House of Commons take victory in charity sailing race
by Alice Driscoll 9 Jun 2016 19:32 BST
8 June 2016
House of Commons versus House of Lords charity sailing race © OnEdition
This week MPs swapped the benches for boats when they took to the water for a charity sailing race. The match took place on the Thames in front of the Houses of Parliament in ten identical Enterprise dinghies.
Reviving an annual tradition, the House of Commons were due to compete against the House of Lords. However, two problems arose – lack of wind and lack of Lords.
Whilst there are a number of "sailing" Lords important business in the house prevented them taking to the water. Instead a number of MP's stepped into the breach and sailed in the Lord's Red team.
Racing was extremely tricky on the hot, humid and virtually airless day. However, after much perseverance one race was completed. As to the winner it was agreed that, although the race was won by the red team, as no Lords were on the water the trophy would be awarded to the House of Commons. The trophy was reclaimed from the House of Lords and presented to Mark Garnier MP, Commodore of the House of Commons Sailing Club.
The charity event will benefit Saill4Cancer and Westminster Boating Base.
The racing was held in Enterprise dinghies as 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of one of the world's most popular and affordable boats, originally designed and built on the River Thames by Jack Holt. Members of the Enterprise class association towed their boats from all over the UK to enable the race to be held.
Racing and safety cover was provided by the Westminster Boating Base and buoyancy aids provided by Helly Hansen.
Speaking after the race Mark Garnier commented "The last time this race happened was in 2003 so this is all about reviving the race and, importantly, promoting marine leisure industries. I think it's important for people to realise that sailing is not an elitist sport. It's one which many people can get out and enjoy."
Background and diary of the Race
Enterprise boats and crews arrived from as far afield as Manchester, Peterborough, Taunton and Southampton.
Towing their boats through the rush hour traffic, they arrived at Lacks Dock, Vauxhall, where the boats were rigged ready for the race on the foreshore outside the headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service, the MI6 building. The spectacle of these small boats on the bank added to the fun for tourists enjoying London Duck Tours, as the amphibious yellow vehicles trundled down the slip, past the waiting dinghies and into the river.
The Enterprise crews set off single-handed to a holding area by the Houses of Parliament.
Led by Mark Garnier, Captain of the House of Commons Sailing Club, the MPs taking part included Flick Drummond, Kelly Tolhurst, Matthew Offord, Jake Berry and Sir Edward Leigh, collected on the Black Rod steps and were ferried to the Enterprises.
The MPs and Lords had the choice of helming or crewing the blue sailed two-person Enterprise dinghies, depending on their confidence and experience. Just 4 metres long and renowned for being tippy enough to dunk any hapless crew into the river, most of the MPs opted to crew in the first race.
Once transferred safely by rescue boat into the Enterprises, there were a few minutes available before the race enabling the MPs to have a chance to learn how to maximise the roll tacking and gybing required in the light winds to get the most speed from these traditionally designed river boats.
The warning whistle was blown and with three minutes to go before the start, the boats jostled to get to the prime spot on the start line. With the chimes of 'Big Ben' in the background, the starting whistle went, and the boats raced towards the turning mark down river by Westminster Bridge. The crews had to decide whether to stay close to the Houses of Parliament where there was less tide, or head out into the river to seek more wind. With more respectful calls for room at marks than usually heard in this fleet, the boats headed back up river with lots of roll tacking to maximise the light winds to get across the finish line.
With the race officer Kevin Burke aiming to complete three short races, the wind dropped and the tide strengthened, making it impossible for the dinghies to make headway against the tide. The rescue boats picked up tow lines to prevent the MPs being swept up river. MPs took the helm while the Enterprise crews quizzed them on their Brexit views. An attempt to start the second race resulted in blatant cheating by several crews as they abandoned sails for paddles to stay ahead of their peers. With order breaking down, and jeers of laughter and light hearted banter from boat to boat, racing was abandoned for the day. The MPs were delivered back to Black Rod steps and into their offices for the afternoon session, while the Enterprises sailors headed back to the shore to pack up the boats. With increased interest now from passers by and the MI6 security, there was just about time to get the boats off the bank before the rising tide took away the shingle area.
The prizegiving was scheduled for 17.00 on the Terrace at the Houses of Parliament with invited guests from the charities and sponsoring supporter Helly Hansen.
At the prizegiving, Mark Garnier MP thanked the Enterprise Class and its members for their support, with particular thanks to his assistant Elizabeth Rowley for organising the event. With everyone agreeing it had been a successful relaunch of the House of Commons Sailing Club, a rematch date will be set for 12 months' time.