Erith Yacht Club

The finest sailing water on the tidal Thames

Club Ship 'Folgefonn'

Anchor Bay,

Erith, Kent, DA8 2AD

Tel 01322 332943

Secretary Tel 0208 310 2686

email - secretary@erithyachtclub.org.uk

Erith Yacht Club Racing results

Sunday 09th October 2005

The annual race to the Ovens buoy and back for the Bill Smart Trophy took place. Another good turnout for this race meant 16 boats arrived on the start line. The wind was light from... well all over the place and the race started with a beat down Long Reach which had turned in to a downwind leg by Fiddlers Reach then a no wind leg through Gravesend reach. By the time the Ovens was rounded the wind had settled in from the west which gave a beat back up Gravesend reach. The wind was full of holes and occasionally leading boats found themselves becalmed while yachts behind sailed happily up to them. Tranquility (Scanmar 33) took line honors while Hiran (Atalanta) was the winner on handicap. Full Results

Sunday 25th September 2005

The final race in the 2005 points series for the Foot Mitchell cup took place. Six boats entered the race, the course a broadreach and run down to the Blackledge buoy off Thurrock then a beat back up Fiddlers reach and a close fetch up Longreach back to the Club. Marlin got the best start and was clear ahead but Cassie caught her down Longreach and was first round the buoy. Marlin and Nokomis rounded just after with Harmony, Snuggles and Loucha not far behind. On the wind Nokomis overtook and pulled out a lead which she held to take line honors. To encourage participation the FM series has no disgards which benefits those boats which sail most races, Marlin the only boat not to miss a race had scored sufficient points to take the series with Loucha and Snuggles in second and third places.

(Handicap results and final series positions )

Sunday 18th September 2005

The Graham Taylor Trophy race took place today at EYC. This is a handicap race for dinghies sailed single-handed, the trophy is presented by Mr Robert Taylor in memory of his brother. A total of 8 boats took to the water. The age range of helms ranged from 9 years to ?9 years - half the fleet were juniors. The Lasers (Richard Sheridan and Gino Daghini) got a good clean start for the sausage-style course. Following closely on their heels were two Toppers (Shane Butcher and Peter Reeves). Finn sailor, Robert Taylor, was quick to lessen the gap he had left at the start. Nigel Field (Star) tacked for clear air but found the tide did not assist him. In her first race on the Thames, Sarah Mees (Topper) aimed for the first mark, followed closely by George Mees (Topper).
There was some extremely close racing between the two Lasers, with Master Sheridan leading up to the last lap, when Mr Daghini caught up, but only just, to make a photo finish each gaining the same finish time. Mr Taylor crossed the line 3rd. Masters Butcher and Reeves also battled together till the end, the last mark being the closest combat. They both did extremely well. Mr Field did the decent Hamble Star thing and finished the race. Miss Mees retired after a brave attempt and noted that she went round the top mark and Mr Mees did not! Mr Mees took a slight detour onto Oryx and retired with grace.
Two rescue boats were in attendance, crewed by Mr Cowley and Mr Evans, Mr Dornan and Mrs Taylor. Mr Elmes was Race Officer. Gifts for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place were presented and for the first Star. Mr Robert Taylor thanked all those involved by buying us all a beer (or lemonade). The Trophy will be presented formally at the Prize Giving on 26th November 2005 at EYC.

1st - Richard Sheridan, Laser.
2nd Gino Daghini - Laser
3rd Robert Taylor - Finn
4th Shane Butcher - Topper
5th Peter Reeves - Topper
6th Nigel Field - Star
7th Sarah Mees - Topper (DNF)
7th George Mees - Topper (DNF)

Report and Results of EYC Open Weekend 3rd/4th September 2005

Diamond Series Race 9 Thursday 25Aug

The final race of the 2005 Dimaond series took place today. The result of the series was still open going in to the final race two boats could still win the series. After allowing for discards Blew Movee was two points clear of Marlin. To win the series Marlin had to win the race with Blew Movee finishing a couple of places further back. The skipper of Marlin was spotted trying to persuade as many yachts to enter as possible! Six boats eventually started, Pranzo and Marlin made the best start and Marlin, carrying two winch wenches for crew was able to pull away and hold her lead throughout the race. The rest of the fleet bunched up behind, Godwin in Harmony did his best in a tussle with Blew Movee but Blew Movee got the better of it in the end. On handicap Harmony was 34 seconds behind which gave Blew Movee second place thus securing her the series. Cassie took third place with Snuggles slipping into fourth just ahead of Pranzo in 5th and Harmony jumping 4 places up to 10th
Results (Final Series Results)

