Bart's Bash at Hollowell Sailing Club
by Robin Buxton 22 Sep 2014 15:37 BST
21 September 2014
Club record for Hollowell Sailing Club as 78 boats enter the Bart's Bash!
Hollowell Sailing Club joined hundreds of other clubs around the world, on Sunday, in the largest sailing race ever held. Bart's Bash joined together thousands of worldwide sailors in a race to set a new Guinness World Record, raise money for charity, inspire the next generation and remember Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, Gold & Silver Olympic medallist and America's Cup sailor.
A total of 78 boats from HollowellSC entered this momentous event with 73 boats completing the 1.44 kms course and thereby qualifying as the club's entry to the Guinness Book of Records. Included in the 78 boats were 27 juniors from the Clubs successful Youth Squad.
In addition, the club has raised a total of £775.50 so far for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, which aims to transforms the lives of young people through sailing.
Conditions on the morning were breezier than expected; resulting in a number of capsizes and with so many boats on the water at one time, officials on duty did well to ensure the race occurred without any hitches.
Following the qualifying lap, the race continued into the scheduled Autumn Series for 2 more laps with 55 boats eventually crossing the finishing line. Laser sailor Simon Cray came in first, ahead of Alex McMillan in a Merlin Rocket and Stephanie Harding in a Laser Radial.
After lunch, the Sunday Autumn Series continued. The second race being won by young Teddy Middleton-Smith in a Laser Radial, whilst the final day's race was won by Mike and Helen Playle in their RS200.
After the days racing, Nicola Wilikinson, Hollowell's Commodore thank everyone for a fabulous day and commented, "Everyone thoroughly enjoyed an excuse to get out there and I see the date is set already for next year's event!"
www.bartsbash.co.uk