7th GW Smith Race Trophy Race, Thursday 14th August

Published 19:06 on 16 Aug 2025

Image by Jonathan Key

Once again we had a bumper entry for the GW Smith Trophy race on 14^th August, with 19 entries in total, including a good number of juniors and trainers. The entry included 6 ILCA7s, 3 each of Merlin Rockets and Solos, 2 each of N18s and Toppers and single RS Feva, Wayfarer and 2000.

With a light west south westerly wind, OOD Peter Mason set a dog leg course with a downstream start to Lensbury. As can be imagined, the start line was crowded, and careful positioning was required to escape the mass of boats around you.

Joe McLaughlin in his Solo was an early leader, closely followed by Tom Bull in his ILCA7. These two stayed at the head of the fleet for the whole race, but with Tom coming through to take the lead at the end of the race, with Joe 2^nd. Behind them were Lumiere Ng in an ILCA7 and Tim Barr in a Solo and these two finished 3^rd and 4^th. After them were Lyra Wade, the first Junior, and Matty Key in ILCA7s with the first double hander, David Baker crewed by Carolyne Vines in a Merlin Rocket in 7^th just ahead of Alison Cooper in her N18. The two N18s, Mike and Jenny Adams in the second one, had been battling each other all around the course, exchanging places as the wind varied from lap to lap with Alison and her two crews getting the last puff.

Once the handicaps had been applied, Joe McLaughlin came 1^st followed by Tim Barr 2^nd in his Solo and with the ILCA7s of Tom Bull and Lumiere Ng in 3^rd and 4^th and Lyra Wade as the first Junior in 5^th.

Overall the position is changed slightly from last week with Tim Barr in his Solo coming into the picture at 3^rd and Charles Fox and his N18 dropping out of the top 5 and into 6^th position:

1^st Tom Bull, ILCA7, 6 points

2^nd David Baker and Barbara Adams/Carolyne Vines, Merlin Rocket, 13 points

3^rd Tim Barr, Solo, 15 points

4^th Matty Key, ILCA7, 15 points

5^th Lyra Wade, ILCA7, 16 points

Although Tom looks reasonably safe, a couple of wins from David in the last two races to go with the two he already has, could see him climb to the top.

Thanks to Peter Mason as OOD, ably assisted in dealing with so many boats by Richard Mason, and by Iain Wyatt and Ron Williamson in the patrol boat.

Jean-Michel served a very tasty supper of chicken casserole, stem broccoli, rice and a green salad followed by tarte tatin and ice cream. Helping him in the kitchen and at the bar were Alfie and Sabina to round off a very good evening.

Still two more to go so give yourself a treat and either have a great sail or enjoy the spectacle all rounded off with a sociable drink and meal.

Last updated 19:06 on 16 August 2025