We were very pleased to see the six Thames A Raters arrive on Saturday along with blazing sunshine and a strong Southerly gusting 30 knots at times. The course was challenging – upstream start taking the boats half way up the Canbury reach and down to the bottom mark below Trowlock Island.
All six started in the first race on Saturday, but three retired, due to gear failure or concerns re gear failure. Osprey won from Adventurer setting up the needle match that lasted all the weekend.
The second race was for the Yates Cup. Adventurer was clear winner from Osprey. The wind had not abated, so it made for some very exciting sailing.
Sunday was completely different, pouring rain with a lightish northerly. The course for the first two races took competitors up past the island then down to a mark just below the club. Vagabond was clear winner in the first race followed by Adventurer and Osprey. The rain got worse in the second race causing the wind to drop. Adventurer led over the finishing line having overtaken Osprey during the second round. Vagabond was third.
The third race was crucial. Adventurer had two firsts and two seconds, Osprey a first, two seconds and a win, Vagabond a first, third and a retirement. Vagaond easily won the last race though Adventurer was apparently closing some of the time. Osprey was third.
Final results
Yates Cup:
1st Nr 24 Adventurer – Martin Hunter, Jock Wishart and Jamie Stewart – Tamesis
2nd Nr 16 Osprey – Paul Browning, Justin Dunn, Graham Bartholomew Thames SC
Braganza Bowl:
1st Nr 24 Adventurer – Martin Hunter, Jock Wishart and Jamie Stewart – Tamesis 6 points
2nd Nr 16 Osprey – Paul Browning, Justin Dunn, Graham Bartholomew Thames SC 8 points
3rd Nr 13 Vagabond – Miles Palmer, Kevin Pearson, Matt Kyte Thames SC 12 points
The prizes announced by Jim Green, Rear Commodore Sailing, presented by Commodore Carolyne Vines. Martin Hunter graciously thanked the Race teams – OODs Peter Fryer and David Jerram, Time Keepers Pauline Fryer and Andrew Forbes, Patrol Boat drivers and crews Brian Timbrell, Berry Ritchie, Robert Blakebrough, Florian Krueger Neville Upton, and of course very importantly the catering crew.
