Tideway Challenge Cup at Waldringfield Sailing Club

Geoff and Lorna Fraser win the Campbell Quaich for the best maintained wooden Tideway during the nationals at Waldringfield © Diana Lindsey

Richard and Sylvia Colley win the Walker Challenge Trophy during the Tideway nationals at Waldringfield © Diana Lindsey

16 Tideways gathered at the Waldringfield Sailing Club (WSC) on the Deben to compete for the Tideway Challenge Cup (Crewed) and for the Rosebowl (Single Handed) which was held on the 18th and 19th July. With the current holders David and Debbie Phillips, and Roger Puttock not defending their titles there was much anticipation from those attending as to the meetings outcome.

WSC provided the RO in the shape of Mike Oldroyd who held a briefing at midday and who quickly put the apprehensive crews at ease with a very relaxed and competent briefing. Despite the inshore forecast quoting force 6 to 8, he was confident that we would get two races and he assured us that the courses would reflect the age and speed of the boats (he could have applied the same reservation to most of the crews but kindly refrained from doing so).

The first race approached and with a few thinking better of it, most the fleet struggled off the beach many fully reefed and feeling rather over cautious in what was the near flat calm close in to the cliffs alongside the clubhouse. Their better judgement was confirmed however as we neared mid-channel and the first gusts hit the fleet sending them in all directions. The three, one, go start sequence was initiated by Mike complete with helpful coaching over the PA for these mostly inexperienced racers and the first race was away down river on the tide with the fleet quite reasonably bunched. The first mark was just off the Rocks close to the northern shore and then on down to the turn marker just before the moorings at Ramsholt. With hull speed for these non-planing boats being easily reached, there was little difference in the performance between the reefed and non-reefed boats. With the fleet now heading back up to Waldringfield with the wind behind them, the non reefed boats began to pull clear in the shape of TW201 Richard & Sylvia Colley, TW469 John & Eirwen Coe with TW431 Brian Sargeant & Eric Lewis and TW216 Danny & Diana Lindsey following on. Rounding the second last mark just off the end of the island close to the north bank that order remained and then across the river to the last mark set amongst the moorings just below the club before a run to the line with a finishing order of TW201, TW469, TW216 & TW114. The fleet then came ashore for bailing and refreshments.

The second race used the same course with the leg down towards Ramsholt omitted but with two circuits of the remaining marks. It was not such a packed start and the fleet rather straggled over the line reaching down towards the first mark just off the north shore on now an almost slack tide. Most of the reefs had by now been shaken out and the gusts had diminished giving quite pleasant conditions. TW201 again lead the fleet followed by TW469, TW431 & TW216 whilst the rest of the fleet followed on, which was where most of the position swapping took place. The front of the fleet maintained their order more or less. Crossing the line in the order of TW201, TW469, TW216 & TW431.

The fleet then came ashore for a splendid supper held in the WSC Clubhouse on Saturday night but with not too much dalliance as it was up bright and early for the TOA AGM held at 9.30 on Sunday also in the Clubhouse.

Following coffee and cakes Mike Oldroyd briefed the assembled crews at 11.30 and described the new course he had set for race 3, this time starting towards Woodbridge. With a couple of DNS and the only single hander present finding a crew, the fleet launched in quite pleasant conditions with not a reef in sight. The night’s rest and good meal had obviously refreshed the crews because we again had a bunched start with TW201 Muriel Widnall and Pat Thomson leading us away across the line for a change. By the first mark off the barge quay however TW201 and TW216 had a bit of a gap on the fleet and with the need to pass through the oncoming boats after the turn there was an exciting few minutes which must have made for good spectating. The second mark was in the bay opposite the boatyard with then a beat back to go up through the start line to give the RO chance to stop the race if conditions were proving too difficult. TW201, who had made some space, was reeled in by TW216 who in turn had been reeled in by TW05 Alan & Floss Stone. With a long close reach up between the island and the clubhouse and with no ‘Shorten’ signal on the line TW201 & TW216 now put a little distance on the fleet heading for the turn just off the northern shore. Then reaching back to the last mark amongst the moorings down river from the clubhouse TW216 reached the mark first and the line was crossed in close order by TW216 followed by TW201, then TW383 Peter Barnett and Bob Moon (a good effort with a broken tiller) and TW05.

The prize giving was held in the Waldringfield Clubhouse at 15.00 with TW201 Richard and Sylvia Colley taking the Walker Challenge Trophy and Geoff, Anne and Lorna Fraser taking the Campbell Quaich for the best maintained wooden Tideway. The ‘Single handed’ and ‘Under 18 Helm’ trophies were not awarded this year.

Many thanks to the Waldringfield sailing club and in particular to Secretary Margaret Lake and Race Officer Mike Oldroyd for their kind assistance and attention freely given all weekend.

Overall Results: