Armada Weekend
Published 17:13 on 21 Jul 2022
Last weekend was busy both on and off the water with members enjoying beautiful sailing weather to join the Armada Trophy Race on Saturday afternoon, our Sausage Sizzler on Saturday evening and the Traditional Trophy and Class Races on Sunday.
On the water Ann Carnegie was WWSC's conquering hero with her back-to-back wins in the Armada and Traditional Trophy races. Kevan Watkins took the Bill Gregory Laser Trophy and his niece Layla Shaer won the Henry Adams Cup for the Topper class. Race reports follow and you can see all the photos on our gallery page here.
Armada Trophy Race
An armada of 20 boats set sail from East Head in perfect sailing conditions to compete for the magnificent trophy recalling the events of Sir Francis Drake's famous victory in July 1588. Thankfully none encountered fire-ships or were blown aground!
The first home was Ann Carnegie crewed by Sam Wells in a LR Scow. Second was Keith Russell's Supernova just a second or 2 ahead of Ed Martin in his Contender the fastest boat in the fleet with a Portsmouth Yardstick Number that meant he started 26 and a half minutes after Ann. It was good to see how well the handicaps had worked out - the first 12 boats comprised half from Class 2 and half from Class 1. You can see the full results here.
Many thanks to the volunteer race team of Jem & Nancy Western (Race Officers) and Richard Goldsmith, Susie Large, and Jolyon & Alfred Western in the 2 safety boats.
Below Armada-winner Ann, along with fellow Scow sailors, finish their game of boules before setting sail!
Traditional Trophy and Class Races
The races for the Traditional and Class trophies took place in brisk force 3/4 SE winds from a choppy start line off Pilsey. Three successive starts headed to windward but with the tidal stream, only to have to run against it later, on the way to back via Runway.
Although starting five minutes after the fleet of Lasers, the Traditionals finished first from their somewhat shorter course. Ann Carnegie's Nellie took honours, closely followed by Sara Poland in her brand new Lymington River Scow "Matchstick". Anthony Goddard sailing Caroline's Scow Corky, ably crewed by his grandson Rafferty Metters, was a commendable third.
The Lasers started finishing as the Traditionals came home. Kevan Watkins once again placed first on corrected time in his Radial, following closely behind Jim Robertson in a full rig, who finished second on corrected time. Jolyon Western sometimes turns up late for race starts, but not for finish lines; he placed third on corrected time.
Finally, three brave young women (where were the boys?) contested the Topper trophy. Layla Shaer was comfortably ahead of Eve Blenkinsop, who was followed home by Millie Easton-Thomas. Well done them, in challenging conditions.
You can see the full results here:
Traditional Trophy, Lasers, Toppers
Many thanks to Keith Russell and Jeremy Haynes (Race Officers) with Barnaby McCleery as Trainee and Jen Watkins, John Gregory, Tash Price, and Sarah Bovill in the 2 Safety Boats.
Last updated 11:01 on 28 March 2024