Apologies for the late arrival of the race results for the 2024 season.
Here they are with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd highlighted in yellow.
Congratulations to all – it’s the taking part that matters.
Master of Sums.
And don’t forget to book tickets for the Dance on 8th March.
OOD: Enoch Rodriguez. Safety Boat: Tim Young and David Jones
Sunday was our 28th and Last Race of the season with its own special prize. There was sunshine and a WSW wind at 8knots, gusting 17knots (according to the Met Office at Kew Gardens). Tim set a long triangular A-course with a downstream buoy at the bottom end of Oliver’s Island (giving the opportunity of an upstream leg on either side of the island). The upstream rowing buoy on the Surrey side and our buoy opposite the Steam Packet formed the other end of the triangle.
Eight boats launched from the rapidly diminishing foreshore: three Enterprises (James Armitage and crew in Zephyr, Rob Adams in Big Polly, and Lev Kolobov in Porpoise); two Lasers (Ben Chappell in Envy and Keith Clarke in Kaia); Chris Greenwood and Felicia Biekark in Distant Thunder – Leader; Nick Floyer in flo – Gull; and Rebecca Hayes in Wagtail – Mirror.
It was a day for the big boats: the three Enterprises and the Leader led the way from the start at 13:45 with all four within three minutes at the first lap – James and Rob 10 seconds apart. Rob was ahead at the second lap by about the same margin, but James soon overtook and was ahead for the next three laps, and he was 20 seconds ahead of Rob when Enoch finished the race after 51 minutes on the fifth lap. Chris, Ben and Lev were next on four laps each, and Nick, Keith and finally Rebecca finished their three laps after 70 minutes.
Meanwhile the tide had forced OOD Enoch and Ian Nethersell off the footpath and onto the steps of the Bell and Crown. And yet they resisted a drink. Their return to the club had to be along Thames Road with the last short stretch welly-deep past the Bull’s Head.
By then the dinghies had floated into the Club’s soggy premises where the barbeque was sizzling with sausages and Steve Newell’s delicious beer was flowing freely. The traditional end-of-season Beer and Bangers was relaxed and, as ever, enjoyed by all. Many thanks to those many hands who provided and prepared the sumptuous feast.
The handicap sums made little difference to the finishing order: first James, second Rob and third Chris.
The results for this race are shown below. The final results for the whole season need some tweaking to account for the ‘best 14 results’ which is a way of reducing the advantage to those who sail most frequently. The Master of Sums will publish them as soon as possible.
OOD: Nick Jeffery; Safety Boat: Dave Barker & Keith Clarke
A gentle breeze on a grey day saw eight boats on the water for a 14.00 start on the A course, Dave and Keith having laid the buoys for an upwind leg against the flood tide in ample time and seven boats making it to the start line.
Two Enterprises on starboard tack, metres from the OOD, got the best start – James and Candice in Zephyr and Lev, sailing single-handed in Porpoise – then short-tacking up the bank, Zephyr rounding the windward mark first and goose-winging its jib running back mid-stream to make the most of the tide.
Rob and Otto in the Enterprise Big Polly, Chris and Felicia in the Leader Distant Thunder, Ben in his Laser Envy and Olly and Billy in their Mirror Spinosaurus finished their first lap in that order, with Zephyr, on its second lap, hot on Spinosaurus’ transom, also overtaking Nick Floyer in his Gull Flo who was struggling to make headway against the tide and had yet to cross the start line.
The OOD decided to shorten the course after 45 minutes – as the breeze was dying and lap times were getting significantly longer for all – so hoisted the yellow flag, Zephyr finishing 5 laps, precisely 3 mins later. Spinosaurus finished another 3 minutes 18 seconds later, having completed 2 laps. Porpoise completed 5 laps after 53 minutes 20 seconds, followed by Big Polly (4 laps, 53 mins 48 secs), Envy (3 laps, 54 mins 12 secs), Distant Thunder (4 laps, 56 mins 7 secs).
Eight minutes later Flo picked up some breeze and crossed the line having completed one lap 1 hour and four minutes after the start. Ali sailing in the Laser Punt, did not start (DNS) but practised manoeuvres in the middle of the course.
The high tide made for easy hauling out of the fleet of eight at the slipway, all dinghies and safety boat back in the club by 15.30.
Nick Jeffery (OOD)
Next week we have a D course to Hammersmith at 14.00 (after a Working Party at 10.30).
CLEARING THE ARCH ! It’s time to remove all the bits and pieces that threaten to fill the arch.
At the Work Party this Sunday (10.30), or preferably before then, can members please label any personal items that need to be kept or risk their removal to the tip. We might even be able to clean the floor.
OOD: Keith Clarke; Safety Boat: Tim Young
A glorious autumn day, sunny, warm, but no wind. After deliberating for several minutes the four intrepid sailors said a C course was viable. Four boats made it to the start: James Armitage and crew in Zephyr (Enterprise); Felicia Biekark in Kaia (Laser); Rebecca Hayes in Wagtail (Mirror); and Nick Jeffery in Eeyore (Duckling). All successfully navigated Kew Bridge will skill, with Nick gamely rowing up to the start.
