Race Report 25th May 2025
I’m afraid I have no first-hand race report, but this is what I can infer from the race sheet.
Felicia Biekark was OOD; it was an A-course, with a very fresh breeze, which the Met Office said was from the west, 19 knots gusting 25 knots (Beaufort 5-6); and three brave / foolhardy dinghies dared to launch. James Armitage, with a novice crew, in Zephyr (Enterprise); Joe Armitage in Punt (Laser); and Sam Shemtob and crew in a heavily-reefed SY2 (Wayfarer).
James was just ahead of his son at the first lap, which took just under 8 minutes, with Sam three minutes behind. Soon after that James capsized and was not able immediately to right Zephyr from a mast-down position. Fortunately he didn’t suffer the famous fate of the Bayesian and remained afloat. His crew retired to the safety boat while James managed to right the Enterprise and retired, cold, wet and exhausted.
Meanwhile Joe zoomed around for about 40 minutes completing 6 laps, and Sam carried on for 4 heroic laps before Felicia took pity on them. It was a busy day for Keith Clarke in the safety boat with Ben Chappell. Many thanks for their seamanship and care.
Next week, who knows? It’s an A-B course at 17:50.
HB
