The Cadets still turned out despite the pouring rain and had a great time. Thanks to Andrew and Nim Harris plus helpers for organising the afternoon, and to Jonathan Key for the photos.
News
Tammy Trains
The wind on Sunday was too good to miss a single minute.
So it was great that the race officer had sent the Lasers down to Lensbury giving them a great race and leaving us a good space upstream to set up a triangular course for students and graduates alike.
The race lunch break then gave us an opportunity for a long cruise down the river which made for a great end to the session.
Several capsizes were a small price to pay .
There is still time to sign up for advanced level or inhouse powerboat training.
Business as usual next Sunday.
Eric Finlayson
Matt Peregrine-Jones dominates Laser Barometer
In strong and difficult winds that meant capsizing was almost inevitable, the largest fleet for years contested the Laser Barometer, with 18 entrants, including three from Minima and one from Lensbury. Despite the conditions Matt Peregrine-Jones emerged triumphant with stunning sailing, his first win of the trophy, close on 20 years after he first entered.
By the time of the first race, at 11am, the heavy rains of the previous night had cleared earlier than forecast, but the winds hadn’t – a good North-Westerly with some very significant gusts. OOD Charles Fox had set up a simple starboard tack down and upstream, with the windward mark being put quite a bit downstream, in the Lensbury area, and it wasn’t long before the capsizing started, particularly towards that windward mark, both on the beat and the run.
Honours for the first race went to Matt Peregrine-Jones, with Andrew Harris in a borrowed Laser edging out brother Richard and 2017 Barometer winner Marcus Chavasse, with last year’s winner, Jon Redding, coming in fifth.
The second race was almost a carbon copy of the first, with the first three places the same, and Marcus and Jon swapping 4th and 5th places.
After lunch, the winds had if anything picked up more speed, and the safety boats were already being kept busy when a rainbow appeared in the sky to the North-East, heralding a change in the weather. Five minutes later came sudden squall of rain and (more) wind, and lots of capsizing action near the Lensbury mark. Even race leader Matt P-J succumbed to a capsize, yet still managed to win the race, this time from Richard Harris, followed by brother Andrew and Marcus.
Commodore Chris Pollard presented the prizes and Matt graciously thanked the Race team – Charles Fox, Brian Corking, Florian Krueger, Valerie Hamill and extra volunteer Rob Hatley, not forgetting the essential and cheerful kitchen and bar team of Lauren, Sophie and Tabitha. Alex from Minima also added his thanks.
So the final results for the 2019 Laser Barometer were:
- Matt Peregrine-Jones
- Andrew Harris
- Richard Harris
- Marcus Chavasse
- Jon Redding
Cadets Saturday 5th Ocober
The Toppers were launched into a bit of a drifter – but they all had a lot of fun. Lots of smiles. Once ashore the sailors were treated to the traditional tea, squash and cakes. Thanks to Andrew and Nim Harris for organising, and to all the other parents, grandparents and relatives for helping out.
Thanks also to Jonathan Key for the fab photos
Zephyr wins National 18′ Open
Six National 18’s were entered for this year’s competition – a good turnout considering the weather forecast, extremely light winds and a flat calm, algae covered course, which made for challenging conditions across the three races. There was plenty of spirited sailing nonetheless, with a close field across the day, even if, at times, it was difficult to keep one’s concentration on the downwind drift!
All honours for the day went to 374 Zephyr ,helmed by Henry Defries, with his crew Carolyne Vines who claimed first place in all three races – 2nd and 3rd places were closely fought for, with 400 Odyssey helmed by Peter Impey and Paul Nebel taking 2nd on the water and 3rd handicapped, and 266 Genevieve helmed by Charles Fox with Robert Blakebrough, 3rd on the water and 2nd handicapped. All in all, an excellent days sailing.
My thanks to our Commodore Chris Pollard for the data collection and calculations, to OOD Peter Johnson Assistant Hugh McLaughlin and Patrol Boat driver Malcolm Warner. Thanks also to Nicky Johnson and the catering team – Jo, Lauren and Josefine for their help and sustenance across the day.
