ROYAL THA MES 2019 Review
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ROYAL THAMES REVIEW
ROYA L T H A M ES
2019
2019 Review
BRITISH P E R F E C T I O N
For a life less ordinary
BRITANNIA Lymington Head Of fice
+44 (0)23 8086 5555
Deep Water Fin Keel Modern Classic Swing Keel Luxurious Cruising Lifestyle sales@discover y yachtsgroup.com
Comfort & Capability Elegance & Quality Performance & Versatility Spacious & Performance www.discover y yachtsgroup.com YACHTS GROUP
CONTENTS FOREWORD
Inside 44 The NYYC Invitational Cup 86 The Royal Thames Academy
5 Foreword by the Commodore, Excuses, Excuses
50 RTYC Wine & Cigar Committee
88
HRH The Duke of York
52 Turkish Delight – The Rally Victory at the Aspirin Trophy
89
6 Introduction by the The Sardinia and Corsica Rally
54 Rear Commodore
90
Vice Commodore House & Finance
WATER MUSIC sets off
56
8 Forty Years On – The 1979 for New Zealand RTYC Charitable Trust
92
Fastnet Race revisited
60 Club Programme 2019/20 96 Historical Cartoon
16 Rear Commodore Sailing
64 The Social Year – 2018 in Pictures 98 Salve & Vale
19 Captain of Racing
Rear Commodore Membership
68 100 Club Merchandise
Captain of Cruising
22
70 Trophy Winners
26 The Lee Trophy
The Earl Twining Shield
71
Editor: Richard Bundy
28 The Cumberland Cup
72 The Roll of Honour 1914 -18 Visiting Historian: Clare McComb
30 Global Team Racing Design: zedcreative.co.uk
78 Tom Ratsey and DOLLY VARDEN Cover: Brian Smullen’s CUILAUN at the Spring Excuse 2018
32 Royal Thames Carmela Cup ©Ruth Tracey
The Club Poet
83
This Page: Sailing away with the Carmela Cup 2018
The British Keelboat League
34
Younger Members
84 ©sportography.tv
36 A Year in the Life of Annie Lush of the Royal Thames
4 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019 WWW.ROYALTHAMES.COM I 5
Kings,
VICE COMMODORE
Princes
&
FROM THE
Vice Commodore
I
was delighted when the Commodore
attended the Cumberland Cup
during racing at Queen Mary
Reservoir in May last year, and
pleased to be able to host his attendance
at the event with the Lord Lieutenant of
Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux. His Royal
Highness met most of the teams taking
opportunities to charter our boats not
only to members, but also to other
organisations; we will be seeking ways on
how to improve the usage of the fleets.
Elsewhere in the Review are detailed
articles of exploits over the past year. I
would draw your attention to the first week
in October 2018, when teams representing
be followed by review of the Club’s
constitution, including both articles
of association and byelaws to ensure
that the Club governance remains fit
Glory
part in the Cumberland Cup competition, the Club won the inaugural Global Team for purpose over the coming years.
our biennial two-boat team racing event Racing Regatta in New York and came In 2025, only six years away, the Club
with our reciprocal clubs. second in the Lee Trophy at Seawanhaka. will be celebrating its 250th anniversary.
The Royal Thames Review provides me The secretariat has seen a number of Leading up to this momentous occasion
with the opportunity to thank two flags changes over the last year. Our new chief provides an opportunity for the Club to
who completed their terms of office at the executive, Will Harding, joined us in May show off its heritage, whether this is
Annual General Meeting in October 2018. 2018, but has since decided that that he silverware, the half models, the other
Peter Innes-Ker retired after two years as would return to mainstream hospitality. treasures and even the archives of
Rear Commodore Membership. We are all The general committee decided on a two the Club going back many years.
grateful that he took on the role of guiding stage replacement programme; firstly be Over the years individuals and small
us through the complexities of the new seeking an interim manager as our chief groups have done sterling work in
data protection regulations, GDPR. Our executive/ club secretary for a period of maintaining and developing various parts
new Rear Commodore Membership is between four to six months. This would of these historic artefacts. There has
Anthony Hinton. Owain Franks completed ensure continuity within the clubhouse however not been a central body with
a three-year term as Rear Commodore during that period. Also during that responsibility overall for our heritage
House and Finance and has handed over period we would seek the full time assets. I would now like to bring all this
to Tony Hanna. My thanks go to both the replacement. Christian Horvath joined work together under one body, a heritage
retiring flags who have, as always with us at the end of January 2019 in the committee for the Club. I would welcome
the Club’s flag officers, put huge effort interim position; Christian has wide discussion with any member who would
into their roles. club experience over a long period and be interested in this project.
Jenny Woods continues into her second is welcomed to this position. The Thames Review has been published
year as Rear Commodore Sailing. The Other secretariat changes over the last since 2006. The editor throughout this
Club has an ever increasing sailing year have been the departures of Lucia period has been Richard Bundy who, as
agenda, which led one of our former Houston and Mousey Brown, both of whom well as recording progress of the Club
sailing flags to comment that whilst moved on to more senior roles after being through this time, has also enlightened MOONBEAM IV is a member of an elite classic fleet. Designed and built by William Fife, she is a Marconi rigged gaff cutter with a racing
in his day we were involved in some 50 with the Club for some ten years; we wish members with all sorts of articles of pedigree matched by an easy cruising ability. She won the King’s Cup in 1920 and 1923 and has chalked up many a notable regatta title in
sailing events a year, this is now running them well in their new endeavours. By this interest. Our thanks go to Richard and more recent times. Added to her serious sailing credentials is the stuff of legend. Prince Rainier purchased the yacht for his honeymoon
at around 100 events. Much of this is due time many members will have met Sonia his small team who produce a magazine with Grace Kelly, with Eric Tabarly calling her “the most beautiful yacht ever built”.
to our two fleets of J70s and J80s, but Rafi, the new membership secretary of quality and relevance which continues Completely restored in 2001 with a recent substantial refit, MOONBEAM IV returns to the market at a highly attractive asking price.
also indicates the breadth and depth of and Ewa Janeczek, our new accounts to promote the Club around the world.
