Sail Chat-MTT 31 May & Sunday 1st June
Saturday was the Mid Thames Trophy which had the teams from Desborough, Aquarius and Hampton Sailing Clubs competing against each other on our reach. It was a considerable success with an attendance of 18 dinghies of many varieties. Much of the credit for this number must go to our sailing secretary whose persistent, rather eccentric lobbying, had the required effect.
The sailing was well mannered, all three starts were clear and the visitors and their families delightful. Our team of George, David, James, Peter (Comets) and Hywell with grandson Austyn in his Merlin put up a really stout performance but the British Moth and two young, talented Laser sailors, from Desborough, were too good. The breeze was light from the west south west with some spurts and some calms and it was hot 25c. Whilst the Merlin was first over the line in all three races, handicap had them on two and three.
Excellent duty team of Andrew and Richard, with quite a tricky registration but a compliant fleet. Valiant catering by Alison and Chris and mega effort of calculation by Margaret and Hillary, better than any robot.
Sunday had cooler weather and a return of a fierce south westerly, which veered and backed at times and registered some gusts of over 25 mph. Just James and Peter in Comets, Elise in her Aero, Rob and Emily in their GP and Sarah, Hannah and me with Sarah Peacock in Enterprises. Certainly marginal conditions with a gybe mark near the graveyard which proved very tricky indeed. I visited Garricks Ait for a while as the whole fleet went by, having screwed up the gybe. Elise got caught in irons for a while at the gusty windward mark but recovered and sailed on.
We all finished this exciting race and Sarah/Hannah maintained their consistency and capsized to celebrate. In the afternoon only James Comet and me Sarah in the Enterprise with reduced rig along with two Merlins, with John and Deirdre and Andrew and Ian Taunton. Very close, demanding and enjoyable racing between both teams. Consistent race management, for conditions, by Hywell and Colin, terrible writing on the blackboard though (Journo and Doc).
Lovely cake by Jane and her grandchildren, the mind boggles as to what tasks the eight performed. Meticulous time keeping by Amelia and Fiona with one result going to .22 of a second. The Vice Commodore reminded us of future events and we sang happy birthday to a few members. Pirates next Saturday, be there or get the black spot!
Phill
Last updated 9:36am on 3 June 2025