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The history of The Bloody Mary, London's legendary pursuit race

by Andy Rice 9 Jan 2021 20:56 GMT 5pm GMT, 10 January 2021
GJW Direct Bloody Mary 2019 © Alex & David Irwin / www.sportography.tv

Of all the events in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series, perhaps the best known is the Bloody Mary. This Sunday evening, at 5pm GMT on 10 January 2021, two members of Queen Mary Sailing Club - Chris Simon and Andrew Craig - will run through the history of this great pursuit race that takes place every January on Queen Mary Reservoir not far from London's Heathrow Airport.

www.facebook.com/SeldenSailJuiceWinterSeries

With COVID putting the kibosh on an event that has only been cancelled twice since the inaugural event in 1974, the organisers of the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series are hosting a Facebook Live event celebrating this great race on the same weekend that it had been due to take place.

There are so many great stories to have emerged out of this race over the years and we'll be swinging the lantern over those seafaring tales on the high seas of Queen Mary Reservoir.

We're also delighted to bring in two of the most prominent performers at the Bloody Mary over the years and asking them about their secrets to success in this unique contest.

You can join the Facebook Live session at www.facebook.com/SeldenSailJuiceWinterSeries

After the History of the Bloody Mary, we'll also be bringing the latest updates on the events in Seldén SailJuice Winter Series, and how they are being affected by COVID regulations in England.

The Facebook Live Events hosted so far this Winter:

Facebook Live - Great Lakes Handicap System
fb.watch/2Ua5cxXeEn

Facebook Live - Winter Winners, Past & Present
fb.watch/2Uak0QX6-p

Facebook Live - History of the Draycote Dash
fb.watch/2UaefNdGJE

The following events are in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2020/21:

  • Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club 5 & 6 December 2020

  • CANCELLED - Grafham Grand Prix, Grafham Water SC 3 January 2021

  • CANCELLED - Bloody Mary, Queen Mary Sailing Club 9 January 2021

  • POSTPONED - King George Gallop, King George Sailing Club 23 January 2021

  • Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club 13 February 2021

  • RESCHEDULED - Burghfield Brass Monkey, Burghfield SC 20 February 2021

  • RESCHEDULED - Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water SC 6 & 7 March 2021

  • NEW EVENT - Alton Water Sports Centre, 27 & 28 March 2021

  • RESCHEDULED - John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club, 28 & 29 August 2021

You can find out more about the Series at www.SailJuiceSeries.com

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