The Vintage and Open Regatta 2007

The Vintage and Open Regatta 2007

As the first day of the regatta dawned, the home stretch of the Thames looked appropriate only for extreme kayaking with a stream of 4 knots and white-crested standing waves in evidence. Such a shame as the weather in the morning was sunny with a constant South Westerly of 9-11 knots. However the flood warnings kept all but the diehards away so it was a much depleted fleet of vintage boats that prepped for the afternoon racing.

Stuart Gurney, the Regatta Race Officer, took the sensible step of delaying the handicap class sailing and attempting to run the first Rater race – if the Raters couldn’t cope with the stream then the Handicap racing would have to be cancelled for the day. Scamp, Osprey and Carina attempted to tackle a very short course but, after Carina retired and Scamp had to accept outside help, racing for both Raters and the Handicap fleet was abandoned for the day - a relief for those who witnessed the Southern Belle attempting to steer downstream and going sideways!

To lift deflated and soggy spirits, Gill with the assistance of Nicole and various cake-makers, laid on a superb ‘High tea’ and, despite the early conclusion of racing for the day, the socializing went on until late in the evening.

No change was anticipated to the conditions for the next day so, when Jim and Glen from Island Barn suggested that the Handicap event could be moved to Island Barn Reservoir for the next day, Susie jumped at the offer.

So Sunday morning saw all the visitor’s boats back on their trailers along with the 2 resident Albacores and Ian and Susie’s Merlin. The Rater fleet considered racing again but in the end it was decided to abandon racing at Thames for the weekend.

The welcome the Handicap fleet received at Island Barn was superb. They mucked in to help us get 7 boats up the incline and in the water for a first race at 10.30. Mike the race officer gave us separate start for a series of 1 longer race and 2 short races.

Ian and Susie dominated Race 1 with a superb upwind start and the long downwind leg gave them a good opportunity to fly their kite to consolidate their lead. Behind them the pack reeled in Nicole and myself – we made a good early start but lost our way on the course!

Race 2 was dominated by new entrants, Ben Marshall and Alex Case from Minima in Merlin 2529 But also in the hunt and finishing second was the beautiful Merlin Number 36 ‘Terrapin’ of John and Lyn Gardiner with Glen and Oliver in the sole Enterprise in 3rd

In race 3 Nicole and I had an appalling start so were surprised to find ourselves first round the upper mark. Unfortunately we couldn’t hold the lead and were overhauled by The Merlin Rockets of Ben and Alex and Ian and Susie.

All in all the racing was closely fought with virtually every boat in the hunt at one stage or another and finishes on the water were close irrespective of the Handicapping which actually counted for very little on the shorter races. It goes to show that age related Handicap racing can be equally as exciting as single class racing! We also appreciated the efforts of Chris and Lois Barlow to maintain the originality of number 6 Merlin ‘Iska’ even down to sailing her with her original cotton sails.

All returned to TSC for a lunch laid on once again by Gill and for the prizegiving. Prizes were awarded for the afternoon race results, the vintage regatta results and to the oldest boat in original condition.

Our thanks go to the team at Island Barn; to Mike for fitting us into Island Barn’s regular racing and not least to Jim for suggesting the alternative and then giving up his own opportunity to race to help us get the boats in the water and then course set for us in the safety boat.

Thanks also to Steve Collins and the Minima crew who fought the stream on Saturday to bring 2 boats up. We’re only sorry that your efforts were in vain.

A Further thank you to John and Lyn and Chris and Lois for making the long haul up from Somerset with the 2 beautiful older Merlins – a journey that couldn’t have been made easy by the flooding in central southern England.

Finally thanks to Radio Jackie for sponsoring prizes in the form of polo and T shirts.

Despite everything we had fun and we fully intend to develop this event into a regular fixture on the vintage racing calendar.

Afternoon Race Results

	Class	Sail No.	Boat Name	Helm/Crew
1st	Merlin Rocket	2529	Fat Marce	Ben Marshall + Alex Case
2nd	Merlin	36	Terrapin	John + Lyn Gardiner
3rd	Albacore	1443	Twinkle	Ben + Nicole May

Vintage Regatta Results

	Class	Sail No.	Boat Name	Helm/Crew
1st	Merlin Rocket	2069	Water Nymph	Ian Pratt + Susie Scotcher
2nd	Merlin	36	Terrapin	John + Lyn Gardiner
3rd	Enterprise	E20378	Electrik Eel	Glen + Oliver Cole

Oldest Boat in Original Condition

	Class	Sail No.	Boat Name	Helm/Crew
1st	Merlin	6	Iska	Chris + Lois Barlow

Page last updated:  26/07/2007 21:16:33

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