Henley Sailing Club AGM and Prize Giving

Henley Sailing Club cup winners present at the AGM prizegiving © Duncan Mackay

Royal Yachting Association 2011 Special Award winner Jeff Manning officiated with Henley Sailing Club Commodore Tim Saunders and Sailing Secretary Steve Rothery assisted by Judy Saunders to hand out the silverware at the Henley Sailing Club AGM on 3 March at Castle Royal Golf Club in Knowl Hill, Berkshire.

Carol Stitson had the greatest haul of silver, winning 4 first prizes and 2 seconds followed closely by Christopher Gent crewed by Katie Cadwallader (until her pregnancy) and then by her sister Emma with 3 firsts and 4 seconds. Stephen Gent, Christopher's father, and crew Dr Viv Roberts, in the first year of racing their new National 12 boat, came third winning 3 firsts and 3 seconds.

Junior sailors Ruaridh Sheppard and Will Lewington shared the honours in the Mackay Trophy with closely placed first and second respectively. Veteran sailor Ian Tritton won the coveted Fred Zimmerman trophy for the over 60s and Emma Cadwallader won the Drina Dudley Smith Trophy for most deserving crew as well as being the most rewarded of the Junior sailors with 2 firsts and 1 second prize.

Tim said, "The new sailing partnership of High Wycombe-based Graham Kerr and Amelia Huby Greene has also achieved a remarkably good performance to win their first prizes sailing together. We applaud the first time sailing achievement of Emily Bonsor sailing with Emma Cadwallader to win the Gorman Cup. 2011 winners included old hands like John and Mandy Thornton, Helene Hook and Steve Rothery, Tim and Gus Saunders and Tim Haigh and Peta Bowyer who all did well."

Commodore Tim continued, "We want the club, which is wholly run by volunteers, to be a lively place where both fun sailing and better skills for all sailors can be achieved. We are hoping to again work with the Royal Yachting Association during 2012 to create more coaching opportunities and allow existing sailors to develop their expertise at boat handling to higher levels. We are keen for new budding sailors to join us and to learn the ropes on the club's boats on our beautiful stretch of the Thames. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the river and the sport of sailing; club membership is open to all. We have a superb social events list and excellent Sunday afternoon teas on the lawn. Come down to the club on any Sunday afternoon from April to November or contact us through our website www.henleysailingclub.org.uk. Our new season starts on 25 March 2012 at 11.00 so why not join us for some early spring thrills and spills?"

The full list of winners for the 2011 season is:

Seniors

Carol Stitson, 4 Cups, 2 Seconds
Chris Gent and Katie Cadwallader, 2 Cups, 3 Seconds
Chris Gent and Emma Cadwallader, 1 Cup, 1 Second
Stephen Gent and Dr Viv Roberts, 3 Cups, 3 Seconds
Tim Saunders and Gus Saunders, 3 Cups
Steve Rothery and Helene Hook, 3 Cups, 1 Second
Jeff Manning, 2 Cups, 1 Second
John and Mandy Thornton, 2 Cups
Graeme Kerr and Amelia Huby Greene, 1 Cup, 2 Seconds
Helene Hook and Steve Rothery, 1 Cup, 1 Second
Tim Haigh and Peta Bowyer, 1 Cup
Amelia Huby Greene, 1 Cup
Alan Cadwallader and Emma Cadwallader, 4 Seconds
Peta Bowyer, 2 Seconds

Juniors

Emma Cadwallader, 2 Cups, 1 Second
Ruaridh Sheppard, 2 Cups
Will Lewington, 1 Second