Race Report 12th July 2026
James Armitage’s Enterprise (Zephyr) crewed by daughter Ruth got a perfect A-course start against son Joe’s Laser (Punt), both boats crossing the start line at the far end of the transit bang on time. The OOD had postponed the start by 5 minutes to 12.05 to allow Commodore Felicia Biekarck (sailing Tamir Gottfried’s Laser) to get to the starting area in time (after a speedy Laser rig, launch and club lock-up) unfortunately capsizing in the final 3-minute count down, giving Dave Baker in the safety boat some extra activity. Stan also sailed a Laser (Keith Clarke’s Kaia) while Lev raced his Enterprise (Porpoise) single-handed.
Joe quickly pulled ahead and completed his first triangle in exactly 7 minutes, two and a half minutes ahead of James, Lev another minute behind with Felicia having pulled ahead of Stan. Some close Laser sailing saw Felicia ahead of Stan by 30 seconds after two rounds. Six seconds separated Felicia ahead of fleet leader Joe as they beat past the line – after 3 and 5 laps respectively.
Distractions on the bank saw a confusing ending with a shortened-course yellow flag raised by a long-standing club member, who insisted on a shortened-course hooter too… Having missed a first-place finishing honk, Joe went on to sail a 6-minute eighth lap of victory after a 7-lap 53 mins 55 secs winning time, Lev completing 6 laps in 57 mins 47 secs and James and Ruth completing 7 laps in 58 mins 4 secs. Stan clocked up 6 laps in 1 hour and 12 secs, while Felicia cooled off with a second dip in the Thames and completed 5 laps in 1 hour 5 mins and 7 secs after the start signal. The OOD will brush up on the SGSC racing rules before his next duty.
Nick Jeffery (OOD)
