Moth Bowl and Bossoms Cup at Medley Sailing Club
by Georgina Ferry and Iain Tullis 24 Jun 2014 06:09 NZST
21 June 2014
Visitors arriving for the Moth Open and Bossom's Cup on Saturday 14 June could not believe their eyes. Not only was the sun shining on the buttercups across the meadow, but there was a stiff breeze blowing from the unobstructed north-east.
Seventeen boats took to the water, pretty much evenly divided between visitors and locals. A good day's sailing was in prospect and the Thames at Medley did not disappoint.
The first race began with a beat off the start, with Tim Davison (856) and Toby Cooper (754, Broxbourne) starting as they meant to go on by taking the lead. Andy Mathews (881, Chew Valley) and Robert Paynter (839) were in close pursuit. Ian Miller (824) contrived to capsize at the end of the first lap, losing 7 places in the process. The finish was close but Davison just edged it.
If anything the wind increased from the second race, necessitating a hard beat up to the top mark. Mathews made a good start but again it was Davison ahead of Cooper by the narrowest of margins.
The 'bring a dish' principle produced a lunch that could have fed twice as many, all ably coordinated by Moira Strutt, and served and cleared away by her willing team of helpers.
By the start of the third race, for the Bossoms Cup, the wind had not eased but had moved to the east, making for a fast reach in both directions. OD Iain Tullis's course swung the fleet from bank to bank between buoys 3 and 4, so it was not all plain sailing. Davison again made a good start but by this time Cooper made the most of the fast conditions and took the bell and the trophy. Gary Tomkins (882, Hunts) was in third place, his best result of the day.
The third race (fourth overall) for the Moth Bowl started dramatically as a sudden gust took five boats over the line early and capsized three. Tullis wisely sounded a general recall, and the second start was much more decorous. Cooper pressed home his advantage and crossed the finish line ahead of Davison, but it was too late to change the overall result.
Once again the fleet came off the water to a groaning table laid with home made cakes. Medley can be proud of putting on such a successful event - very many thanks to all involved.
Moth Bowl Results:
1st Tim Davison (Medley)
2nd Toby Cooper (Broxbourne)
3rd Andy Mathews (Chew Valley)
4th Toby Smith (Medley)
1st Lady – Abby Freeley (Hunts)
Bossoms Cup Results:
1st Toby Cooper (Broxbourne)
2nd Tim Davison (Medley)
3rd Gary Tomkins (Hunts)