Centenary Cup at Tamesis Club
by John Dunkley 19 Jun 2012 12:22 BST
17 June 2012
Mike Stephens & Jodok Gerber win the Centenary Cup at Tamesis © John Dunkley
The gale force winds of the previous day had eased substantially and been replaced by a moderate but gusty westerly breeze for the two independent handicap races for the Tamesis Centenary Cup on Sunday 17 June. But it was not the wind that was the dominating factor but the fast running stream as several days' worth of excessive rain made their speedy way downriver.
Race Officer John Meredith set a difficult course that took the 22 boat fleet up river of Steven's Eyot but only the fastest managed to overcome the challenge and then only completed two rounds. For many, it was a question of one tack up and two boat lengths back as the buildings and trees on the Middlesex bank of the Thames shut off the wind. Eventually, Mike Stephens and Jodok Gerber in Merlin Rocket, Flinkidink (1079), were pronounced the winners as the Club launch singled out the leading boat after one and a half hours racing. Andrew Harris and Caroline Croft were second in Shenandoah (MR 3088). Several boats retired after having spent much effort trying to make progress upriver against the stream.
The same two Merlins were neck and neck on the afternoon race as first Shenandoah and eventually Flinkidink broke through into the lead. The course had been shortened to take advantage of the clearer wind blowing over the recreation ground and the Tamesis Club dinghy park. Only 13 boats came to the line with the leaders completing seven rounds. A short east to west dogleg was set in front of the Clubhouse and provided some interesting viewing for spectators as first Andrew Harris and Caroline Croft led Mike Stephens and Jodok Gerber for much of the race until they swept through to the front. A passing power boat created temporary havoc as it forced a passage between a group of boats and the Surrey bank as competitors were approaching the Lensbury mark but for most it was the upstream mark at Canbury that proved to be the more difficult to round in the fast running stream.
Overall Results:
1st Flinkidink (MR 1097) Mike Stephens & Jodok Gerber, 2pts
2nd Shenandoah (MR 3088) Andrew Harris & Caroline Croft, 4pts
3rd Celer (MR 2373) David & Rosemary Croft, 10pts
4th Storm (Laser 146120) Marcus Chavasse, 12pts
5th Harry (MR 3599) Ken Duffell & John Adams, 12pts
Photos taken by Carolyne Vines can be found here.