our members in supporting the Club. assistant and we welcome them both. Finally, my thanks go to the Fife Shipyard, 35m/115ft, 1914/2001, 6 guests, 6 crew, €2,800,000
One interesting development for an I note that last year I expected that membership who make all this happen. Mike Horsley, mjh@edmiston.com, + 33 493 34 68 98
increasing number of sailing clubs is to the general committee would to be It is the members who provide the
provide resources for members’ use which developing a revised club strategy. This impetus to the Club, whether by
have been traditionally provided by the has been somewhat delayed, but is now participation, volunteering or just being
ANTIBES +33 493 34 68 98
members themselves – club-owned boats finding traction and expected to be in there. In the end it is our Club and its
MONTE CARLO +377 93 30 54 44
to use on a ‘pay and play’ basis. Our place by around the middle of 2019. success and prosperity depends on what
LONDON +44 20 7495 5151
acquisition of our two fleets has put us We will be looking to all areas of the we all choose to put in. NEW YORK +1 212 792 5370
firmly in the pay and play sector, providing membership to assist with this. This will George Ehlers MEXICO CITY +52 55 52 80 95 74
www.edmiston.com
6 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019 WWW.ROYALTHAMES.COM I 7
HISTORY
FORT Y YEARS ON Left: A body being brought ashore from the
Dutch frigate OVERIJSSEL ©Jonanthan Eastland
The Fastnet Race
Right: The winchman supervises a rescue; Harvey
Bagnall is hoisted aboard a navy helicopter - the
airman stems the blood from his skull, fractured by the
boom of his yacht ©William Payne; Fastnet Rock in
better weather
However, another depression, ‘Low X’,
T
– so called because meteorologists had
he storm that was to bring New Jersey Turnpike and knocked down channel in the fog, it was heading across been aware of it for longer than Low Y
about the deaths of 15 amateur powerlines and trees. The falling branch the Atlantic. Small and fast-moving, ‘Low – had left the coast of Canada on the
yachtsmen – and leave several of a tree killed a woman walking in Y’ as this depression was identified by the morning of Friday 10th and on the
others scarred mentally and Central Park, New York City. Later in meteorologists, was hard to track. The morning of Sunday 12th its centre was
physically – on the 14th August 1979, was the day it arrived in Narragansett Bay, weather maps published in the British about 350 miles southwest of Iceland,
born in the Great Plains of the United Rhode Island, broke one of the wire jib weekend newspapers described it as a where it perversely stopped moving,
States a little over a week previously. sheets of the 12 Metre INTREPID and “shallow depression that would move allowing Low Y to overtake it but
Above this high plateau of grasslands scattered the 78 competitors in the swiftly east and deepen” and that it would changing the latter’s course so that, the stability provided by the hull’s shape If the 1969 boat was a scaled down
blazing temperatures meet cold air J24 world championships, knocking produce force seven winds on Monday. in the early hours of Monday morning, and the keel. The vessel rolls perhaps version of a big boat, then the new one
currents coming down from Canada. three of them flat. It was scheduled to make its landfall in it was heading for the west of Ireland. through 90 degrees, perhaps all the way. was more of a big, lightweight dinghy.
Usually the vicious depressions As the Fastnet Race started in Cowes, the Bay of Biscay and should have been UK forecasters realised by noon on There is no doubt that far and away the The materials used in manufacture,
resulting from the collision of these on Saturday, the small but lethal only of peripheral importance to the Monday that Low Y, swinging around Low most important element in bringing principally carbon fibre, the use of which
ill-matched airstreams wreak their depression had passed over Fastnet competitors. X, would travel across southern Ireland about the tragedy of the 1979 Fastnet was in its infancy at the time, came under
havoc locally in tornadoes, violent Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the Western Approaches that night. Race was the state of the sea – obviously criticism in the aftermath of the race.
thunderstorms, hail storms and the like travelling at about Unfortunately, noon was too late for caused by the wind in part, but also by Of the 14 lost rudders that led to the
and blow themselves out. This particular 50kts. By Sunday, the 1355 Shipping Forecast. Almost all the shallow waters encountered in the rescue of their boats, over half were of
one possessed a force that kept it going as the Fastnet fleet sailors around the UK, racing or not, Western Approaches which steepened and carbon fibre. However, there is no
even after it dropped more than an inch moved down the relied on the three-times-a-day broadcast. shortened the wave structure. However, suggestion that anyone died as a result.
and a half of rain over Minneapolis on In extraordinary circumstances the BBC there was another major contributory In the manner of these things, a great
Thursday, August 9th and headed east. might intervene with a message from the factor and that was the design of the deal of blame and ill-informed comment
On Friday 10th August, 60kt winds meteorological office, but this required boats themselves. Of the 303 boats on was sprayed around in the aftermath
blew the roof off a tollbooth on the listening to Radio 4 all day, which was not the race, five sank, 100 were knocked of the race. The storm was so localised
going to happen. There was no mention flat at least once and 75 were capsized that nobody could be sure who was in
of Fastnet again until a new gale warning completely. This was something that the most dangerous place, except by
at 2245: “Fastnet: south-west severe simply should not happen and it the damage that they sustained. Several
gale force 9 increasing storm force 10 prompted the world’s leading yacht sailors were reported as saying that the
imminent”, ‘Imminent’ in weather speak designer, Olin Stephens, to say: “Some conditions were not too bad, to which the
means within six hours, which was modern ocean racers, and the cruising retort should have been (and probably
conservative; anyway, it was all too late boats derived from them, are dangerous was): “Maybe not where you were”.
for the vulnerable boats, those of Class to their crews.” Skippers and crews were accused of
IV and V, now between the Lizard and Yacht design had changed considerably lacking in experience. There was actually
Fastnet Rock and already experiencing during the 1970s, with the intensification no suggestion of this either evinced by
winds of 50-60 kts. of competition and the modifications their behaviour nor revealed in the
The wind’s strength was such that made to the International Offshore Rule Inquiry report published after the event.
smaller boats could not carry enough sail (IOR). Most of the boats in the race were Safety and radio requirements may have
to steer around the waves or to mitigate vulnerable to the conditions simply due been inadequate, but the actual safety
their great shocks; but the seas were the to their size – between 30 and 38 feet. and radio equipment carried on those
true killers on August 14th. Salt water While we Brits had long prided ourselves boats that sank or hosted fatalities were
weighs 64 pounds per cubic foot and a on racing small boats in big seas, the far in excess of the official requirement.
