OOD: Mary Brown. Sunday’s race took place in the continuation of the heat wave that we have enjoyed or endured for many weeks – an evening race with a 17:40 start, and a F2-3 N wind perfect for a B course.
7 boats launched through the slimy mud that has accumulated on the foreshore in the warm and rainless weather. Three Enterprises: (James Armitage in Zephyr with daughter Ruth; Rob Adams with Ella Hayes in Big Polly; Lev and Inna Kolobov in Porpoise); Chris Greenwood and Felicia Biekarck in Distant Thunder, Leader; Joe Armitage in his Laser, Punt; and two Mirrors (Olly Adams and daughter Felicity in Spinosaurus; and Rebecca Hayes in Wagtail). All got away promptly on a running start from the OOD’s position at No.1 Strand and quickly disappeared from the OOD’s view behind vegetation on the Middlesex shore.
Andy Ross, after a struggle to prepare a safety boat swamped by the wake of a passing boat, and having recovered the engine from a dip in the river, set a long B-course with a buoy down towards Chiswick Staithe.
The leader of the fleet, James, hove back into sight about 12mins after the start, beating elegantly to windward with the flood tide to turn and cross the start line after a lap of about 18 mins. He was followed closely by Lev, then Joe, then Rob, then Chris. They all chose to run down the Surrey side where the wind and tide were most helpful. The second lap was a variation on the pattern with following group being Rob -Lev- Joe – Chris. Lev experimented with the Middlesex side on his third and final lap and suffered for it. James finished just before the hour followed by Joe, then Rob, then Chris, with Lev about 10 mins behind.
The Mirrors had a harder time of it with the flood tide competing hard with the variable north wind. Olly finished his second lap just after James finished his third but decided he would continue for a third lap anyway. He said It was such a lovely day to be out on the river. Becky persisted heroically on her own to finish her second lap in about an hour and a half.
Next week is the famous SGSC Summer Party on Saturday and a C-course on Sunday at 12:30.
Mary Brown, OOD, and Henry
