5th GW Smith race, 3rd August 2023

Published 01:00 on 7 Aug 2023

Report by John Adams, photos by Tom Jones and John Adams

Sadly we are into the last month of the summer evening racing, but with 4 races to go we still have something to help us enjoy the rest of the summer evenings.

Eight boats did so for the 5th race of the GW Smith series, a couple of Merlins, 3 Lasers, a Firefly, a Solo and a N18 making up a mixed fleet. As the course was set it appeared that we might have a good wind for the evening, from the north to northwest and a respectable strength. However true to form it died towards the end of the race, and then picked up again as night fell and we were enjoying our supper.

David Baker, crewed by Carolyne Vines, in the Merlin shot away from the start and held a substantial lead for the rest of the race.

Behind them, Peter Johnson and Paul Jamieson in the second Merlin had a battle throughout the race with Marcus Chavasse in a Laser and Joe McLaughlin in his Solo, with places changing throughout the race.

Eventually Peter and Paul prevailed and finished 2nd, closely followed by Joe in 3rd and Marcus in 4th. Some way behind this group, Charles Fox crewed by Adrian Warwick-Haller in the N18 led the rest of the fleet, but not helped by the lack of wind in the latter stages of the race.

Alexey Anatskiy deserves mention for arriving about 10 minutes before the start, rigging at frantic speed, starting a couple of minutes after the others, but still manging to carve his way up the fleet. Henry Medcalf and Joey Sparks in the Firefly were also not helped by the dying wind but sailed a good race.

On handicap David and Carolyne in the Merlin retained their leading position, followed by Joe in the Solo in 2nd and Marcus 3rd in his Laser with Henry and Joey 4th in the Firefly.

Overall Matt P-J still has a good lead in the series, now followed by David in the Merlin just ahead of Charles Fox in the N18. These three have completed the 4 races to count, but the places may change as others start to discard their DNC scores. Even now, with 4 races left in the series there is room for new entrants to contest the overall lead, as there is for those who have completed a race or more so far.

John Adams was OOD, ably assisted by Zoë Adams in the box and Ron Williamson and Geoff Malseed in the patrol boat.

Supper was provided by Nicky Johnson, baked potatoes with a variety of fillings, followed by a sumptuous Bakewell tart, cream and ice cream. Josefine and Jack saw to it that we were served with the food and accompanying drinks, all helping to round out a great evening.

Last updated 09:24 on 13 May 2025