Up River Race Report posted by Charles and Coco Nicholson

From Charles and Coco Nicholson

You might have expected our prevailing south westerly winds to have meant a downwind race to Factory Fields. But 2022 saw a steady-ish wind from a north-ish direction.

For the twenty or so boats on the start line, this meant congestion at the favoured north end of the line, close to the mud flats. As ever, the usual suspects showed the rest of us how to do it.

Racing up to Gins in a bunched-up fleet was a tactical snakes and ladders, with the wind shifting enough to first favour one side, then the other….and then the decision whether to go north or south of the Royal Southampton pontoon. The boats ahead of us chose north and it seemed to pay.

As we progressed up river and into the trees, the wind dropped and became much, much more tricky – seemingly sometimes blowing from directly above us.

The early part of the race was dominated by Jay, Symon and Martin + Natasha, Natasha steering when their main halyard slipped – Ben in sCow and Victoria and Ed, among others were always snapping at their heels, and positions changed with the vagaries of the wind.

Judging how close to cut corners on the river is often key to success – thankfully our centreboard slides back fairly easily, stopping us sticking more than once.

By the upper reaches, the front of the fleet had spread out, with Martin and Natasha seemingly uncatchable, increasing their lead on every tack. We came in some way behind, with Jay, Symon and Ben next. Camilla Sellars (with Pippa) pippedVictoria and Ed to win the first female finisher, made all the more impressive having chosen the south end of the start line ‘as it would be less crowded’, but then having the whole fleet in front of them. A very successful day on the water for the Sellars family!

As ever for the sailors, it is easy to forget the layers of organisation and help that goes into each and every race and which makes these events so enjoyable. A big big thank you to the race officers, to everyone on the safety boats, for the trailer logistics and everyone else giving their time so generously – and a particular thank you to Maria Stratton for the fabulous post-race tea.

Charles Nicholson