Firefly Junior Cup and Elizabeth Cup at Tamesis Club
by Stephen Greaves 13 May 2014 12:59 BST
26-27 April 2014
Firelfy Elizabeth Cup and Junior Cup at Tamesis © Suzy Harris
Ten Fireflys gathered at Tamesis on the weekend of the 26th & 27th of April for the now annual Junior Cup followed by the Elizabeth cup on the Sunday.
The Junior Cup (soon to be renamed the children's nationals!) was contested over three windward leeward races in a gusting force three. The fourteen children raced hard, and mostly in the right direction, with prizes being awarded for overall result, and the person who helmed the most – quite a challenge in the conditions! Polly Mason and Finian Morris ended up sharing the trophy this year, both vowing to be back fitter and faster for the following year!
Sunday's Elizabeth Cup was won by Steven Greaves of Rickmansworth SC crewed by his children Madeleine and Arthur. Sailing Cumulus (1867), they won both the first and second races in the three race event with the final race won by Mustard (2649) sailed by Alex Davey of the Royal Harwich YC, who won the Cup last year.
Skirmish (3615), sailed by Jamie and Angus McEwen, of Tamesis, was second overall, with a third and two seconds in the three races.
The races were sailed in a very fast running stream and a fickle wind, that varied in direction between south west and south east, and the best progress upriver was achieved by staying close to the Middlesex bank. Those competitors who were tempted out into the middle of the river by the occasional gust soon regretted their mistake as they were overtaken by boats tacking up the shore. The incoming tide brought some flooding, leaving the pontoons below water, and while the struggling boats managed to avoid hitting them, their crews pleaded for a shortened course as they passed the starting box, manned by Race Officers Donald Forbes and Peter Johnson!
Overall Results:
1st Cumulus (1876) Steven & Madeleine/Arthur Greaves (Rickmansworth SC)
2nd Skirmish (3615) Jamie & Angus McEwen (Tamesis)
3rd Mustard (2649) Alex Davey & Erin and Jack Osborn (Royal Harwich YC)
4th Horror (3119) Roger & Finnian Morris (Papercourt SC)
The prizes were presented by Sue Harris, Tamesis Firefly Class Captain.