SCOW SERIES : Race 3 – Race Report

Race report from Jay Devonshire

Course:   Fp Ep Ds Cp Bs As x 2       Wind :  W  2-4

The weather, which looked a bit “iffy” while we were rigging came good for the race, although the breeze swung from a light south /south westerly direction to a tricky North West. 

Frank McGinn had set a course which worked well with either direction of wind, although the broad reaching start resulted in a pile up at the first mark – F . 

The forlorn call for “room” from the inside boat (the writer) went unanswered although some tried to make space ! 

Simon Shaw crewed by Barba took an early lead rounding E with Victoria and Edward and Charles and Coco Nicholson in the front ranks, along with Lizzie Anders . I joined the fray from behind and we all worked the shifty breeze towards D , if you got the timing right, a puff would head you on approaching the West Bank and a quick tack allowed you to enjoy a port tack lift almost directly up river. From D to C was not as tricky as in other breezes, and a short zig zag across the river to round B led into the next tricky area where the wind went round rather than through the willows, making A hard to round, and even harder to escape from. Simon briefly lost the lead on this leg, heading for the wrong mark, but swiftly regained it by keeping midstream on the run, more tide, and gaining the inside berth on the E without a crowd . He was away again without being further challenged, while Charles and I enjoyed a ding dong beat, however at the top mark – A ‘’Wind in the Willows” did not favour me and both Charles and Lizzie slipped past. 

Apologies for not mentioning other players, but it looked like everyone was enjoying good racing. 

Thanks are due to Frank for the course and Gerry for starting us with her usual efficiency, Eric Williams and Mike Doherty for providing safety cover, fortunately not needed, and all the delicious cakes, sandwiches and sausage rolls provided by Mary ,Victoria, Hickie, and Amanda.   

We need a cake prize as the competition is fierce, banana cake might have been the winner, but which one ? 

1st        Simon & Babar

2nd      Charles & Coco

3rd       Lizzie Anders