moderately large breaker that is six feet typical 35-footer in 1979 was a much less There was, once again, the vexed
high, ten across and six feet thick carries stable boat than one of, say, 1969. The question of life rafts and when to take
– at a speed as high as 30 kts – 23,000lbs latter would have been narrow and heavy to them. The old adage that one should
of water. The average boat in the Fastnet with an ability to right itself even if she only step up into a life raft rather
race weighed considerably less than that. were knocked flat with her mast under conjures up the image of an orderly queue
When a wave of such size and velocity water. The new boats were lightweight, of life-jacketed sailors politely waiting to
breaks over a boat its force overwhelms with short keels and lacking this stability. take their turn to step into the raft as
8 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019 WWW.ROYALTHAMES.COM I 9
HISTORY
N E X T AVA I L A B L E B U I L D S LOT S TA R T I N G S U M M E R 2 019
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A highly sophisticated and proven pedigree yacht coupled with classic
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From left: The Daily Mail, Wednesday 15th August 1979; Lifeboat GUY & CLAIRE HUNTER, from St Mary’s S.I., one of many
lifeboats that took part in the search and rescue © Ajax News & Feature Service; the helicopter dropping a hook to an airman and a
CARMARGUE crew member © Royal Navy; POLICE CAR was a 42 footer, designed by Ed Dubois for Western Australian yachtsman
Peter Cantwell who wanted a downwind flyer campaign for the 1979 Admiral’s Cup. She was knocked flat several times before her
crew discovered that making her go faster made her more seaworthy. She finished 4th in Class II, © William Payne
The final solution is that it was bad To illustrate this point, I have an excerpt
luck. Boats, for the most part, have got from a marvellous piece written by Chris
better, safety gear has got stronger, storm Windley, a crewman on Peter Blake’s
sails have become compulsory. Most CONDOR, which took line honours and
their boat slowly slides beneath the gently importantly, weather forecasting has been the record in 1979. Chris calls this: “The
lapping waters. The reality is that a self- revolutionised and is available to everyone Storm” Fastnet Race, 1979: Racing with
inflating life-raft in a 50+ knot wind all the time. It is an almost spooky fact Sir Peter Blake on Condor of Bermuda:
must be boarded as soon as it is inflated. that, as Des Sleightholme, then editor A Story in Parts, for Friends.
You can’t tie it to the side of the boat of Yachting Monthly, said at the time:
waiting for conditions to worsen and it’s …At 0400 I came off watch and collapsed
too big for the cockpit. There is very fine “Let’s face it. If there was not a race on the sails exhausted, cold and wet.
judgment involved here – just how safe is going through that area at that time, While I was below we rounded Bishop
your boat? Just how dangerous, travelling most people would never have known Rock, a mile inside Pole Bank Overfalls.
at 60mph, is the Marmite pot, the corned the storm was taking place.” We had no idea where KIALOA was.
beef tin, the knife in the drawer? At least MISTRESS QUICKLY, another maxi rater
five of the fatalities were caused at least But if you did happen to find yourself had come up on the radio and we knew
in part by injuries sustained down below in the middle of it, even today, you’d be that she was way astern but KIALOA had
on the boat. in trouble. remained silent. At this time we reckoned
There was a feeding frenzy in the A few weeks ago news had just arrived that the wave height was about 20 to 25 T H E P E N D E N N I S TC128 F L E E T
press following the race. Journalists are of Susie Goodall’s Rustler 36 pitchpoling feet and it was still blowing 50 to 60 knots.
fairly left wing by nature and yachting in the Southern Ocean, 2,000 miles west Once again we were called on deck as
SY Vijonara (TC128-2) DELIVERED 2018 Build opportunity:
is a traditional Aunt Sally. Alan Green, of Cape Horn in 60kt winds and massive we bore away for the Lizard. It was SY K2 (TC128-4) DELIVERY 2020 Slot 3 (TC128-5) DELIVERY 2021
secretary of RORC was confronted by seas. Barry Pickthall, running the press almost a dead run and we poled out the
hostile journalists, one of whom asked: office of the Golden Globe Race is number five. This involved running the
fielding questions from John Humphrys genoa sheet through the end of the
“A Labour MP, Sydney Bidwell, says on the Today programme. “Isn’t it just spinnaker boom. Setting up the pole was
H OW C A N W E TA I LO R YO U R D R E A M ?
that the RORC should help pay for the too dangerous for people to go out there, a tricky business as we rolled downwind.
cost of the rescue services because risking these conditions, on their own?” At least the apparent wind was less than Contact us to discuss your next build
yachtsmen are ‘well-heeled, well-to-do asks Humphrys (in fairness, because it had been before. +44 (0)1326 211344 | info@pendennis.com
people indulging in a fairly expensive he has to). Barry replies wearily, citing Communication was vitally important
sport for their own pleasure. What do comparisons with climbing Everest and on a boat this size, but experience was PERFECTION IS PERSONAL
you have to say about that?” reaching the South Pole. What he doesn’t even better. If you knew what to do and
say is: “Of course it’s dangerous! It’s an when to do it then it did not matter that
And, eventually, the criticism died down. adventure, you idiot. That’s why we do it.” you could not hear what Andy was PENDENNIS.COM BUILDERS OF BESPOKE SUPERYACHTS 30 YEARS OF EXPERTISE
10 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019
HISTORY
Clockwise, from left: The Baltimore lifeboat
ROBERT towing in KAYUKA © Ajax Picture
Library; GRIMALKIN, perhaps the most famous
casualty, with two deaths and one “Left for
Dead” and being recovered here; ARIADNE,
from which four died, floating abandoned
saying 70 feet away. We continued under ©Ajax News & Picture Service
this rig for a while but gradually the wind
began to decrease. The waves were still
huge and we were carried along by them,
surfing at 16 or 17 knots. However, the
boat felt underpowered. We had about
25 knots of apparent wind and we all
knew that there was only one thing for
it – we had to go to a chute.
There are a lot of offshore sailors who
don’t even know how to put up a chute
on a yacht and they would certainly have
never imagined that you could fly one in
40 or 50 knots of true wind. Peter had
sailed this boat around the world and
knew it probably better than anyone else.
At the beginning of the race he was
worried about our new mast but he was
now confident that it would stay up. There exhilaration; adrenalin coursed through “Look out everyone, she’s going!” What
was a record at stake and nobody ever our veins. Now she used the waves. They now? I sat by the centre coffee grinders.
broke records who did not take risks. towered high astern, flecked with foam, If she broaches, I thought, I’ll hang on
We were going to fly the 2.2oz. Each lifted up the transom, pointing the bow to these. My expensive oilskin with its
member of the crew moved around the down into the chasm that was the trough built-in safety harness lay on the deck.
decks preparing and checking and of the wave. Then she began her mad slide The safety harness clipped to a wire
checking again. Meanwhile CONDOR like a big dipper. The bow wave grew and protecting the jacket from going
careered along under main alone, eager higher and higher and moved aft until it anywhere! It was too late for it now.
for more canvas. Peter guided her down was higher than the boom. Astern grew Slowly, reluctantly, accepting the
the waves, his eyes roving over the deck a cockerels tail four foot high. power of the sea over her CONDOR
checking what had already been checked The digital speedometer went through swung around into the wind, heeling
Follow your
before, weighing up the risks, calling on 10 knots and began to count again; more and more.
