Race Results 26th September 2026

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Race Report 26th September 2026
OOD: Leona Shepherd/Andy Ross
South Bank Safety Boat: Chris SBSC & Lennart SGSC
Weather: Sunny, with fresh Southerly winds gusting from 15-20mph

Course: A – 80th Anniversary Celebration Race
Start: 14.45 HWKB:16.03 Wind Sth 10-20mph

8 boats launched: 5 from Strand on the Green Sailing Club – with Patrick Lane-Spollen in Ellie (Laser); Chris Greenwood and Felicia Biekarck in Distant Thunder (Leader); Tamir Gottfried in Tango (Solo); James Armitage and Xanthi/Keiran Biekarck in Zephyr (Enterprise); Rob Adams and Von in Big Polly (Enterprise). Our 3 guest boats were Alex from Ranalagh SC, in Snapper (laser); Eric Morgan and Ellie Osborne from South Bank SC, in Faith (GP14); Olivier Benech, South Bank SC, on Super Nova aka Fulham Pier (laser).

After a few last minute issues with the SGSC safety boat, notably its failure to start, the marker buoys were rapidly transferred to the SBSC safety boat, skippered by Chris, who was joined by Lenny. The race start was delayed by 15mins while the buoys were deployed (in hindsight slightly far apart) and all 8 boats were circling ready for the delayed start at 14.45.


As a (almost) founding member of the club we were honoured to have Paul Williamson sound the starting horn demonstrating his 79yrs & 6months of SGSC experience 😊.


With 8 boats vying for the best position and a gusty, southerly wind, the start was very tight. Distant Thunder immediately took an honourable penalty returning to the start, having been just overline as the gun was fired. Thereafter the race settled into a predictable rhythm. Thanks to the gusty winds Alex on Snapper was able to demonstrate his agility and skill by re-righting his laser on several occasions!
The Spring tide rising rapidly, the gusty winds and the quirky wind gullies of an A course made the downstream section particularly challenging. In the meantime James & Xanthi/Kieran on Zephyr maintained an early lead despite Alex, on Snapper, being a strong competitor throughout the race.
The lead boat, Zephyr, crossed the finish line after 4 laps (56mins 13s). Snapper also completed 4 laps (1h 4mins 53s). Distant Thunder, Tango and Big Polly completed 3 laps each. SuperNova/Fulham Pier, Faith and Ellie eventually escaped the downstream challenges, each completing 1 lap. Despite the course complexities everyone said they had really enjoyed the sailing, the race and the camaraderie. After handicaps, the ranking was Zephyr (1st), Snapper (2nd), Distant Thunder (3rd ) Tango (4th), Big Polly (5th), SuperNova/Fulham Pier (6th), Faith (7th), Ellie (8th).


Back at the club we were honoured to be joined by founding member Martha Armitage, some social members, as well as a number of young, hopefully future sailors.


Compliments and much gratitude go to Mary Short who had masterminded (with Chris’s pre-race assistance) a fabulous BBQ and Keith who, though unable to join us, sportingly provided a delicious and much appreciated soup. Felicia handed out the awards for the first 3 boats and everyone promised to come back again next year. Many thanks also to the pre-start cake baker (?).


Great photos by Andy are already posted to the SGSC WhatsApp group.


Leona & Andy (OODs)

Race Report 13th September 2026

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Race Results 13th September 2026 (amended 19/09/2026)

OOD: Lenny Pronk, Safety boat: Joe Armitage, Wind light 8 knots from the W, some drizzle.

5 boats launched: James Armitage plus Ruth in Zephyr (Enterprise); Chris Greenwood and Felicia in Distant Thunder (Leader); Keith Clarke in Kaia (Laser); Tamir Gottfried in Tango (Solo); and Patrick Lane-Spollen in Ellie (Laser).

James (with Ruth) lead from the start followed by Chris and Felicia who were overtaken by Tamir in a Solo on the last lap.I was slightly off guard and cycled to Kew Pier to set up for a C-course. Fortunately, Joe reminded me just in time that I needed to get to the Crown and Bell pub for the 16:30 start.

James and Ruth led from the start and maintained the lead throughout the race. They even managed to complete six laps, with an average lap time of around eight minutes.

Felicia and Chris held second place until the fourth lap, but were overtaken by Tamir sailing the Solo on the final lap.

Patrick fought his way up to the stronger Keith and was even nine seconds ahead of him on the fourth lap, but lost considerable ground during the fifth lap.

I ended the race when Zephyr completed their sixth lap, as the tide was coming up quite quickly. By then, my bike was slightly submerged, and I had created a trail of chairs from the pub to help hold up the flag stand!

The whole scene reminded me of Bruce Springsteen. Interestingly, the surname Springsteen is said to have Dutch origins, referring to a “jump stone” or stepping stone. You can look it up with AI — apparently the name dates back as far as the 17th century.

