Starcross Steamer 2005 at Starcross Yacht Club
by Chris Lloyd 8 Mar 2005 09:06 GMT
6 March 2005
Liam and Sue McGrath finish first in the 2005 Starcross Steamer © Mike Rice /
www.fotoboat.com
Neptune had clearly been listening to the Hornet team who last week made a plea for lighter winds than the Force 4/5s’ of late, so this year’s Starcross Steamer pursuit race began in a very balmy Force 3. We had clear sunny skies, which banished the thermals and kept the spectators a little warmer than they may have been, although the actual temperature couldn’t have risen much above 5 degrees.
The course couldn’t have been better planned to balance the mixed bag of classes, allowing everyone to make good use of their spinnakers in the gentle NNE winds. As the race kicked off with the Toppers it should be noted that Tom Rainey managed to hold his lead for the first two laps and only lost position at the very end of the third lap. I think that’s a terrific effort for the young lad, dealing both with a long solo struggle and the increasing pressure of faster boats coming up on him. He was the second junior to finish.
Of course, that same tension spiced the race of every boat that had to defend its start position. Liam McGrath, in his ‘winners reply’, commented on the increasing concern as he watched the Merlin driving up into second place behind him. He certainly wasn’t the only one for whom the last moments of the 150 minute race dragged. Nevertheless, Liam really had run away with the race in his especially re-commissioned ‘woodie’ Wayfarer.
Having raced the Steamer in both slow and fast boats now, I have to say that I prefer the thrill of haring up through the fleet, even when the set course isn’t designed for your optimum performance. Those last moments tend to race even faster for you though, as you try to get that extra place before the finish. There are some interesting experiences unique to the pursuit race too, such as being legitimately luffed-up by a Contender, or trying to work out where you are in relation to other guys sailing a completely different route through the same course. As we pushed up the last reach I had a moment of perspective-grounding clarity. My muscles were burning and sweat mixing with spray as we passed a lone laser near the top of the fleet, still working his boat hard after well over two hours of competitive racing – we had been on the water for little over half of his race. I admire both the stamina and the strength of will displayed to keep that degree of effort going.
This year, the Steamer attracted 62 competitors from near and as far away as London and Birmingham. The fabulous pre-Spring conditions – as ruefully commented on by one of the rescue boat crew - made the experiences all the more pleasant and we are very grateful to those generous support staff who gave up their race to man the rescue boats and galley. The bar and galley team worked hard to keep ample supplies of bacon butties, tea and cakes flowing for something like six hours. As we emerged from the club house after the prize giving I was struck by the setting sun, reflecting off Lympstone and its low red cliffs on the opposite bank. The wind had dropped and there was no hint on the peaceful estuary of the toil and drama that had taken place through the afternoon.
Overall Results:
1st Liam McGrath/Sue McGrath – Wayfarer, 7658 (Starcross YC)
2nd Mike Calvert/Jane Calvert – Merlin, 3626 (Lyme Regis SC)
3rd Mark Elkington/Chris Lloyd – B14, 762 (Starcross YC)
4th D Skegton – Finn, 605 (Starcross YC)
5th Peter Scott/Sue Scott – Comet Trio, 413 (Shustoke)
1st Lady, Tina Mackey(with Ben Fricker) – National 12, 3247 (Starcross YC)
1st Junior, Harrison Ashton – Laser, 175761 (Starcross YC)
1st RS400, Richard Cain/Owen Taylor – No. 411 (Starcross YC)
1st National 12, Tim Laws/Sam Game – No. 3295 (Starcross YC)
1st Laser, Paul Procter – No. 163426 (Paignton)
1st Merlin, Steve Tyler/Alice Lovell No. 3641 (Parkstone)
Furthest travelled team:
Paul Gilbert/Sally Gilbert – Merlin, 3613 (Ranalagh SC) London