Braganza Bowl and Yates Cup at Tamesis Club
by John Dunkley 20 Sep 2011 20:08 BST
17-18 September 2011
Braganza Bowl and Yates Cup at Tamesis Club © John Dunkley
Martin Hunter wins Yates Cup
Martin Hunter won the Yates Cup at the open meeting for Thames A Raters at Tamesis on Saturday 17 September. Crewed by Steve Bartlett and Phil Preston in Spindrift (14), he had a ding-dong battle with Atlantis (15) helmed by Julian Smith, who outsailed Spindrift at the Canbury mark, leaving Hunter to re-round it after colliding with the buoy. Atlantis maintained her lead at Lensbury but Spindrift was never far astern and swept ahead at Canbury the next time round to make sure of victory on the line.
Julian Smith wins Braganza Bowl on tie break
Julian Smith won the Braganza Bowl on a tie break after a tough fight with Martin Hunter at the open meeting for Thames A Raters at Tamesis Club, Teddington, on Sunday 18 September. After one discard, both helmsmen had gained eight points from the six races sailed over the week-end but as winner of the final race Julian turned the tables on Martin, last year's winner, and went home with the trophy. Martin won the Yates Cup in the third of Saturday's races.
Sailing Atlantis (15) in a nine strong entry, Julian's three man crew over the two days included Patrick Rayner, Sel Shah, Jonno Warren, Richard Munday and Ted Crocker. Martin was crewed in Spindrift (14) by Steve Bartlett and Phil Preston. The light flukey wind varied in direction between W and WNW and the fleet had to struggle to get through several flat spots. The defining moment came in the last round crossing the east to west dogleg opposite the clubhouse. Spindrift had to pass behind two other Raters and Atlantis was able to cut through the gap at the same time as the wind strength increased and tack round the club mark in the lead to finish almost two minutes ahead.
Atlantis had led at the first mark but Spindrift broke though on the next leg and then Kingfisher (1) forged ahead to build up an impressive lead at the Lensbury mark only to lose it to Spindrift at the end of the following round.
The prizes were presented by Sheena Bartholomew, Rear Commodore of Thames SC.
Overall Results:
Braganza Bowl
1 Atlantis (15) Julian Smith, Patrick Rayner, Sel Shah/Jonno Warren/Richard Munday/Ted Crocker
2 Spindrift (14) Martin Hunter, Steve Bartlett & Phil Preston
3 Osprey (16) Paul Browning, Justin Dunn & Graham Bartholomew