




Alex and Thomas Davey of the Royal Harwich YC won the Elizabeth Cup at the Tamesis open meeting for Fireflies on Sunday 24 April. This was the third time Alex has won it.
Sailing Mustard (2649) in a cold and blustery northerly wind, they fought off the competition from the 10 boat fleet, to win the first two of the three races and were second in the third. Nigel Wakefield and Emily Sanderson were second in Flo (3674).
Results: 1 Mustard (2649) Alex & Thomas Davey, RHYC, 4 points; 2 Flo (3674) Nigel Wakefield & Emily Sanderson, 7 points; 3 Tanglefoot (2631) Stuart & Jane Hudson, Keyhaven YC, 10 points; 4 Cumulus (186) Steven Greaves & Madelaine/Arthur Greaves, Rickmansworth SC, 14 points.
The event was organised by Sue Harris, Tamesis Firefly Class Captain, with help from Tamesis Commodore Carolyne Vines. Donald Forbes, the Race Officer, was assisted by Peter Johnson, and the patrol boats were operated by Chris Pollard Paul Jamieson and Robin Lince




12 boats made their way to South-West London for the annual Firefly Junior Cup at the Tamesis Club. This event is for the children – and there seemed to be quite a few of them!
The blustery northerly wind was strong enough that not many of the children managed much helming, but every boat had at least one child crewing or doing other crucial jobs such as sticking heads in the water or shooting water pistols.
There were three close-fought races on a windward-leeward course up and down the river, giving lots of excitement for both the sailors and the enthusiastic crowd on shore. Special mention must go to Olivia Powell, who on one of her first competitive outings in a Firefly was capsized by her dad… luckily there was plenty of restorative tea and cake on offer in the ever-hospitable Tamesis clubhouse.
In the final race of the day two intrepid children took to the helm: Thomas Davey and Matthew Mason, both aged 8, and crewed by their dads (who have a long rivalry of their own). After a titanic battle all the way round the course, Matthew just held off Thomas to take line honours and the Junior Cup.
Results:
Junior Cup (children helming)
Place | Helm | Crew |
1st | Matthew Mason | Will Mason |
2nd | Thomas Davey | Alex Davey |
Children Crewing
Place | Crew | Helm |
1st | Thomas Davey | Alex Davey |
2nd | Arthur Greaves | Steve Greaves |
3rd | Finn Morris | Roger Morris |
4th | Robbie & Elizabeth Hudson | Stuart Hudson |
5th | Olivia & Ana Powell | Alec Powell |
6th | Zoe & Matthew Mason | Will Mason |
7th | William McEwen | Jamie McEwen |
8th | Ludo Kameen | Paul Kameen |
9th | Pippa & Millie Wakefield | Nigel Wakefield |
10th | Anna Morris | Amy Morris |
11th | Luca Merriman | Grandpa |
12th | Jack Dingwall & Joe Merriman | Ben Dingwall |
Cheering Competition
1st | Finn Kameen |
2nd | Ben McEwen |
3rd | Sylvia McEwen |
4th | Polly Mason |
5th | Ella Simmonds |
Brave Sailor – Stella Davey
Best Swimmer – Olivia Powell
Nelson Lookalike – Angus McEwen
OODs Sue Harris and Carolyne Vines, Patrol Boat Chris Balmbro and Andrew Forbes