3rd GW Smith trophy race, 20th July 2023

Published 01:00 on 24 Jul 2023

Report by John Adams, photos by Chris Wade

Contrary to OOD Mal Warner's pessimistic forecast for the evening, the wind on Thursday 20th July was good in strength and direction giving the fleet a beat downstream to the Lensbury mark and a run back up to Canbury. A mixed fleet of eleven boats took to the water, 5 Merlins, 2 N18s, 2 ILCA 7s including Lyra wade representing the junior sailors, a Firefly helmed by Henry Medcalf and crewed by Joey Sparks, and Joe McLaughlin's Solo.

True to form Andy Harris crewed by his son Tom in their Merlin took up the early running with the rest of the Merlins racing closely behind him, with places changing as the competitors gained or lost in the shifts and wind shadows in different parts of the course. However Matt P-J and Alexey Anatskiy were starting to carve their way through the fleet and the rest of the fleet were not far behind.

At the end of the allotted five laps, Matt and Alexey had managed to take the lead and finished a couple of minutes ahead of Andy and Tom in the leading Merlin. Close behind them were Chris Balmbro and son William who had been battling Tim Medcalf and his son Ed, completing the trio of father and son crewed Merlins. Behind them David and Barbara Adams finished ahead of John Adams and Caroline Stilwell.

Following them but not very far away were Charles Fox and Robert Blakebrough in the second N18, Joe McLaughlin in his Solo and Henry and Joey in the Firefly followed by the 2 ILCAs.

On handicap Matt P-J and Alexey managed to finish far enough ahead to keep their lead, but behind them the Merlins dropped back, with Joe McLaughlin in his Solo second ahead of Henry and Joey in the Firefly, then Charles and Robert 4th in their N18 before the Merlins took up the next 5 places.

While we have only sailed 3 of the allotted 9 races of the GW Smith Trophy series, Matt P-J with 3 firsts is making a determined bid to make up for losing out on the Saga Trophy and is currently leading the series followed by Charles Fox in another N18 and with Chris and William Balmbro chasing them in the first Merlin. However with 6 more races to go and 4 needed to qualify, the competition is still wide open.

Thanks to Mal Warner and Alastair Banks in the box, with Ellen Schwarz and Ian Wyatt in the patrol boat. Jean-Michel produced a very tasty moussaka and salad followed by a panna cotta and mixed berry compote and Will and Maddie looked after our liquid refreshment to round off a good evening's sailing and entertainment.

Last updated 11:46 on 27 May 2025