Mid Thames Trophy 11 Sep 2004 updated 14Sep04 |
The Aquarius SC Team Triumphed at Staines SC to win the Mid Thames Trophy by a big margin, 46 points to 103 for SSC. |
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This event was originally held on 1 May but abandoned due to high current and no wind. The re-run was in complete contrast with a 10 to 15 knot, gust 20, S to SW wind; their best best direction straight upstream. |
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The victorious Aquarius team was Richard Cannon in his Signet crewed by Bryan Clements, Charles Dennis and Nigel Knowles in their Lasers, and GrahamThompson in his Bosun. |
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They had the roughest conditions there have been on the river for a long time; very strong gusts and large rapid shifts. At SSC the river runs N to S and is narrower than at AQSC. As soon as he launched Richard started planing across the river and was very surprised when a very strong gust capsized him before he had reached half way; he couldn’t have been sailing for more than 10 seconds. On looking around Bryan was capsized in his Graduate. Bryan made the sensible decision to Crew for Richard. |
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The port rounding course had just 2 marks. The start was very hectic with 11 boats, the narrow river and the strong gusty wind conditions; Richard lost his very good start in the first race due to having to do a penalty for catching an Enterprise with his boom before the start. AQSC took the first 3 places in the first race, 1st in the 2nd race, 1st and 2nd in the last race. |
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The 2nd race was extremely rough and there were 4 retirements. Richard capsized but still won, Graham stopped to reef his Bosun during the race, Nigel and Charles lost count of their capsizes; Charles had a spectacular capsize at the leeward mark, passed it the wrong side and hit it while capsized. |
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The wind moderated for the last race and it was a much more pleasant sail; Richard led for the first lap and Charles and Richard were well ahead of the fleet for the rest of the race. |
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Well done the AQSC team for winning the trophy; the home team has won the previous 3 years. |
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