Race Report 31st May 2026

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Race Report: Sunday, May 31

Today we had an A-course, starting at 14:45—one hour earlier than our programmed schedule due to a typo in the calendar.

Five boats on the start line. Racing in Enterprises were James Armitage crewed by Ruth (in Zephyr); Dave Berger crewed by Sheila (in Entre Nous); Lev Kolobov crewed by Ina (in Porpoise); and Rob Adams sailing single-handed in Big Polly. On the Solo (Tango), we had Lennert Pronk. Mid-race, Patrick Lane-Spollen joined in for some friendly sailing on his Laser, and Sam Shemtob also took his Wayfarer out for what looked like a downriver tour. OD duty was covered by Felicia Biekarck, with Chris Greenwood in the safety boat (SB).

The weather was less sunny than in previous days, yet it offered a great westerly breeze, with some stronger gusts, but overall fantastic and unusually steady by our Strand standards.

The race started with James/Ruth and Dave/Sheila paired in the lead, followed by Rob and Lev/Ina, who finished both the first and second laps side-by-side in a tight competition. Lenny started with a bit of a delay but reached the first mark right in the pack. His second and third laps were rather adventurous, featuring a pit stop among the trees on Oliver’s Island followed by a capsize; but as usual, he was up for it all and chased the race to the end, completing 5 laps.

James/Ruth crossed the finish line first at 51:41 minutes, Dave/Sheila at 55:26 both boats with 7 laps completed. Lev/Ina at 52:15 and Rob at 53:00 with 6 laps, and Lenny 53:48 with 5 laps.

It was great to have such a good turnout of boats despite the early start. We also had a fantastic SGSC fan club cheering from the bank at Bell&Crown, with David Jones and little Magnus (a 5th-generation Armitage) supporting officer duty, and our honorable Margaret Berger with family having a great time enjoying the view. So nice!

The Handicap system gave first place in the Handicap Cup to the Bergers (we don’t often have the pleasure of their company so their handicap is low). They pushed the Armitages into 2nd place in that Cup, but were first in the Class and Polly Prizes. And all the Enterprises were pretty close on the adjusted lap time.

I look forward to seeing you all in the water again next Sunday.

Felicia

Next Week: Sunday, June 7th

  • Work Party: 10:30 AM
  • Race: Late A/B course, 18:20 start
  • Duty: Heather Adams (OD) & Rob Adams (SB)

Race Results 17th May 2026

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Race Report Sunday 17th May 2026

Three boats arrived at the start line on a cool afternoon with a brisk SW wind. Lev Kolobov in his new Enterprise, Ben Chappell and Tamir Gottfried in Lasers. Buoys were laid downstream close to the Railway Bridge and upstream off the Bell and Crown. With the rowing buoy on the Surrey side included, this made for a triangular course with a beat and if you got it right a fast (planing) reach across the river and a run back down to starting line and Kew Bridge buoy. The Bell and Crown was heaving with Brentford supporters ready for the needle match with Crystal Palace so Heather wisely moved the start line to the lamp post outside Zoffany House. Start prompt on the scheduled time of 1430 saw the boats jostle their way to the Railway Bridge buoy.  During the 4 laps the lead changed repeatedly with Ben and Lev both enjoying the lead by overtaking Tamir on the run, only for Tamir to regain the lead on the beat. The excitement was all about the upstream buoy which required a gybe in the windiest part of the course, at times blowing full on force 4. Tamir was the only person to capsize but with an athletic re-righting beautifully captured on film, only to veer off the wrong side of the buoy. He quickly got back on course and shot away practicing his risky Ben Ainslie- style sailing on the windward edge of the Laser. 

Good racing, well done all and thank you to Heather for OOD duties and the delicious lemon cake and tea. Good to see David and Margaret Berger on the bank. 

For the record, Chris Greenwood came by and not only helped in the rescue boat but also directed Rob Adams with the adjustment to the outboard control to get neutral in the right place on the control lever. It did involve bending the metal bracket straight again.

Rob Adams (safety boat).

Ooops!!

Race Report 10th May 2026

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Race Report 10th May 2026

OOD: Leona Shepherd

Safety Boat: Lennart Pronk

Weather: Fair  with fresh NE  winds F3. 

Course: D  

Start: 15:05  HWKB:14.10    Wind  NE 10-12km

5 boats launched with Patrick Lane-Spollen in Ellie (Laser), Chris Greenwood and Felicia Biekarck in Distant Thunder (Leader) and Tamir Gottfried (Laser), James and Ruth Armitage in Zephyr (Enterprise) and Joseph Armitage and friend James in Big Polly (Enterprise). After a last minute handover of safety boat duties from Joseph to Lennart (thank you Lenny!) the boats were in the water and on the downstream side of the bridge for a 15.05 start. 

The start was very tight with all boats vying for the best wind and tide position and it remained competitive until well after Barnes bridge, when James and Ruth pulled away and Tamir didn’t quite catch the wind in time to stay close. Around Chiswick Lifeboat station, Patrick, who in a head to wind position, got caught in-irons, had to pull his boat out and withdrew from the race. He continued to sail and enjoy the afternoon, gaining some valuable tips from the other sailors on his return.

