Setley Cup 2001 Junior Model Boat Race

10 Monohulls and 11 Multihulls reflecting a wide variety of design influences came to the line for this annual classic. A heavy frost on Christmas night left the Setley Pond race-course strewn with sheet ice on Boxing day morning. However, bright sunshine (and the Salterns SC rescue boat turned icebreaker) enabled the racing to start after a twenty minute postponement. Four races were completed for each class (monohull and multihull) in a 6 to 8 knot north-east breeze.

As usual the number of finishers diminished as the morning went on. In race 1, six monohulls finished, and the pattern was set: it was to be a battle between the sleek red hulled yacht of Danny Tewys, and the beamy but powerful white boat of Aron Merton. By the end of the fourth race each had two firsts and two seconds - the Setley Cup going to Danny on ‘countback’. Behind them in third and fourth position, both Hector Hurst and Nick Hassell completed 3 races, with Hector finishing just one point ahead. In 5th, 6th and 7th place were Christopher Minors, Olivia Reeves and Hattie Rogers all recorded at least one finish.

In the multihull class, six of the eleven yachts recorded at least one finish. After two races Micole Donvitto had established a one point lead over Toby Ng. However Thomas Dudley was fast learning how to control his Claridge design, and finished strongly, winning races 3 and 4. Micole showed great composure under pressure, holding off the challenge; a second place in the final race being enough to secure victory and the Seahorse Trophy. Thomas Dudley finished second just one point behind Micole, and one point ahead of Toby Ng. Meanwhile there was a battle for 4th and 5th place between the team of Max and Alex Holloway, and Tom Morgan. In the final race, Max and Alex’s yacht came to grief, giving Tom 4th place. Connie Stock’s intriguing design recorded a finish in race 3 (following the discovery that the ‘bow’ of her yacht was in fact the stern), giving Connie 6th place overall.

Some excellent construction work was in evidence; once again Rupert Stock’s creation showed bursts of speed. However the racing was dominated by the proven Jardine, Claridge and McEwan designs. A little carbon fibre was in evidence, but lemonade bottles, garden cane and supermarket bags still prove to be highly competitive for this event. The organising authority resolved (once more) to introduce a constructor’s prize for next year’s event, to encourage a greater degree of innovation.

Top tip for next year (courtesy of Nick Hassell):
Make sure your wellington boots are at least as high as your yacht’s keel is deep!

Overall Results: