost as fierce as that between Stephens and Harris. Berry Ritchie and Sue Harris in Crescendo (MR 607) were never far behind and fought off an attack from another Merlin and the leading Laser for fifth place.

Results:  1 Luka (MR 3560) Mike Stephens & Liz Foxley;  2 Passing Cloud (MR 1079) Richard & Harry Harris;  3 Bada Bing! (Solo 4850) Joe McLaughlin;  4 Wild Wood (Solo 5041) Rob Wilder;  5 Crescendo (MR 607) Berry Ritchie & Sue Harris.

Rita Dunkley presents the Trafalgar Trophy to Mike Stephens

Merlins prepare for their start behind the Lasers as Solos run downstream

Stephens gets the gun

Porteous Cup won by Mike Stephens and Richard Harris takes the Sondown Cup at Merlin open

Mike Stephens and Matthew Peregrine Jones, sailing Flinkidink (1097), won both the Porteous and Southcott Cups from 12 other classic Merlins at Tamesis on Saturday 10 October. A promised north-westerly never filled in properly, with only the surprisingly warm and sunny weather providing relief from the flukey conditions for most of the competitors, including some welcome visitors, the furthest coming from Hunts Sailing Club. Mike demonstrated his usual determination to win the first two races. In the third race for the Southcott Cup, however, he was sternly challenged throughout by Colin Stokes and Caroline Stilwell, who led for the best part of two laps in Avenger (1004). On the last run, however, Berry Ritchie and Sue Harris in Crescendo (607), sneaked through to take line honours from Mike. The classic Merlins' handicap system, however, gave Stephens the victory. Overall, Ritchie and Harris came second, Stokes and Stilwell third, and Tom and Rebecca McLaughlin fourth in Shoestring (1136).  The results are included in the De May Series

The forecast for the next day's racing for the Sondown Cup was for stronger winds and the 18 competitors included several from other clubs, among them Duncan Salmon, recent victor at both Hampton and Minima. Also there were the dauntless David and Ros Downs from Corus SC in Wales, sailing Space Odd-at-Sea (3544). But again conditions were disappointing, with the north-westerly struggling to find its way across Trowlock Island's bosky shores, and lowering clouds eventually producing a thin rain. Not everyone lasted the full course, and only 10 Merlins took to the water for the final race.

Nothing, however, should take away from Richard Harris's dominant performance. He won the second and third races, which gave him both the Sondown Cup and the Elizabeth Bowl for first vintage Merlin.  Mike Stephens won the first race, in which Richard was second.  The meeting was a Thames Series event.

Results: Sondown Cup - 1 Passing Cloud (1079) Richard Harris & Charlie Morgan/Sally Redhead; 2 Flinkidink (1097) Mike Stephens & Matthew Peregine Jones; 3 Elusive (3347) David Vines & David Solomon;  4 Gwynt (1871) Andrew Harris & Olivia Bell.  (Report by Berry Ritchie)

Sally Redhead and Richard Harris with the Elizabeth Bowl and Sondown Cup presented by Commodore Peter Mason (Photo; Suzy Balmbro)

Racing for the Sondown Cup (Photo: Suzy Balmbro)

Matthew Peregrine Jones, Commodore Peter Mason and Mike Stephens with the Porteous and Southcott trophies (Photo: Suzy Balmbro)

The first of the Porteous Cup races (Photo: Ian Burnett)

Rob Wilder third at Frampton

Rob Wilder borrowed his old boat, Painted Lady (817), for the final British Moth open meeting of the season at Frampton-on-Severn SC on Saturday 10 October and finished third overall in a 21 boat fleet, counting a fourth and a first.  Racing was described as "tricky" in a light SW wind and warm sunshine.

Peter Simmonds wins Laser Barometer for third year in succession

Peter Simmonds fought off a close challenge in an 18 boat fleet to win the Laser Barometer for the third year in succession in a light to moderate north easterly wind at Tamesis on Sunday 4 October.  Sailing Atomic (Laser 135612), he beat Jon Redding, a Merlin helm sailing a borrowed boat, (Laser 162428), by only one point.

It was Jonathan Jones, a previous winner, from Waveney and Oulton Broad YC, who made the early running, scoring a first and second in the first two of the four races.  He is no stranger to the river at Teddington, having learned to sail at Tamesis as a Cadet. Simmonds finished the morning with two thirds, and Redding had a fourth and a first.  With the best three of the four races to count, Jones lost his winning streak after lunch and ended the afternoon having added a sixth and ninth, leaving him with nine points. Simmonds found his form and took two firsts, and Redding had a second and third.

