2014 Setley Cup and Seahorse Trophy Junior Model Yacht Regatta
by Stuart Jardine 26 Dec 2014 19:07 GMT
26 December 2014
As predicted it was cold, calm and still on Setley Pond as the race team arrived to set up for the 2014 event. The main concern was selecting a possible course with wafts of wind coming from all directions, testing the two fleets, monohulls and multihulls to their limit.
The first start was delayed until 11.15 am with the monohulls off first, followed a few minutes later by the multihulls. The fleet struggled with the fickle wind and only three managed to complete the course with the remainder becalmed and it soon became obvious that setting the starts lines off the eastern beach with a very much shortened course was the only option.
In the Monohulls many of the favourites fell by the wayside, unable to maintain directional stability when the wind faded. Joanna Macalister with Spray showed consistency with three 2nd places to win with a clear margin of 17 points from the McEwen family Angus in Blue Rocket 2nd and William with Green Dragon 3rd. From the excellent turnout of 35 starters, there were 21 boats completing the three race series.
22 multihulls entered the series with 13 boats finishing and eligible for the Seahorse Trophy. Once again many of the favourites struggled with the conditions. Chloe Crowther with Wild Cat scoring 7 pts winning from Emma Bennett and Tiger a close 2nd overall (repeating last years result), followed on equal 19 points were in third place Matthew Gill and Alfie McGill with Granny Ater, and 4th place Imogen Walton with Vindolanda II, a true bottle boat with an almost square plastic sack as a sail (showing that the Christmas day special is still competitive)
Many thanks to all the young helms for bringing along your families, supporters, helpers and boat builders. This unique Boxing Day event was again run by Stuart Jardine assisted by Jane Pitt-Pitts and Ann Brunskill on registration and results and the finish teams of Chris Baldwick; David Brunskill, John Evans, Ado Jardine and Robin Markes. Luke and Emma McEwen did their usual expert job in the rescue dinghy.
Many thanks also to Solent Radio Controlled Model Boat Club for allowing the Setley Cup to go ahead each year.
Overall Results: (top six)
Setley Cup (Monohulls)
1st Joanna Macalister, Spray 6pts
2nd Angus McEwen, Blue Rocket 23pts
3rd William McEwen, Green Dragon 28pts
4th James Nicholson, Hugo Boss 32pts
5th Peter Bennett, Stiletto 33pts
6th Ben Crowther, Sky Light 34pts
Seahorse Trophy (Multihulls)
1st Chloe Crowther, Wild Cat 7pts
2nd Emma Bennett Tiger 9pts
3rd Matthew Gill & Alfie McGill, Granny Ater 19pts
4th Imogen & Robin Walton, Vindolanda 19pts
5th Flora Bunce & Annie Sherrat, Splash 22pts
6th Orlando Akester, Wren 27pts