all his experience. through 10 knot again and on and on Pray to every god you have ever heard
We needed more speed. until it reached 9.5 knots. A total of of and hang on!! Beam onto the sea and
2019 compass
Finally, the chute was ready in its 29.5 knots. Crossbow here we come! the wind, she was flattened.
three-legged bag that prevented it from Where is Beken now? If it had been my Lazer I would have
filling until required. I gripped the A sound like a rifle shot brought us back climbed over the windward side and
halyard, looked toward Peter for the final, to reality. The block that the spinnaker stood on the centre board. If only it was
purposeful nod and then pulled like a sheet turned around on the starboard that easy. I ended up sitting on the coffee
maniac to get it to the top of the towering quarter had exploded. Les had his leg in grinders, which were now horizontal,
mast. Dennis came up to help on the last the path of the released rope as it ripped looking down at the, amazingly calm, Catch the occasional mistral along Dubrovnik’s
few feet and we sweated up the halyard through six feet of stanchions as though sea. Slowly she began to right herself.
fortified shores or enjoy the challenging Meltemi
as sailors have done since the days of the they were not even there. He could easily Then the spinnaker went aback and she
square-riggers. have lost his leg. Luckily he did not but he went astern. Peter said at three knots. winds across the Saronic Gulf. Explore Mallorca’s
A line led up to the centre of the star limped in memory of his close call for days The oncoming waves finally halted her
shape that hung innocently from the mast. after. “Get the guy in!” I shouted but this Peter had steered her around in an arc. charming hidden coves on bareboat charter, or set
The two Andys tugged on it; it would not crew were faster than the time that it took The spinnaker half filled, obstinately
sail towards Sant’ Angelo’s natural thermal springs
come. Take in on the sheet, more, more for somebody to tell them what to do and refusing to set. For endless seconds
— Bang!!, the bag opened and suddenly already the grinders were grinding in the Peter juggled with the wheel, coaxing on our Amalfi Coast flotilla. See the Mediterranean
there was the spinnaker, straining to pull lazy guy. Gradually we got the spinnaker and understanding. Suddenly the chute
the mast out of the deck. CONDOR under control again and breathed a sigh filled with a crack and we were off again. differently this summer.
accelerated instantly like a jet with its of relief. Our hearts pounded. Everything was all right. We had not
brakes just released. Sheet!! Sheet!! The Once more the wild surfing began. lost anybody.
sail had to be flat. Now she was going!! Spud had given up navigating. The miles Were we insane? The exhilaration was
We grinned at each other like naughty flashed by. When would we be there? draining. A three point turn in a 78 footer Find out more at sunsail.co.uk
children. He must be mad – but what Very, very soon! with a spinnaker up in 45 knots of breeze. or call 0330 332 1184 SEE THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY
12 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019
BAREBOAT l FLOTILLA l SAIL BY THE CABIN l SKIPPERED l SCHOOLS
HISTORY
The record-breaking crew of CONDOR in Plymouth before they got news of the casualties © Jonathan Eastland
“If that happens again we’ll have to get it in,” he said simply. We’d done it. We only to stow the sails. Our time – 71 hours 37
off “ said Peter. We laughed uncertainly. had to get to the line. We wanted to get rid minutes and 23 seconds. We had beaten
Then, sliding down a wave, we of the staysail. Come on Peter, let’s get it the previous record by over seven hours.
caught up with the one in front. The off. A boomed-out headsail is a tricky thing
bow buried itself into the sea. I reached to get down and we were heading for the Roger Spriggs was crewing on the
for my favourite coffee grinder and put breakwater at a vast rate of knots. We Contessa OOD 34 ROCK ON, which
a lover’s grip on it. The sea foamed up looked pleadingly at him. Finally, he gave finished the race in Milford Haven. They
over the foredeck, past the mast, over the word. As we began to get it down a had passed the Lizard and he had just
me and I then did not know how far last vicious gust swept across the sea, replaced the washboards in the companion
behind. Deeper and deeper she buried. ripping the flogging sail from our hands. way: it was blowing more than 50 kts. He
Then we were on our beam ends again The breakwater loomed ominously close saw an enormous black wave coming down
and she was coming up, shaking off as we struggled to get it on board. Finally on them and clutched the hatch cover for
the water, undefeated, her mast still we overpowered it and seconds later all be was worth. A split second later the
standing erect. Again the spinnaker flashed through the breakwater. mast was pointing downwards. As they
filled and we careered away. “Get it off” Where was the finishing line? Andy surfaced, he saw that the Frenchman who
Peter said. “Enough is enough”. was on the bow, ready to take the time had been standing next to him was in the
Plymouth was in sight. We changed to of crossing. Spud went up and sent him sea and at the extent of his safety line.
the reacher poled out with the staysail back aft for something. Bang! The gun Roger hauled him in and aboard. “Roger,”
set inside. We were still flying. Where went. “Ha ha!” yelled Spud, “I was first he asked. “Is it always like this, this ocean SAILING SQUADRON WITH J70s FLEET / INTERNATIONAL REGATTA PROGRAMME
was KIALOA? Were we in the lead? across the line!”. One and a half hours racing?” Roger said yes, of course it was. RYA TRAINING CENTRE / ACTIVE ROWING CALENDAR / FITNESS & YOGA CENTER
We could be. We just could be. sleep in three days and the guy was still There was a Gallic shrug, the souffle TENNIS, SQUASH & CRICKET FACILITIES / TIERED MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES
Spud was worried that we could be making jokes! of breath and the finger-click gesture PRIVATE MEMBERS LOUNGE & MEETING ROOM / 64M INFINITY POOL WITH DAYBEDS
heading for Fowey instead of Plymouth. We yelled and danced, shook hands typical of the race: “Très sportif!” OUTDOOR DAYTIME RESTAURANT / MEZZANINE BAR / FINE DINING RESTAURANT
Come on Spud, we know it’s Plymouth. and slapped backs and laughed and Richard Bundy NIGHTCLUB WITH LIVE DJS
He went down to speak to Race Control on smiled. Line honours – The Record –
Primary sources: Fastnet Force 10 by John Rousmaniere
the radio. After a few minutes he appeared beaten KIALOA. Perhaps even first on (WW Norton & Co 2000) 1979 Fastnet Race Inquiry Report to
at the hatch. “There are no other yachts handicap. We put it all aside and began the Council of the RYA and the Committee of the RORC (1979)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US AT PMYC@PORTOMONTENEGRO.COM
PMYC.PORTOMONTENEGRO.COM
14 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019
R/C SAILING
Linda Pennington and team
officiating © Sportography.tv
Rear Commodore Sailing
W
hat a year we had in 2018…! has now taken over the baton and I am The Sailing Programme for 2019 was
What successes we achieved looking forward to working with her to launched at our Sailing Forum in January
in both team and fleet racing! drive our racing programme forward. and the calendar is busier than ever.
