Firefly Open at Upper Thames Sailing Club
by Jonathan Bickford 14 Sep 2011 15:08 BST
10-11 September 2011
The rich heritage between Upper Thames Sailing Club and the Firefly class continued this weekend during a blustery fun packed open meeting.
Early arrivals of the 15 boats were joined by local residents to cheer on David Walliams as he swam powerfully onwards towards London. Recapturing the Firefly's Olympic past racing got underway with the single handed Bourne End Challenge Cup, first awarded in 1946. Steven Greaves, Angus Cook and Jonathan Bickford traded the lead as they tacked up the river and ran downstream, whilst all the competitors provided good spectator viewing as they gybed in front of the clubhouse in a building breeze. Bickford's navigational problems eventually allowed Cook and Greaves through to finish in that order.
Crews then joined their helms to compete in the long distance race for the Measurer's Cup. Two general recalls led to the hoisting of the black flag but this still failed to curb the enthusiasm of Greaves, now sailing with wife Abigail, to start early. Cook sailing with 9 year old son Arthur quickly established a lead which they held to the end. Long time Firefly sailing twins Caroline and Susan (nee Winter) made a successful return to the class in their wooden boat Playing Possum to finish second. Tom Mallindine and Peter Matthews in Spinnaker Jedi's completed the top three finishers.
Sailors along with club members and guests then enjoyed the famous Upper Thames hospitality long into the night before retiring to their tents. However cobwebs and headaches were quickly blown away during 2 feisty back to back morning races for the Open Meeting Challenge Cup. These left Greaves & Poppy Jukes and Cook & Cook sharing the lead each team having collected a first and second. Afternoon conditions were by now the windiest most had encountered on the Thames with many boats capsizing especially on the unstable runs. Greaves & Jukes were in a winning position with a lap to go until a vicious gust capsized them during a tack allowing Cook & Cook through to the take the Open Meeting.
Committee member Vera Smith presented the trophies to a victorious Angus and Arthur Cook, who thanked Chris Chacksfield and his team for their superb race management, Ann Hardman for her hard work over the weekend and Ashley Schandhorst for the excellent catering.
Overall Results:
Bourne End Challenge Cup
1st Angus Cook (Castaways)
2nd Steven Greaves (Rickmansworth)
3rd Jonathan Bickford (Upper Thames)
Measurer's Cup
1st Angus & Arthur Cook (Castaways)
2nd Caroline Webb & Susan Steyn (Rickmansworth)
3rd Tom Mallindine & Peter Matthews (Spinnaker)
The Upper Thames Firefly Challenge Cup
1st Angus & Arthur Cook (Castaways)
2nd Steven Greaves & Poppy Jukes (Rickmansworth)
3rd Barney Smith & Alannah Witherby (Hamble River)