Race 6 Race Report – John Morgan

Scow Hextall Trophy  Race 6   Sunday, 13th August  Course: Bs NBs Ps Wp NBp Pp line

You probably don’t know me as I have just come over to the dark side having been a Laser sailor. I sailed a scow for the first time on Sunday and did not realise my punishment would be to write the race report!

Sunday was a bright and breezy day and there was talk about reefing and other technical things way beyond anything I could understand.

I got an early indication of just how aggressive scow racing is when Tim Robinson had a friendly ‘run in’ with Nick Bentley-Buckle resulting in Nick taking a dunking on the start line. There was a lot of boat-righting and bailing out, after which Nick decided to watch the race from the shore.

Victoria and Edward Bonham Carter were first round Blackwater and maintained their lead for most of the race. Final line honours however went to the new super stars Martin and Amanda Wadham, also sailing a scow for the first time.

Some way behind, I had my own private race with Andrew Duncan which was great fun – I had the advantage in the strong breeze of being a fair bit heavier.

Many thanks to Ginna Gayner who as race officer put the fleet through it’s paces and kindly avoided any gybing given the gusty conditions. Big thanks also to James Evans and Lizzie Anders in the safety boat.

And a huge thank you to Julian and Holly Chichester for sharing their glorious, sunny garden, spoiling us with sarnies, bangers and liberally pouring the pink wine.

1st Martin & Amanda Wadham

2nd Victoria & Edward Bonham Carter

3rd. John Morgan