Summer sailing successes at Henley Sailing Club
by Duncan Mackay 9 Sep 2011 10:25 BST
Phantoms, National 12s and a Solo jostle for space before the starting gun in the 2011 Jubilee Bowl race at Henley Sailing Club © Duncan Mackay
Wetter the better! Wash out Summer but great sailing on the Thames
Henley Sailing Club's Commodore Tim Saunders yesterday announced the results of a long summer of wet and windy weather sailing at Wargrave. However, as every cloud has a silver lining there were some spectacular racing conditions and a host of cup-winning successes for Henley sailors not only on local waters but as far away as the Salcombe Regatta in Devon.
The Jubilee Bowl, the Mackay Cup for Juniors, a series of one-day cups and some traditional racing series were all run through the summer months, whatever the weather, come rain or shine. It rained but the sailors shone. Heading the summer honours list are Twyford based, Steve Rothery, Caversham dweller Jeff Manning and Ruaridh Sheppard from Sonning each with two major cup wins apiece.
The Jubilee Bowl, raced on Sunday 28 August for a magnificent solid silver and enamel bowl, was won by Stephen Gent and crew Viv Roberts in their new carbon-fibre National 12 dinghy. Second placed in a closely contested three race series were Steve Rothery and crew Helene Hook in a somewhat older wooden National 12.
The Mackay Cup, a trophy for junior sailors was won by Ruaridh Sheppard sailing a Topaz with Will Lewington in a Laser a very close second. Racing conditions in the Mackay Cup in previous years have been exceptionally windy and although this year was brisk the change of timing from May Bank Holiday to August Bank Holiday Monday at least ensured that the juniors enjoyed warmer water.
The Junior Handicap Cup raced earlier in the summer on 30 May was again won by Ruaridh Sheppard with Emma Cadwallader pushing all the way for a well deserved second ahead of the rest of the field.
The Campbell Challenge Cup, raced over nineteen midweek summer Wednesday evenings was won by Jenson Button lookalike Chris Gent crewed by another member of the sailing Cadwallader family, 18 year-old Katie. Second placed in this test of stamina and commitment were established sailing pairing of ex-Commodore, Helene Hook, crewed by Steve Rothery.
The seven race Tapply Cup was won by National 12 helm Steve Rothery crewed by Helene Hook. In second place was Oxfordshire librarian Carol Stitson racing a Laser
The one-day contest for the Hunter Cup on 8 May was won by Steve Rothery crewed by Helene Hook in their National 12 with athletic Benson-based grandma Peta Bowyer taking second place in her Laser
The Sailing Secretary's Cup raced over one day on 19 June was won by Jeff Manning in his black, Phantom class boat No Fear. Second on handicap were the regular winning National 12 team of Stephen Gent crewed by Viv Roberts
The Robb Challenge Cup, another one day contest on 17 July, based on personal handicaps, was won by Jeff Manning but pushed very hard on handicap points by novice sailor Graeme Kerr crewed by Amelia Huby-Green in the family vintage Albacore.
The 2011 Salcombe Regatta championships for National 12s were won in a week of stormy conditions by John Meadowcroft, formerly of HSC but now Upper Thames SC at Bourne End. Second placed was familiar N12 fleet rival John Thornton of HSC.
For further details see www.henleysailingclub.org.uk and if you want to join in please see the website for instructions of how to get to the club at Willow Lane, Wargrave for Sunday afternoon racing.