Diamond Series Race 8 Thursday 18 Aug

Five boats arrived on the start line for race 8 in the Diamond series, including new entrant to the series C-Harp. As the evenings are drawing in the race was started slightly earlier at 7:15. Race officer Bas Elms set a course over the last of the ebb down to the transit mark off Dartford creek then back and round a barge off Erith town before returning to cross the club line. Marlin and Snuggles got the best start, with C-Harp Pranzo and Cassie not too far behind. Marlin pulled slightly ahead, but C-Harp was able to catch her just before the turning mark and took the lead. Snuggles was very close behind in third place. Staying close inshore to keep out of the tide Marlin managed to slip past C-Harp and continued up close inshore inside the moorings. This proved to be a poor choice and the rest of the fleet took the outside passage and were able to pull out a substantial lead. C-Harp rounded the mark first and held her lead back to the Club to take line honors. Cassie followed her over with Snuggles and Pranzo following closely. Marlin rounded the top mark a little later but by now the wind had fallen light and the flood strengthened and she was unable to make over the tide and had to retire. On handicap C-Harp took the race, by just 6 seconds from Snuggles with Cassie and Pranzo not too far behind.
Results (Series Results so far)

Foot Mitchell series Race 3 Sunday 2nd August

Four boats entered the third of the Foot Mitchell series of races. Race Officer Bas Elms was able to set an unusal course, upriver from the Club line to the Jenningtree buoy, a sausage round the yellow buoy on the Essex shore going back to Jenningtree and returning to the Club. This gave the fleet a lot of windward work. Cassie and Marlin both made good starts with Loucha and Gem a little further back. Hard on the wind traditional headsails showed their advantage over roller headsails and Marlin pulled out a slight lead which she never relinquished taking line honors a little way ahead on Cassie. (Handicap results and series positions )

Diamond Series Race 7 Friday 29th July

Now into the holiday season with many boata away meant only 3 yachts made the start line for the 7th race in the series. Cassie made the best start, turning right on the line for the down river leg to the transit mark past Dartford creek but Marlin and Blew Movee were not far behind. Casie turned first closely followed by Blew Movee who had carried her spinnaker to make up on Marlin and Cassie. All yachts stayed closer together bak up river to the Jenningtree buoy, Marlin gaining by moving out into the tide. Blew Movee was just first round the mark she hoisted her spinnaker again but the wind angle left her struggling to carry it and allowed Marlin to slip past. Turning in to the Erith Rands however allowed Blew Movee's spinnaker to fill well and she powered past Marlin to take line honors with Marlin and Cassie close behind. Throughout the whole race all three yachts were probably within 100 yards of each other

(Series Results so far)

Foot Mitchell series Race 2 Sunday 24th July

Three boats turned out for the second of the Foot Mitchell series of races. An Easterly wind over a spring flood tide meant it was difficult for race officer Bas Elmes to find a course the slower boats could sail. The course was around a lighter of the town causeway then down to a transit line off Crayfordness, twice round. All three boats hit the line together Puffin and Snuggles were further out in the river than Marlin and gained some advantage from the tide reaching the mark first. Puffin was first round the mark followed by Snuggles and Marlin line astern. Sadly the conditions of a headwind over a strong tide penalise the slower boats in a handicap race and Puffin was unable to make to windward over the tide and had to retire. Marlin took the lead and made slow but steady progress over the tide down toward the next mark, a lead which she held to the end with Snuggles not too far behind. (Handicap results and series positions )

