Up River Race Report – 23rd September 2023

Another summer passed, another up river migration to winter quarters at Rope Factory Field. Somewhere amongst all the adrenalin fuelled excitement of the start of the race, for me there is always a quick backward glance and a fleeting tinge of sadness at leaving Needs Ore – an ‘end of summer feeling’ of clocks going back and wood smoke in the air.  Then it’s eyes forward and back to that racing business…

Saturday 23rd September – Up River Race 2023      Report from Charles Nicholson

The forecast was for a fairly light SW wind, but as we launched, the breeze was fresh and the omens were good. With our launching trailers gone, (a huge thank you to Vova Karavan and Keith Hutton for these vital logistics), it meant squelching in the mud to get the boats into the rising water. The weakish neap tide was enough to push any of the fleet over the line, so Ginna, ably assisted by June didn’t have to call anyone back; actually a large part of the 21-boat fleet was fairly cautious, then paying the price by having to spend much of the race catching up – in the case of Camilla and Pippa Sellars, from last to third in the end.

The wind held for the reach to Gins, with the fleet stretching out, then dropped as we bore away toward Gilbury. The early leaders were wound back in by the Peleton and places began to change – continuing to change until the line was in sight. Light-air Lizzie made huge gains as the wind became a zephyr; Canny Jay tried all his tricks and gained the lead for a while; Symon too has his time in the lead, as did myself and Ned; many of us had rather too much contact with the mud. Red and Cleo were in close pursuit, before seemingly dropping out of contention.

With the wind coming and going, backing and veering randomly, particularly round Bucklers Hard, progress slowed, with the tide eventually turning against us. Lucy Markby picked her way skilfully through the fleet to join the leaders and almost at the end, Red and Cleo found an extra burst of speed, seemingly returning from the dead, making it to the front of the fleet, taking the gun and winning the Pleydell-Bouverie Oar, and with it the dilemma of which wall to hang it on. 

Camilla was the first woman home, with Pippa, winning the Toddy Spoon and a huge congratulations to Henry Nurton and Natasha Sellars with a combined age of less than 20, whosqueezed into the top ten – they have many years of BRSC success ahead of them!

The race was very ably managed, with thanks also to Peter Bettridge, John Pemberton, Vova Karavan, Keith Hutton, Ian Strathcarron and Philip Lush for their safety boat skills.

The Up River Race wouldn’t be the same with the fabulous spread laid on by Maria Stratton, which was thoroughly appreciated. Remarkably, Maria and her family have been hosting the Up River Tea for over 40 years! Thank you.

RESULTS

1. Red & Cleo Johnson  

2. Charles & Ned Nicholson. 

3. Camilla & Pippa Sellars.

 4. Lucy Markby. 

5. Symon Stratton. 6. Jay Devonshire. 7. Lizzie Anders. 8. Ben Savage. 9. Al Fothergill1. 0. Henry Norton & Natasha Sellars. 11. Simon Knott12. Amanda Stratton. 13. Nick Bentley-Buckle & Sally Hutton. 14. Victoria & Edward Bonham Carter. 15. Johnny & Arabella Ormerod. 16. Elizabeth Gedge. 17. Nick Burge. 18. G & Nelly Murray. 19. Erica Neve & Kristen Branford. 20. Alexander & Fiona Duncan. 21. Gerald Tremlett & Harriet Taylor