Garrie Mallen
Cover Photo Stewart Colley
Final Results
Maddison Trophy – first on the water
1st 374 Zephyr Henry Defries and Carolyne Vines
2nd 400 Odyssey Peter Impey and Paul Nebel
3rd 266 Genevieve Charles Fox and Robert Blakebrough
Eighteen Cup – Handicap
1st Zephyr Henry Defries and Carolyne Vines
2nd 266 Genevieve Charles Fox and Robert Blakebrough
3rd 400 Odyssey Peter Impey and Paul Nebel
Tammy Trains
Every Sunday morning I check the Environment Agency web site for stream warnings.
After last weeks rain I was amazed that there were no warnings for Sunday.
Could the flood prevention scheme actually be working?
I don’t think there was much stream but the wind was strong enough to stem any current even if it was 90 degrees more West.
Anyway we had a great days training getting several students “signed off” and a visitor flying around in the Oppie!
We hope to start advanced courses next but with a big emphasis on fun!
Eric Fnlayson
Merlin Weekend 2019
The Merlin weekend is split into two events – the Vintage De May for the Porteous Cup on Saturday and the Sondown Cup on Sunday for all comers.
The bad weather forecast put some sailors off, but whilst the fleets on both days were smaller than usual, the quality of the competition was not.
Eleven boats turned out on Saturday including the very welcome presence of Sel Shah and Gemma Horwood from Thames SC. Andrew Harris crewed in turn by son Tom and sister Sarah Warren led the way throughout, closely challenged by Joe McLaughlin and Sean Roberts, with John and Zoe Adams in hot pursuit. The racing took place on a figure of eight course in front of the club.
Thanks to Race Officer Peter Fryer assisted by Pauline Fryer and Hugh McLaughlin, and Marcus Chavasse and Ken Thatcher in the Patrol Boat.
Link to the result https://www.tamesisclub.co.uk/results/Merlin_Vintage_Open.htm
Sunday dawned wetter and some of the crews from Saturday felt they had had enough. Race Officer Matt Peregrine Jones sent the fleet above the island for all three races, great for the sailors but not for the spectators (saving the blushes of a few boats who nearly capsized in blustery conditions). Richard Harris took over from brother Andy in vintage Passing Cloud and the match between the two was nailbiting. Richard crewed by Emma Macdonald won the first race of three, but Andy crewed again by Sarah Warren won the second two, slipping through Richard’s lead in the third race.
Thanks to Matt Peregrine Jones, Peter and Pauline Fryer, Chris Taggart and Chris Starr in the Patrol Boat.
Special thanks go to Chris Simon for Rule 42 adjudication
Sondown results on the following link – https://www.tamesisclub.co.uk/results/Merlin_Sondown19.htm
The prizes for both events we given out by Vice Commodore Carolyne Vines, with the winner Andrew Harris thanking all concerned for organising the event.
Last races Summer 2019
Saturday’s sun and champagne sailing gave way to flukey winds with heavy rain later in the races.
The 1030 race featured a Laser and a Merlin who spent the race glued together!
John Adams sent the fleet right down to Lensbury in the main race.
The first race of the winter series will be on 13th October.
Thanks to Jonathan Key for the great pictures
Tammy Trains
Autumn came a day early at Tammy yesterday with strong southerly winds and heavy rain.
However consulting a variety of mobiles and I-pads we were able to predict the changes of weather with enough accuracy to shoehorn training into the gaps between the showers.
One of our youngest students made particularly good progress in his Oppie.
Business as usual next week.
Eric Finlayson
Junior Regatta 2019
A dozen juniors took to the water on the afternoon of Saturday 21st September in champagne sailing conditions with a good breeze and glorious sunshine.
Three races were run using a simple upwind/downwind course and there were some close contests which drew shouts of encouragement and advice from the spectators on the bank. In many cases, final positions were decided by less than a boat length.
The Optimist fleet, which at one point included Andy Harris, was won by Sebastian Hoo. The Topper fleet saw a hard won victory for Matty Key, with Alden Horwitz in second, and Matthew Valentine in third.
Tea and home baked cakes were served after the racing.
Thanks as ever to the volunteers who made the event possible and included Andy Harris, Ian Ramage, Ken Duffell, Humphrey Dorrell, Tim and Ed Medcalf in the box, and the ‘tea crew’ of Nim, Emma and Helen.
It was clear that a number of our juniors racers have made great progress this year and we look forward to seeing them develop within the club.
The expectation is that Saturday cadet sessions will continue when feasible until the end of October, Andy Harris will confirm week-by-week.