Autumn Series Race 1 Report & Notice for Race 2

RACE 2 – Saturday 1st October, 3pm

Starting Platform Gerry Marling-Roberts

Race Officer Oliver Stanley

Safety Boat Team Victoria & Edward Bonham Carter

Tea Anyone like to pop the kettle on?

RACE 1 REPORT – Red and Cleo Johnson

The first race of the Autumn series reminded us of both the best and the worst aspects of the top of the river. Arriving at Factory Field in a forecast Northerly, we saw three different flags flying in three different directions and four competitors ready to race. After a five minute postponement in case of stragglers – there weren’t any – we set off on a figure of eight course starting up to Palace House,

The line was clear and we led to the top mark, the first downwind leg saw Lizzie Anders and Namesh Patel gather a turn of speed along the North bank, it turned out heading to the wrong mark. With a quick correction they joined the rest of the fleet as Andrew Duncan edged ahead at E. The next very shifty upwind leg got the better of some of us as we tried to find the layline, but Lizzie and Namesh somehow levitated to the mark and gained second place. Sam Van Holt got stuck rounding the mark due to operator error, he revealed later, which scuppered the rest of his race.

On the final downwind leg we edged ahead of Lizzie and Namesh on the inside track jockeying all the way down to the bottom mark. As we rounded it we smelt sausages on the barbecue at Gardiners Ground, followed by the hooter signalling a shortened course and the end of the race. Lunch was ready. Andrew came in first having led most of the race, we were second just ahead of Lizzie and Namesh, with Sam completing the pack.

The sausages were as good as they smelt, the rose cold and the chocolate brownies delicious. With many thanks to Nick and Amanda Bentley-Buckle for hosting us on their beautiful lawn. Also to Mary and Simon Gibbs for shadowing us in the safety boat and race officers Ginna and John.

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

Race 3 1 x Safety Crew

Race 4 2 x Safety Crew

Race 5 Starter, R O and 2 x Safety Crew

Race 6 Starter, R O and 2 x Safety Crew

As of today, the weather is looking challenging for Saturday and a final decision on whether to race or not will be made on the day. Let’s hope we can get out on the water – it will be good to see you!

Yours aye,

Victoria Bonham Carter
Captain of Scows