Easter Regatta at Tamesis Club
by John Dunkley 8 Apr 2010 08:17 BST
4-5 April 2010
Tamesis Easter Regatta © John Dunkley
Cold wintery weather cuts entry
The early Easter brought wintery rather than spring weather for the Tamesis Easter Regatta with cold gusty winds, sharp showers and occasional sunny spells. Although many of the usual competitors opted to seek warmer pursuits elsewhere, a total of 23 boats and 37 sailors took part. They were rewarded with some exciting racing over a number of different courses taking them down to Lensbury on Sunday 4 April, when the fresh northerly wind gave a downstream beat and a run upriver against a strong stream, and a difficult upriver beat past Stevens Eyot on Monday 5 April in a strong westerly that produced some vicious gusts and painfully cold capsizes.
The Tamesis Merlin Cup was won by David Baker and Jim Green in Andromeda (3259) in an 11 boat turnout with Berry Ritchie and Sue Harris second in Crescendo (607). Not all the Merlins sailed every one of the four races and Jon and Augusta Redding took a clear first on Monday afternoon in Pikey (3520), the only race they sailed.
Seven Lasers competed for the Bryan Evans Trophy and, with the best three of the four races to count, Matthew Peregrine Jones left no doubt about his victory by winning all four in Inxs-ive (122399). Henry Defries was second in Phew (178209).
Only two National 18s came to the line but enjoyed some close racing. The Lobb Cup was won by Charles Fox and Hugh McLaughlin in Ocatillo (316) with Doug and Amy Pope second in One Over the Eight (349).
The three Solos raced only on Sunday and each scored a first, second and third, but the prize went to Dan Goodwin in Hura HauMaka (4735) on a tie break with Rob Wilder second in Wild Wood (5041).
Overall Results:
Merlin Rockets
1 Andromeda (3259) Dave Baker & Jim Green
2 Crescendo (607) Berry Ritchie & Sue Harris
3 Total Eclipse (3233) Richard Mourant & Joe Woods
4 Capriol (3062) Chris Balmbro & Steve Katz/Liz Woods
Lasers
1 Inxs-ive (122399) Matthew Peregrine Jones
2 Phew (178209) Henry Defries
3 (42169) Kaan Yargici
National 18s
1 Ocatillo (316) Charles Fox & Hugh McLaughlin
Solos
1 Hura HauMaka (4735) Dan Goodwin