Thames Sailing Club
Easter Regatta
Seasons Greetings
As the snow fell in buckets-full the enthusiastic element of the TSC sailing members gathered for the first event of the season. With the snow falling in large attractive flakes cries of Happy Christmas were heard echoing along the hard. This was corrected to Happy Easter as it was realised that the day was March 23rd and not December .
The buzz of conversation centred around whether ice yachts should be raced or dinghies. The toss of a coin resulted in tails which was fortunate as the river was not actually frozen over.
As the Rater fleet lay snug in the boat-shed the intrepid handicap fleet got ready to break the ice and prove that adverse weather was no bar to sailing in the Easter Regatta.
Leading the Wayfarer fleet Mel Hardman and Patrick Rayner slid Hagle into t
he murky waters whilst Chris Martin and Nick Hoskins took Firefly No 19 out of mothballs.
Negla Salem and Nick Fribbins were race officers for this exciting event. Unfortunately they made completely unreasonable demands of the assembled company and the Coxswain in particular. For some unaccountable reason they felt it was necessary to have a rescue boat to put the buoys out and provide some rescue cover in the event that the assembled fleet should be carried down to Kingston by the significant stream. So, all concerned buckled to, including guests of Suzie & Ian, and assisted in launching Cora and Spritzer.
The course was set and the starting gun fired. Mel, helming the Wayfarer, was off on the Surrey bank and Chris & Nick found themselves facing the opposite direction seemingly wondering what was going on. However, with Chris at the helm matters were soon rectified as he demanded short tacks, to stay out of the stream, and plenty of rolling to maximise the wind in the sails. Soon the 
nifty Firefly took the lead and rounded the top mark. However, the strong stream and paucity of wind meant that the Firefly kindly polished the buoy meaning that the buoy had to be re-rounded. A second attempt was made but this time the leap out into the stream was made some 20 yards above the buoy which was easily cleared. The Wayfarer followed close by and the course was shortened to one round.
By mutual agreement of all concerned the regatta was reduced to one race leaving Chris & Nick in first place and Mel & Patrick, leading the Wayfarer fleet of one, in second.
The day finished with plenty of good humour and bonhomie as Negla took on the role of barmaid, with a warm and ready smile - always, and Gill Cryer kindly laid on a welcome luncheon of baked potatoes with tuna & sweetcorn filling, bread and a selection of fine cheeses with fruit and coffee to complete the repast.
Page last updated: 19/04/2008 15:50:13
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