Foot Trophy Team Racing at Welsh Harp
by Jeremy Vines 3 Nov 2004 20:54 NZDT
30-31 October 2004
Firefly team racing at the Welsh Harp Foot Trophy © David Law
Eleven 3 boat Firefly teams gathered at the Welsh Harp on the weekend of 30th/31st October for the Foot Trophy which is run by Castaways under the burgee of the University of London Sailing Club. The storms of midweek had given way to much gentler weather, and there was even plenty of warm sunshine. The clement conditions allowed a full programme of 86 races which included a round-robin, followed by gold and silver leagues, then finals for the top four teams and an all-in race for the Gnurns Trophy for the others. Good practice for those aspiring to represent UK in the team racing Worlds next year!
Most of the round-robin was sailed on Saturday in a light and shifty East to North-East wind. It soon became apparent that four teams – Spinnaker All Stars, Royal Thames, ‘F Club’ and West Kirby - were going to dominate the event and they produced some close and tactical (and noisy) racing. In this round, All Stars were unbeaten and the others had one, two and three losses respectively.
Sunday produced a better North-Easterly breeze, and in the gold league the top four were joined by Tamesis and Southampton University. This time it was West Kirby who dominated followed by All Stars, ‘F Club’ and Royal Thames. The silver league was won by Castaways with University of London second.
The final was best of three races and All Stars were convincing winners over West Kirby. The play-off for 3rd place was a dogfight which was eventually won 2-1 by ‘F Club’, leaving Royal Thames in 4th place.
Meanwhile, the other competitors had an all-in race over a longer course for the Gnurns Trophy and this was won by Tamesis with 3nd, 4rd and 5th places.
Other competing teams were two from Sevenoaks School, and the Spinnaker juniors.
Overall Results:
1st Spinnaker All Stars:
Steve Tylecote/Sally Wilson, Dave Ellis/Damion Boreham and Nigel Wakefield/Emily Saunders
2nd West Kirby:
Andy Bryson/Wendy Carlin, Paul Kameen/Katie Parry, Jonny Cross/Laura Smith
3rd ‘F Club’:
Jono Pank/Amy Morris, Roger Morris/Sally Wakefield, Ben Vines/Liz Neeve