Diamond Series Race 6 Friday 15th July

Friday evening saw 5 yachts racing for points (or no points) in this EYC challenge series. Usually the racing is on a Thursday; so a few crews could not make this change of day. However those that turned out were rewarded with an even tide and a fair wind with sunshine. Marlin and Blew Moovee took the North shore, as did Oryx and Snuggles. Nokomis stayed south and was the first to duck under the barges at Erith. By now Marlin was in the lead followed by Blew Moovee, taking now the south shore to make the Jenningtree Buoy for starboard. Oryx stayed out and by now Nokomis was creeping up to the buoy, followed by Snuggles. Most of the fleet took the south shore on return, however Nokomis and Snuggles took the less tide route and it paid off.
First over the line, however was Blew Moovee, followed by Marlin, Nokomis, Oryx then Snuggles.
Race Officer Mr Elmes was thanked for his usual brilliance at course laying. Two junior crew had participated, so this had been another race of good family fun, Erith Yacht Club style. Results (Series Results so far)The next race is on Friday, due to tide times, but after that races return the Thursdays. Later, in the bar, members enjoyed a presentation to Duncan Thompson, who sets off on a long trip tomorrow. See separate story.

THE STARS ARE SHINING AGAIN.

A presentation day and race was held on Sunday 10th JULY 2005 when the Stars all sported their new sails provided by a grant from Awards for all. Full report and pictures

Diamond Series Race 5 Thursday June 29th

Six boats turned out for the fifth race in the Diamond Evening series for cruisers. In a light SW an upriver start was set round the lighter off Erith causeway, downriver to cross the transit line below Dartford creek, back around the lighter and back to the Club. All boats were fairly close to the line at the start (regular racing showing it's worth?) although Blue Moove (Bolero) was first across the line closely followed by Marlin (Tarentelle 27). Fortune smiled on Marlin, starting further inshore, she was the only one to fetch the mark without tacking and was first round. Downwind Blue Moove and Nokomis (Legend 29) set spinnaker and cruising shute respectively and soon overhauled Marlin. The speed loss to Nokomis however when she lowered the chute and reset the genoa allowed Marlin to slip back past. Further back Cassie (Feeling) closed well up on the leaders by using the better tide inside the moorings while Pranzo (Pandora 700) and The Act (Intro) were having their own private tussle. On the leg back up river fortune again smiled on Marlin as she made the buoy in one tack while Blue Moovee had to bear away to avoid a ship. In the end Blue Moovee took line honors followed by Marlin. Nokomis and Cassie crossed the line almost together and Pranzo finally got the better of The Act to cross the line just ahead. Results (Series Results so far)

London River Travellers Trophy Sunday 26th June 2005.

Final leg Gravesend Sailing Club

After a murky start to the day, 11 crews vied for position at the start line of this final leg of the London River Travellers Trophy series on the tidal Thames. There was a steady wind and brilliant sunshine for the sausage style course. Entrants from Greenwich, Gravesend and London Docklands enjoyed the racing with Dipper (Wayfarer, Greenwich) leading followed closely by Crystal Dawn (YW Day boat, Gravesend). Bosun 7 (Greenwich) was not quite close enough and was beaten by the Dayboat on handicap, by 7 seconds. The final event is also the prizegiving event for the series - overall winner of the London River Cup (donated by GJ Campbell, when he was Commodore of Erith Yacht Club) was taken proudly by James Eastwood in Dipper. Greenwich Yacht Club won the shield for most club points, and Erith and Greenwich Yacht Clubs tied for the clubs with the most entries, Star 115 Richard Banner gaining best points for Erith Yacht Club. Junior overall winner went to Dawn Snape and Shane Butcher, Snipe "Opus" from Erith Yacht Club. The competitors were honoured with the presence as race officer, of Chris Hague-Smith, founding father of the LRTT. Erith were represented at the event by Mr Edmonds and his burgee, Mr Elmes and his camera, the Mees and Robert Harle and Darren in the rescue boat.

