Reflections Trophy at Chippenham Sailing & Canoe Club

by Mark Collyer 24 May 2005 08:38 BST 21 May 2005

"Better than having your reception in the local church hall"

To have a three race open meeting as part of one’s wedding reception must count as fairly unusual, but the Reflections trophy at Chippenham SCC was just that and despite the inclement weather, the non sailing guests were treated to a fine display of competitive racing from a very mixed fleet.

OOD Mark Collyer (the Groom) and his bride Karen organised a series of pursuit races on the River Avon.

The first race started in gusty force 4/5 conditions and the Mirrors of Rupert and Charlie Whelan and Jim and William Smith made the most of it but were relentlessly chased down by the Comet of Malcolm Gingell and the British Moths of Tim Davison and Colin Hall.

With about 8 minutes to go until the finish a vicious squall swept down the river, leaving only the Mirrors on their feet. Gingell was the first of the swimmers to recover and he took the lead with only fifteen seconds left leaving the Whelans second and Davison third.

The second and third races we held in much calmer conditions and Davison and Hall with a first and a second each which meant that Davison’s first race third was enough to break the tie.

Overall Results:

Pos	Boat Type	Sail No	Boat Name	Helm	Crew	Club	Pts
1st	British Moth	834	Moonlight Mouse	Tim Davison		Medley SC	2.75
2nd	British Moth	504	Hawkmoth	Colin Hall		Hunts SC	2.75
3rd	Comet	183		Malcolm Gigell		Chippenham SCC	3.75
4th	Mirror	12055	Toy Box	Rupert Whelan	Charlie Whelan	Whitefriars SC	6
5th	Mirror	66004		Jim Smith	William Smith	Baltic Wharf SC	9