Confirmation that we are at It would have been rude of me not to There are:
the top of our game in winning both the embrace the Club’s programme during
inaugural Global Team Racing Regatta my first 12 months as rear commodore
and the British Keelboat League to name sailing. I took to the water at the Spring • 8 weekends for sail training
but two events. Excuse, attended the Cumberland in our J/80s and J/70s
As the title of this magazine suggests Regatta, went cruising on our Sardinian • 11 weekends of team racing
we are reviewing 2018 and there are Rally and accepted an invitation to go to at Queen Mary
absorbing and enlightening articles from Seawanhaka Yacht Club to be part of the • 8 weekends of fleet racing in
Amelia Lowe, our captain of racing, and race management team for the Lee the Solent plus Cowes Week
Adrian Walsh, our captain of cruising, Trophy. As many of the members may
• 1 weekend of Match Racing
for which I thank them. know I play a very active role on our race
at Queen Mary
Before moving on I would like to thank management team both at Queen Mary
Angus Prentice who kindly served as and in the Solent, so 2018 was certainly • 3 weekends in the Solent for our
captain of racing for four years and memorable for me and brilliant fun. Now Spring, Motor and Autumn Excuses
during his term championed the British for 2019 and the Spring Excuse, Cyclades • 1 weekend for our Annual
Keelboat League and the British Isles Rally, the 175th Anniversary Regatta Cumberland Regatta
Team Racing League. Both are going of New York Yacht Club – and of course • 2 week Cyclades Rally
from strength to strength. Working with supporting our challenge at the New York
• 2 week Balearic Rally
Angus last year was effortless and his help Invitational Cup – plus delivering regattas
and support to me was invaluable so I for our Club – it is going to be busy and • 4 weekends for the Young Members
cannot thank him enough. Amelia Lowe I can hardly wait!
16 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019
R/C SAILING RACING
Added to all of this we have great social Officiating at the Lee Trophy – BALLYTRIM on the
in uniform! With Mike Halstead Newport Bermuda Race
events with:
• Young Members Ball
• Cowes Week Cocktail Party
• Racing socials namely the Racers
Dinner and the Prize Winners Dinner
• Cruising Socials namely the Cruisers
Dinner and two rally dinners
With such a diverse collection of events
and regattas I trust they will appeal to
the membership whether you only sail in
shorts and a T-shirt or are prepared to
don your full foul weather gear. From the
Academy and Young Members through to
the Masters and Grand Masters there is
something for everyone and we will keep
building on our programme. We aim to
give our membership a variety of choices
and a platform for great sailing and new
friendships to be made.
Our Club’s dedicated race officers and
umpires will have their work cut out this
year supporting our members at our
internal events. The strong team of over
20 volunteers also deliver regattas in the 21st September and to come out to
Solent for the Etchells fleet, the Cowes Queen Mary to watch the racing.
Keelboats and for the whole of Cowes This year sees the return Last year saw our Academy and Young
Week. We are looking at opportunities Members continually achieve podium
for running class events, similar to the of the British-American places at regattas both in our home
Fast 40s, during the years ahead. Thanks Cup being raced on our waters and overseas and their dedication
Captain of Racing
must go to Linda Pennington who heads and expertise is exemplary. Our successes
up the race management squad and waters after four years across the membership last year were
selects race officers with the correct first class so 2019 brings yet more
skills to provide a first class regatta. records to beat and podium places to
T
There are some major challenges ahead achieve and, with their passion and skill,
of us on the racing front with the bi- waters after four years. Selection trials this is achievable. he Royal Thames Yacht Club He managed the Club’s racing Twenty-eighteen was an incredibly
annual New York Yacht Club Invitational were held over three weekends during Finally, my thanks to our sailing office racing has flourished over the programme to provide opportunity busy year, with our members competing
Cup which this year will be sailed in the the winter months to ensure that the headed by Richard Ambler who, with his last few years and we could not for members at every level, from the across fleet racing, team racing and
new Melges IC37. William Edwards is to best British team could be brought very able assistant Georgina Muncaster, be in a better position going into Academy to the Masters, from club match racing, as well as achieving some
campaign the Royal Thames entry and together for this four-on-four team has made my time as rear commodore 2019, where I have no doubt that we will racing and training days to the very incredible results in offshore campaigns.
has purchased his own IC37 which will racing regatta which dates back to 1921. sailing productive in producing and continue to see our members racing top of the podium at world class To mention all the achievements is sadly
give his team valuable practice time All four of our selected helms are Royal delivering such a varied activity reaching the very top levels of international regattas; not an easy feat not possible in this short report,
on this new racing yacht in the Solent Thames members and Andy Cornah will programme for you all. our sport. by any stretch of the imagination! And however I would like to bring to your
before she is shipped to the west coast act as team captain. Mike Halstead They are to be joined by I personally want to give huge thanks it is with this foundation that I have attention a couple of memorable
of America. We all wish William and his continues to drive the training Rosa McNeill at the end to my predecessor, Angus Prentice, been able to take over and look to 2019 achievements in particular.
team every success in the hope that the programme for the BA Cup with of January who will fit without whom the Club’s racing success and beyond to bring even more success We have awarded two Club members
trophy can once again be returned to enthusiasm and humour. The BA Cup well into this well-oiled over last four years would not have been and opportunities for our members, as as joint Sailors of the Year for 2018,
the Royal Thames Yacht Club. will give our members an opportunity machine. possible. The commitment, energy and they pursue their racing activity all over following not just great performances
This year sees the return of the both to welcome the American team Jennifer Woods enthusiasm he gave to the role of the globe, across a huge variety of last year, but consistently great results
British-American Cup being raced on our into our clubhouse between 19th and REAR COMMODORE SAILING captain of racing was truly exemplary. disciplines. over a prolonged period for the Club.
18 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019 WWW.ROYALTHAMES.COM I 19RACING
Inset: Ben Field and Andy Cornah
Main: The Commodore, HRH The Duke of York and
Vice Commodore Ehlers at the Cumberland Cup
Langley’s two TP 52s, for first in class in
both Cowes Week and in Les Voiles de
St Tropez, both under IRC. And secondly
to BALLYTRIM, Andrew and Sue Allner’s
Swan 53, for second in class and winner
of the Swan Cup in the RORC Caribbean
600, and second in class in the Newport
to Bermuda Race.
