Race Report, 30th March 2025
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.
Next week is an A or B course at 15:45.
