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London Boat Show pursuit race 2008

by Dawn Hinsley 28 Jan 2008 14:32 GMT 18 January 2008
The Battle of the Classes at the London Boat Show 2008 © Dawn Hinsley

The Yachts and Yachting pursuit race was oversubscribed this year, with 54 entrants eager to take on the testing conditions of Excel marina on the final Sunday of London Boat Show. Dawn Hinsley and Magnus Smith were watching.

Despite a few ‘no shows’, 54 entrants turned out: the event had been limited to 50, but with so many classes wanting to race, that was extended to ensure no-one was disappointed. However, only two entries per class were allowed so that the battle — between the classes themselves — could be fair and square.

As the start time approached the skies were overcast and forebodingly grey, there was a moderate breeze swirling around the Excel Marina and it was essentially mild.

This number of boats weaving around the starting area, next to the main entrance to Excel itself, certainly provided a spectacle. In fact many vantage points had been set up for the numerous interested parties: a spectator area near the start, the aerial view from the bridge and a room at the top of the Excel centre for families and those wishing to avoid the biting January winds.

As time ticked by, and dockside spectators whooped and gasped as the boats swept past them close enough to touch their masts, the two Mirrors prepared to be the first to start. But it wasn’t just the sailing holding everyone’s attention… in the spirit of the event, the Laser 5000 had attached an unusual masthead float… a green alien from the Fusion stand was bouncing around causing a few smiles too.

At just about the same time as the Mirrors set off, the breeze started to pick up and the erratic nature of the gusts became apparent, buffeting the marina thanks to buildings on both sides. There was to be a short beat to the first mark. However, for the early starters, they then had to sail through the waiting boats before heading under the bridge on their downwind leg past the side of the Excel centre.

By the time the two Pacers started, with their bright blue sails, the wind had increased to around 18 knots, and with those interesting gusts increasing it was going to be a test of boat-handling for most. The wind allowed for a beat and a run, and a full lap was completed by sailing back through the gate after completed an upwind leg back past Excel.

The mix of classes meant that each and every one had different advantages and disadvantages during the course of the race. For example the National 18 was goose-winging and quite happy on the run, whereas one of the Hurricanes present and the V3000 with asymmetric spinnaker were having trouble. The key for many was to stay in the pressure, ‘as there was no predictability, especially downwind,’ explained Vince Horey (Solo 4370). It was quite a wait for the faster boats, by 1230hrs the Foiling Moth was still awaiting his start, and probably feeling the cold after two capsizes: the odd calm patches were definitely going to be his issue on the day. Around 1245hrs, just as all the classes were finally underway, the skies responded with a smattering of the wet stuff.

By the end of lap two Hugh Brayshaw, in one of the Toppers, had already caught up with and overtaken the Mirror in first, whilst the second Topper of Julia Beck had worked her way into third.

Endeavour champion Steve Tylecote and Sally Wilson were working their way into contention however, in their Firefly, and although both Toppers were at the head of the leaderboard after lap three, the Firefly was already in third. It was all change however after lap four. Hugh’s gritty determination saw him still clinging to third, and in fact his boat handling and skill throughout the race saw him take home the under-16s trophy.

At this stage Steve and Sally had gained the top spot, while Graham Camm and Sam Childs in their National 12 were now in second. The finish itself couldn’t have been closer or more exciting between the National 12, the Firefly and the Phantom of Andy Couch, who had worked his way to the front of the fleet. These three were literally neck and neck over the line, with Andy taking the win.

‘That was serious boat handling,’ commented Steve Cockerill as he came off the water with his Rooster 8.1. ‘Down the runs it was alright, although the beats were very long and very shifty,’ he continued. ‘As an event it’s good fun.’

Meanwhile, ‘For cats it was a terrible wind. But you’re here for the fun of it,’ commented Viki Herbert-Coulson in the Hurricane 5.9. Mike Coulson added: ‘It was definitely worth doing. This is our fourth year in fact!’

The chatter in the dinghy park was all about ‘horrendous gusts’. Even the sole keelboat present, would definitely have preferred things a little calmer. The 2.4mR was sailed by Trevor Jenkins: ‘The lighter the better for me really’ he explained. ‘If it’s light the others can’t pick up and go in a pursuit race. But it wasn’t too bad and it was a nice sail.’ In fact there should have been another 2.4mR present, sailed by Martin Pascoe, but he had a disappointing start to his day when he turned up to find his mast in the bag, but no shrouds!

At the prizegiving, thanks were expressed to race officer Paul Carpenter from Hayling Island SC and assistant race officers Ali Johnson and John Herbert, along with Paul Botterill of British Sailing who organised the event, and Alistair Munro from Musto who did the commentary.

All the entrants were given a memento of their day, with first to sixth walking away with a year’s subscription to Yachts and Yachting and £50 of Harken vouchers. For the overall winner, the class winner and the under-16 winner, a trophy to sit on their mantelpiece until another battle royal takes place next year. On receiving his overall winners trophy Andy Couch described the event as ‘good fun, but tricky in the docks’ and explained that he did in fact have ‘one swim during the race’… but still won! The overall class trophy went to the Phantoms, while the under-16 trophy winner Hugh Brayshaw promised to ‘be back in a different boat next year.’ He will definitely be one to watch out for on the racecourse.

Results:

1st Class Overall: Phantom
1st Phantom 1277 Andy Couch
2nd National 12 3492 Graham Camm & Sam Childs
1st Under 16: Topper 45841 Hugh Brayshaw

Full results

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