That said, it was a lovely day, with typically English weather: a westerly of around 6–11 knots, white and dark-grey cumulus clouds, sunshine, and the occasional drizzle.

The next race is a D-course at 15:10 on 20th September.

Lenny Pronk (OOD)

Race Report 30th August 2026

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OOD: Lenny Pronk

Safety Boat: Enoch Rodriguez and Andy Ross

Three boats braved the gusty conditions: James Armitage with daughter Ruth as crew in Zephyr (Enterprise); Dave and Sheila Berger in Entre Nous (Enterprise); and Joseph Armitage in Punt (Laser).

The conditions were difficult with a southerly turning squally at the end. There were strong currents due to the spring tide and little river run-off to counter them. All three managed 2 laps of a long B-course, and that was enough. James led from the start followed by Joseph with the Bergers, all the way from Beverly bringing up the rear.

Thanks to Enoch and Andy in the safety boat and well done to all.

Lenny Pronk (OOD)

Race Report 5th July 2026

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Race Report   5th July 2026

It was a fine, warm, sunny evening for an A-course starting at 17:20, with a light, variable WNW wind blowing right down the Strand reach.  

Eight boats started: four Lasers (Felicia Biekarck in Ben Chappell’s Envy; Tamir Gottfried; Patrick Lane-Spollen and Keith Clarke in their Lasers); two Enterprises – James and Alexander Armitage in Zephyr, and Lev and Inna Kolobov in Porpoise; a Mirror (Rebecca Hayes, Wagtail); and a Duckling (Nick and Nicole Jeffery in Eeyore).

The start was quite a sight, the boats crossing close together with the wind astern, and the run down to the first mark was rapid and much contested.  James established an early lead which he kept throughout, but Tamir, Lev and Felicia were always close behind.  Nick in the Duckling was amazingly quick for such a tiny boat but ran out of steam later; Rebecca found the variable wind troublesome.  

On the whole, however, these were ideal conditions, never gusty, never calm, and all involved enjoyed themselves.

Nick Floyer (OOD)

NOTE: Revised Race Results for 5th July

Race Report 14th June 2026

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Race Report 14th June 2026

OOD:  Andy Ross;       Safety Boat:  Joe Armitage and Charlie

Course: short A;   blue sky;    Weather: Fine; Wind – faint to variable W, F0-3.

Start:  13:20.  4 starters

As kayakers paddled on their Steve Backshall-style expedition to explore the undiscovered gorges, canyons, and white-water whirlpools of the upper Thames, so our sailors embarked on an F0 directionless, dead-calm drift to a shortened Zoffany start, which they all passed.  Easing their way back Lev and Inna Kolobov (Porpoise, Enterprise) overshot it, and doubled-back while Nick Jeffery and Emma (Eeyore, Duckling) caught up and Chris Greenwood and Felicia (Distant Thunder, Leader) took the lead.  A Hockney-blue sky fixed the frame that was hard to escape in the first lap.  But a milky whisp of cloud suggested that Turner might unsettle the picture.  Lap 2, F1+ and some separation of the fleet as Joe in the SB with his friend Charlie, sped around to avoid them, and Tim Wellburn with daughter Emma (Ixion, Enterprise) in a white sou’wester hat thought the buoy had gone to Isleworth, and the OOD was facing a ten-column nightmare of racing laps.  After 9 laps from Lev (first) and Chris, and 6 laps from Tim and Nick, all within 2 minutes, the Master of Sums has VAR Moment of Decision on who was the winner.

Andy Ross, OOD

And the winners are/were:   Nick Jeffery (Handicap Cup); Lev Kolobov (Class Cup); and also in the Polly Prize.

Next week is a late A/B course at 19:00

Race Results 17th May 2026

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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!!

Race Report 3rd May 2026

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Race Report 3rd May 2026

A fine afternoon with a light but variable SW wind and a strong spring tide.

Tamir Gottfried (Laser) made the best start on an A-course, but was overtaken by James Armitage in Zephyr(crewed by daughter Ruth) and by Lev Kolobov solo in Porpoise (Enterprise) just before the downstream mark.  Originally very close together, the gaps steadily lengthened, James covering Lev all the way, until James managed to lap Tamir on his last of 6 laps.

Next week is a D-course (downstream to Hammersmith and back) starting at 1500.

Nick Floyer (OOD)

Race Report 19th April 2026

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Here are the results of Sunday’s race – OOD: Lenny Pronk, Safety Boat: Lev Kolobov; nice breeze for a B-course (first of the season). Rob Adams and crew were first after 3 laps followed by our Commodore in Distant Thunder and then Olly Adams in Spinosaurus (Mirror), but the handicap system gave first place to Olly in his little Mirror – and well deserved.