Belvidere Cup 2019 - Match racing run by the Royal Thames Yacht Club
by Richard Ambler 9 Apr 19:38 BST
Belvidere Cup 2019 © Richard Ambler
The Belvidere Cup originated in Early Victorian times as a trophy for yacht match racing put up by the Royal Thames Yacht Club. Today the Royal Thames have dedicated the trophy to match racing in the club's J80s for the alumni of independent schools.
The regatta is a one day event limited to eight teams. This year, on 6th April there were 8 entries with two drop outs in the last few weeks making it difficult for Organising Authority to replace them. However the regatta went ahead with six teams on a cold sunless Saturday in a Northeast breeze which fluctuated between 8 and 14 knots with some gusts up to 20 knots.
The Race Committee ran 2 round robin's which meant every team had 10 races. This regatta saw many umpire calls especially in the pre-starts, no black flags and damage. Two incidents one team lost a spinnaker halyard up the mast and another a floating winch handle both were retrieved. After the racing the teams repaired to 60 Knightsbridge the Royal Thames club house for the regatta dinner and prize giving.
Overall Results:
1. Winchester (Alastair Hall) 10 wins
2. Rugby (Oliver Dix) 7 wins
3. Wellington (Charlie Parkinson) 6 wins
4. Charterhouse (Jim Miller) 5 wins
5. Radley (George Chilvers) 2 wins
6. Pangbourne (James Minter) 0 wins