Sunday 20th September Bart’s Bash Races
Last Sunday all over the world races were being held to raise funds for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation and Reading SC was taking part as we did last year for the first Bart’s Bash.
It was decided to hold one race for the Juniors and then a second race for the Oldies starting about 45 minutes later. However the weather had other ideas and although the sun was breaking through by 10.30 there was no sign of any wind so the Junior start was delayed.
In the meantime Paul R was distributing “Build your own Boat” kits to the kids with a view to holding a race of these little boats at the end of the day and a sponsor form was going round so that punters could back the boat number of their choice.
At 11.00 with still no wind, Karen and Hadey initiated a wind dance with the juniors to summon up the wind spirits and Mike N donned his Indian Head Dress and gave a cameo performance as Big Chief Get the Wind Up (nothing to do with barbecue sausages he was cooking !)
At 11.30 after a pow-wow it was decided that the oldies should go for it first and the juniors could start later if any wind appeared and lo and behold five minutes before the first gun the wind arrived !
Just shows what a little faith and a good dance can do !
Newton was SOOD and set a first beat down to 4 then 2, 5, 6, 7 and back through the start line.
There were 18 starters, unfortunately down on last year, but well done to everyone who signed on.
Jon (Laser with a new sail) was first back through the line followed by Richard S and Dave L also in Lasers, then Ellen & Matt (RS 200) and John H (Laser), Adrian (Rooster) and Hadey (4.7). Then another trio of Lasers came through, James, Alistair S and David M followed by Mike A (Lightning), Alexander (Buzz), Chris (Comet), Paul W (Radial), Rick (Laser) Bob & Roland L (Leader), Stan (Laser) and finally Matt R (Skipper).
There were not too many changes in position on the second lap apart from John H who came to grief rounding 6, but soon got going again. David M moved up three places to 7th and James up two places to 8th and Rick also gained two places.
As the race progressed Jon maintained his lead, but Dave L moved up to 2nd place and Adrian came through to 3rd. In mid fleet Hadey, Mike A and Alistair S were having a good battle.,
Matt R received the gun after two laps and Stan after three laps with Chris, Hadey and Bob & Roland finishing at the end of five laps.
The final positions on the water after six laps were 1st Jon; 2nd Dave L; 3rd Adrian; 4th Richard S; 5th Ellen & Matt; 6th James.
The Junior Race set off after the oldies had come through their first lap and there were seven Topper and three Oppies competing.
After one lap William was in the lead with Joe 2nd, Ben 3rd, Thomas 4th, Milo 5th Rhys 6th and Katie 7th.
Jemima was leading the Oppies with Chloe 2nd and Bee 3rd and they were given the gun at the end of the lap.
At the end of the second lap William still led but Ben had moved up to 2nd and Rhys up to 3rd with Thomas 4th, Joe 5th, Mile 6th and Katie 7th.
Well done to all of you and for being patient at the delayed start.
Despite the delayed start it turned out to be a great day for sailing with a nice breeze (eventually) and sunshine. There were cakes, soup and hot dogs and other goodies provided by Geesje, Ann and Sally and the head barbecue chefs Mike N and Stuart.
Thanks to Ellen for organising the event and to Matt from Hyde Sails for backing the event and providing T shirts and prizes.
Thanks to Newton and Paul R and the OOD Team of Alistair J, Mike C, Nick J, Graham K, Pat, John H and Wendy and Karen (who did a great job of encouraging the juniors both off and on the water).
Thanks to anyone else who helped in any way and indeed thanks to everyone who turned out for this worthwhile and enjoyable event.