Marblehead Brass Monkey and GAMES 13 event at Guildford Model Yacht Club
by Roger Stollery 16 Dec 2022 23:13 NZDT
10 December 2022
Winner, Austin Guerrier (far right), with competitors and RO - Marblehead Brass Monkey and GAMES 13 event at Abbey Meads, Chertsey © Slieve Mcgalliard
Guildford Model Yacht Club were concerned about the below zero temperatures in the couple days before this event. We almost penned a postponement notice 'The Brass Monkey has cold feet!' However after a check that there was no ice forming on the day before, the club went ahead with the event at their water at Abbey Meads, Chertsey.
On arrival the discussion concerned whether we were mad to sail in such conditions, but Austin Guerrier, the hard-working secretary of the MYA said that he was, "delighted to be able to get out in the open air and enjoy some sailing for a change." Anyway it was a beautiful scene, as the sun was just rising and the wind could be 'seen' by the swirling mist over the water.
Despite the light winds of 3 mph and below, 8 races were sailed on a windward leeward course, with the DF 95 and BOTTLE boats starting a minute later than the Marblehead start on a shortened course, so that all boats would finish at more or less the same time.
Thanks to Hugh McAdoo, who just came to spectate, he kindly offered to record the scores, which allowed a dozen competitors to take part. Everyone soon became overdressed as the sun on the west bank control area was really hot.
Paul Tickner sailing his new GRUNGE won its first race, but then allowed Peter Stollery's UP to win Race 2. MYA chairman Phil Holliday's F6 won the next two races with Rob Vice's UP taking the final race before lunch. This was the traditional Christmas celebration with mulled wine, sausage rolls & mince pies with plenty of time to chat.
Race 6 was won by Austin sailing a GRUNGE, who had now got his concentration level raised after a most consistent series of podium places in the morning. Paul took Race 7 and Martin Crysell, who had prepared the lunch, started well and sailed his PRIME NUMBER away in front on the gust that left the fleet behind and so won the very last race!
The decision to stop early was not difficult to make as the wind was getting incredibly light and the warming sun had disappeared behind the trees.
At the prize-giving, where the prizes were a wrapped present as the entry fee, everyone got a prize. Hugh McAdoo was heartily thanked for doing such a good job as the RO.
Austin was absolutely delighted to have won this event, as let it be known afterwards that this was very first open event that he had won. In such good company, well done Austin!
The 2022 GAMES series was won by Roger Stollery, with his son runner-up and Martin Crysell third. The best Improver was Tom Rodger of the 3 Rivers Radio Yacht Club, finishing six places up from his 2021 position.
The GAMES schedule is available on the Guildford Model Yacht Club website, www.guildfordmyc.uk
Marblehead results:
1st Austin Guerrier, Datchet, GRUNGE, 14 points & winner of the Brass Monkey Trophy
2nd Phil Holliday, Datchet, F6, 18 points
3rd Peter Stollery, Guildford, UP, 18 points
4th Paul Tickner, Guildford, GRUNGE, 23 points
5th Rob Vice, Guildford, UP, 23 points
6th Roger Stollery, Guildford, UP, 26 points
7th Martin Crysell, Guildford, PRIME NUMBER, 28 points
8th Nigel Barrow, Frensham Pond, STARKERS, 28 points
9th Nick Charles, Datchet, GRUNGE,
The small boat winners:
DF 95 trophy - Guildford, Alan Viney
BOTTLE boat trophy - Frensham Pond, Keith Parrott