The Matt Trophy 2013 at Alexandra Yacht Club
by Ian and Sue Simpson 17 Jul 2013 10:29 BST
6 July 2013
The Matt Trophy 2013 © Chris Dear
2013 was the fourth year of the Matt Trophy. This year the race was sponsored by Summercare. This is a junior race for under 18's held in memory of Matthew Dear to help promote sailing and to raise awareness of the dangers of anabolic steroids.
Three clubs and TS Implacable (Southend) Sea Cadets were represented on the day with the best weather we have ever had for this event. A beautiful sunny force 3 greeted everyone as they arrived at the Alexandra Yacht Club on the Thames Estuary at Southend On Sea.
A trapezoid course was set from the committee boat, Teal, ably captained by Clive from the Thorpe Bay Yacht Club. As all the boats set off, the Sea Cadet Bosum helmed by Tom Pocock and the Dart 16 helmed by Thomas Ager both got off to a great start, closely followed by the rest of the fleet. Blake Ratter from Island Yacht Club had a bit of a torrid start but managed to sort himself out and was soon underway.
As the fleet came round the next lap they seemed to have settled into an order. The Dart 16 from Thames Estuary Yacht Club leading the fleet being chased by Liam Baker from the Alexandra Yacht Club in a Laser. However, the real battle was between the next three boats coming through the start finish line with only 13 seconds between them. These were the Bosun (Sea Cadets) and Daniel Mehmet in a Laser (Island Yacht Club) and one of the Enterprises (Sea Cadets) helmed by John Bialoszewski. This close race continued until the end with the Bosun and Enterprise finishing with just three seconds between them. In the race there was only one retirement due to spinnaker trouble on the Feva.
The prize giving in the evening was well supported and the atmosphere was electric as this year nobody knew who had won. Dr Asif Raja of Summercare presented the awards and in first place the honour fell to Liam Baker of the Alexandra Yacht club in a Laser. Second place was Tom Pocock and Lennie Connoly from the Sea Cadets in a Bosunn. Third place was Thomas Ager and Hannah Rae from Thames Estuary Yacht Club in a Dart 16.
Overall Results: (top three)
1st Liam Baker (AYC)
2nd Tom Pocock & Lennie Connoly (Sea Cadets)
3rd Thomas Ager & Hannah Rae (TEYC)
www.matthewdearfoundation.co.uk