SCOW SERIES: Race 2 Race Report

We spent a most enjoyable afternoon on the river last Easter Saturday and despite the rather gentle winds there was enough ‘punch’ to get us twice round the course as well as giving us plenty of opportunities to jostle our positions and ‘dip and dive’ each other. 

It was a rare treat to have Ed Butler, over from Oman, racing with us. Here is his race report:

Race 2 Saturday, 8th April 14.00

A glorious April day when the River gave its best. 

We launched to sunshine and flurries of winds seemingly coming from everywhere. The flag on Palace House signaled ESE, whilst the flag across the river was flying WSW. Just enough for the ten boats on the water to enjoy a little pre-start jousting and then we were off. 

One of us over the line but otherwise a clean start and slow tacks up the right bank until we caught enough SW coming up river to feel like the race was on. 

Our course was E(s) F(s) C(p) & B(p) x2 – essentially the central part of the Factory Field course, criss-crossing from Bignalls up to Carpenter’s Dock.

Simon & Babar Shaw in Braw Lass went ahead with Jay Devonshire in True Blue just behind. The B-Cs in Ratty and the writer in Moonshine in a familiar battle up to the first mark, with Red Johnson in Arrow, Mike Doherty in Hullabaloo and the Commodore in Moti chasing. Across the river to F then downwind up the river, and a developing hole in the middle of the course out to catch the unwary. A bit of snakes and ladders ensued, with some slow speed passing as the breeze came and went, and bunching around C. Then around B, and slow tacks down river for a second time. 

Three groups developed. Up front Braw Lass, True Blue and Ratty. Then Moonshine, Arrow and Hullabaloo, with Moti, Brizo, Chell and the Rawlinsons close behind. 

As so often with this end of the River, it came down to the final mark. Braw Lass looked set to win but, possibly over excited with a new hand on the tiller, had to put in a 360 just before the line. At the same time, Ratty gathered momentum with a close reach to the line, sneaking ahead of both Braw Lass and True Blue – a great win for our Captain of Scows and trusted crew, and the podium for young Babar Shaw in his first ever sailing race.

Further down the field, having being caught in a hole, Moonshine managed to point high and just get past Hullabaloo and Arrow for 4th. 

It was then a race back to tea, with thanks to Bill Vance as Race Officer and Gerry Marling-Roberts on the Platform, and to Lizzie Anders and Erica Neve in the safety boat. Thank you too, to Jay Devonshire for buoyancy testing our boats beforehand.  A special mention to Anna Rostand & James McGill for quite delicious cakes and tea, and a Trophy Easter Egg for Babar Shaw. 

RACE 3                      Sunday, 23 April.  15.00     HT 1355

Starting Platform        Gerry Marling-Roberts

Race Officer               Frank McGinn

Safety Boat Team       Eric Williams and Mike Doherty

Refreshments              Mary Montagu-Scott & Victoria Bonham Carter – all contributions welcome!

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

RACE 4                         Shore duty              Coronation Celebration

RACE 5                         Shore duty              Tea Duty x 2

DRR                              Race Officer           Shore Duty x 2   Tea Duty x 3

RACE 6  &  T T            Safety Boat x 1       Shore duty x 2    Tea duty x 3

LOST PROPERTY RFF 

1 Kru Lifejacket

HEADS UP!  for our Coronation Sail      7th May 

You are invited to decorate your boats and wear a crown or something sparkly and colourful on your head to celebrate the Coronation on and off the water.  

Looking forward to seeing you on the 23rd April, race start 15.00.

Yours aye,