Race report, 17th May 2020
On Sunday late afternoon, on the 17th May, three Crews gathered for our first sail under social distancing regulations. It was a warm sunny afternoon with a light North Westerly. It was decided to change the scheduled D course to a short course between the pier at the East end of Strand on the Green and the rowing marker buoy on the Surrey side at the downstream end of the Island. This could safely be sailed without having to launch the rescue boat. Rob Adams our officer of the day set the starting line on the upstream face of the railway bridge with an upstream start against the wind and current.
Down at the bottom of the river bed, the wind was erratic and the shallowness of the water was a constant challenge to our centre plates, but it was great to be back on the water. Porpoise crewed by James led the way, Distant Thunder crewed by Chris and Mary followed and SY2 crewed by Sam was third on the water. He was struck by a doldrum below Strand End and self-towed along the foreshore back to the ramp.
Successfully hauling the boats back up to the arch was the final challenge for the afternoon.
JA
The next sail/race is an A-course, start 15:10 on Sunday 24 May. See you there – at a safe distance!
