SCOW SUMMER SERIES RACE 2

NEXT RACE: Race 2 Saturday, 18th June, 1445, to Bucklers Wood

Starting Platform John Phipps & Alexander Duncan

Race Office Mary Montagu-Scott

Safety Duty Lizzie Anders & Sam van Holthe

Refreshments Kindly hosted by Carol & John Hackman RSVP c.hackman@btconnect.com

Race 1 Jubilee Saturday

Last Saturday was a truly blustery morning, the bunting on the clubhouse was clinging on for dear life. There was much discussion at Needs Ore Point of, ‘do we or don’t we race?’ The anemometer was showing gusts of 28 mph, Force 7 – a big jump from the very gentle winds we have been used to this season at the top of the river. In the end, with 3 safety boats on the water and 3 scows declining to race, we decided to ‘reef up and risk it’- and we weren’t disappointed. Almost immediately after we launched, the wind settled to a steady Force 5 and gave us the best racing winds of the season so far.

Race report from Ben Savage:

We had a small fleet of just 7 and with the windy conditions, we all enjoyed experiencing just how lively the scows were and how well they performed with their reefed sails and slightly raised centre boards.

The first leg was a frisky, short, South Easterly beat up to North Bank, then a long run to Blackwater before a rather ‘hairy’ gybe round Fiddlers. Then it was a good reach back to Blackwater before the final run to the finishing line off the RSYC pontoon. Mike and Molly Doherty had a terrific race leading from start to finish. There was a battle for second and third with myself in my un-reefed ‘Cow’ having the advantage on the down wind sections just getting ahead of James Gedge and Victoria and Edward Bonham Carter.

Peter Bettridge greeted us with open arms at the pontoon and tied us up and then we all retired for a very refreshing and well earned drink at the RSYC, enjoying the view down river in the afternoon sun.

A big ‘thank you’ to Bill Vance/Elizabeth Gedge, Robert Gayner/Nick BB, Sophie Stanley and Simon Gibbs in the safety boats who I am sure were relieved that we all stayed upright, even after the visit to the RSYC.

Thank you to Ginna Gayner for starting us and Oli Stanley as Race Officer.

And many thanks to Lauren and her team at RSYC.

After the race, we were treated to a terrific Jubilee BBQ Celebration at the clubhouse, brilliantly organised by Ross McGinn and supported by a great team of chefs, bartenders and bottle washers. A BIG THANK YOU to everyone involved. Photos on the website here: https://brsc.site/recent-photo…

Coming up …

FIRST AID COURSE, 23rd June, 9-5pm

Last week, 8 of us attended an excellent RYA First Aid course, kindly hosted by Ginna. The qualification lasts 3 years. We were so impressed with the delivery and content of the course that we have booked ‘AJ’ again for 23rd June, 9-5pm. We have 5 spaces available. If there is anyone who regularly participates in club activities and would like to get their qualification, please let me know.

VOLUNTEERING

Thank you to all our kind volunteers.

Slots to fill:

9th July – Safety Teams for Newtown Creek Rally

16th July – Starting Platform, one safety crew and Tea duty

30th July – Race Officer, one safety crew and Tea duty

13th August – 2 Safety crew and Tea Duty

It’s going to be ideal racing conditions for Race 2, on Saturday, 18th June at 1445. I’ll see you on 2nd July

Yours aye,

Victoria Bonham Carter
Captain of Scows