Matt Race 2018 at Thames Estuary Yacht Club
by Jay Denny 28 Sep 2018 11:09 BST
22 September 2018
Matt Race 2018 at Thames Estuary YC © TEYC
The Matt Race for 2018 took place during the relative calm between two tropical storms, both of which carried a Met Office yellow weather warning. This annual race is organised by the Matt Dear Foundation to raise awareness of the risks of steroid abuse.
The race was hosted by Thames Estuary Yacht Club and sponsored by Summercare, saw cadets from TEYC, Essex Yacht Club, Thorpe Bay Yacht Club and the Sea Cadets from TS Implacable combining to produce a fleet of 29 boats preparing to cross the start line. A good force 3 – 4, SSW breeze promised to produce great racing for the cadet entrants.
Following the start the fleet split with the majority of boats heading out into the estuary on the beat to the first mark. Leading the field at the end of the first lap were three Laser 4.7, with Dan Brown (EYC) first, closely followed by Robin Dean (TBYC) and Adam Jones (TBYC). The rest of the fleet made up of Laser Pico, RS Feva, RS Tera, RS Quest, Topper and Topaz followed on in hot pursuit.
At the end of the second lap the three lasers still headed the field although Adam Jones had now squeezed past Robin Dean into second spot. However, the average lap handicapping was starting to show with the Topaz Race of Max Starky (EYC) and RS Feva of Luke Chapman and Sam Weller (TBYC) pressing forwards on adjusted time.
At the finish and after adjusted time there was very little separating the top four. First place was secured by Dan Brown (EYC) marginally in front of Max Starky (EYC), Adam Jones (TBYC) and Luke Chapman with Sam Weller (TBYC).
Congratulations to all who raced and continued to support this excellent cause.