Team Racing 16/08/2009

ASC made a change to the normal racing day on Sunday 16 August by arranging a Team Racing event. Nick Turnbull-Ross organised the day and rounded up the members for a briefing in the barge to explain how the event would work and also the â??rulesâ??!

Fortunately, there were 16 members joining in the event which meant we split up in to four teams of four, known as A,B,C, and D, to keep things simple.

Each team had a leader who then picked a second helm and two crew. Once the teams were set and the rules explained (but not fully understood), we all went out in the four Visions to begin the races. The sun was out and the wind was picking up, ranging between 17 and 20mph.

A short course was set and 12 races took place. Two teams were racing on the water at any one time, meaning that each team were out in two Visions per race â?? confused? We were at first but then it all fell in to place! Each team raced each other twice, earning points depending on the whole teamâ??s finishing position per race.

Due to the wind speed and the strong gusts the teams were racing round the course in less than 10 minutes. All the teams stayed out on the water in the committee and rescue boat so that we could all swap over in to the Visions without having to keep coming in to moor up. This in itself created great amusement with lots of â??friendly banterâ?? being shared on the start line.

Team B â?? skippered by Mick Adams, included Paul Warren, Lou Davensac and Brendan McGrath, who took the lead on the scoreboard in the first race. Team A â?? skippered by Brian Dennis, included Steve Coupe, Julie Rust and Emma Clayton, who despite 1 capsize clocked up a fair amount of points over the next couple of races.

Tactics then started coming in to play as everyoneâ??s competitive streak came out, with Paul Warren clearing the way for his team mates by blocking the path of the chasing boat which were Team C â?? skippered by Kev Milton, including Nick Turnbull-Ross, Livi Rust and Julie Warren. Team C soon came back winning points on the next two races.

The final race saw a battle to the end between teams A and D, resulting in team D winning the final points of the day. Team D â?? skippered by Bob Ceurstemont, included Kev Last, Andrea Murphy and John Taylor.

The overall winners of the event were Team B, followed by Team A, Team C, and Team D.

The whole event was fantastic, great fun, and very sociable. I personally thought it was one of the best days I have had at the club and loved every minute of it. The final results didn’t matter, we all had a really good time, topped off with a nice cold beer in the sun at the end – Happy Days!

Lou Davensac