Crouhc Yacht Club Ladies' race for the Raffles Cup

The CYC Ladies' race for the Raffles Cup took place with some strong gusts from the south west. Mantra helmed by Liz Fowler hit the line on the gun with very impressive boat speed. Double Trouble helmed by Beccy Haley and Sapphire helmed by Flora were to windward and a little way behind. The race officer had sent the fleet on a course up river to Raypits, and on the beat towards the first mark,No.15,the faster boats sailed over Mantra the Aphrodite 101, with Double Trouble the Corby 29 taking the lead. Towards the second mark Mantra and Sapphire had some close racing with exchanges of position until Sapphire got in front and passed Cliff ahead of her.

There were some significant wind shifts and the lead boat, Double Trouble got away from the other two to round Raypits with a useful lead,but with circumspection delayed hoisting their spinnaker until Black Point. Next round was Flora in Sapphire and not far behind Liz Fowler helming Mantra.

With the strong shifty winds Sapphire stayed with white sails but Mantra hoisted hers soon after rounding and enjoyed a fast reach to Canewdon closing the gap on second place and then had a hairy down wind leg to Black Point. At the bend in the river the boats came on to a very shy reach and Mantra had a spectacular broach and had problems dropping her kite. From No.13 towards No. 9 the race officer shortened the course and Beccy Haley's Double Trouble had a good lead on the other two and took line honours and on corrected time won the race with Mantra second on corrected time and Sapphire, the Dehler 33, third.

At prize giving in the club house Commodore Dave Smith presented Beccy with the Raffles Cup. Next Sunday 2nd October sees the start of the CYC Autumn series with the warning at 10:25.