Racing Sunday 10th March

Published 17:38 on 18 Mar 2024

Report by Marcus Chavasse

Photos by Chris Wade

The Environment Agency seemed to have gone away for the weekend. The last measurement for the flow rate at Kingston was at 08:00 on Friday before the gauge came unstuck. The stream had reduced to an estimated 150m3/s by Sunday morning. However the wind was still rather light from the East. OOD Marcus decided to give the Blue Race a go. After half an hour of struggle, the three hoots of abandonment were heard by members living far away in Kingston.

They waited. The compact course was made even more compact. Great sport for viewers in the clubhouse! Andy Harris reckoned he could find some wind. Marcus thinks that is in the job description for the Rear Commodore Sailing.

Well, Andy was right. There were finishers in Merlin Rocket, Laser and N18 classes. Andy, crewed by Lyra Wade was particularly wily, lapping the nearest Merlin twice.

The lap racing rule may have produced some quirks in the results. At the rear of the Merlin fleet, Peter Impey and Alison Cooper put in a first lap time of 39 minutes and, just behind the leading boat, were obliged to do a second lap which was completed in 17 minutes - less than half the time.

In the Lasers, Alexey Anatskiy crossed the line just before drifting back and being lapped by leader Matt Valentine. Because Alexey first crossed the line ahead, he was obliged to do another lap while Matt finished.

Many thanks to my Race and Patrol Boat Teams Jon Redding, Carolyne Vines, Simon Thompson and Brian Harper-Lewis.

Members gathered after the racing in the clubhouse, for a drink and a tasty sandwich. Huge relief to actually have some sailing to talk about!

Last updated 18:38 on 25 April 2024