Draft match report as a result of train journey to London this evening. Any amends welcome.
Thornbury Regatta 2013
True to form, Thornbury kept things interesting and mixed it up a bit. When the Friday night arrivals crawled from their tents on Saturday morning, they were met with warm sunshine and not a breath of wind. However the race officer was confident and set the fleets off as planned. Those of the fast fleet not initially going backwards with the tide soon realised that this was only due to being partially stuck in the mud. The light airs suited Paul and Peter Jenkins who had defected to a Merlin Rocket pending the return of Cool Beans from her Island makeover, and they stormed ahead. Madge and Sweet Dreamzz started well and made good progress tacking up the shoreline. The wind began to pick up and Usagi and E-Numbers showed some good speed, Usagi eventually overhauling the Merlin on the final leg.
By the start of the second race there was a firm breeze and the tide had turned so the upwind shoreline tacking battle was over. The race officer had also kindly removed the tricky “Pill” mark from the course which had resulted in a few connections with the mud on crucial gybes. EJ and Usagi had good starts, Usagi arriving first and Poppy second to the top mark. The broad reach across to the middle of the channel was interesting (particularly if you happened to have a T-foil that turned itself on and off at will) and there were some happy kite runs with wind against tide providing a few speed humps. Usagi maintained her dominant position with E Numbers in 2nd, EJ 3rd and Poppy 4th.
Thornbury’s renowned hospitality lived up to its billing on Saturday evening with good home-cooked food and numerous boxes of the local brew devoured. The musical entertainment made a good effort at rivalling the larger festival going on a little further south west.
Sunday dawned grey and cool to the sound of flapping tents. Paul Croote arrived with steel in his eyes and fire in his belly, while others wavered in their resolve as the race officer announced it was 25 knots and building. Nick and Ade teamed up in Madge for some 97 rules fun; Paul and Peter went for it in the Merlin; Phil and Sarah jumped ship into their Ent; and Paul and Ed manfully guided Marmite round the course. Except it was unfortunately the wrong course, and the Merlin and Madge were similarly foxed.
One race was enough for most people, but Phil and Sarah managed the second as well, earning them prizes in the slow handicap as well as the fast.
Despite the navigational error, Crootie and Ed’s effort was recognised with a prize, courtesy of the event receiving funding from Yachts and Yachting.
So a fun weekend, and many thanks to Thornbury for a warm welcome as always.
Final Cherub results:
1. Usagi
2. E-Numbers
3. Madge
4. EJ
5. Sweet Dreams
6. Marmite
7. Poppy
8. Loco