Scow Challenge Cup – Race 4 – 19 April 2025

Race Report : Mary Montagu-Scott

Race officer Gerard Downes

A really good turn out for the Easter weekend with 14 Scows on the water but only 12 race finishers.

The course was tricky, not least due to the easterly which meant that the first mark of C to starboard was challenging but also as we had to double back to E twice, which caused a lot of muttering and some confusion.  Enough wind to sail well including some fresh gusts which required a watchful eye at all times to be ready to use them to advantage or avoid wet feet.

The start line was quite spread out and the fleet soon opened up with light airs, Lizzie well ahead with the 3 Shaw’s on the chase. Rounding the second mark where the wind was fresher, caused squeals of delight from the young Shaw crew as they raced ahead.

Staying to the west side of the river, a longer course but where the wind was more consistent led to me and the crew gaining some places at a critical time.

It was a battle further back in the fleet with lots of place changing, frustration due to lack of wind, too much wind and mild course confusion!

A clear win for Simon Shaw, Babar and Mimi followed by a closely bunched group.

Huge Easter egg prizes for the children who sailed, especially wining Babar and Mimi and young helm Natasha Sellars.

A spectacular cake off was enjoyed by all, chocolate Easter cakes galore, with lashings of tea, lots of chat about the joys of spring on the beautiful Beaulieu riverbank.

Thanks to all who helped including crew Claudia who kept me steady and concentrating to the last, despite telling me long and complex distracting stories, to enable us to come second.

1.   320 Simon, Barbar and Mini Shaw
2.  600 Mary Scott and Claudia Downes
3.  358 Andrew Duncan
4.  449 Polly and Ben Savage
5.  550 Lizzie Anders
6.  352 Iain and Jo Rawlingson 
7.  594 Bill Osborne Young
8.  530 Tim Robinson
9.  561 Natasha and Camilla Sellars
10. 598 Darren Forth
11. 454 Al Fothergill
12. 499 Sam van Holthe

252 Simon Gibb – DNF
348 Robert and Karen Rogers –  Retired
66 was sailed by two of John Phipps grandsons – they didn’t register and never reappeared at the end!!