Pottering Week & Race 6 Report

When we planned the ‘Pottering Week’ for the BRSC diary last March we had visions of sunny mornings drifting slowly down the canals at Exbury, a picnic here, a drink and an ice cream there, even a little siesta in the sunshine somewhere.  In reality, the weather still felt like March and there was barely time to catch one’s breath between the thrills and spills. It was not for the faint hearted and sadly the weather put off a few of the potterers. Those that braved it were rewarded with some really exciting sailing that tested strong wind skills and certainly ‘stress tested’ our scows before the Regatta. There was a bit of unintentional ‘mud larking’ when the edges of the river got blurred by the Spring tides and some epic rescues; one by Peter Haywood-Broomfield from his scow (!) and by June and Avril. On the last day, we had 3 scows and one topper out on the water and I don’t think any of us have gone quite so fast in our respective boats. Once again our scows proved themselves to be the perfect club boat; they felt safe as houses but still exhilarating to sail and most importantly very good ‘two up’ for the all important pottering ‘chat’. 

Thank you to everyone who joined me for some memorable sailing; to the rescuers and to Peter Bettridge for being our trusty boatswain. Thank you too to the ‘tea ladies’, Anna, Fiona and Alison for warming mugs and cakes.  Let’s hope we finally get the pottering weather next year! 

HEXTALL TROPHY RACE 6 REPORT  Sunday 18th August  by Angela Hayward-Broomfield

Bs Es Ps Np Cs to the finishing line at the Chichester’s jetty

The Beaulieu River was at it’s best this morning. The sun was shining and there was a good breeze blowing from the top of the river but which was also quite quirky.

Ginna and Gerard designed an interesting course – up to Blackwater, a run down to Exbury, across to Pigs, North bank, back up to Club and then lots of tacking up to the finishing line off the Chichester’s jetty across to the Exbury creek.  This good long gave plenty of opportunity for changing position in the race. Whether to keep to the side or the middle of the river was the challenge – a choice between more wind or less tide.

Jay Devonshire led the way throughout the race, followed by Karl Liebat and myself vying with each other for second place. The fleet then split into two groups.  There was much jockeying around on the home beat and Polly and Ben in ‘the cow’ steamed through the fleet from the rear having lost places earlier on when doing a 360. Nick Burge and Mary were battling it out on the west bank while Al Fothergill broke free on the east bank chasing ‘the cow’.  It was good to see Charlie Stevenson racing with us for the first time.

After mooring our boats and climbing out onto the Holly and Julian’s jetty we enjoyed a delightful party in their garden with very welcome refreshments after all that tacking!

Looking forward to seeing our Scow, Laser and Topper sailors at the Regatta this weekend. We hope to welcoming our Junior Scow sailors too, competing for the new Gayner Trophy.

Saturday Registration 12.00   First Race : 1420

Sunday Registration    12.30   First Race : 1450

Tea & Prize Giving      18.00

For more details follow the link: https://brsc.site/brsc-regatta-24-25-august-2024/

Look forward to seeing you at the Regatta.

Yours aye,

Victoria