We are lucky to be able to say that our
list of remarkable results and the reach
of our members’ racing does not stop
anywhere near there. Fiona Hampshire,
a Club member and previous head of
our Academy was awarded Yachts and
Ben Field and Andy Cornah put together Yachting Amateur Sailor of the Year
a very strong team (Scott Millar, Andy 2018, following continued success in
Shaw, Simon Morris, Annie Lush, Katie keelboat racing at the very highest
Greenland, Kate Macgregor) for the level; a fantastic achievement.
inaugural Global Team Race In fleet racing we continued our
Championship, hosted by New York consistently good results at the Bermuda
Yacht Club in October, and recorded an International Invitational Regatta in
impressive 18 wins out of 21 races, to April where Henry Arnold captained our
amass an unassailable lead and take first team of William Edwards, Olly Dix and
place in this prestigious event. A special Tom Quigley. Our members and race
mention for the award also went to Henry committee yet again had a fantastically
Arnold, following a very consistent set of successful Cowes Week, on a year where
results at the top of the podium in both the weather kept the competitors and
the British Keelboat League and the 2K race management alike on their toes by
Team Racing circuit. Henry finished the throwing everything possible at them.
year as the champion at the final of the In particular, I would like to mention
BKL for 2018, run by our own RTYC Race Russell Peters in relation to Cowes Week
Committee in our J70 fleet, and will go 2018 who, during Friday’s racing in
on to represent Britain in the European unbelievably challenging conditions,
leg of the event in 2019. He also finished displayed remarkable courage, bravery
as the top ranked helm on the 2K and seamanship in extraordinary
European Team Racing circuit in 2018. circumstances to do everything he could the west coast of the USA with a team in the dedicated reports on some of committee, and a training programme All that is left to say is please keep an
Our Yacht of the Year award has to help a fellow competitor in need. managed by Mike Halstead, followed by our team racing and Academy success has been designed to allow the team fully eye on the Sailing Newsletters and Racing
deservedly been given to PATA NEGRA, We have also had much success at team our own Cumberland Cup in May, and the elsewhere in the Review. to prepare for the notoriously tough Programme on the Club’s website and
a Marc Lombard 46ft design, owned racing events on both sides on the Pond, Wilson Trophy held in more local waters Now with a look to 2019 and beyond, competition brought by the Americans. emails to keep up to date with all the
and skippered by Giles Redpath. This at the Baldwin Cup in April held on in the UK, attended by two of our with an outlook of even more success to Our Academy continues to be overseen opportunities coming up in the year
crew achieved a remarkable trio of Academy teams led by Fiona Hampshire come as we enter a year where we will by Mike Halstead and many thanks to him ahead. And as always, many thanks to
long-distance race results in the 2018 and Josh Flack, who also led a team once again host the British America’s Cup for his continued support and dedication. the sailing office, race committee and
season with a second in class at the to the Lee Trophy at Seawanhaka on British soil and try to take back the Tim Gratton and Rachel Tilley will lead the endless list of members, umpires
RORC Caribbean 600, second in class In fleet racing we Corinthian YC, in Long Island in October. trophy from our American friends. Many the Academy sailors this year and, as they and race management teams who give
at the Atlantic Anniversary Bermuda We also continued to see the great thanks must go to Mike Halstead who take over from their predecessors, we look up their time to
to Hamburg, and to top it all off a first continued our success of our internal team racing continues to manage the BA Cup. There forward to watching the growth continue enable us to put on an
overall in the Sevenstar Round Britain and consistently good event, the Mum’s Bucket, which in 2018 has been a lot of groundwork laid already as we put in place the building blocks to extraordinary amount
Ireland Race. It is a long time since the was won by Henry Arnold, and his crew of for what will I’m sure be an incredibly support the next generation of racers. of racing and produce
RTYC has had an owner who excels in long results at the Bermuda Ed Bayliss and Nick Cooney. This year’s successful campaign as it progresses Our Master’s programme is going the aforementioned
distance ocean racing, which is often International Invitational Mum’s Bucket heats have already got and culminates at the end of 2019. The to be led by Jon Redding and there is results for the Club.
called “endurance racing” for a very good underway and members are gearing up trials for the team have been completed, already an exciting schedule in the Happy and successful
reason. An honourable mention also goes Regatta in April for qualification in the final in March in including many non-RTYC sailors, under pipeline to include training as well racing for 2019!
firstly to GLADIATOR, the older of Tony our J80s at QMSC. There is more detail the watchful eye of the selection as events at home and overseas. Amelia Lowe
20 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019 WWW.ROYALTHAMES.COM I 21CRUISING Anne T. Converse
PHOTOGRAPHY
MARINE • TRAVEL • EQUINE
PEOPLE
Captain of Cruising
I
t is far from unusual to be visiting a Over the last few years we have tried who opened their homes to support
foreign port and to see a RTYC burgee to develop a five-year programme to our programme. Ted Fort OBE kindly
flying from a masthead. Our members allow members to plan their cruising to welcomed the fleet to his beautiful estate
cruise across the world. As I write this position their boats to take advantage – ‘Fiddlers’ – on the Beaulieu River for
report I know of three members crossing of overseas rallies. This has worked well lunch, a swim and tennis on the Saturday
the Atlantic and many more in Caribbean in the Mediterranean where we have of our Spring Excuse. And, during the
waters for the winter season. We have concentrated our programme to allow rally in Sardinia, Sir Irvine Laidlaw not
many members who rarely come to many members with boats to join others only offered crew opportunities on his
England and cruise extensively in who charter. We have been successful yacht HIGHLAND FLING, but also kindly
beautiful foreign seas, others remain in bringing together many overseas invited participants to his magnificent
closer by in UK waters. members with others whose main home home close to the Costa Smeralda for
Our cruising programme aims to offer is in Britain. Last year in particular, our a wonderful cocktail party.
opportunities for all members, whether Sardinia rally attracted members from It is only through the involvement of
boat owners or not, to cruise in the
company of other members. Through
UK, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Canada and
Hong Kong. Our late season ‘Excuse’
members who are keen to share their
experience and knowledge that we are
P.O. Box 209
it we aim to extend the warm friendly
ambience of our clubhouse and allow
organised by Turkey-based member
Kemal Sengul attracted ten boats to sail
able to provide a diverse and interesting
programme. I am grateful to the
Marion, MA 02738 | USA
members to share some adventure,
lots of fun and occasionally a little
in company from Port Iasos near Bodrum.
