Bevington Trophy race, 25 June 2017
A double-‘sausage’ course was laid, the first quite close to the line & the second at the mile post, both going across the river to take advantage of a good, if sometimes freakish, westerly.
Nine boats took to the water & the race started just a few minutes late.
Immediately it became obvious that boats would struggle against a relentless, fast tide that was higher than usual, even with reasonable wind. At times they seemed to move well & at other times to be absolutely stationary.
Four boats failed to round the first buoy & were straightaway disqualified. The remaining five boats fought a tiring, technical race. The first lap took just over 24 minutes & the race was shortened from five to three laps.
Renato was immediately in the lead, followed by Ben & Josh (Albacore), Stephanie (Laser radial), Johnny (Solo) & Amy (Laser radial). So it remained until the last part of the third lap when Johnny got good wind & zipped forward to be second across the finishing line. Stephanie & Ben/Josh scrapped for the finish; the Albacore crossing first.
The tide was so high that everyone was able to walk their boats off the river (see photos).
Final results, after adjustment:
1st: Renato Hidalgo (Laser)
2nd: Johnny Lyell (Solo)
3rd: Stephanie Tollemache (Laser radial)
4th: Ben Thomas & Joshua Mareschel (Albacore)
Thanks to Tom Glockner & Frank Miskelly in the safety boat, who laid the buoys expertly.
J. Cabon
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