Last Race, 5 November 2017
Last Race of the season, 5 November 2017
It was a bright and breezy afternoon with a full F3, plus added gust, blowing down the A-course from Kew Bridge. A magnificent 9 boats took to the water, but even before the start three of them came to the conclusion that an immersion was highly likely and returned to the ramp – all Enterprises: the Browns, Rob Collingwood, and Chris and Laura Greenwood. The others were made of sterner stuff.
Dave and Sheila Berger, rare visitors to our waters, sailing James Armitage’s Enterprise, led almost from the start. He was closely followed by Nick Floyer at the start of the second lap (14 seconds behind) with Alex Pape and Ian Nethersell also less than a minute behind. Alas, that was it for Nick. He was overpowered on the run downstream, capsized, and despite valiant attempts to right his Lightning, it refused to behave. After several attempts he had to concede and retire from the race – wet and cold.
So that left five contenders, and the Bergers kept ahead, but not by much at first. At lap two all four were within two minutes of each other. At three laps Alex and the Bergers were a mere 20 seconds apart with Lev and Ian about three minutes behind them. Alex was still number two on the next lap with Ian just ahead of Lev, but by the next lap both had overtaken Alex. The Bergers were drawing further ahead by this stage and went on to lap all the others. They completed seven hectic laps in the allotted hour, three minutes ahead of Ian’s six laps with Alex and then Lev crossing the line after a further two and three minutes. Sam Shemtob, with two crew in his Wayfarer and two reefs in his main fought for three laps and the fifth place but was forced to take assistance from the safety boat and retired.
So ended a very exciting race, as well as the 2017 sailing season. The handicap system gave the race to the Bergers, followed by Lev, then Alex, and finally Ian. Many thanks to Enoch Rodriguez for supervising the event, and to David Jones and Steve Newell for manning the safety boat.
As usual the race was followed by Beer and Bangers. The beer was brewed by Steve, Mary Short slaved over the barbeque, soup and cake were provided by Margaret Berger, and other food was provided by several willing members. It was especially good to see three of our most senior members at the feast: Kurt and Margaret Berger and Paul Williamson.
Race Results – 01 October 2017
SGSC Race Results on Sunday 1 October 2017
Race Report by Terry Atkins OOD
On a bright sunny morning a C course beckoned and 5 boats took to the water. With no wind the safety boat assisted a couple under the bridge including Lev who was stuck by cafe rouge.
The squeaky green trumpet was used to count the 6 and 3 and the start however possibly due to the wind only the start was loud enough so there was a slight confusion from James who was nowhere near the start line when the race started proper at 10:47.
Needless to say he quickly sprinted through the field and led all of the way. In the meantime Sam and friends were tacking and gybing nicely and efficiently carving nicely as the wind picked up.
Alex quietly plied his trade in the middle of the pack and the OOD and safety boat went on ahead to drop the buoy up by the london apprentice.
Surprisingly there wasn’t any nasty gusts from kew and syon house to startle anyone and the peleton of 4 boats behind james were swopping places regularly all the way up to the buoy.
James with Tom on board rounded first with Ian on the side wishing he had come out for a sail on what was quite a mild day. Tim was sailing neatly in his pretty pink boat.
As the tide turned all boats took roughly half the time on the return leg as they did getting to the buoy in the first place and James came home to cross the line by the tower in just a smidgin over the hour mark.
The rest of the fleet came in soon after with all boats safely back through the line. A little assistance was required getting under the bridge but well done to all who came out to sail and or support.
Note by the Deputy Master of the Sums
Using personal handicaps for the Handicap Cup, Lev beat James into last place by 6 seconds; both had won too many races previously. Using Portsmouth Numbers, which depend only on the type of boat, for the Polly Prize, James beat Lev by 3 seconds to take first place.
