Christmas Grand Prix at Crouch Yacht Club
by Phillip Harbott 21 Dec 2014 22:04 GMT
20-21 December 2014
The Crouch Yacht Club rounded off a great year of racing with its annual prize giving and Christmas Party yesterday (20th December) followed by the Christmas Grand Prix and Predicted Log today (21st December). The club had been decorated already and many members and friends gathered to celebrate the festive season and collect trophies.
Vice Commodore Sail Phillip Harbott conducted small prizegivings between each course, and Beccy Haley the Commodore's wife presented the prizes. Inn Spirit owned by Alan Bartlett and helmed by Ian Hart picked up several trophies. As well as the Hydd Gwyn for the first series of the year, the Munford Cup for the two handed race and Centaur Trophy for the long distance race, the crew also collected the Hart Trophy for the 1st CYC boat in the EAORA Houghton Cup, the Orion Cup for the highest placed CYC boat in EAORA and the Challis Trophy for the highest placed CYC boat in SailEast. Colin Harris had also won the crews race in Inn Spirit and collected the Thetis Cup. Their crew also collected the IRC Autumn Series Trophy and the Russell Smith Memorial Trophy for best performance in the Autumn Series in IRC.
Duncan and Beccy Haley and the crew of Double Trouble also had a plethora of trophies to collect. They lifted the Centenary Sword as well as winning all four of the away weekend races within the Victory Cup Series; the Clare Cup, the Lodestar Trophy, the Grayling Bowl and the Puxley Trophy. Sylvia Puxley was at the party and presented the trophy to Double Trouble. Duncan Haley also won the Victory Cup, as well as the Peter Cashel Memorial Trophy. The Nutcracker Trophy was also presented to Double Trouble.
Tumblehome II owned by Charlie Ball, Bryn Fisher and Julian Fitzgerald also collected several trophies. They were runners up in the Victory Cup Series to win the Elusive Bell and Summer Series winners, taking the WS Heath Salver. In the Ladies Race for the Raffles Cup, their lady helm Karen Price took the trophy.
Phillip Harbott in Mantra won the Local Handicap Regatta, winning the Dr John Hill Salver. Tony and Chuffy Merewether from Amazon won the mini Town Cup awarded for the highest placed CYC boat in the Burnham Week Town Cup, which this year was won by Amazon.
There were several special trophies awarded at the end of the prize giving. Jay Lyons, from Rode Grutt won the youth sailor award having sailed two up with his Dad, Mark, for a lot of the season. The final trophy of the evening was presented to Russ Cashel for his unstinting support of the sailing, providing committee boat whenever necessary and willingly; he was presented with the Sport Bowl.
On Sunday, four yachts raced for the Horse Trophy and three motor boats entered the predicted log for the Vroom Trophy. Double Trouble, owned by Duncan and Beccy Haley, made a huge effort by dressing the boat with a Christmas tree and wearing festive Santa costumes and hats. September, owned by Herbie and Michelle also made a big festive effort, with onesies and decorations all round.
The festivities continued with Tumblehome II and Mantra donning hats and tinsel to enter into the spirit of the race. The hour long race was a beat up to Number 13 and a reachy run to Number 9, with three laps being completed in the time. Double Trouble led for the whole race, with Tumblehome II owned by Charlie Ball, Bryn Fisher and Julian Fitzgerald in second. September who didn't set a spinnaker were third, with Mantra fourth.
All competitors received a glass and festive chocolate at prize giving and Duncan Haley and the crew of Double Trouble were presented with the Horse Trophy.
In the 'predicted log', Pete Jackson and the crew of Naughty Bear, a Fairey Swordsman, declared a time of exactly an hour. Russ Cashel on Havana Papa, a Hardy, declared one hour and five minutes, with Mick and Roma Willett on Robby declaring an hour and 10. Naughty Bear were the winners taking the Vroom Trophy, with all competitors receiving glasses and Christmas Chocolate.