Single Handers Dominate Centenary Cup 2024

Published 13:56 on 3 Jun 2024

After a week of rather iffy weather, we were greeted by bright sunshine and a northerly wind on Sunday morning. Perfect weather for a handicap pursuit race.

This was the day for the annual Centenary Cup presented by then Commodore Louis Dereham back in 1985 during the year of the club centenary.

A good mix of classes totalling twenty-two boats took part including Solos, Lasers, Merlins, Enterprise and National 18s, the slowest class on handicap starting first and the Ultimate National 18s starting last.

OOD Richard Harris set a port hand loop with a downstream start, the windward mark set just below the creek and the leeward mark level with the willow tree upstream of Stevens Ait.

The three Solos set off to a cracking start and led all the way, though the two top Lasers were neck and neck with them towards the end.

Joe McLaughlin and Tim Medcalf in their Solos were often very close, but it looked as if Joe's lead was unassailable. Tim Barr in the third Solo Class Association demo boat, Jon Redding and Marcus Chavasse in their Lasers had caught them on the last run up past the club before the finish at 1230 sharp. The leading fleet disappeared round the corner by Stevens Ait, and we had to wait until the prizegiving to find out who had finally clinched the Cup!

Competitors and spectators crowded the lawn and the riverside seats to enjoy lunch and a drink from the bar.

The prizegiving took place on the lawn after lunch with Commodore Marcus Chavasse officiating, and Richard Harris announcing.

Many thanks to OOD Richard Harris assisted by Kris Morcom in the box, Chris Pollard, Chris Wade and James Berry in the Patrol Boat.

Many thanks also to the staff for providing great sandwiches and serving drinks from the bar.

Results:

1^st Solo 5089 Tim Medcalf

2^nd Solo 6044 Joe McLaughlin

3rd Laser 188044 Jon Redding

4^th Solo 6053 Tim Barr

5^th Laser 197213 Marcus Chavasse

6^th Laser 201014 Ros Warwick-Haller

7th Laser 20555 Jim Hamilton

8th Laser 211865 Ilkr Sener

9^th Laser 1374 Alexey Anatskiy

10th Enterprise 22816 Peter Bide and Peter Impey

11^th Merlin 1004 Ken Duffell and Joe Woods

12^th Nat 18' 266 Charles Fox and Robert Blakebrough

13^th Merlin 1357 David Baker and Barbara Adams

14^th Nat 18' 374 Alison Cooper and Andrew Craig

15^th Merlin 1136 Peter Johnson and Paul Jamieson

16^th Nat 18'' 369 Mike and Jennifer Adams

17^th Merlin 3333 John Adams and Zoe Adams

18^th Laser 198571 Chris Taggart

19^th Laser 122399 Lyra Wade

20^th Laser 135612 Peter Konidaris

21^st Merlin 1605 Rupert Fletcher and Brian Y

Retd Nat 18' 349 Alastair Banks and Marie

Report and cover photo: Carolyne Vines

Last updated 18:47 on 20 October 2024