Diamond Series Race 4 Thursday June 16th

The fourth race in the Diamond Series took place, with an excellent turnout of nine boats. Coming towards the longest day meant Race Officer Bas Elmes could set a longer course, from the Club down to the Stoneness buoy opposite Greenhithe. At the start Nokomis (Legend 29) and Marlin (Tarentelle 27) hit the line first and headed round Crayfordness and down Long Reach but they were soon caught by Blue Moove (Bolero) who flew her spinnaker and took the lead. Down Long Reach the choice was to hug the Kent shore to keep out of the tide or to go out into the river to avoid the wind shadow of the power station. Oryx (Nicholson 30), Harmony (Jenneau Melody) and Cassie (Feeling) soon overhauled Marlin and chased after Blue Moove and Nokomis. A slight gap opened up between the leading pack and the middle boat with Pranzo (Pandora 700)leading the slower boats in the rear. Blue Movee rounded the buoy first with the rest of the leading pack close behind. Marlin rounded a little later with Pranzo closing on her with Snuggles (Pegasas 700) and Puffin (Snapdragon 24) gamely hanging on not too far behind. The SW breeze meant the fleet were close hauled back up Long Reach but most of the boats fetched the reach without putting in a tack. Blue Movee took line honors with Harmony closing fast but Nokomis was close enough behind to take the race on handicap. Full Results (Series Results so far)

LRTT Erith Leg

The Erith leg of the London River Travellers trophy took place on Sunday 12th June 2005. 35 dinghy crews attended the briefing, with boat speed ranging from MRX's and Osprey to Hamble Stars and Mirror. The committee boat start was down river of the moorings. After a short postponement, during which time the breeze came up to 21 knots, causing choppy water, the race got off the a clean start. Unfortunately, the conditions meant that several boats were unable to start, some due to gear failure and some due to the challenging conditions.
There were a good number of Bosuns, 8 having travelled by river from Greenwich during the days before the race and several from EYC. Wayfarer numbers were significant, Greenwich and a good number from Stubbers Young Mariners attended. Stubbers crew had taken part in a seamanship course before the race, they are using EYC waters as the tidal part of their course. Stubbers and Greenwich supplied rescue boats to assist EYC. Participants from Gravesend represented the YW Day boat class. The MRX contingent from Wembley had now increased to 4 boats, and they led the way. Two Snipes from EYC started well, but after a capsize and a imitation of a submarine G Campbell and G Mees were forced to retire from their excellent position in the race. Dawn Snape and Shane Butcher were rewarded for continuing with their race despite feeling uncertain at the start. The weather did for most of the good Star turnout from EYC but Richard Banner and Eve Peyto held their own and despite dissatisfaction, completed the shortened course.
There were a good number of capsizes and the rescue crews were kept busy. P Reeves in his Topper capsized and was reluctantly taken in by one rescue crew. The conditions meant that he was unable to right his boat, so when the EYC rescue crew came to his aid they were alarmed to find an "abandoned" boat. The Commodore in his Bosun was on hand to explain and crew E. Crompton righted and sailed the Topper in.
Once the race was completed competitors partook in a meal on board Folgefonn. The RNLI crew from Gravesend visited and later some club members, young and old, were treated to a ride on the lifeboat. This was particularly popular with one member of the wine committee.
There were many other incidents and the good turn out was appreciated by EYC. So many people helped to make things run smoothly and there was a late prize giving with plaques for places 1 - 3 and Junior 1sts.

Provisional Results

Diamond Series Race 3 Thursday June 3rd

Gigi, Pranzo, Puffin, Snuggles, Oryx, Nokomis, Marlin and Bolero vied for position at the line for this 3rd race in a series of nine. 19 club members enjoyed a super course by the Race Officer Mr Elmes, assisted by Mr Feddersen.

Bolero got a cracking start followed closely by Nokomis. Gigi was as up-front as ever (new sails) and there was some close racing between Snuggles, Puffin and Pranzo.

The first mark was the Jenningtree buoy, which proved popular with Gigi and Marlin. There was a small incident and Marlin did a 720 turn to avoid possible disqualification. There was much discussion in the bar later about who was right. (Reading the rules over and over again rapidly becomes a viable past time and it appears Marlin did in fact have right of way.) First round though was Bolero, followed closely by Nokomis and then Oryx. These three took the North shore home, catching the best of the tide. Puffin also chose this route. Gigi lead the other group who chose the slower south route.

