Another successful Pursuit Race at TSC

Published 10:24 on 21 Jun 2024

This Tuesday saw another very successful holding of our annual pursuit race for the 150th Anniversary trophy and this time with a few surprises.

On a sunny evening with a pleasant breeze there were 13 entries, ranging from a Topper to the Thames A Raters.

The earlier starters, setting off from 1830, took full advantage of a stronger, steadier breeze at the start, and by the time the Raters started at 1915 in a slightly lighter wind there was a formidable gap for them to make-up for a 2000 finish.

Among the handicap fleet of Topper, Fusion, Solo, Omega, Albacore and Merlin Rocket, it was Chris Martin in his single-handed Heatwave who powered through to create a massive gap. In previous years the speedy Raters have fairly easily made up the ground to take the top slots, but this time it was too much for them.

Chris Martin won, with Jemma Horwood and Ben Hughes, second in their Merlin, and a very creditable third for new member Maxx Kenna and family in the club Omega.

The best-placed Rater was the Paul Browning helmed Osprey and even the Rater teams acknowledged it was good to see the pursuit race won by a non-Rater.

It was a great night, decent wind, some sun, good turnout, all followed by one of Sergio's excellent suppers in the clubhouse.