9th GW Smith Trophy Race, Thursday August 29th
Published 10:30 on 2 Sep 2024
Images by Chris Wade
For this, the final race in the 2024 GW Smith trophy, the sun shone, and the wind wafted gently across the river, generally from the west northwest, but from most other directions at times. In a change from the previous 3 races, Andy Harris, the OOD set a simple sausage course starting downstream towards Lensbury
14 boats came to the start line, including 4 Merlins, 7 ILCA7s and 3 Toppers helmed by junior sailors.
As is his habit in these conditions, David Baker in his Merlin, crewed by Carolyne Vines smoothly sailed into the lead, but followed closely by Lyra Wade and Peter Impey in ILCA7s. For those behind these three, the first mark was very busy with all trying to find that elusive puff of wind to break free from the pack. It was not much better for the rest of the race, but some separation developed as the race progressed. David and Carolyne retained their lead to finish first. The leading ILCA7s had a close race with Peter Impey taking 2nd, Alexey Anaskiy grabbing 3rd with Lyra 4th.
On handicap it became the ILCA7's night as Peter won, followed by Alexey and Lyra with David and Carolyne relegated to 4th.
This was a good result for Peter as it catapulted him from 4th overall to 2nd, behind Joe McLaughlin, the overall winner in his Solo with Matt P-J in his Rooster 8.1 in 3rd and Chris and William Balmbro in their Merlin the leading double hander in 4th.
So both the Thursday evening series have been won by Solos, with Tim Medcalf winning the earlier Saga Trophy, and Joe McLaughlin winning the GW Smith Trophy. I'll be looking at the details of both series in a later report.
Thanks to Andy and Nim Harris in the box, with Matt P-J and Garrie Mallen in the Patrol Boat.
After the racing we all retired to the clubhouse where Jean-Michel, helped by Alfie and Meg in the kitchen and bar, providing a fitting last supper of the series. On the menu was Chicken fricassée and rice accompanied by vegetable fricassée, a mixed leaf salad with a salad of green bean, peas, fetta, pomegranate and mint and followed by summery strawberries and cream. A good way to end the summer evening sailing.
Last updated 12:19 on 10 October 2024