Race Results
Race Results – 24 September 2017
SGSC Race Results on Sunday 24 September 2017
Race Report by Nick Floyer OOD
It was a warm and pleasant evening for this race over a triangular A course. Initially there was enough of a breeze to make tacking down to the windward mark by the City Barge, against the strong spring flood tide and SE wind, quite possible. Rob A and John in Lasers completed a lap in thirteen minutes, and Ian in his Vibe in eighteen. Only Lev’s friend Victor, in a borrowed Solo and without much small-boat experience, failed to get to windward at all, and had to be rescued several times from Kew Bridge by Dave in the safety boat. However the wind then became increasingly light, and it was the rounding of the leeward mark, the red channel buoy, and making it back to the line, that proved difficult for everyone. Lev in his Gull and Alex in his 14ft lugger were swept away to Kew Bridge and later retired. Next came Tim, who with considerable skill managed to tack up to the line and complete a lap in twenty-three minutes. Close behind were Rob and John coming round for the second time, and I raised the yellow flag in order to finish the race early, but they and Ian behind them failed to make it across to the finish line. Their various attempts to creep up along the wall did not succeed, and I eventually sent word that I would just use the first lap times for the results. After the best part of an hour the tide slackened, the wind perked up a bit, and the three boats were able to sailed home to the club. I timed them as they completed a nominal second lap, but the results below are based on the first-lap times of the four boats that made it round.
The so-called Burton rules for fishing a race are very sensible. However, this race shows that an OOD may need the option of ending a race on the basis of whatever laps have been completed, in the event that even the leading boat fails to finish a further lap within reasonable time.
Race Results
Race Results – 17 September 2017
Race Report by Steve Newell OOD
On a cool autumn day with only a light NW breeze, seven dinghies optimistically came to the start line outside no 1 Strand-on-the-Green and set off towards Chiswick Bridge. The rescue boat with David Jones in command placed a buoy half way down Hartington Road on the Middlesex bank in the hope that a three lap race would be possible. Unbelievably, a PLA patrol boat requested that the buoy should be moved mid race as other “shipping” was being inconvenienced but David assured the PLA that such an action would be unfair at such a late stage. One rowing eight trying to return to the London University boat house attempted to break up our fleet with a manoeuvre reminiscent of Admiral Nelson at the Battle of the Nile but our sailors kept defiantly focused on reaching buoy once more. The final obstacle observed, after about half an hour, was a gaggle of kayakers accompanied by a Canadian canoe propelled with a single paddle which seemed to be in charge. They almost drove John Bull (laser), who by this stage had opened up a useful lead onto the buoy placed opposite 4/5 Strand-on-the-Green but any embarrassment was skilfully avoided – or maybe the 270 degree turn executed was simply to avoid an involuntary jibe. I realised that our leading boat was not flying a racing flag so a letter of complaint to the canoe club is probably not appropriate although I might have a word nevertheless.
As the minutes ticked by the sun appeared to shine a little stronger, the breeze freshened a little to provide a bit of exhilaration and our sailors were still racing keenly. On the river (before the application of the handicapping factors) the laser’s lead was cut although never seriously threatened but the fortunes of the commodore in his ‘shanghai’ rigged craft improved dramatically. He “gently touched” the second mark after being caught in a very congested melee and to set a good example performed a second rounding which left him in last place. He then purposefully gave chase and as conditions improved over the next few minutes fought his way through the fleet to be second over the finish line at the end of the third and final lap.
It was remarkable that after an hour of racing the whole fleet crossed the finish line in a span of just seven minutes. I was assisted with the time keeping by Horatio. When racing is close it helps enormously to have another pair of eyes on the action.
Race Results
Race Results – 10 September 2017 – TideFest
No race on that date because of TideFest 2017.
Race Results – 3 September 2017
SGSC Race Results on 3 September 2017
A dry but overcast day with a scheduled “B” course with a start time of 12 noon programmed.
The Met forecast for the race period was SSE 7mph gusting 16mph. OOD discussed with the fleet the possibility of changing to an “A” course as the wind direction SSE and flood tide would be hard to beat against. However, after consideration it was decided that the wind was sufficiently strong enough to tackle the “B” course.
Two buoys were skilfully laid by Chris Jones in the safety boat, the buoy closest to the railway bridge being laid down stream to avoid dinghies being swept onto the bridge.
Surprisingly six dinghies were prepared to endure the gusts and the fickle conditions. All dinghies made good starts and all made it around the pier without any mishaps.
Tacking, as was expected, was difficult along the rowing club bank with most dinghies tacking out into the mid-stream tide to take advantage of the stronger wind conditions. The wind direction with gusts and with a flood tide was at times demanding but all managed to stay upright. Chris stayed close to the action in the safety boat.
Rob Adams in his Laser soon raced away from the fleet. Rob Collingwood with crew Lucy followed in his Enterprise closely followed by Nick, Ian, Lev and Alex.
