Please select your home edition
Edition
GJW Direct 2024 Dinghy

Sam Pascoe wins the GJW Direct 48th Bloody Mary

by Tony Bishop 6 Jan 2024 19:16 GMT 6 January 2024

Musto Skiff sailor Sam Pascoe won the GJW Direct Bloody Mary pursuit race, the fifth leg of the Selden Sailjuice Series, held at Queen Mary Sailing Club on Saturday 6 January 2024.

The winning helm from Castle Cove Sailing Club, crossed the line ahead of a 185 boat fleet accompanied by sailors representing 52 boat classes from 84 sailing clubs. A dry north westerly force 2 to 3 wind greeted the sailors, with the sun poking holes in the clouds during the race, competitors had no complaints about the conditions.

Winning helm, Sam Pasco said: "It's a very great feeling, I've chased it for quite a long time, brilliant to win it. I got a second last year, matching my Dad's result in a 2.4 from 17 years ago, so a good one to tick off the list!"

See full interview by Mark Jardine:

Martin Pue, race director, said: "The 48th GJW Direct Bloody Mary was an extremely competitive race leading to prizes being awarded to the top ten boats across six different classes. A huge success overall with a great turnout, it was impressive to see nearly over 20 youth helms, and 38 Grand Masters.

"The race was well organised and a huge thanks must go to the volunteers, the race management team, safety teams and staff who worked tirelessly throughout the day. We would like to thank our title sponsors GJW Direct and also the Selden SailJuice Winter Series."

Overall Results: (top ten)

1. Sam Pascoe - Musto Skiff, Castle Cove S.C.
2. Tom Gillard & Rachael Gray - Merlin Rocket, Sheffield Viking S.C.
3. Jack Holden & Robert Anderson - RS400, Chichester Y.C
4. Graham Camm & Anya Camm - National 12, Burghfield S.C.
5. Philip Meakins & Richard Anderton - Osprey, Warsash Y.C.
6. Sam Barker - Musto Skiff, Castle Cove S.C.
7. Ian Martin & Chris Martin - Merlin Rocket, Burghfield S.C.
8. Ian Walker & Anna Warren - RS400, Warsash Y.C.
9. Matt Reid & Libby Watkins - RS400, Parkway Y.C.
10. Ben Saxton & Lottie Fields - Merlin Rocket, RYA

Helm prizes:

  • First Lady Helm: Ann Jackson & Alan Skeens - Enterprise, Burghfield S.C
  • First Queen Mary Helm: Griff Tanner Musto Skiff, QMSC.
  • Grand Master: Philip Meakins & Richard Anderton - Osprey, Warsash Y.C.
  • First Junior Helm: Edwin Cross ILCA 6, Shoreham S.C.
Class prizes were also awarded to:
  • ILCA 6 - Edwin Cross, Shoreham S.C.
  • ILCA 7 - Jamie Blake, Great Moor S.C
  • Merlin Rocket - Tom Gillard & Rachel Gray, Sheffield Viking S.C
  • RS200 - Thomas Goodey & Verity Hopkins, RNSA
  • RS400 - Jack Holden & Robert Henderson, Chichester Y.C
  • RS800 - Ben Palmer & Dicken, Hayling Island S.C
  • Topper - Sam Mason, Silver Wing S.C
The GJW Direct Bloody Mary was proudly supporting the RNLI's 'All Hands on Deck' campaign.

Related Articles

Panks sail to Bloody Mary glory
Using their light-airs skills to edge their Firefly to victory Jono and Freddie Pank used their light-airs skills to edge their Firefly to victory at last Saturday's GJW Direct 49th Bloody Mary. This is the most famous pursuit race in the UK dinghy racing scene. Posted on 14 Jan
GJW Direct Bloody Mary 2025
Very light winds and sunshine for the 99 boats at Queen Mary Sailing Club Firefly sailors Jono Pank and son Freddie won the GJW Direct Bloody Mary pursuit race, the sixth leg of the Selden Sailjuice Series, held at Queen Mary Sailing Club on Saturday 11th January 2025. Posted on 11 Jan
Seldén Sailjuice Bloody Mary forecast
A Bloody good opportunity for the slow boats? Aside from the storms at the end of 2024, this winter so far has been a light affair and it's shaping to be a soft Saturday for the GJW Direct Bloody Mary. A chance for the slower boats to get their revenge on the skiffs? Posted on 9 Jan
Get set for the British Keelboat League 2025
You are invited to #rockupandrace this January at Queen Mary SC Entries are open for the latest edition of the British Keelboat League with the first event of the year taking place 25-26 January 2025 at London's Queen Mary Reservoir. Posted on 9 Jan
Entries open for Lochan Cup 2025
Women's keelboat team racing at Queen Mary in April Entries are live for the second UK Women's Keelboat Team Racing Championship. The event will be co-organised and hosted by the RYA and Royal Thames Yacht Club at London's Queen Mary Reservoir over the weekend of 12-13 April 2025. Posted on 18 Dec 2024
GJW Direct Bloody Mary Pursuit Race 2025 Preview
One Month to Go until the iconic event Queen Mary Sailing Club is excited to announce the return of the legendary GJW Direct Bloody Mary Pursuit Race. Set to take place on January 11, 2025, the race iis one of the most anticipated events on the UK sailing calendar. Posted on 12 Dec 2024
Zhik becomes sponsor in Sailjuice Winter Series
There are just over two weeks until the first event The high-performance clothing brand Zhik is the latest sponsor to come on board for the 16th edition of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series. With just over two weeks to go to the first of nine events this winter, entries continue to come in. Posted on 14 Nov 2024
An Intriguing Duel in store
For the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series With just over three weeks until Event #1 of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series, some interesting boats and teams are entering as well as some new sponsors coming on board to make the 16th edition bigger and better than ever... Posted on 31 Oct 2024
ILCA Women's Coaching Day at Queen Mary
Led by Ellie Cumpsty and an all-female coaching team Female sailors from as far afield as Chew Valley, Rutland and Bexhill descended on Queen Mary SC to take part in the inaugural ILCA Women's Coaching Day led by Ellie Cumpsty and an all-female coaching team. Posted on 30 Oct 2024
RYA National Match Racing Championship Grand Final
Team Absolute retain national match racing championship title A full-on weekend at London's Queen Mary Sailing Club saw skipper Ted Blowers and Team Absolute winning the RYA National Match Racing Championship Grand Finals for the second year running. Posted on 22 Oct 2024