Between there and the next mark, Nokomis had overhauled Bolero and then Oryx managed to get round the next mark (a barge off Erith Causeway) before Nokomis. Oryx took line honours and the fleet were never very far apart. Snuggles benefited from a junior crew Pranzo were as keen as ever. Last years champion Puffin kept up with the fleet well and took the race on handicap. (Full Results) (Series Results so far)

There was a super night in the club bar afterwards with several visitors from the Eventide Owners Group joining in the fun.

LONDON RIVER TRAVELLERS TROPHY 2005
1st Leg Greenwich Yacht Club. 22nd May 2005

On Sunday 22nd May 2005 at Greenwich Yacht Club, 29 dinghies of various classes raced for the first leg of a series three of the annual open meeting for the London River Travellers Trophy. Erith Yacht Club had the largest number of entries with 12 boats. "Marlin" had towed 6 Stars up to Greenwich for the race. Of those, four were sailed single-handed (Nigel Field, Richard Banner, Bob Saunders and Eve Peyto) and two had prospective members aboard as crew, with helms, Darren Leigh and Jeremy Mitchell. Darren and Sarah (crew) enjoyed themselves immensely, by their own account. Two Bosuns and a Topper were towed by road during the week leading up to the event and therefore will have to be towed back. 2 Snipes and a Topaz were towed to the event on the day. We supplied 2 rescue boats for the race; they travelled by river from EYC to Greenwich, and back. These four rescue crew were Robert and Sara Taylor, Peter Dornan and Bert Cowley.
Erith Yacht Club also had two junior entries. Peter Reeves (Topper) and Dawn Snape/Shane Butcher in Snipe "Opus". This was the second time Miss Snape had sailed her Snipe and it is also Miss Snape's last chance to win the junior trophy of the series. She and Butcher made an excellent start by winning the junior 1st place in this race. Unfortunately Reeves capsized and was unable to finish the race.
A handicap fleet of 9 classes completed a square course of 4 laps. The wind was gusty but not too strong. The MRX contingent from Wembley Sailing Club took line honours and places 1 - 3, having lapped several times the Hamble Stars from EYC, who sailed resolutely. Bosuns were the largest fleet, Commodore of EYC Adrian Reeves and helm Emma Crompton did exceptionally well and Robert Harle/Phillip Snape were glad they came along and got a sail. Mr Campbell and crew Mr Mees had a race that was not without incident, but came through smiling with first placed EYC boat. There was some close racing within the various classes making up the handicap fleet and the Stars were not an exception. Richard Banner was the first placed Star.
Those involved started their day at about 7am and left EYC at about 7pm. A wonderful effort by everyone, well done.

Results - 1st Nemesis MRX,Wembley SC (sorry no details of crew/helm names)
2nd Navigator MRX, Wembley SC
3rd The Matrix MRX, Wembley SC.
1st placed Junior crew - Dawn Snape and Shane Butcher, Erith Yacht Club.
Next Race Erith Yacht Club - 12th June 2005.
End report - Sarah Mees, Sail Sec, EYC.

Diamond Series Race 2 Thursday May 19th

An excellent turnout of eight boats entered the second race in the evening Diamond series. The wind was lighter than the forecast S-SW 5-6 but there were a few strong gusts. There was some dismay when it was discovered the 'Tosca' barge mooring buoy off Dartford creek, planned as a mark of the course, had been removed. However the course was set to 'turn when the helmsman crosses the measured mile transit lines below Dartford creek' then up and arround the Jenningtree buoy. Due to work on the rear deck of the Clubship preventing access to the race office a temporary start line was also used. Five of the eight boats all hit the line together and headed down towards the turning 'line' Fairtrade (Van de Stat D Thompson), Blue Moove (Bolero J Chapman) and Gigi (Pandora T Bailey ) crossed the transit first and pirroetted almost together with defending 2004 champion Puffin (R Andrews Snapdragon 24) close behind. A close reach up the Erith Rands followed with Fairtrade starting to take a slight lead and Cassie (Feeling) moving through the fleet towards the front. Rounding the mark gave the yachts the choice of hugging the shore to keep out of the tide or keeping up to windward to avoid tacking. Fairtrade took line honours closely followed by Cassie and Blue Movee. On handicap winner of the first race Gigi had yet again done enough to win cloesly followed by last years series winner Putffin. Special congratulations to Alan and Pam Hunt who completed the course as the first sail in their new boat Pranzo (Pandora 700) (Full Results)

