Photo by Oliver Bangham
A mirror calm greeted 11 competitors from five clubs for some frustrating racing when the variable light breeze eventually filled in from the south, blowing diagonally over the trees and the competitors’ left shoulders. The 3 Rivers’ extensive race team did a grand job in running 10 races around a windward leeward course.
In the very first race virtually the whole fleet were approaching the gate together and race officer, John Shepherd mustered all the observers at the potential incident, but as Marbleheads are considered to be sailed by gentlemen, they talked to each other and there were no collisions.
David Adam, sailing a PRIME NUMBER won this race from John Carter, sailing a STARKERS and Martin Crysell also sailing a PRIME NUMBER. The lead changed several times during the race and this was to set the scene for the day’s racing with isolated puffs letting some of the backmarkers get to the front.
The next two races belonged to Roger Stollery and his new UP design followed in Races 3 & 4 by Rob Vice, sailing an UPROAR taking the top podium finish.
After lunch, new recruit to Marblehead racing, Norwegian Odd Nordanger, sailing a STARKERS won Race 6, but then let Roger and David win again in Races 7 & 8. Unlike all the other competitors, Odd travels with his boat by train from the other side of London.
Photo by Oliver Bangham
In Race 9 there was a very close finish between Roger and Alf Reynolds, who had been struggling with radio problems at the beginning of the event. He was sailing one of the earliest PARADOXs with a much modified bow and distinctive camouflage paintwork. He was absolutely delighted! It shows that designs from the early 1990s are still competitive against the very latest machines. The final race was won by Rob with Roger second and Peter Popham sailing a CREAM CRACKER in third place.
Photo by Martin Crysell
It was encouraging to see Max Lembke’s new Marblehead, which he designed and made himself from readily available carbon sheet to form a multi-chine hull. There were some teething problems which didn’t allow the MAXLEM design to show its full potential.
The prize winners thanked the 3 Rivers race team for running a good event despite the frustrating conditions. The latest GAMES results can be found on the www.guildfordmyc.co.uk website, with further information about Marblehead events on www.marbleheadsailing.wordpress.com.
Results:
1st Roger Stollery Guildford UP 14
2nd Rob Vice Guildford UPROAR 27
3rd David Adam 3 Rivers PRIME NUMBER 28
4th Martin Crysell Guildford PRIME NUMBER 33
5th John Shorrock Datchet QUARK 35.5
6th John Carter 3 Rivers STARKERS 36
7th Alf Reynolds Chelmsford PARADOX 47
8th Dick Grainge 3 Rivers STARKERS 52
9th Odd Nordanger 3 Rivers STARKERS 57.5
10th Peter Popham 3 Rivers CREAM CRACKER 58
11th Max Lembke 3 Rivers MAXLEM 74