A good start with James drifting across the line with the current, chased by Felicia in Keith’s lent/borrowed laser, with Rebecca and Nick following.
The safety boat took the opportunity to go upriver to look at the recent breach in the tow path, which is substantial. Returning downstream the mark was dropped astutely at Brentford to be positioned for both slack tide and 30 min sailing. On checking on the fleet’s progress Nick was not in sight. A rapid run downstream to the clubhouse followed with no sight of Nick. Meanwhile James continued to lead closely chased by Felicia and Rebecca further back. Still barely a breath of wind.
Nick was finally spotted having gone up the channel north of the Brentford Eyots, happily drifting on the slight current.
On returning to the main channel all three leading boats had rounded the mark and were headed downstream on the slowly increasing tide. We agreed with Nick on his emergence from behind the Eyot that he would not reach the upstream mark against the turned tide. We instructed him to sail a shortened course and chase the fleet downstream.
At the finish line James crossed at 1hr 6 min 30 sec chased by Felicia at 1hr 7min 45 sec, Rebecca at 1hr19min 33sec and Nick at 1hr 20 plus 15 min penalty,1hr 35 min since he clearly deserved to have a finished time. Great day on the river, pity about the wind.
Keith Clarke (OOD)
Next week we have an A-course starting at 14:00.
Advance warning: the ever-popular SGSC winter Dinner and Dance is booked for 8th March 2025 at the Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club. Mark it in your diary and email Marian to let her know of your interest: armitagew4@gmail.com.
Race Report 6 October 2024
OOD: Mary Brown, Safety Boat: Henry Brown
This Sunday was the day for the annual test closing of the Thames Barrier. It was scheduled to close at 0900 and reopen to the incoming tide at 1930. Our race, scheduled before the closure was announced, was to start at 1600, and sure enough the river that had been flowing out all day as if the moon had dropped out of the sky was gradually filling up the river bed behind the closed barrier. So we had what looked like a B-course with only half a river and what we thought would be a diminishing river flow as the water backed up. The wind was forecast to be SSE, conveniently against the river flow, at 7-8 knots. It was accompanied by an intermittent drizzle.
Five boats assembled on the enlarged foreshore: James Armitage, plus crew, in Zephyr (Enterprise); Rob Adams and Billy in Big Polly (Enterprise); Lev Kolobov solo in Porpoise (Enterprise); Toby Hicks in Cis… (Laser); and Olly and Felicity Adams in Spinosaurus (Mirror).
The beat down-stream to the mark (opposite Chiswick Staithe) was quick – James made it in 5 minutes – but the run back against the flow of the river – which seemed to pay little attention to the Woolwich Barrier – was much slower. The Surrey bank was the preferred strategy, out of the full flow of the river but still with enough wind to goose-wing upstream. James completed his first lap (around a mark opposite the Bull’s Head) in 20 minutes, one minute ahead of Rob. Toby was third in 27 minutes with Lev a minute behind. Olly did his usual skilful and patient job in the Mirror and lapped in 33 minutes.
The second lap saw Rob catch up with James and finally overtake him around the top mark to finish about 20 seconds ahead after just over 53 minutes. Lev lost his way a bit around the top mark and finished just ahead of Olly after around 70 minutes. Toby felt he’d had enough at the top mark and retired under the bridge.
And the river was still flowing strongly down to Woolwich but creeping ever closer up the foreshore towards the ramp.
Next week is a C-course starting at 1000 – an early start is necessary to get under Kew Bridge.
Race report to follow …
Race Report, 22nd September 2024
OOD: Tom Broadhurst. Safety boat: Dave Barker
There were four starters for a late afternoon B-course on a day with very little wind: James Armitage with Alex in Zephyr (Enterprise); Rob Adams with Hugo in Big Polly (Enterprise); Chris Greenwood and Felicia in Distant Thunder (Leader); Keith Clarke in his Laser (Kaia); and Olly Adams and Billy in Spinosaurus (Mirror).
As is often the case with B-courses the toughest part was making it around the Strand End jetty in the full strength of the tide. James completed his first lap in about 25 minutes, followed by Rob in 32 minutes and Chris in 33 minutes. James went on to finish his second lap, and the race, in 56 minutes, followed as before by Rob in 71 minutes and Chris in 76 minutes. Olly in his Mirror persisted with fortitude to round the Strand End jetty and completed a triumphant single lap in 90 minutes, but Keith gave up the struggle and retired back to the Arch.
Next week is an A-course starting at 11:50.
RACE REPORT: 15 September 2024: Visit by South Bank Sailing Club
Stunning! That is the first and best word to describe the day!
An inkling of the approach of a high pressure dome over the UK was seen in the slow lifting of the mist at Chiswick Bridge as a flotilla of seven SBSC boats plus their Safety Boat came into view. On the foreshore, pre-assembled, were our Safety Boat with, amazingly, 10 SGSC boats lined up – an unparalleled turnout. A massive racing fleet of 17 boats!
With beautiful new bunting laid out by Nick Jeffery and pre-laid offerings of French and Danish pastries and tea and coffee, presented by Mary Short, and in ever-warming sunshine, it was just a matter of judging if there was sufficient wind to justify a B course – but since our visitors had already come that way, and the gentle but persistent North-West wind seemed to allow for a long A, that was decided upon.
