Race 2 Report Borthwick Cup Autumn Series ‘24

by Miranda Knowles

Course: Wp Bp Es Ps x 1

Wind: light SW

It was the maiden race for my new acquisition, Clara 400, and it was the perfect day to put her through her paces, a good breeze, the clouds clearing to reveal blue sky and no rain and thankfully for me, a small fleet of 5 starters.

A good sail to Withies and then to Blackwater, which seemed to have moved down river somewhat, meaning the top 3 boats all overshot slightly and so I could make up the ground lost after a bad start.  A lovely run down to Exbury with Karl Liebat in the lead with Andrew Duncan, Mary Montagu-Scott, myself and Tim Robinson chasing hard. It was unfortunate for Karl though, who had to take his penalty 360 for hitting Blackwater and as a result lost his top spot. 

Hardening up round Exbury it was a beat to Pigs and I found myself in the extremely unusual position of being lead boat! Luckily we didn’t have much further to go so after rounding Pigs to starboard I had to keep my nerve and head to the finishing line.  Well done Clara, first over the line, followed by Karl who managed to sail back into second place, followed by Andrew, Mary and Tim.

Many thanks to Ginna Gayner who, for me, laid the perfect course and to Peter Bettridge and Lizzie Anders for safety boat duty and making sure we all knew where the Exbury buoy was as it had lost its flag.