It was a “Laser day” and Rob tacked over to the Surrey bank and with the help of a wind shift made even more ground over the fleet. He eventually tacked back to the Middlesex bank and shortly rounded the downstream buoy. On rounding the buoy he was away, on a run with the flood tide.
At this point the sky turned black and looked threatening but the wind strength dropped. The fleet struggled to reach and round the buoy. Eventually, Rob Collingwood and Nick rounded the buoy and were now on the run and breaking away from Ian, Lev and Alex.
Ian, lev and Alex persisted with their approach to the buoy and although the wind seemed to drop further they rounded the buoy.
Meanwhile, Rob in his Laser had completed the first lap in 24.39 with Rob Collingwood (Enterprise) and Nick (Lightning) 31.28 and 32.50 respectively.
Ian (Vibe) completed his first lap in 41.02 and Lev(Gull) 50.20 and Alex (GP14) 52.52.
The race continued in a similar pattern for the second lap with Rob Adams finishing at 50.37, Rob Collingwood 59.59 closely followed by Nick 63.50. Ian finished ahead of Lev 78.25 and 94.40 respectively. Alex sensibly decided one lap was enough at 52.52.
Race Results
Race Results – 27 August 2017 – Gins Week
SGSC Race Results on Sunday 27 August 2017
This race was a substitute for the cancelled annual visit to the RSYC base at Gins on the Beaulieu River, and not a points race. The results are contentious, but I have spent some time studying the various reports and timings, and I hope that I have correctly deduced what happened. If I have made errors, please reply to me in the first instance, and I will discuss them with the participants.
Race Report by Terry Atkins OOD:
“After much discussion about exactly where the zoffany line was or is the race albeit with very little wind got off to a slow start ebbing slowly up the eddies. Towards the end of the 1st lap there were 3 boats vying to turn 1st at the buoy all bunched together with Ian in mid channel. Much was the same for the 2nd lap as the GP14, Pacman and Comma passing together. With James clear of the rest he decided to pull over on the bank adjacent to Kew bridge, Lev retired after being swept away. The OOD finished the race as the rest of the fleet came through to finish their 4th laps. Well done to all who participated.”
I deduce that the OOD, in view of the conditions, decided to finish the race as Ian, then lying second, finished his fourth lap. The race sheet shows times after four laps for Ian with crew Sophie, Alex, and Andy with crew Steve; Lev had retired earlier. However, there is no finishing time for James and crew David after either their fourth or presumed fifth lap. Luckily Steve recorded the end of James’s fifth lap, which was when he next crossed the line after the finish, and the results below show that despite his long final lap he still wins on handicap.
| Elapsed | Average lap time | |||||||||
| Class | Sail no. | PY | Laps | min | sec | Elapsed | Corrected | Posn | ||
| James A | E | 21408 | 1113 | 5 | 85 | 52 | 17.17 | 15.43 | 1 | |
| Andy R | E | 18172 | 1113 | 4 | 74 | 7 | 18.53 | 16.65 | 4 | |
| Ian N | Vibe | 1140 | 4 | 72 | 13 | 18.05 | 15.84 | 3 | ||
| Alex P | 14 | 1170 | 4 | 72 | 37 | 18.15 | 15.52 | 2 | ||
| Lev K | Gull | 2192 | 1363 | 2 | Retd | |||||
Andy Ross has published an alternative race report, which I can forward to anyone on request if they have not already seen it. It is clear from the relevant parts of this that he, Ian and Alex did not understand that they had finished, and sailed a further lap. There were significant changes of fortune, and the finishing order was Andy, Alex, the recovering James, and Ian. They had each done five laps (not four as in Andy’s report), and times were recorded by Steve. Unofficial results based on these are:
| Elapsed | Average lap time | |||||||||
| Class | Sail no. | PY | Laps | min | sec | Elapsed | Corrected | Posn | ||
| James A | E | 21408 | 1113 | 5 | 85 | 52 | 17.17 | 15.43 | 4 | |
| Andy R | E | 18172 | 1113 | 5 | 79 | 0 | 15.80 | 14.20 | 1 | |
| Ian N | Vibe | 1140 | 5 | 87 | 22 | 17.47 | 15.33 | 3 | ||
| Alex P | 14 | 1170 | 5 | 85 | 20 | 17.07 | 14.59 | 2 | ||
| Lev K | Gull | 2192 | 1363 | 2 | Retd | |||||
Race Results – 20 August 2017 – Strand Challenge Regatta
After a week of blustery winds Sunday promised to be somewhat quieter. The flotillas from London Corinthians Sailing Club and, more distant, South Bank Sailing Club started assembling around the Railway Bridge just before mid-day, and continued to arrive up to the race start time. The foreshore was chaotic with the 24 boats that eventually started the race landing and launching – 9 from SGSC, 8 from SBSC and 7 from LCSC. A triangular A-course was set using the rowing buoy as the Surrey bank mark and with the downstream buoy below the slip-dock. The wind recorded at Kew Gardens was W or WSW through the afternoon at F3 but on the river, as usual, it was all over the place. The very crowded start line at the Bell and Crown got away with a tail wind but against the tide after a delay to wait for stragglers. Two Lasers struggled to disentangle themselves from the tree outside the Bell and Crown but eventually re-joined the fleet.