Sunday 8th May - Topper Race

10 Toppers turned out to race in Force 4-5 winds. Dudley had especially brought the Toppers from Thamesmead, kindly loaned for the day. 2 rescue crew were on duty - both were able to give opportunity to learn to new or younger members. Mr Elmes set a fairly short course in view of the high winds, most of the entrants were juniors. The start was delayed by half an hour since launching took some time for the Toppers with only one trailer. The Toppers were all reefed, eventually. Only two helms made it to the start on time - Tony Blackwell and Shane Butcher. The rest eventually caught up - some had only arrived 10 minutes beforehand. This split the fleet into two distinct groups - something to do with what time they got up in the morning. The second leg showed that J Mitchell and Butcher had chosen to go out into the river to their disadvantage. P Reeves and others took the inside route and it paid off well. At the lower mark there was very close sailing between these three. P Reeves was the first to cross the line - great cheers from the gathering crowd rung in his ears. (Photo upper right) Butcher was only just beaten by Mitchell to 2nd place. Gino had a good 4th place considering his tardy start. A few helms retired for various reasons, but all did well considering the conditions. Mr Elmes erred on the side of safety and had one race. There were no major incidents during the race, however this did not stop the ex-commodore from doing a perfect display of capsize drill on the finish line (Photo right).
A presentation took place after racing and Peter was presented with the nearest thing the sailing secretary could find to a top hat! Many thanks to all who helped - it was a great deal of effort for the day. Well done.

Results.

1st Peter Reeves
2nd Jeremy Mitchell
3rd Shane Butcher
4th Gino Daghine
5th Jack Murphy
6th Jackie Daghini
7th Dudley Davies

RTD Tom Murphy
RTD Tony Blackwell
DNS Jamie Murphy

Sunday May 8th Foot Mitchell Series Race 1.

Five yachts turned out for the first in the series of races for the Foot Mitchell Cup. The course was from the Club line up three reaches of the river to a buoy off Thamesmead in a fresh westerly breeze of up to 35 knots and Loucha (John Edmonds, Sarah, Darren, Claire and Andrew) seemed pleased with these conditions. Loucha was carrying four new crew who enjoyed themselves. Marlin, (Tarentelle 27) was first across the line followed by Gigi (Pandora), Gigi chose to sail up the Kent shore of Erith Rands which proved to her disadvantage. Blue Moove (Bolero) had caught the leading boats by the middle of Erith Reach she lead for the rest of the beat to the turning mark.Snuggles (Pegasus 700) made a valiant effort but called it a day haveing only a small boy as crew. Loucha (Meridian 9.5) gamely brought up the rear but the turning of the tide before she reached the mark scuppered her chances on handicap. Blue Moove held her lead back to Erith to take line honors, Gigi closed on Marlin and was not that far behind but needed to be closer to retain her good record of wins, Marlin just piped her on handicap. Loucha said later that there wasn't enough wind. Puffin (Andrews) had been out for the day with Mr and Miss Feddersen) and followed the racers home. It is rumoured that he will join in the next race. (Full Results)

Diamond Series Race 1

The first race of the Diamond evening series for cruisers took place on Thursday 5th May. Race officer Bas Elmes set a course up to the Jenningtree buoy then down and round the buoy at the top of Long Reach with the added complication of leaving the ship anchored off Erith town to port on the way back. Five boats arrived at the start line, a good turnout for so early in the season. Gigi (Pandora, Tim Bailey) got a good start and led the fleet up the Essex shore with Blue Moove (Bolero, J Chapman) and Fairtrade (Van de Stat, D Thompson) Blue Moove caught Gigi before the first mark though Gigi, carrying more sail than most of the fleet did well to hold on, despite a couple of entertaining broaches to finish ahead of some lower handicaped boats. When the handicaps were worked out however Blue Movee had done enough to beat her by just 13 seconds. Full Results

