6th Saga Trophy Race, Thursday 6th June
Published 17:32 on 11 Jun 2024
Image by Carolyne Vines
The first June race in the Saga Trophy attracted a great entry of 16 boats, mainly a mixed bag of single handers but with a Merlin and a N18 representing the double handers. Amongst the single handers were 7 ILCA7s, 3 Solos and a Topper helmed by Arthur P-J.
As seems to have been the norm for some time the wind was a north westerly and the K course was used with a beat downstream and run/reach upstream. Although lighter than the previous week, the wind did hold for the evening, albeit with some frustrating lulls around the marks.
David Baker and Barabara Adams in the Merlin took control of the race and were never headed. Behind them the ILCA7s swapped places with Jon Redding initially 2nd before falling back into the fleet. His place was taken by Henry Medcalf, visiting from university and showing the benefit of his University sailing, with Matt P-J following him in 3rd. He was followed by the first of the Solo's sailed by Henry's dad, Tim, steadily working his way up the fleet. Charles Fox and Robert Blakebrough also managed to work their way through the rest of the fleet and followed Tim over the line in 5th.
After the handicaps had been applied, the first 4 positions were the same as the on the water results, but Charles fell to 7th.
Overall there are several boats that have completed the 4 races needed to be able to start discounting their worst results. This leaves Tim Medcalf in his Solo in 1st. followed by Matt P-J in his ILCA7, then David Baker in the Merlin and in 4th is Charles Fox in his N18, so 4 different classes in the first 4 positions. However there are still 3 races to go so there is plenty of scope for the top positions to change.
Thanks to Graham King as OOD with Toby Powell-Blythe, Chris Taggart and Ian Wyatt assisting in the box and patrol boat.
As usual Jean Michel served up a great supper, this time of lasagne with broccoli with a mixed salad and followed by vanilla pannacotta and berries. He was helped in the kitchen and bar by Alice and Jennifer.
Last updated 18:47 on 20 October 2024