James Armitage showed his familiarity with these waters, amongst other skills, and established an unassailable lead on the first lap. He romped around in 17 minutes leaving a batch of three followers (Alan (LCSC); Sarah (SBSC); Joseph (SGSC) completing in 21 – 22 minutes, and with the rest of the fleet in bunches giving the OODs (Stephen and Henry) a recording nightmare thereafter. By the second lap James was 7 minutes clear of his son Joseph, with Val (LCSC); Sarah (LCSC); Tom (SBSC); and Alan (LCSC) breathing down his neck.
The main blockage was approaching the downstream buoy, which was perhaps set a bit far down, and much of the fleet was in a complex weaving, drifting raft at that end of the course for much of the race. The upstream Surrey buoy gave others some grief: Nick (SGSC) and Sam (SGSC) both got caught by the tide on the wrong side of it in a lull of the wind.
James did 10 minute laps for his third and fourth and finished with a (fifth)15 minute lap, by which time he had overtaken everyone at least once. Val, working his way up through the fleet after his tangle with a tree at the start, was just ahead of James as he (Val) completed his 4th and was thus sent around to do a fifth – the only other boat to do so.
According to the hard-pressed OODs five boats made a fourth lap, Sam only managed one (four crew in a Wayfarer), Tim made two in his Gull and the rest did three laps. The OODs apologise unreservedly for any laps they failed to record – there must be some they missed.
PS October 2017 … Sally Pierce of SBSC has told us she did 4 laps not 3, which puts her in 6th place and means that SBSC beat SGSC in the team points. The corrected results are below.
The result was a clear win for James (Ent, SGSC) and a clear second place for Val (Laser, LCSC). The third place was very closely contested on corrected time by Sarah (Solo, SBSC), Alan and Steph (Ent, SBSC) and Joseph (Laser, SGSC) in that order – a good spread of clubs and boats. Two team prizes are awarded for this event, both based on the aggregate positions of the first six boats in each club. The SGSC/SBSC Challenge Trophy went to SBSC, and the SGSC/LCSC Challenge Trophy went by a slightly wider margin to SGSC.
And afterwards there was a sumptuous tea including barbequed sausages and burgers with all the trimmings. Many thanks to Mary S and Mary B and an army of helpers and providers.
Please note that, in place of the Gins weekend, there will be an A-course points race on 27 August starting at 17:40.
Race Results – 16th July 2017
SGSC Race Results – Sunday 16th July 2017
Race Report by Tim Young OOD and Nick Floyer
Four boats started in this D-course race. The forecast was for a light westerly to take the fleet down to Hammersmith on the ebb, but in the shelter of Hartington reach the wind blew every which way, and progress was slow. The tide turned early and the downstream buoy was dropped near The Ship pub just below Chiswick Bridge. Dropping the buoy when the tide turns always gives the leading boat quite an advantage, while sometimes making reaching it impossible, as in this case, for boats behind. However, you have to be psychic to know to drop it earlier.
James A (Ent) was in the lead from the start and first round the buoy. John B (Laser) and Nick F (Lightning) battled to be next, John getting well ahead on the way back. Tim and Rob W (Ent) spent too long in the shallows – the neap-tide low water seemed unusually low – and failed to make it to the buoy against the now flooding tide.
Thanks to Lev K in the safety boat.
Race Results