A notable feature of the year’s cruising
members of your cruising committee
who put so much thought and energy into 508 728 6210
competition too. has been the generosity of members the organisation of events. They represent
anne@annetconverse.com
22 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019
www.annetconverse.comCRUISING CRUISING
3. Drinks between WOTKNOT
and POLAR BEAR
a cultural tour of these islands which by dinner on the Platform at RYS. Young cruisers and also those who wish to start
hold some of Greece’s most historic Members are planning J70 racing to the season’s shooting.
treasures. To visit these with such a coincide with this and the Royal Yacht I know that our committee is looking
knowledgeable guide, who also knows Squadron Summer Dance. The regatta forward to the season and we very much
the very best anchorages and hostelries, will end with a pursuit race on Sunday, hope that 2019 will be an enjoyable year
will be a highlight of the season. which will include cruisers and J70s. for those who cruise under our burgee,
I am delighted that Jamie Foot, an active As we did four years ago following the join others in our events or cruise
young member, has joined the committee. regatta we will organise a cruise in company independently. We could do none of
He is organising a number of boats to join crossing the channel to northern France. this without our Chief Sailing Officer
the rally in Greece in June and hopefully will The Solent events will include another and his excellent team in the sailing
be able to encourage a good representation Motor Excuse and end with the Autumn office whose support is first rate.
in Ibiza which is our last rallying point. Excuse which will as usual attract golfers, Adrian Walsh
From 21st September to 5th October
we will be rallying in the Balearics.
CSO at work during the
A group of members, which includes Cumberland Regatta
Andrew Collins who also knows these
waters well, is working on a plan for a
really enjoyable end of season cruise. Paul
May, who recently joined the committee
and is Palma based, is organising a social
programme there with sailing to the
beautiful Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-
Terrestrial National Park to the south
east of Mallorca. This will be followed by
a cruise to Andratx where we plan to
organise golfing for those interested.
The Ibiza week is being arranged by
Geoffrey and Lourdes Taunton-Collins
to include island tours, sailing to
Formentera and a tour of the city.
The week is designed also to attract
a wonderful cross-section of the Club with his boat based in Italy, has also young members who wish to enjoy
membership and are vital in bringing recently joined our committee and brings the night-life on the island.
together such an interesting and Our Mediterranean with him his trans-Atlantic experience Closer to home we are planning our
exciting programme. and wide knowledge of the Mediterranean. traditional Solent-based events but this
Irene Ryan who is London-based has
Rally in 2020 will be Also joining us recently is Tom Partridge year with a difference. Our Spring
Mermaid racing in prospect
for Spring Excuse 2019
recently stood down; she organised a based in Italian waters fresh from a two-year circumnavigation. Excuse, 10–12 May, will be based at
successful and ambitious rally in the Tom is also a member of the Royal Seaview and feature a full day racing
Ionian in 2017 and gave us a fantastic Cruising Club and has arranged two Mermaids with lunch and a dinner where
dinner last year. Tim Fooks, who talks in the early season to be given by prizes will be awarded. We aim to be as
represents not just his small but active before the dinner at the Royal Yacht the authors of the RCC Foundation Pilots. flexible as possible, mixing crews if
cruising group from Sussex but who Squadron during the Cumberland Fleet Our five-year programme is being required, to allow older and younger to
often explores further European waters, Regatta. For his hospitality John was masterminded by Laura Scaramella, who work together. Younger family members
instituted the Twining Shield awarded the Bodrum Tile for the most is based in Rome so it is not surprising are encouraged to attend provided they
photographic competition which has hospitable boat in our fleet. that our Mediterranean Rally in 2020 sail with their parent or a guardian.
encouraged many members to share Our remit includes supporting motor will be based in Italian waters. We are With many varied accommodation
their cruising experiences more widely. cruisers so we were delighted that Nick also planning to visit Canada. options and moorings available we
My thanks also go to Tom Buss who Agar, who provides the committee boat The 2019 rallies are being organised hope to attract a wider clientele than
organised the very well attended and for many events, was able to arrange a by experienced sailors who know their our traditional cruising sailors.
exciting rally in Sardinia and Corsica. Motor Excuse in the Solent. We are also waters well. Jonathan Beard who keeps The Cumberland Fleet Regatta is
Based in the Solent but often seen in grateful to Brian May who was the host his boat in Bodrum, and was so helpful planned for 6/7 July. Friday evening
Caribbean or Mediterranean waters is for the visit to Berthon and his home in last year’s Turkish Delight is supper will be in Cowes. On Saturday
John Westlake, who kindly offered his in Lymington. organising a most interesting cruise we will lunch at anchor in Osborne Bay
yacht POLAR BEAR for the cocktail party Winfried Lubos, who lives in Germany in The Cyclades in June. This will be between navigational exercises followed
24 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019 WWW.ROYALTHAMES.COM I 25RACING
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RTYC takes
second at the
Lee Trophy
2018
F
ollowing on from success at the We were then treated to a delicious gold league heading into the final day.
inaugural 2K Global Team Race at opening dinner with Bruce and Janetta Monday morning dawned grey and
the New York Yacht Club, the Royal Lee, sponsors of the event with a soft drizzly, a pathetic fallacy perhaps
Thames’ attempt to conquer the US spot for the Thames! reflecting the mood of several of the BoatNation.com represents the largest photo and video collection of new and used boats for sale on the Internet. A member of the International
team racing scene continued at the 2018 The first day of the regatta saw similar assembled competitors after a very Yacht Brokers Association. Power boats, sail boats, commercial and classic boats for sale across the country and around the globe. Boat listings
Lee Family Trophy, hosted as ever by the conditions, with racing getting underway enjoyable regatta dinner the night before. on BoatNation.com are posted by Local Dealer and International yacht brokers, new boat dealers and private sellers. Once you’ve found the
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Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, over early on Saturday morning. RTYC got Nevertheless, the wind was perfect for
Marine Surveyors on our site. Marine shipping and transport providers, boat repair and even dock building and repair,
the long weekend of the 6th-8th October. going quickly in their first race against racing, and the Thames team jumped
all on BoatNation.com From fishing charters to bikinis and from kayaks to waterfront property.
A squad of 12 young RTYC sailors, Dartmouth Corinthian Yacht Club, taking out of the blocks, winning three straight Member of the International Marine Association / www.InternationalMarineAssociation.com
all current or recently-graduated a solid 2,3,4 onto the final beat before races in the gold league with some
Academicians, escaped the rapidly chilling a big left hand shift saw this broken excellent team racing around the course.
