Club Championship at Upper Thames Sailing Club

Richard Stent wins the Gold Cup (awarded since 1887) at the Upper Thames Club Championship © Norman Waite

The 2010 Club Championship weekend of 10th and 11th July, enjoyed the benefit of the good summer weather with fantastic wall to wall sunshine. It was great to see so many members enjoying the event, both as spectators and competitors.

As on previous years, the Club Championship event had a full programme of races for all boat fleets including a new race for Fevas and Toppers and also a new trophy, the Kearns Cup for the Raters fleet championship races winner.

Saturday Racing

The Saturday programme consisted of the first 3 of the 6 Rater races competing for the new Kearns Cup, plus the 3 Feva / Topper races and the three races for the ‘Gold’ Cup (which has been presented every year since 1887 – except for the War years).

Gold Cup

The 3 Gold Cup series races attracted 14 entries comprising of Fireflys, OKs, Wayfarers, Merlin Rockets, a National 12 and a Pico. The first 3 places went to competitors who managed to record a finish in all 3 races.

Feva/ Topper races

Lizzy Markham, James Frazer , Alice Markham and Becky Collen competed in the 3 heats for the Feva Topper award. First place went to Alice Markham and Becky Collen sailing in the Feva Dark Horse. Alice and Becky led in all 3 races but only won the last race by 2 seconds on the corrected handicap score ahead of Lizzy Markham sailing the Topper Bob.com.

Sunday Races

The Sunday races consisted of the last 3 Rater races for the Kearns trophy, two Silver Burgee qualifying races , the Silver Burgee final, The Jim Bassett Trophy Cadet race, the Hugh Davis trophy and the New Members race.

Silver Burgee

13 boats qualified and entered the Silver Burgee final which included Wayfarers, Merlin Rockets, OKs, Topper, Firefly and Feva classes. The Wayfarers took advantage of the wind conditions to take the first and second places with Phil Preston & Sarah Percival in Wellington finishing in just under a minute behind Paul & Elizabeth Spencer in 7888. Mick Haigh in his OK finished just behind Alan Markham in his Merlin Rocket but Mick qualified for third place after the boat handicap adjustment had been applied.

Jim Bassett Trophy (cadet sailors)

There were six entries for the Jim Bassett trophy race (2 Fevas & 4 Toppers). Emma Couves and Louise Hughes sailing in Feva, Twilight, finished a minute and half ahead of Alice Markham and Topper ahead of Lizzy Markham in Topper bob.com.

Hugh Davis Trophy

The Hugh Davis Trophy attracted eight entries . First place went to Richard Bickford and Graham Slough sailing in Wayfarer Panache followed by Pete & Emma Walker in Feva 3726. Chris Rathbone and Debbie Walker took third place in the Merlin Rocket Der Feidermouse.

New Members Race

We had two entries for the New Members race which is intended to attract members who feel that they can sail but can’t race yet. Sarah Percival and Jill Hickey in the Club Wayfarer Big Dipper took on Chris and Charlie Lane who sailed the Merlin Rocket Abstraction. Chris and Charlie managed to finish first and were awarded first place after the handicap adjustment.

Kearns Cup

The Kearns Cup has been presented this year to the club by Jeremy and Catherine Kearns. The race is awarded to the Rater winning the best of a series of six races during the Club Championship weekend. Three Raters ; Tara, Spindrift and Kingfisher competed in this event. Spindrift helmed by Martin Hunter and crewed by Jeremy Kearns and Roger Stafford were the consistent winners during the series of 6 races.

The Sailing members extend their thanks to all of the club members who helped to make the Club Championships a very enjoyable event.

Overall Results:

Topper / Feva Races
1st Alice Markham & Becky Collen in Feva Dark Horse 2571

Gold Cup
1st Richard Stent Firefly “Hufflepuff” 3616
2nd John Dighton & Richard Bickford, Wayfarer “Panache” 9633
3rd Jeremy Stein & Tom Percival in Firefly “Casuarina” 3145

Jim Bassett Trophy (Cadets)
1st Emma Couves & Louise Hughes in Feva “Twilite” 1429
2nd Alice Markham & Becky Collen in Feva “Dark Horse” 2571

Hugh Davis Trophy
1st Richard Bickford & Graham Slough, in Wayfarer “Panache” 9633
2nd Peter Walker & Emma Walker,in Feva 3726
3rd Chris Rathbone & Debbie Walker in Merlin Rocket “Der Fleidermouse” 3344

Silver Burgee
1st Paul Spencer & Elizabeth Spencer in Wayfarer 7888
2nd Phil Preston & Sarah Percival in Wayfarer “Wellington” 6778
3rd Mike Haigh in OK “Playing Hookey” 2086

Kearns Cup (Rater Trophy)
1st Martin Hunter, Jeremy Kearns & Crew in “Spindrift” 14

Beginners Race
1st Chris Lane & Charlie Lane in Merlin Rocket “Abstraction” 3266