Another beautiful warm sunny day with a strong wind from the East. This time blowing upstream off the Middlesex bank. Due to the curve in the river, it was a cleaner wind on the A Course although it was still coming off the bank a little. A long A course with 2 buoys, one off the Bell & Crown and the other off the City Barge was laid. Becky Hayes in her Mirror Wagtail, Keith Clarke in the laser Kaia, and three single-handed Enterprises Big Polly with Rob Adams, Porpoise with Lev Kolobov and Zephyr with James Armitage took to the water shepherded by Dave Baker in the safety boat and overseen by Heather Adams as OOD.
The gusty wind coming over the houses of Strand on the Green was difficult to handle and both Keith and Becky retired leaving the three Enterprises to battle each other and the gusts. After an hour and six laps James came in first followed by Lev (6 laps) and Rob (5 laps). Thank you to Dave for managing the safety boat and Heather for being OOD.
James Armitage
Next week its another A or B course, starting at 17:30
Sunday 4th May brought brisk, gusty conditions to the Thames for a scheduled start time of 7pm. James prepared the safety boat, then it was agreed that the OOD, Nick J, would start the race from the safety boat, combining duties, and sailors take their own times over the finish line of a course B – allowing Zephyr to race and increase the fleet to five. It was emphasised that safety duty was to take priority over timings.
Without flags to look at, James Armitage thought the starting hooter was in fact the 3-minute warning signal so Zephyr (Enterprise) started astern of the fleet – that was initially led by Chris Greenwood and Felicia Biekarck in Distant Thunder (Leader) – but Zephyr took the opposite bank on the first downwind leg to Chiswick Staithe and overtook all four boats just before the leeward mark. Lev Kolobov in Porpoise (Enterprise) rounded in second place, Ben Chappell in Envy (Laser) in third place, Joe Armitage in Punt (another Laser) kissing Ben’s transom and Distant Thunder having slipped to fifth.
Beating to the windward mark – positioned close to the spectators in the Bull’s Head – saw more changes with Ben’s older sail making it hard to keep up with Joe, all sailors busy spilling and trimming sails as they tacked to stay in the favourable tide. 14 minutes from the start Joe led the fleet around the mark with James, Lev, Chris & Felicia following close behind, Ben rounding 5 minutes after Joe.
Positions remained the same at the second windward mark rounding, 28 minutes after the start, Envy rounding the leeward mark for the second time one minute later. On the third lap, times at the leeward mark saw Joe gybing around at 33 mins 50 secs from the start, James at 35 mins 31 secs, Lev at 37 mins 47 secs and Chris & Felicia, less than 4 minutes behind the leader, at 39 mins 37 secs.
The OOD decided to play safe – after much encouragement from Joe – and shortened the course after three laps, the chilly May breeze starting to bite and the Bull’s Head drinkers having retreated indoors. Just 20 seconds separated Joe from James, the Laser and Enterprise finishing after 44 mins 36 secs and 44 mins 56 seconds respectively. Lev finished third after 49 mins 23 seconds and Distant Thunder touched the line 52 minutes after the start, just as Envy capsized further downstream – Ben immediately righting her and getting to the finish line 1 hour, 11 minutes and 20 secs after the start.
Boats were all derigged, engine hoisted out, safety boat locked on its mooring and arch closed by 8.45pm.
Nick Jeffery OOD and SB!!
Many thanks to Nick for dual-duties, and a prompt race report. Apologies from the Master of Sums for the delay in publishing – absent on Grand Parental duties/pleasures in Edinburgh.
Next week (11th May) is another A/B course at 13:40.
The race sheet reports that four boats took part in an A-course that lasted just over an hour, and that it was a sunny afternoon with a slight breeze.
Ben Chappell in Envy (Laser) completed 10 laps, Keith Clarke in Kaia (Laser) and Rob Adams in Big Polly (Enterprise) both did 11 laps, and Chris Greenwood with Felicia Biekark in Distant Thunder (Leader) did 12. So it can’t have been that slight a breeze, or it was a very short course.
