Tamesis Autumn Regatta
by John Dunkley 16 Sep 2010 10:43 BST
11-12 September 2010
Raters line up for the start at the Tamesis Autumn Regatta © John Dunkley
Fresh breezes and warm sunshine bring ideal conditions
Spectacular sailing by the majestic Thames A Raters as they raced through fleets of smaller boats attracted cheers and applause from large numbers of spectators on both banks of the Thames at Tamesis Club's Autumn Regatta at Teddington on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September. Today's Raters with their 45 ft high carbon fibre masts and synthetic sails are vastly different from the Victorian gentlemen's yachts of over 100 years ago. Many of the old hulls have been restored, modernised, and copied and are a pleasure to watch as they tack and gybe over the water.
Fifty four boats and 138 sailors from four clubs competed in warm and windy weather. A fresh south easterly breeze on Saturday made conditions ideal for a beat upriver from Trowlock Island past Steven's Eyot to a mark off Canbury Gardens near Hampton Wick Railway Bridge and on Sunday a slightly less boisterous north westerly gave an equally challenging beat downstream to a mark just short of Lensbury with a tricky run upstream to a Canbury mark set near the Teddington recreation ground. Sunshine broke through grey cloudy skies on both days and was a welcome dryer for those who got their feet and legs (and occasionally higher parts) wet in capsizes on both days.
The first Rater, Kingfisher (1), sailed by Martin Collen, Clive Hughes and Roland Gadsby, scored three firsts in the first three races, giving an unbeatable three points. Spindrift (14), sailed by Martin Hunter, Roger Stafford, Sue Williams and Jeremy Kearns had three seconds, giving six points.
An equally impressive three point score was achieved by Elusive (Merlin Rocket 3347), sailed by David Vines and Rob Wilder on Saturday and by David and his young daughter Sophie on Sunday. Mike Stephens and Geoff Turner were second in Luka (3560) with seven points from two seconds and a third.
The highly competitive Laser fleet, reduced to nine entries because five of its regulars had been invited to crew in Raters, was won by Marcus Chavasse in Storm (146120) with four points from two firsts and a second. Phew (178209) sailed by Henry Defries was second with six points from a first, third and second.
The winning Cadet, Noahs' Ark (7628), sailed by Noah Gerber and Noah Mountstephen, had three firsts in a fleet of four boats.
The prizes were presented by Tamesis Commodore John Adams and the event was organised by Carolyne Vines, Rear Commodore Sailing, and Sailing Secretary Charlie Morgan. The team of Race Officers for the four races included Charles Fox, Berry Ritchie, Peter Simpson and John Adams, and the catering was arranged by Steve Katz, Rear Commodore House, and Nicky Chavasse. Saturday's racing was followed by the Commodore's annual cocktail party and a barbecue cooked by Brian and Caroline Timbrell.
Overall Results: (counting the best three of four races)
Thames A Raters
1 Kingfisher (1) Martin Collen, Clive Hughes, Roland Gadsby (Thames SC) 3pts
2 Spindrift (14) Martin Hunter, Roger Stafford, Sue Williams, Jeremy Kearns (Thames SC) 6pts
3 Polar Adventurers (8) Ossie Stewart, Jamie Stewart, Cameron Stewart (Thames SC) 9pts
Merlin Rockets
1 Elusive (3347) David Vines, Rob Wilder, Sophie Vines (Tamesis) 3pts
2 Luka (3560) Mike Stephens, Geoff Turner (Tamesis) 7pts
3 Lady Anne (1978) Charlie Morgan, Hayley Manning, Liz Woods (Tamesis) 11pts
Lasers
1 Storm (146120) Marcus Chavasse (Tamesis) 4pts
2 Phew (178209) Henry Defries, Tamesis, 6pts
National 18s
1 Rhapsody (375) Dana Church, Fiona (Tamesis) 5pts
Cadets
1 Noahs' Ark (7628) Noah Gerber, Noah Mountstephen (Tamesis) 3pts
2 Humming Bird (7625) Jodok and Constantis Gerber (Tamesis) 5pts
Handicap
1 (Firefly 3179) Jim Hamilton (Tamesis) 3pts