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British Isles and headed for (mostly!) down just shy of the finish line. This momentum was carried into the
sunny Long Island for three days of Nevertheless, the Thames team semi-final, against Yale Corinthian,
three-boat team racing, sailed in Sonar
keelboats, looking to defend the title won
acquitted themselves well, winning four
of seven races as we completed the first
which the Thames took 2-1 despite a
misfiring starting strategy in the second Miilu-Boats Ltd.
by the Thames for the first time in 2017.
With the event providing a first foray into
round robin, including a tightly fought
win over NYYC.
race. The reward was a place in the final
against Seawanhaka Corinthian, a re-run
Between passion and obsession
three-sail team racing for some of the Sunday saw lighter winds, putting a of last year’s final. Miilu-Boats Ltd. is a family owned company that specialises in custom build boats.
team, we were looking to make use of the premium on boatspeed and favouring those Despite two close races, the RTYC team These boats are made to fill your dreams and standards of boating and sailing.
training session, generously offered by our teams who could link together the breeze was unable to replicate their form from
hosts at Seawanhaka, to practise our boat- (and avoid being caught out by those ‘gusts’ earlier in the day, slipping to a 2-0 defeat
handling and get to grips with handling the which were actually large shoals of fish!). and returning the trophy to the host team.
kites on top of all the other team-racing The RTYC team sailed confidently, The team would like to thank
moves. Fortunately, most of our concerns taking five wins in the second round Seawanhaka Corinthian for hosting us all
were dispelled on a beautiful training day, robin, including a runaway victory against weekend, as well as putting on a fantastic
sunny and with about eight knots blowing the home team and regatta leaders, regatta, and to Mike Halstead and Jenny
over the magnificent Oyster Bay. Seawanhaka, and qualifying for the Woods for their encouragement and
support from the committee boat.
We’ll be back next year to write another
chapter in the intense, though friendly,
rivalry between the two clubs!
Josh Flack
Results (top four)
Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club
Royal Thames Yacht Club Custom build Columbia Dinghy “Lili”
Yale Corinthian Yacht Club
Miilu-Boats Ltd.,Finnish Woodenboat Center, Kotka, Finland
L to R: Arthur Henderson, Tim Gratton, Charlie Makepeace, Hugo Sloper, Duncan Yeabsley, Noroton Yacht Club
Becky Cross, Claire Lasko, Sophie Heritage, Lilly Carlisle, Fiona Hampshire, Josh Flack, Honor Fell Tel: +358 50 3223 950 • Email: miiluboats@gmail.com • Web: www.miiluboats.com
26 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019RACING RACING
and a fine showing from the eastern Included in the programme was an resulting in the Royal Thames, helmed
seaboard of the USA in the form of New intense social programme which included by Andy Cornah and Josh Flack, being
York Yacht Club, the Eastern Yacht Club a trip to the Houses of Parliament with declared the winners.
of Boston and Yale Corinthian Yacht Club a cocktail reception and a gala dinner. At the gala dinner each team had to
from Branford Connecticut. The seventh After the end of the third round robin put on some entertainment most of which
entrant was the Royal Thames. RTYC had won 16 of the 18 races and focussed on the unfortunate collision
There followed three days of very New York and Yale Yacht club were tied on between Southern and Eastern which
intense racing as each team sailed a total 13 races each. This normally would have badly damaged two of our J80s and the
of 18 races (three round robins) umpired resulted in a final between RTYC and New collision between one J80 and Mike
by a team of international umpires York and a petit final between Southern Halstead’s personal RIB that was being
led by Steven Wolf of New York and and Yale but the wind decided not to used for crew changes.
including our vice commodore, George play ball on the last day and died away The competitors were full of praise
Ehlers, Bernard Kinchin and Bruce for the way the event managed to keep
Hebbert. The race team was ably led going and how the damage was repaired
by Jo Sammons. sufficiently to keep the regatta on track
The breeze was almost perfect for the in spite of all.
event with light airs at the start of the Mid way through the Royal Perth were the worthy winners of
event and stronger breezes on the third event we were visited the entertainment and proceeded to buy
day. Mid way through the event we were all the competitors a glass of champagne
visited by our Commodore, HRH the by our Commodore, in the bar afterwards, which meant the
Duke of York, who met many of the HRH the Duke of York entertainment and convivial camaraderie
teams and impressed the American carried on well into the night.
teams with his relaxed manner. Chief Sailing Officer
The Cumberland Cup
T
wenty years ago two-boat team That, too, became very popular. And so the following year the event was
racing, with its intensity of action, By 2006 we began to think established as The Cumberland Cup.
was popular in dinghies but almost internationally – and in 2007 ran an It was, rather grandly, billed as ‘the
unheard of in keelboats. Our Club, inaugural ‘Invitation International only international sailing championship
essentially a keelboat club but keen on Keelboat Team Racing Challenge’ using staged in the capital’. Sailing in London’s
team racing, set out to change that. We the same boats and venue and supported docks was an new experience for the
began with an exhibition tournament in by Berkeley Marine and Novotel, whose international team racers who came –
the RYA’s matched fleet of Beneteau First excellent facilities were used as the but the spectators had a great view.
Class Eights, transporting them to the sailing base for the crews and the race By 2010 increasing development around
Royal Victoria Docks in front of the office. Seven teams attended, from the Docks rendered the venue less and
London International Boat Show’s new Europe, Australia, the US and Canada. less suitable for even a short-course
venue at ExCel. It proved a popular event team racing challenge, we had recently
with sailors and with spectators – and acquired our fleet of J80s and so the
within a couple of years had, with the event was moved to Queen Mary lake,
RYA’s blessing, become the ‘National hard by Heathrow airport, home of
Championship of two-boat team racing Queen Mary Sailing Club and our base
keelboats’, for the Royal Thames Carmela It was, rather grandly, for the J80 fleet.
Cup. It thrives still. By 2006 the RYA billed as ‘the only A total of seven teams gathered at
boats had been bought by Berkeley Queen Mary on Wednesday 9th May 2018
Marine, were permanently stationed at
international sailing for the first day of the biennial team
RVD and, sponsored by the eponymous championship staged racing Cumberland Cup. The teams
car maker, RTYC used them to run, on represented the Royal Perth, of Australia,
week-day evening during the summer
in the capital’ the Southern Yacht Club from New
Opposite: RTYC Triumphant! Left to right: Josh
Flack, Andy Cornah, Gregor Logan, Katie
months, the BMW City Challenge. Orleans, Gamla Stans from Stockholm Greenland, Simon Talbot and Matt Pinner
28 I ROYAL THAMES REVIEW I 2019 WWW.ROYALTHAMES.COM I 29You can also read