The time sheet didn’t record the OOD’s name legibly or that of the Safety Boat operator, but the time keeping was impeccable and the Master of Sums is happy to record that Chris/Felicia were the winners, followed by Rob Adams, then Ben and finally Keith. Well done all.
Next week is another A or B-course starting at 1900.
It was Boat Race Day for Oxbridge rowers, and Cambridge made a clean sweep down below Chiswick Bridge on an overcast afternoon that deteriorated into a fine drizzle at times after our sailors’ start at 14:40.
Six boats rigged on a diminishing foreshore. Lev Kolobov, solo in Porpoise (Enterprise); Ben Chappell in Envy (Laser); Tim Young in Ait Knots (Wanderer); Olly Adams and Felicity in Spinosaurus (Mirror); Rebecca Hayes and Ella in Wagtail (Mirror); and Nick Jeffery in Eeyore (Duckling). Nick managed to capsize as he boarded Eeyore and retired, rather wet.
The rest set off on a short A-course, giving everyone a good chance to do several laps. Lev set the pace with a lap of under 5 minutes, followed by Ben (6:17) and Olly / Felicity close on his transom two seconds later. Tim followed about a minute after that, and finally Rebecca / Ella in 9 mins 25 seconds.
This was the pattern for the for the next hour of brisk sailing for all concerned. Lev and Ben finished 11 laps 1 minute 90 seconds apart with Spinosaurus about 2 minutes behind on 10 laps. Tim finished his 8 laps about a minute later, and Rebecca / Ella finished their 7 laps after another 10 minutes. Quite a challenge for the OOD: almost 50-line crossings to note on a race sheet threatened by drizzle.
There was a traffic jam outside the ramp until someone found some keys, but eventually all the boats managed to squeeze onto the boat-park around the safety fencing, as the cracks in the brickwork of the bridge become more apparent. And most had time for tea and biscuits and a chat.
First in the Handicap Cup went to Lev: first in the Polly Prize to a masterful sail by Olly and Felicity.
Weather: Bright and Breezy, ENE 3-5 Beaufort, 9-16 knots
Course: D
Three boats launched with Ben Chappell in Envy (Laser), Chris Greenwood and Felicia Biekarck in Distant Thunder (Leader) and Lev Kolobov in Porpoise (Enterprise). Following a few last-minute repairs to a couple of boats, Lev took to the water first and was whizzing up and down enjoying the breeze. Shortly all the boats were on the water and testing the fine sailing conditions.
Ben, in Envy, crossed the start line first with a fine set to his sail. However, this was not to last and Chris and Felcia in Distant Thunder overtook Envy and held the lead for the rest of the race. Within 15mins all the boats were passing Barnes and heading to Chiswick pier. Despite little tide, the wind held up most of the time and made for some fun sailing – check out the photos.
The turning buoy was dropped at 17.33 opposite Chiswick pier with Distant Thunder turning first, followed by Porpoise and then Envy. The return leg was faster than the downstream, no doubt helped slightly by the flood tide, but a steady wind ensured the return leg was made on a single tack in most cases. A lovely evening to be sailing on the water.
Leona (OOD)
Next week is an A or B Course, depending on conditions, starting at 14:40.
Firstly, there was a lot of activity before the race. It was a bright sunny day but a forecast for strong NW wind deterred Nick Floyer, Tim Young and Keith Clarke, who sensibly declined to enter the fray. Keith and Tim manned the safety boat which meant that Rob Adams was able to sail. They were right to be cautious! Secondly no water! It seems timing was an hour out – BST? but not to worry, there was enough water for a B course and the wind was perfectly aligned for that reach of the river. It gave a good run to Quintin BC against the tide and then a stiff beat back with the incoming tide.
OOD Heather Adams tried to start on time and indeed the flags went up and down but all boats were still on the beach. Ariel Biekark (in Kaia, Laser) did set off and would have got a good head start but Rob Adams and Kiran Biekarck in Big Polly (Enterprise) held back and waited for the others while Ariel returned.