The OOD welcomed the visitors – and described the long A course which also allowed the possibility of going round Olivers Island – and the hazard of Kew Bridge, while James added comments on how to find and see the Bell & Crown start line and how to perform a turn if anyone hit a buoy.
Thankfully, faced with the OOD’s ultimate nightmare probability of losing track of 17 boats crossing the line, and simultaneously clocking times and writing them down and not knowing all the names or numbers, a brilliant solution was suggested by Felicia to simply photo every boat as it went by – and use the camera recorded times later to write them down. But even more thankfully, Jane from SBSC, with a broken elbow, offered to assist as a duo with the OOD as he photographed and called out the sail numbers and times, which she could then write down.
A classic ship’s handbell, perfectly designed to perform acoustically superbly across the water – and unmistakably heard by everyone, set the fleet off.
There was a most extraordinary of the sight of this vast fleet converging simultaneously on the downstream buoy – after which a running order emerged – with Tamir streaking ahead round the upstream mark set by The Steam Packet, to lead the first lap – and ultimately win the race.
Thereafter, the effort to record the times was a monumental challenge. Multiple boats in parallel, with sails set goose-winged obscuring their number, driving fast in the increasing wind, were so hard to identify correctly; except by both the OOD and Jane helping each other with identifying who was who, and when. The Race Sheet began to look like scrambled eggs of corrections.
And Stephen Newell wonderfully assisted by re-checking the sail numbers, after they passed by.
David Jones and Pacu in the SGSC Safety Boat ‘Kurt’, accompanied by the SBSC Safety Boat ‘Henry’ kept an expert eye on everyone all the time; with no incidents to attend to; though only three boats ‘appeared to disappear’ as they chose to go round the island.
After the race was over: with exactly 60 race times recorded over 6 laps, Jane and Andy and James (with his laptop) retired to the back of the club to decipher the signals and decode the camera photos to produce the handicapped results: an astonishing clean sweep victory [see list] for SGSC!
And the BBQ was superb! All the great work that had gone into its preparation and its cooking; marvelously orchestrated by Marian, Heather and Mary, with soup and sausages and sweet cakes, with loads of kids running around, and stories told of how the day had gone, was truly enjoyable.
And Tim proudly announced that “Everyone has won a Prize” – as he gleefully read out the list of winners – and handed out to great applause, celebration mugs to:
1 SGSC Tamir
2 SGSC James
3 SGSC Rob & Tim
4 SGSC Chris & Felicia
5 SGSC Ben
6 SBSC Roland
7 SBSC Verena
8 SGSC Lev &
9 SGSC Tim
10 SGSG Olly & Felicity
11 SBSC Anthony
12 SBSC John
13 SBSC Steph & Alan
14 SBSC Eric
15 SGSC Sam
16 SGSC Keith
17 SBSC Oliver
OOD: Andy Ross
Race Report 1st September 2024
OOD: Mary Brown; Safety boat: Henry Brown and Dave Baker
Meteorological Autumn started with a beautiful, sunny, warm summer’s day with a nice breeze recorded as 9 knots gusting 15 from ENE in Kew Gardens. Down at Strand this gave testing conditions for our fleet of six, divided equally between Big Boats and Little Boats. The wind had to find its way diagonally over the houses at Strand and then blow with the tide further out in the river.
The fleet comprised Rob Adams, crewed by Billy, in Big Polly (Enterprise); Tim Wellburn, with crew, in Ixion (Enterprise); and Sam Shemtob with crew in Spirit of Youth (Wayfarer) represented the Big Boats. Tim Young in Ait Knots (Wanderer); Nick Floyer in flo (Gull); and Olly Adams with Felicity in Spinosaurus (Mirror) made up the Little Boats.
From the start (downriver from the Bell & Crown) Rob headed into the middle of the river to catch the cleaner wind and the weakened tide upstream of Oliver Island. He managed to catch the wind and sail practically into the trees of Oliver Island before reaching across to the mark just above the slip dock. He managed to complete his first lap in 10 minutes. Others tried to beat down the Strand shore or were less successful in the middle. Sam, Olly and Nick completed their first laps in around 30 minutes, having been lapped almost twice by Rob.
There were equal and familiar problems at the upstream mark where the strong tide and fickle wind caused frustration. Tim Young spent practically his entire race oscillating between the start line and Kew Bridge before, in the end, accepting a tow back to the Club.
Rob went on to complete 5 laps before Mary, taking pity on the following boats, finished Rob after 50 minutes. The star of the rest of the fleet was Olly, in the smallest boat, who did 3 laps in 57 minutes, while Sam, in the largest boat and Nick in his little Gull both finished 2 laps, and Tim Wellburn had to content himself with one.
Thanks to Mary with the stopwatch at the Bell and Crown, and David Baker for help before, during and after in the safety boat.
Next week is a D-course starting at 1245.
HB
Report to follow, but, briefly, Lev was OOD and safety boat driver and reported that, almost from the start the order was James, then Ben, then Tim.