Race Officer Rob Wilder sent the fleet on a long down river course to Lensbury for the first race, with a beat into an erratic breeze, and Jones managed to build a clear lead while most of the others were slowed by flat spots along Trowlock Island.  These near windless patches also frustrated many competitors on the upstream run to Canbury, although most found some wind on the east-west dogleg across the river near the clubhouse, only to encounter further flat spots approaching the Canbury mark.  The dogleg was left out of the course for the second race, in which wind strengths were much the same, but it was restored for the final race over a shorter course, when only ten boats competed.

Results: 1 Atomic (182636)  Peter Simmonds 5 points, 2 (160428) Jon Redding 6 points, 3 Zig Zag Zig (191334) Jonathan Jones 9 points, 4 Inxs-ive (122399) Matthew Peregrine Jones 11 points, 5 Jacana (143088) Steve Bartlett 13 points.

Rounding the dogleg (Photo:  Henry Defries)

Creeping round the Canbury mark (Photo: Henry Defries)

 Peter Simmonds in the lead (Photo: Henry Defries)

Jeremy and Max Vines triumph in near windless conditions 

The Tamesis open meeting for National 18s was held on two warm sunny autumn days on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September on which a fitful and vacillating breeze blew from a succession of different directions ranging from north east to south west, and sometimes not at all, presenting a challenge to the seven contestants to squeeze out every bit of forward motion they could while the wind lasted.  The winners, Jeremy and Max Vines, sailing Rhapsody (375), scored three firsts and took all three trophies, the Claude Russell Cup (for Sunday's race), the Maddison Cup (for the first boat to finish in all three races), and the Eighteen Cup (for the best handicap result). Peter Johnson and Anne Bayne in Zephyr (374) successfully challenged Rhapsody for the lead in Saturday's first race but were eventually overtaken and finished second overall with two seconds and a third.  Barney Smith in The Goose Drank Wine (369), crewed by Chris Johnson on Saturday and Mary Smith on Sunday, was second on handicap. 

Pursuing elusive ripples on the water was wearisome work in the heat and many competitors flooded into the club bar as soon as they got ashore to quench their thirst.  The queues were almost as big as those at the up and downstream marks, which had been set at a modest distance from each other because of the lack of wind.  Even so, those who completed a round within an hour reckoned they were doing well.  Others gave up trying and paddled home. 

Results: 1 Rhapsody (375) Jeremy & Max Vines, 2 Zephyr (374) Peter Johnson & Anne Bayne, 3 The Goose Drank Wine (369) Barney Smith & Chris Johnson/Mary Smith, 4 Red Dragon (333) Richard Howells & Dana Church, 5 Geniveve (266) Roy Doughty & Ted Neal, 6 Tinkerbell (15) Graeme Lythe & H Lythe, 7 Orion (336) Alan Green.

National 18s line up for the start of Sunday's race (Photo:  Carolyne Vines)

Jeremy and Max with the Claude Russell and Maddison Cups

Phil Plumtree fifth at West Mersea

Phil Plumtree was fifth overall in Arrow (W1), his classic West Solent One Design, with a crew of three ladies, in a 50 boat entry at  West  Mersea YC's RNLI Pennant pursuit race on Saturday 26 September.

The view from the front

Martin Hunter wins Brangaza Bowl and Yates Cup

Martin Hunter of Upper Thames SC won both the Braganza Bowl and the Yates Cup at the annual open meeting for Thames A Raters at Tamesis on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September.  Crewed by Jeremy Kearns and Roger Stafford in Spindrift (14), he took five firsts in the first five races and did not start in the sixth and final race on Sunday afternoon.  It was a week-end of light and flukey winds in which the seven competing boats had to struggle to keep up with the leaders.  Fortunately, there was more strength in Sunday's north easterly breeze than there had been on the Saturday.  Race Officer John Harris set a lengthy course that took the competitors on a beat down river to Lensbury and a gybing broad reach and run upstream to Canbury.

Being overtaken by these majestic boats as their high mainsails catch the wind over the treetops was described by a Merlin helmsman (sailing on the Sunday) as rather like being overtaken by the nautical equivalent of a stealth bomber "that creeps silently up behind you without showing on your radar".

On Saturday, Race Officer Brian Southcott set a complicated three dogleg course which Martin Hunter clearly found to his liking but after a challenging first race which took the seven starters well downstream to Lensbury the course was halved in length.  Unpredictable variations in wind direction from west to east and passing power boats left little room for mistakes and those crews who were able to tack and gybe with alacrity emerged as early leaders.  Frustrated by the lack of wind in the first three races, several crews opted out of the fourth race which was a mistake as the breeze, although still gentle, was the best of the day and the four starters enjoyed some good racing.

Paul Browning, crewed by Justin Dunn, Tod Wells and Andrew Christie, of Thames SC was second overall in Osprey (16).

The prizes were presented by Margaret Stokes. 

