Adelaide Trophy and Tamesis Anchor 2023 at Tamesis Club
by Alastair Banks 13 Jun 2023 17:50 NZST
10 June 2023
A fleet of four National 18s turned up on Saturday 10 June 2023 to compete for the internal only Adelaide Cup and Tamesis Anchor at Tamesis Club, located near to Teddington, London.
As a number of 18s at the club are currently undergoing maintenance, turnout was lower than hoped. However, the competition on the water was no less fierce. With no discards, all races were to count.
The competitors were greeted with sun, wind, and river traffic to contend with, as is the way with sailing on the Thames.
The OOD of the day, Matthew Dalton, set a short course which included a dog leg as the wind had an easterly element to it. The course started involved a downwind leg towards Lensbury.
Race one saw 1 over the 8 take an early lead and kept it for a lap before the more modern 18 in the form of Optimus Prime (being an Ultra) overtook 1 over the 8 (being an Ultimate). Both Genevieve and Antedote attempted to keep pace but to no avail. Optimus Prime took both line and handicap honours with 1 over the 8 taking second.
The course remained the same for race two and it appeared to be repeat of race one in terms of standing order before 1 over the 8 unexpectedly experienced gear failure. A quick repair enabled 1 over the 8 to finish the race but not in time to catch the rest of the fleet. This left Optimus Prime to take line honours, with Genevieve and Antedote immediately behind. 1 over the 8 completed the finishers.
For the final race the course was shifted to an upwind start, heading towards Canbury Island. With the gear problem solved, 1 over the 8 kept pace initially with Optimus Prime before Optimus Prime, benefitting from both new sails and 50kg weight saving over the rest of the fleet, roared away. Optimus Prime again took line and handicap honours to secure both trophies.
The competitors were rewarded with homemade cakes, tea, and a well-earned pint or two in the clubhouse afterwards.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat | Sail No | Helm | Crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| Adelaide Trophy |
|---|
| 1 | Optimus Prime | 421 | Matt PJ | Matt Valentine | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 1 over the 8 | 349 | Alastair Banks | Mike Adams | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 3 | Genevieve | 266 | Charles Fox | Robert Blakeborough | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| 4 | Antedote | 348 | Chris Pollard | Alison Cooper | 4 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
| Tamesis Anchor |
|---|
| 1 | Optimus Prime | 421 | Matt PJ | Matt Valentine | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 1 over the 8 | 349 | Alastair Banks | Mike Adams | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 3 | Genevieve | 266 | Charles Fox | Robert Blakeborough | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| 4 | Antedote | 348 | Chris Pollard | Alison Cooper | 4 | 3 | 4 | 11 |