Hansen Cup

Monday 2nd May was a busy day for some. Mr Tuck and Mr Bates took Cassie down to the Medway in convoy with Mr Bailey on GiGi. They were entering the Hansen Cup race, which was starting at Grain Edge. They apparently fed each other buns on the way down. Already well rested the previous night were the crew of Fairtrade and Blew Moovee. Blue Moovee had a small life saving job to do before the start of the race - occupants of a motorboat were giving the distress hand signal and EYC members were there to help. (All in a day's work.) After the count of "ready, steady go", the four yachts made a very precise start at 13.27. It took just over 4 hours to reach home, and Mr Elmes waited for them all that time. It was a close finish in that all yachts finished within 24 minutes of each other - not bad considering the differences in handicap. Mr Bailey has recently invested in brand new sails - this paid off because he won. Once he heard that the cup was the biggest one around and that it may take quite a few pints, he went rather quiet. It looked like a cracking sail back, quite hairy at times, but windows make ideal tables for sandwiches when you are hiking out! Full results attached.

Brunton Cup

On Sunday 24th April the Brunton Cup was held at Erith Yacht Club. A three race series was planned but the early start and low water at the end of the causeway lead to only two races taking place. A light breeeze came in from the NE. Race officers Bas Elms and Hendrik Feddersen set a course for the first race down outside the moorings giving a windward start followed by a triangle accross the river. Richard Sheridan (Laser) got a good start closely followed by Richard Banner (Solo 2141) but Bob Taylor (Finn) soon caught up and took the lead for the rest of the race. There were some interesting 'one design' tussles among the slower boats in the fleet, between the 3 Hamble Stars of Darren Leigh (Star 113), Nigel Field (Star 54) and Peter Minch (Star 100). Also between the two Bosun's of Adrian Reeves and Dudley Davies (who 'just to make it interesting' had a wager on the side)

The second race consisted of two triangles, all the boats got away to an even start but Richard Sheridan and Bob Taylor soon pulled out a substantial lead over the rest of the fleet and battled each othere for first place for the rest of the race. (Full results)

Coronation Cup

On Sunday April 10th 2005 the Coronation Cup was held at Erith Yacht Club. The Coronation Cup was first presented in 1902 to commemorate the Coronation of King Edward VII. Since 1956 EYC have awarded it for a one-design championship for Hamble Star dinghies. An excellent fleet of 8 boats made it on to the water. Two races were held, the second race starting after the first was completed. There was a strong NNW breeze before the race which fell lighter and came round towards the west during the race. The course for both races gave an upriver start to the windward mark on the Kent shore off Erith, across the river to a buoy on the Essex shore, back to the Kent shore to a buoy off Crayfordness then once more round both buoys on the Kent shore giving a triangle and a 'sausage'. In race 1 Star 115 (R.Banner/T.Murphy) got a good start and was first to the windward mark closely followed by Star 111 (B.Saunders/S Butcher) and Star 112 (A.Reeves/P.Reeves/A.Jackson). and Star 106 (G.Mees/S.Gascoyne). Star 115 chose to hug the Essex shore to keep out of the tide on the way to the next mark which proved a poor choice dropping her to third place. Star 111 held the lead for most of the rest of the race until a lucky windshift allowed Star 115 to slip past her on the final beat. In race 2 Star 106 got the best start and was leading at the windward mark, Star 111 and 115 soon closed up however and we had the spectacular picture of the leading 3 Stars running line abreast across the river. Forward planning by Star 106 gained her the inside position at the mark and she lead until the last beat when fortune smiled on Star 115 again, 106 had to tack just before the line allowing 115 to slip through. Full Results

Easter Weekend 2005 - Piper Cup

Dinghy sailing started at the club over the easter weekend. The Piper Cup is held for a series of handicap dinghy races, two races on Good Friday, two on Easter Sunday and the final two on Easter Monday. Winds were light over the three days and a short course was set each day with buoys at the top and bottom of the moorings. Friday and Sunday's variable winds gave varied winners, Race 5 on Monday turned into a real drifter with great credit to all the crews for their patience and perceverence. Gino Daghini was the eventual victor sailing the Laser.

Full Results

Summary of racing results for the 2004 season