Scow Challenge Cup Race 5 – 27 April @ 11 am

Race Officer – Ginna Gayner; Race Starter – Gerry Marling-Roberts; Safety Boat – Lizzie Anders & Julia Stovold; Strawberry Cupcakes – Hicky Gibb

Course: Pp, Ds, Bs, Ds x 1

Beaulieu River Scow Race Report by Simon Shaw – A Mediterranean Morning on the River

This Sunday morning, the upper reaches of the Beaulieu River evoked memories of the Adriatic coast, as twelve Scows took to the water under brilliant sunshine and scarcely a breath of wind. With the warm conditions dictating a dress code of shorts, suncream, and sunglasses, spirits were high as the fleet assembled for the start.

The race commenced with a downwind leg towards mark P. Simon Shaw, notably without his usual crew, Mimi and Babar, managed an impressive start, rounding just ahead of Mary Scott, Rupert Scott, and Sam van Holthe. Although Simon briefly extended his lead, Mary’s intimate knowledge of the river allowed her to deftly navigate a windless patch and claim 1st position.

Meanwhile, Red Johnson — having been over early at the start — mounted an impressive recovery with able assistance from his crew, Chloe. Capitalising on a substantial private gust, they surged from mid-fleet to lead the race, rounding mark D just ahead of Simon.

The contest remained fiercely close. At mark B, a sharper rounding by Simon enabled him to reclaim the lead from Red and Chloe by the slimmest of margins.

As the race sailed back to D some momentary uncertainty if they were due to finish rocked the front 3 boats. It was Mary who remained composed, finding a superior line to retake the lead once more. She maintained this advantage around mark D  and through the final leg to secure a well-deserved victory.

Karl Liebat delivered a superb leg up to D, to claim 3rd place and a spot on the podium, just behind Simon. Rupert Scott finished a commendable fourth, in prime position to appreciate Mary’s victory. Sam van Holthe and Iain Rawlinson finished fifth and sixth respectively, while Red and Chloe, after being caught in an unfortunate windless patch on the final beat, came home in seventh.

It was, by all accounts, a splendid day on the water — further sweetened by a delightful assortment of strawberry-topped cakes, generously provided by the ever-wonderful Hicky Gibbs

A huge thank you to Race officer Ginna Gayner and her team Gerry Marling-Roberts, Lizzie Anders and Julia Stovold for a great course in tricky conditions – as well as the quick thinking to adjust the course mid race as the light conditions set in. 

  1. 600 – Mary Scott
  2. 320 – Simon Shaw
  3. 421 – Karl Liebat
  4. 457 – Rupert Scott
  5. 499 – Sam van Holthe
  6. 352 – Iain Rawlinson
  7. 589 – Red & Cleo Johnson
  8. 598 – Darren Firth
  9. 348 – Karen & Rob Rogers
  10. 252 – Simon Gibb

DSQ: 358 – Fiona Duncan, 530 – Tim Robinson