Sunny Firefly Open for the Elizabeth Cup and Firefly Junior Cup

Published 09:05 on 29 Apr 2025

Report Jamie McEwan

Photos Carolyne Vines

A round dozen Fireflies congregated at Tamesis Club on Saturday 26th April for the annual Elizabeth Cup and even-more-coveted Junior Cup. They were rewarded with bacon rolls on arrival, tasty lunches and delicious cake after racing, plus glorious warm spring weather. The wind also arrived, mostly, though its unusual Easterly direction (perpendicular to the river) led to some interesting shifts. As ever it was unwise if doing well to get too cocky, as a snake would doubtless be encountered soon after; conversely there were lots of ladders to help one back into contention after slipping back.

The Elizabeth Cup consisted of three races, all to count. In the first race, Jason Aldous and JOSEPHINE MASON came flying out of the blocks and were amongst the leaders for the first two marks, only to hit a hole at mark 2 and drift off downstream. Chief beneficiaries were Jamie and Ben McEwen, who tussled with Jono Pank and Rachel Crebbin for the lead, timing their move in front to perfection as the shorten course signal was made. A strong third was Chris Guy, crewed by niece Iona Sherwood, who managed to hold off local heroes Timothy Barr and Jim Hamilton, followed by Erin and Freddie Pank.

In race 2 Jamie and Ben made the mistake of leading early, for which they were duly punished as Chris/Iona and Jono/Rachel sped past. Unfortunately for Chris and Iona they also led too early and sailed into another hole to be passed again. However once Jono and Rachel were in front they extended for a comfortable win.

After a very civilised lunch was the highlight of the day: the Junior Cup, for under-16 sailors. This was hotly contested between Ben McEwen, Freddie Pank, Daisy Dingwall and Iona Sherwood (crewed by her cousin Freddie Guy). After several exchanges of the lead it was Freddie who took the win from Ben, followed by Iona and then Daisy. The spectators clearly enjoyed the racing and commented on the high standard.

Finally was the deciding race of the Elizabeth Cup. Barney Smith and Alannah Hebbert, sailing the outrageously shiny Fourwood Thinking, made a cracking start and led around mark 1. Of course this was too early in the race and couldn't last, but it was enough for a comfortable second behind Jamie and Ben and followed by Jono/Rachel and Guy Davison (who had come all the way from Wales) crewed by Izzy Bretherton.

This meant that Jamie and Ben took the Elizabeth Cup (the first time in many attempts), with Jono and Rachel second, Chris and Iona third, and Guy and Izzy fourth.

Prizegiving on the daisy-covered lawn with tea and homemade cakes - what a way to finish a glorious day on the river. The competitors were very grateful to all the organisers and helpers, most notably Tamesis Firefly class captain Matthew Dalton and long-time Tamesis legend Carolyne Vines.

Last updated 09:10 on 29 April 2025