Results:  Braganza Bowl, 1 Spindrift (14) Martin Hunter, Jeremy Kearns, Roger Stafford, 5 points;  2 Osprey (16) Paul Browning, Justin Dunn, Andrew Christie, 10 points; 3 Kingfisher (1) Martin Collen, Roland Gadsby, Clive Hughes, 15 points.  Yates Cup, 1 Spindrift (14) Martin Hunter, Jeremy Kearns, Roger Stafford ; 2 Osprey (16) Paul Browning, Tod Wells, Andrew Christie;  3 Kingfisher (1) Martin Collen, Roland Gadsby, Clive Hughes.

Spindrift (14) makes a strategic start

Martin Hunter with the Braganza Bowl

Tamesis team third in Island Barn 50th anniversary pursuit

A Tamesis team of Joe McLaughlin sailing (Solo 4850), Rob Wilder (Solo 5041) and Phil Plumtree (Laser 156335) took to the water at Island Barn SC 20th September for its celebratory 50th Anniversary Pursuit Race and finished third overall.

With a 55 boat entry and a race format that could be described as a "mini Bloody Mary" held over two races in a light and fading northerly breeze, racing was for both individual positions and a team prize for the best three results in each race. Rob and Joe were never far from the head of the pursuit fleet with the advantage of some clear air and Phil battled at the head of a competitive Laser contingent. With visitors from a number of clubs in the Thames area, including Littleton and Thames SC, the old Hampton - Tamesis rivalry was inevitable, much to the annoyance of the Tammy team, who were beaten into third place by a single point after a Hampton Merlin Rocket attack .

The event was convincingly won by Island Barn's own team who laid on a great event.

Overall positions after two 90 minute races were:1 Gareth Griffiths (Solo) IBSC; 2 Mike & Alex Story (National 12) IBSC; 3 Ben Palmer and Alex Groves (RS200) IBSC; 4 Rob Wilder (Solo) Tamesis; 5 Joe McLaughlin (Solo) Tamesis.

Overall team results:1 Island Barn SC; 2 Hampton SC; 3 Tamesis.

43 boats enjoy brisk sailing at Tamesis Autumn Regatta 

A brisk northerly wind gave the 43 contestants some cold but enjoyable sailing at the Tamesis Autumn Regatta on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September.  Bright sunshine took the chill off the breeze on the Saturday, when spectators were able to watch the racing in comfort from the club lawn and the recently completed clubhouse veranda, but Sunday was a different day with cloudy skies and those wearing shorts and thin T-shirts soon started to envy those who were kitted out in wetsuits and oilies.  It was not a day to capsize! The Merlin Rockets fielded the largest entry with 16 boats but it was the elegant towering A Raters from Thames SC which stole the show with eight boats hurtling up and down the river at great speed. 

From a downstream start on both days, the course gave the competitors a tricky beat to the Lensbury mark set half way down Trowlock Island and an exhilarating run up river to the Canbury mark not far short of Hampton Wick Railway Bridge.  There were frequent shifts from northeast to northwest, necessitating some awkward gybes in a gusty wind, and the boats that chose to fly their spinnakers benefitted from greater speed but also had what several described as a "rather hairy" time. One of the most difficult stretches was in the narrower channel between Steven's Eyot and the Middlesex bank.  The Cadets were given a shorter course but coped with the conditions with skill.

Great interest was shown in the Phil Morrison designed Prototype, which won the Handicap class with ease, sailed by Martin Dixon and Chris Winnington-Ingram from London Corinthian SC.  This grp hull has a narrow waterline and open transom, internal buoyancy and what looks like cut-down Rater sails on light carbon spars, and was conceived as the first of a new class of racers for the river.

The Merlins Autumn Cup was won by Mike and Andy Stephens in Luka (3560) with three firsts, having discarded a second on the rule that the best three of four races were to count for overall points.  Martin Hunter led the Raters in every race, scoring four firsts in Spindrift (14).  Jeremy and Max Vines in Rhapsody (375) led the National 18s on the water but were only third after the application of handicaps, with first place going to the oldest of the wooden boats, Tinkerbell (15) sailed by Eddy Simmonds and Graeme Lythe.

Commodore Peter Mason presented bottles of wine to the winners.

