A popular day in the MYC calendar and this year did not disappoint with many members joining the shoreside and water borne events.
The racing kicked off with the crew’s race with the dragon being won by Lawrence Andrews, Wayfarer – Jon Moon, Squib – Christine Haliday-Sadler.
The next race of the day was the Flag officer and Class captains sailing our newly purchased fleet of Zests, the course was challenging with light winds and a relatively strong tide. Early pace was set by the Commodore Ross Eldred himself with an early lead. Dragon Class Captain Chris Brearly then took a bold decision sailing into the middle of the tide to find wind. This was tactical genius; the wind filled his sail, and he broke into an unassailable lead making the windward mark first followed by and easy downwind leg with the tide to the finish line. Close racing followed in his wake with the Commodore and Rear Commodore Quentin Strauss making good progress. The Vice Commodore Philip Clarabut showed early promised but was falling behind after a capsize. The result was Chris Brearly first, Ross Eldred second and Quentin Strauss third.
There was now time for a quick break to enjoy the BBQ before the Lemon Trophy an all-comers race.
Some 20 boats made up of 6 Dragons, 5 Sonatas, 4 Squibs, 4 Wayfarers and a solitary Laser took to a rather mixed crowded start line. The wind had now filled in and a reasonable breeze had set in, the tide just at the top and ebbing it had the makings of a good competition.
The early pace was set by Dragon 560, Quentin Strauss who make a great start, followed by Wayfarer 10614, Mark Penny making an unusually good start and now short tacking up the hugging the South shore of the Medway. Dragon 560 was now making serious progress at the first mark in the clear air followed by a chasing pack, Wayfarer 10614 was now being swamped by the larger keel boats and making slow progress on the run allowing Wayfarer 10686, Brian Mckenzie and Wayfarer 10618, Tony Alexander to sail past in clearer air. Sonata 8410, Paul Kirk had close racing with Sonata 8420 Luke Hopper along with Squib 515, Christine Halliday Sadler and Squib 675 Roger Gibbs. Laser 211435, Jon Silk certainly challenged the fleet at one point calling starboard on a Wayfarer and two Sonatas who were line abreast on port. There were good battles throughout the fleet with differing handicaps proving a challenge to separate finally the race of three laps of the course set in front of the club was won on handicap by Wayfarer 10686, Brian McKenzie, second Dragon 560, Quentin Strauss, third Wayfarer 10618, Tony Alexander.
The Cruiser class were not to be left out of the days competition with a prize being awarded to Scarpa, Rosie Arrowsmith & Neil Paxton for best dressed boat.
The day was a great success helped by the fine weather, and rounded off with prize giving for the day’s races, a toast to the Commodore and the Club.
Finally the official cake cutting which was enjoyed by the all members and friends.
