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!!