A new start sequence was run 11 minutes late. Rob and Kieran were away in Big Polly with a chasing bunch of Olly Adams and Billy in Spinosaurus (Mirror), Chris Greenwood and Felicia Biekark in Distant Thunder (Leader), Arial in Kaia (Laser), Ben Chappell in Envy (Laser), Lev Kolobov and Paco Biekark in Porpoise (Enterprise). By this time Arial had been in and out of the water but with impressive speed had caught Rob and Kiran and rounded the downstream mark first, the mark hastily laid by the safety boat Keith and Tim. They had trouble keeping up and getting ahead of the fast-moving fleet. Sadly, Arial rounded mark to port (usual IYR rules) with Rob and Kieran rounding in the SGSC way to starboard. In honourable fashion Arial un-wound and re rounded the Strand way but not without a couple of swims! In the following bunch was the remarkable sight for SGSC of the Mirror with a spinnaker up and pulling hard at great speed keeping up with the faster boats around it.
The drama continued with Lev and Paco capsizing rounding the upstream mark but not to be thwarted they bailed out and were back in the race. Not so lucky for Chris and Felicia who lost their rudder and had to retire. Three laps completed with Ben, Olly and Billy and Rob and Kiran the only boats staying upright for the race but not without their moments.
Great turnout and well done to all. Thank you to Heather for the lemon drizzle cake.
Rob Adams.
The sums gave a win for Rob in all three points series.
OOD: Kiran / Pacu Biekarck; Safety Boat: Tim Young,
Course: D; Weather: overcast, light rain at the end of the day, wind: NNE/N, 6-12 knots, F2-4 B.
Kiran and Pacu kindly took on the duty of OOD so that Lev could sail. Many thanks to them.
Three boats launched: Lev Kolobov solo in Porpoise (Enterprise); Chris Greenwood with the Commodore (Felicia Biekarck) in Distant Thunder (Leader); and Keith Clarke in Kaia (Laser).
It was a pleasant sail downstream with a following light breeze. Buoy placed near to Chiswick Pier and all boats had a long return trip because the tide was not particularly strong and in places, especially down stream of Chiswick Bridge the river was like a mill pond due to lack of wind.
On my own in the safety boat. One boat (Porpoise) capsized but Lev rapidly righted the boat and did not lose his lead.
The order remained the same throughout the race and after roughly 2 hours the finishing order was Lev, then Chris, then Keith.
Tim Young (from the Safety Boat)
Next Sunday it’s an A or B course (wind dependant) starting at 14:00.
March 16 dawned with a promising day of sunshine ahead – and happily this turned out to be the case for the first race of the 2025 season. This was an A course with two buoys, one upstream of The Bell and Crown and the other by the grid.
The wind was quite variable but generally light, with none of the 7 boats which started the race at 1440 needing to retire for any reason – and hence relatively light work for Keith Clarke and Henry Brown in the safety boat.
The building work on the railway arch has made the parking and movement of boats somewhat different from usual but everyone worked deftly manoeuvring boats and trailers on the fast-disappearing foreshore at that start, and wading in the rising waters on the towpath when bringing the boats in after the race.
There were 3 Enterprises which each, at different stages in the race appeared to be leading the way, with eventually James Armitage (with Felicia Biekark as crew ) and Lev who was single handed slogging it out to the end of the race, with both completing 8 laps.
It was a delight to see two under -10’s crewing in the race (Felicity Adams completing 6 laps in Enterprise Big Polly with her grandad Rob Adams) and Kieran Biekark (crewing for Chris Greenwood in the Leader dinghy Distant Thunder) completing 7 laps.
The other 3 boats in the race were sailing single-handed with Nick Floyer (5 laps), Tim Young (5 laps) and Nick Jeffery (3 laps) each in their characterful and very different designs of boat, respectively Gull, Wanderer and Duckling.
The race was a pleasing and colourful spectacle for the many drinkers, diners and walkers along the tow path which was bathed in warm sunshine – and it was a delight to be OOD under such conditions.
Mary Short, OOD
A note on the Results Table (below). We’ve added another column to the table, the first under the Polly Prize heading, ALT, standing for Average Lap Time after Portsmouth Number calculation. Olly asked for this as it is the nearest we get to an official handicap comparison of our boats taking the wide variety of boats, handicaps and number of laps sailed.
