Scow Challenge Cup Race 1 – Saturday 21st March 2026

NE wind force 1 – 2/3 gusting through the trees

A most perfect gloriously sparkling spring day for the first race of the season. A good turn out, everyone dusting off their winter cobwebs, some with new sails, some new members joining for the first time and all under the watchful eye of helpful race officer Andrew Duncan. First off, all boats offered some buoyancy testing by Jay Devonshire to ensure safety and compliance. Briefing and all excited to be back at factory field and getting out on the water.

13 entries and a simple course of  P to Starboard , F to Port x 2. Strong spring tides but racing at full flood.

Gerry on start had some problem with the auto starting gun but countdown was clearly heard from the platform. 1 boat over the line, and one going the wrong way 1 minute before the start but otherwise a clean getaway to mark P.

Frankly, Mary and Claudia ( the authors of this report) got ahead, I would like to say skill, but could have been a touch of luck, right place right gust, and rounded to wizz downstream to F. Light airs mid river, mid passage and a chance for others to catch a flukey gust, ( I cant say who or when as was too far ahead to see ) but I did hear that there was considerable changing of places by all, much tussling and frustration by some… must have been the old sail, maybe the crew talking to much or just plain bad luck, just missing the gusts as they came through. On lap 2, us still comfortably ahead we were aware of some significant advance of the fleet, and found ourselves stuck in no wind whilst Karl and Zoey zoomed past…. Karl was determined to not to write this report, ( it’s the job of the person coming second for new members) and triumphed with first, shortly followed by us and the remaining fleet not far behind. Huge congratulations to novice new members Nigel and Nicola Bolton coming third followed by Peter M-R in forth. Especially good to have three youth sailors joining in, Zoey, Chloe and Emily.

Back for a delicious spread of endless cakes, sandwiches and hot tea, thank you to Francis and Amanda to all who baked and brought victuals for us to share. So good to see everyone, catchup after the long winter, feel the sun on our faces and remind ourselves of the great joy of sailing on the beautiful Beaulieu River.

Thanks to the safety boat team of Tim and Mike, help from Lucy and June and Peter getting the marks set out on the river.

A super start to the season.

Mary and Claudia WS600 Surprise

  1. 421 Karl and Zoey Liebat
  2. 600 Mary Scott and Claudia Downes
  3. 590 Nigel and Nicola Bolton
  4. 597 Peter Marling Roberts
  5. 550 Lizzie Anders
  6. 698 Darren Firth
  7. 493 Charles Nicholson
  8. 589 Red and Chloe Johnson
  9. 400 Miranda Knowles
  10. 457 Rupert Scott
  11. 443 Elizabeth Gedge (helm) and James Gedge
  12. 510 Victoria and Ed
  13. 525 Bill and Emily Vance
  • Race Officer Andrew Duncan assisted by Lucy Markby
  • Starting: Gerry Marling Roberts
  • Safety Boat. Tim Robinson and Mike Doherty
  • Refreshments: Francis Robinson and Amanda Bentley Buckle
  • Laying marks: Peter Hayward Broomfield
  • On shore. June Kirkman