Bart's Bash at Maidenhead Sailing Club
by Jenni Heward-Craig 22 Sep 2014 20:39 BST
21 September 2014
The sun was out, the west-norwesterly wind was strong and playful, the fishermen and geese were missing from the lake. In all, the conditions were just right for Maidenhead Sailing Club's Bart's Bash race.
Fifty-eight boats took to the lake, making the biggest fleet on the water that had been seen for some time – the sailors ranging in experience from first-time racers to National champions, and in age from under 10 to Grand Grand Master. Every one was determined to make it into the Guiness World record books, and to raise money for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation. Oh, and most importantly, to have a great time sailing.
With the large number of boats on the water and a mass start, the line was the longest it had been in recent memory. Not that it mattered. With a wind shift before the start, the pin end became the place not to be, and most boats hovered around the committee boat, waiting for the start. After one general recall – eagerness and the decent wind urging boats prematurely across the line – the second start was ideal.
The Lasers started strongly, with Rob Blois and Ian Stone leading, closely followed by Barry Wicks and Hannah Duncan in an Albacore, with the other Albacore in the fleet, sailed by Chas Frize and Julie Maidment, not far behind. Even the juniors in Optimists and the first-timers got off to good starts, the fleet being tight up to the windward mark.
By the end of the first lap the fleet began to spread out, with the Albacores and the Lasers of Stone and Blois keeping it tight up front, and the rest spread out, a necklace of sails across the surface of the lake. By the second lap, the Albacores were out in front of the two Lasers, with Wicks/Duncan ahead of Frize/Maidment, with Wicks/Duncan opening up a lead, and though passed by Stone's Laser round the last mark of the third lap, quickly taken back and not relinquished. By the last lap, Frize/Maidment had dropped back to fourth, leaving the race for minor placings to the two leading Lasers, with Stone taking second from Blois.
Next year's event is already being planned. There has been talk of extra technology and encouraging other sailors from nearby clubs to join in. There has even been talk of (whisper) training. Whatever the talk, it all came down to one thing – we are doing this again!