Norfolk Punt Club Punt Open
by Alan Davis 2 Jul 2019 07:09 BST
29-30 June 2019
Norfolk Punt Club Punt Open © Robin Myerscough
What have Morrison, Hardchine, Traditional & Individual got in common? Sunshine, good winds, large amounts of water and a chance to play at what they do best.
A fleet of a dozen Norfolk Punts of all ages were let loose in great conditions this weekend to show their mettle in the NPC Punt Open on Barton Broad and boy were they tested.
Using all the buoys at their disposal the Officers of the Day (both days manned by John and Anne Friend and Simon and Anne Girling) sent them to every corner of Norfolk's second largest broad and after five hard races over two days I'm sure the helms and their crews slept well on Sunday night.
Whooper, having travelled back "home" from the North, was the fastest bird over the water, well out in front of the fleet but on handicap a short neck behind the traditional punt Decoy, with the rest of the fleet constantly changing places. Spectators flocked to see the show and who could not resist a smile as the punts reached on the plane in warm if gusty winds and bright sunshine?
An excellent series over the two days. Well done to all.
Overall Results: (top three)
1st Decoy, Simon & Rachel Clayton
2nd Golden Eye, Dick Roe & Kate Dulieu
3rd Rushlight, Elisa Bolton & Caroline Dixey
With the Punts heading home for an early bath at Sunday lunchtime (late for some dippers) the broad was open for club racing.
Catherine Watson, otherwise engaged this weekend, had primed Paul with a race plan - get in front and stay in front - which worked in the first series. In the second, however, he failed to follow the rest of the good advice - remember the course, and don't hit the buoys... classic.
Club Racing Results:
Series I
1st Honeycomb, P. Watson & many others as ballast
2nd Yeoman 119, I.Thompson
Series II
1st White Wave 40, Amanda Davis, William Glover & Alan Davis
2nd Yeoman 119, Anne Friend & Ian Thompson
3rd Honeycomb 135, Paul Watson, Alison Glover & Carol Watson