Race Results – 16th July 2017

Four boats started in this D-course race. The forecast was for a light westerly to take the fleet down to Hammersmith on the ebb, but in the shelter of Hartington reach the wind blew every which way, and progress was slow. The tide turned early and the downstream buoy was dropped near The Ship pub just below Chiswick Bridge. Dropping the buoy when the tide turns always gives the leading boat quite an advantage, while sometimes making reaching it impossible, as in this case, for boats behind. However, you have to be psychic to know to drop it earlier.

James A (Ent) was in the lead from the start and first round the buoy. John B (Laser) and Nick F (Lightning) battled to be next, John getting well ahead on the way back. Tim and Rob W (Ent) spent too long in the shallows – the neap-tide low water seemed unusually low – and failed to make it to the buoy against the now flooding tide.

Thanks to Lev K in the safety boat.