Autumn Series posted by Victoria Bonham Carter

Like swallows who fly to gentler climes, the scow fleet has now settled at the top of the river at RFF for two seasons of hopefully more sheltered sailing. I always feel it’s a wrench to leave Need’s Ore, signalling the end of the summer, but top of the river racing offers it’s own unique challenges with it’s intricate wind shifts and tricky corners and thanks to our kind hosts we have some wonderful river bank hospitality to look forward to.

The Borthwick Cup

Race 1 Saturday 24th September 11.00

Starting Platform Ginna Gayner

Race Officer John Phipps

Safety Boat Mary Montagu-Scott & Simon Gibbs

Refreshments BBQ by kind invitation of Nick & Amanda Bentley-Buckle at Gardiners Ground. RSVP: amandabb@btinternet.com

The Up River Race

Twenty three scows and one laser took part in our annual Up River Race last Saturday. Many congratulations to Martin and Natasha Sellars who came in first having had a fine lead from the start but were kept on their toes by Jay Devonshire and also Charles and Coco Nicholson who made a remarkable recovery having had to restart their race. Charles and Coco steadily picked off the boats as they came up the river, on the last stretch passing Symon Stratton, Ben Savage and Jay but they couldn’t quite catch Martin and Natasha who masterfully retain the Oar for a second year.

It was a good day for the Sellars Family as Camilla and Pippa sailed a brilliant race also picking off the boats as they came up the river. Breathing down our necks on the last stretches, they just passed Edward and myself on the final tack on the line. A nail biting and very exciting finish for the Toddy Spoon Trophy. Bravo.

Very many thanks to our Starting Platform team – Gerry and Peter Marling-Roberts and to the Safety teams Gerard Downes, Simon Gibbs and James Evans. Many thanks also to Bill Osbourne-Young, Vova Karavan, Peter Bettridge and Gillian Devonshire for all their kind help with the trolley logistics and shore duty.

The afternoon was rounded off with Maria Stratton’s famous Up River Race tea at Friar’s Oak for which heartfelt thanks to Maria, all her family and helpers.

During tea, Ginna Gayner made a very special presentation to John Phipps – our new Down River Race Phipps Oar. The trophy celebrates with admiration and affection John and Harriet Phipps’ highly successful, competitive sailing and over 40 years contribution to the club as a whole. John Phipps then presented the Oar to the first recipient, Jay Devonshire.

Volunteering Opportunities

Safety boat teams needed for Races 3-6

Starting Platform for Races 4,5 & 6

Race Officer for Races 5 & 6

I am on a yoga retreat this coming weekend so I look forward to seeing you for Race 2.

Yours aye,

Victoria Bonham Carter
Captain of Scows