London River Travellers Trophy at Erith Yacht Club
by S. Mees 13 Jun 2005 08:42 BST
12 June 2005
35 dinghies headed for the start line at Erith Yacht Club's leg of the London River Travellers Trophy series of 3 races.
Just before the start the wind picked up to 21 knots and a choppy river forced a few sailors to turn back. After a clean start, the westerly wind eventually evened out, remaining strong, causing several capsizes and a broken toe.
Representatives from 6 clubs continued to battle it out - the 4 MRXs from Wembley Sailing Club led the way. Bosuns from Greenwich YC and Erith raced alongside Wayfarers from Stubbers Young Mariners. Gravesend SC was represented by YW Dayboat Phoenix and Shadwell sent the Docklands Laser. Snipe 27329 was sailed valiantly by Dawn Snape and Shane Butcher(juniors)and they were rewarded with first junior place. The fleet consisted of a very wide range of handicaps and three clubs provided rescue cover. Included in the fleet were a number of junior sailors and several newcomers to sailing.
Competitors were joined for tea after racing, by the local Gravesend RNLI crew. Some sailors were treated to another look at the course but in a slightly faster boat. The presentation afterwards took place in Erith YC clubship "Folgefonn".
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Type | Sail No | Boat Name | Helm | Crew | Club |
|---|
| 1st | Wayfarer | 8929 | Dipper | James Eastwood | Darren Bell | Greenwich YC |
| 2nd | MRX | 3617 | Nemesis | G S O'Niell | Tim Uneman | Wembley Sailing Club |
| 3rd | MRX | 3611 | Javlin | Robert O'Niell | Chris O'Niell | Wembley Sailing Club |
| 4th | MRX | 3618 | Navigator | Maurice Cleal | Martin Thompson | Wembley Sailling Club |
| 5th | Bosun | 7 | Limehouse | Steve Wilson | Catherine Pemson | Greenwich YC |