Being a D course the OD did not follow it step by step! A good wind and tide together for the return made for rewarding conditions and fun sailing. The first, and fast, arrival at the finish line was Zephyr, with James & Ruth, in 1h 19mins 50s. Thereafter, Tamir arrived in 1h 26mins 08s, Joseph & James on Big Polly in 1h 30mins 10s and Chris & Felicia in 1h 33mins 00s. With 14mins between first to last boats it was indeed a tight race from start to finish. Great photos by Lenny are already posted to the SGSC WhatsApp group 

Leona Shepherd OOD)

Race Report 3rd May 2026

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Race Report 3rd May 2026

A fine afternoon with a light but variable SW wind and a strong spring tide.

Tamir Gottfried (Laser) made the best start on an A-course, but was overtaken by James Armitage in Zephyr(crewed by daughter Ruth) and by Lev Kolobov solo in Porpoise (Enterprise) just before the downstream mark.  Originally very close together, the gaps steadily lengthened, James covering Lev all the way, until James managed to lap Tamir on his last of 6 laps.

Next week is a D-course (downstream to Hammersmith and back) starting at 1500.

Nick Floyer (OOD)

Race Report 19th April 2026

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Here are the results of Sunday’s race – OOD: Lenny Pronk, Safety Boat: Lev Kolobov; nice breeze for a B-course (first of the season). Rob Adams and crew were first after 3 laps followed by our Commodore in Distant Thunder and then Olly Adams in Spinosaurus (Mirror), but the handicap system gave first place to Olly in his little Mirror – and well deserved.

Race Report 5th April 2026

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OOD: Mary Short. Safety Boat: Sam Shemtob and Andy Ross

Start : 16:10. Fine, gusty,

Three boats sailing: Distant Thunder ( Leader) with Chris Greenwood and Lev Kolobov; Zephyr (Enterprise) with James Armitage and daughter Ruth; and Ellie (Laser) with Patrick Lane-Spollen. James spent time helping Dave Berger to rig Big Polly but only succeeded in being late for the start: Dave and Sheila had to give up the attempt.

So Distant Thunder led all the way over 8 laps of frisky sailing, and Patrick had a challenging time learning the ways of a Laser.

Race Report 29th March 2026

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Race Report. 29th March 2026

OOD: Rebecca Hayes.     Safety Boat:  David Baker

Weather: dry, cold, wind force 3-4 B SW, gusty.

The third race of the season was an A-Course with two buoys in front of the Steam Packet and by the barge dock. We had a strong seven boat turnout with 3 Enterprises; Big Polly helmed by Dave Berger with Shelia crewing (welcome visitors from Yorkshire); Lev Kolobov was solo in Porpoise;  and father and daughter team James Armitage helming with Ruth crewing in Zephyr; Tamir Gottfried and Ben Chappell in their Lasers; Sam Shemtob with crew in Wayfarer SY2,  and Lennard Pronk who was taking Tango out for the second time and mainly using the race to get used to his Solo.  The WillyWeather forecast promised cloud, no rain, and light winds with the odd blink of sunshine — and while the Thames broadly agreed, it also threw in some unexpected gusts that kept everyone alert.

Launching took a little longer than usual with so many boats, so the race began at 11.30am. Rebecca, Officer of the Day, had Ella assisting on the line, which proved wise as a second pair of eyes was needed as it proved to be a very exciting energetic race. Ben in his Laser Envy shot across first, catching an early puff before the wind faded again, turning the opening lap into a more tactical second part and one of the longest laps. Zephyr led the first lap in thirteen minutes, closely followed by Big Polly and Porpoise, the three Enterprises practically glued together. Tamir kept close behind, SY2 followed steadily and Lennard in Tango crossed the start line twenty‑five minutes later after bailing out some water and settling into only his second outing in the boat.

After the first lap there were a series of punchy gusts speeding up the laps and reshuffling the fleet. One of these sharp gusts capsized Tango in front of the pub and in the line of the other boats so Dave, in the safety boat, towed her clear and after a while Lennard righted her with impressive composure, earning warm applause from the pub as he carried on. Envy also had some dramatic moments, with Ben masterfully righting the Laser each time, much to the delight of the pub terrace who cheered him on.

The Enterprises continued their tight formation, while Tamir darted in and out of them, catching gusts at just the right moment. After an hour of lively, gust‑driven racing, the finish was a thriller: Tamir slipped ahead of Zephyr by just one second to cross the finish line, with Big Polly close behind and then Porpoise, all four boats completing 9 laps.  Ben completed seven laps in Envy, Sam and crew finished with six laps in SY2, and Lennard completed four determined laps in Tango. Well, done to all who braved the cold to complete an adrenaline filled race.

Rebecca Hayes

Next week, 5th April, it’s another A or B course starting at 16:10, following a Working Party in the morning at 10:30.