The 7 of us were delighted to arrive in the dry, having driven through heavy rain to get to Abbey Meads. However before we could even think about racing there were a few obstacles in the way.
Firstly, the inner gate padlock proved very difficult to unlock and needed WD-40 to ease the circular hasp. Secondly, we couldn’t get into our metal ‘clubhouse’ because some potential thief had bent the locking bar and we could not get our padlock off.
Fortunately John Townsend lives close by and went home to get a large hammer, a scaffold pole battering ram and a long metal bar. With these we managed to bend back the bar and release our padlock. Thirdly, the tide has come up and we needed to raise the outer end of the launching platform on the southern bank. Conceived as a dry method of getting the supports down to the ground using a pulley system, this didn’t work out and it was wetter than being in the boat to do this.
Whilst we were waiting for John, Mark’s new UPROAR GBR 5165 fitted out this week by Roger was launched. Mark was delighted, not just being presented with a new Marblehead, but also because it performed well, with a 2nd in its 2nd race. Mark’s comment after 5 races was “I have forgotten how good this is” and will be back for more club racing in 2019! His friend Peter Miles also enjoyed himself sailing Roger’s UP for some of the time.
Mark Mortimore first launch of new UPROAR Marblehead
Martin set a short windward leeward course from the south-west corner, which avoided the visible calm area and this made for some close racing in the basically light and very variable wind conditions. This favoured Roger’s UP, but also allowed Martin’s PRIME NUMBER and John’s ROK to get a couple of wins, with Alan, also with his PRIME NUMBER won Race 9. The racing was a lot of fun with a great deal of banter on the control area, particularly when John won Race 10 and was so shocked by having to record the scores that his boat ran into the reeds and had to be rescued. We stopped after 12 races soon after 2 PM as we were feeling the cold, but then had to face another obstacle when packing up, because we could not get the padlock back on the clubhouse door. After several goes at bashing and bending, Alan struck the vital blows and allowed us to lock up.
Alan’s spreadsheet with the results is attached along with photo of Mark launching his SISTER SLEDGE, and the Hydonia trophy which interestingly was given for racing 10 raters and was sailed during wartime in 1940. It was then not sailed for until 1950.’
GMYC Hydonia Trophy