Overall results:  Thames A Raters, 1 Spindrift (14) Martin Hunter, Jacque Hunter, Roger Stafford, Sue Williams 4 points; 2 Wings (19) Chris Martin, Matthew Peregrine Jones, Toby Peregrine Jones, Tim Leaversuch, Peter Cuckow 11 points;  3 Lady Iona (17) Bess Rhodes, Alistair MacDonald, Julian Crocker 12 points.  National 18s, 1 Tinkerbell (15) Eddy Simmonds, Graeme Lythe 4 points, 2 Zephyr (374) Ian Burnett, Anne Bayne/Emily 5 points;  3 Rhapsody (375) Jeremy and Max Vines 8 points.  Merlin Rockets 1 Luka (3560) Mike and Andy Stephens  4 points; 2 Crescendo (607) Berry Ritchie, Sue Harris 5 points; 3 Andromeda (3259) David Baker, Peter Simpson/Jim Green 10 points;  4 Bad Company (3062) Chris Balmbro, Liz Woods 13 points.  Lasers, 1 (143088) Steve Bartlett 3 points;  2 Phew (178209) Henry Defries 5 points.  Cadets, (7628) Noah Gerber, Sophia Zanarotti 3 points.  Handicap, 1 Prototype Martin Dixon, Chris Winnington-Ingram 3 points.

Thames A Raters get off to a fast start (Photo: Tim Leaversuch)

Luka leads the Merlins downstream (Photo:  Tim Leaversuch)

The Prototype, on right, heels to a brisk breeze (Photo:  John Dunkley)

Donald Forbes wins Laser Up-river Race

Fifteen boats contested the bi-annual Tamesis to Thames Ditton challenge on Sunday 6 September. The moderate south westerly wind could not have been better, with a long beat which ran the whole length of the course, testing everyone to the full. 

What a cracking port end start by Marcus who scorched into the lead pursued by the pack including Steve, Stewart and David. John led the charge from the box end and got his reward with a top of the fleet place when the two groups merged at Steven's Eyot. Half way to Kingston Bridge Marcus was still running the show with Steve, Donald, Carolyne and David close behind. In the shifty winds close to the bridges Donald slipped into the lead and held it into what was supposed to be the clear winds above Kingston Bridge.

Horrendous tales are always told of the passage through the bridges, specially the Hampton Wick railway bridge. Lunchtime stories were of loose power cables being seen hanging below the bridge and of Lasers flaking rust off the underside of the bridge, whilst others got masts trapped in the ironwork after failing to line their boats with the centre of the arches, but in the end no serious damage was done except for a couple of slightly torn sails and a few badly bent racing flags.

Above and close to the bridge the wind is always flukey and often absent, which tests patience and luck as much as skill but once on the Minima reach the challenge was to avoid the large fleets (including at least one Tamesis Merlin) competing in Minima YC's 120th Birthday Regatta . Donald held a tenuous lead but was passed on one tack by David and there was Steve always just yards behind. In a stronger wind the leaders approached Raven's Ait where Donald and David took the starboard channel and Steve snatched second from David by going to port. The final beat to the finish was a close duel all the way with Donald always in the lead but Steve just yards behind and that was the story on the finish line with David in third place. It was Laser racing just as it should be; very close, very enjoyable.

Moorings were provided at the stunning new water frontage of David and Victoria's riverside home near Thames Ditton Island. Class Captain Henry Defries thanked them on behalf of the fleet and said competitors and their supporters were very grateful to them and especially to Victoria for cooking an excellent lunch. Thanks also went to Doug Pope for starting the race and running the rescue boat.

The handicap race back to Tammy in the afternoon was won by John who crossed the finishing line a couple of seconds ahead of Nicole.

Lasers tack up to the bridges  (Photo:  Nicola Chavasse)

The early finishers at the Jerram's jetty (Photo:  Nicola Chavasse)

Richard Harris second at Hampton Merlin Silver Tiller event

Richard Harris was second overall in Passing Cloud (1079) in a 28 boat fleet at Hampton SC's Silver Tiller Merlin open meeting in a moderate south westerly wind on Sunday 6 September.  He was crewed by Martin Evans.  Mike Stephens and Matthew Peregine Jones were third in Flinkidink (1097) and Berry Ritchie and Sue Harris were fifth in Crescendo (607).  Richard Mourant and Joe Woods were 24th in Carrera (3488).  The three race meeting was won by Duncan Salmon and Ian Garwood from Wembley SC.

Mike Stephens makes it three in a row at Hampton

Mike Stephens won all three races in the De May series event for vintage Merlins at Hampton SC on Saturday 5 September.  Crewed by Matthew Peregrine Jones in Flinkidink (1097), he established an early lead in the first of the three races,  improving it further on the downwind leg, and was never seriously challenged by the 11 other contestants.  Phil Dalby of Hampton made the early running in the second race but Stephens broke through in the second lap and maintained his lead to the finish.  The two enjoyed another close battle in the last race but Stephens again won through to take the gun.

Ken Duffell wins Minima Merlins 

Ken Duffell and Brian Corking won the Merlin Rocket class in Harry (3599 ) at Minima YC's 120th birthday regatta on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September.  They were the class winners at the previous year's regatta.

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28.02.10