Thames Valley Challenge at Silver Wing Sailing Club
by Dave Perry 10 Jun 2015 10:09 BST
8 June 2015
Start Line action during the Thames Valley Challenge at Silver Wing SC © Dave Perry
A sunny, breezy and gusty day greeted competitors and spectators alike in the seventh annual Thames Valley Challenge. Hosted for the first time by Silver Wing Sailing Club, based in Wraysbury. Clubs from along the Thames Valley arrived with a record 14 teams of 6 young sailors each to compete against each other in a series of 2-team races of three boats on a short "S" shaped course. With over 200 people present including over 100 youth and junior sailors the competitors from Silver Wing, Goring, Maidenhead, Kingsmead, Reading, St Catherine's, Merchant Taylor's, Redhead and Desborough Clubs were looking forward to a day of challenging team racing. The plan was to complete as many races in the RS Feva to ensure all teams completed the same amount.
With gusty and changeable south-westerly winds forecast, registration took place followed by a detailed briefing and some breakfast for all the Sailors, volunteers and supporters meant the start was delayed a little but with everything set the racing commenced. It was noticeable early that although there was some excellent sailing going on the gusty breeze was causing some problems for some of the less experienced (and lighter) boats and certain teams were using this to their advantage.
Maidenhead last year, as well as light winds also had to endure lightning that reduced the number of races that could be held, this year the Silver Wing Race committee took the decision after 15 or so races to return the whole fleet to shore for urgent reefing of the boats that would ensure more races could be completed without the inevitable capsizes these gusts were causing. This decision did reduce the sailing time a little but was agreed by all the correct decision. Many of the sailors took this opportunity to have their lunch whilst the beach team took care of the boats.
After Silver Wing A sailed an incorrect course in their first race and only noticing after Goring B took over the three lead positions and holding on for a perfect 1,2,3 they did manage some healthy wins through their remaining 5 races to challenge the other teams making a charge. Notably Goring A and B teams, Maidenhead A and Reading where some excellent sailing skill, prowess and team communication was clearly in evidence. These 5 would end in Top 5 positions at the end of the day.
42 races were completed with each team completing 6 races. The scores had been updated regularly throughout the day via radio with updates on the Big Screen in the clubhouse. Noting there was likely to be a close finish and with potential medallists in the last 6 races there was quite a group of young sailors gathering round the Results table waiting for the Finish line team to relay these final results back after the final race was completed. When all scores were entered and confirmation from the protest committee that all was in order the Big Screen was switched back on and Goring A Team with 5 Wins out of 6 and an 8 point average emerged victors ahead of second placed Silver Wing A and third, Goring B who also had 5 Wins out of 6 but with an 8.5 and 9.33 average respectively. All participating sailors received a medal as well as trophies for the Top 3 teams.
Sponsored by Virtual Rigger who provided vouchers for the winner, British Airways Clubs' generous donation and racing Sailboats' Fevas, the event ran all day with both hot food and an Ice Cream van to cater for the British Summer weather. Silver Wing Sailing Club would like to thank the sponsors and everyone who attended the day for all their help and support on what was a very enjoyable day for all concerned.
Full results can be found here.