The Roy Allen Trophy – the final flourish

No matter that only two boats could really win - a fleet of fifteen lined up for the final day’s racing in mild and somewhat grey conditions showing once again that Swallows are now the Club’s premier class.  What amazingly close racing it was too with the first eight boats separated by only 100 metres after 1 ¾ hrs racing in the morning.

A wonky start line encouraged 80% to go early triggered a general recall.  Spectre got it right yet again from the pin end – and then the windward shroud parted and unable to tack to save the mast, it ended up very snake-like.  Most went on the Thorney side to Dunes with Marengo and Archon dicing around the East Head spit and - there being some ‘history’ between the two, not a little bit of chatter too.  Archon was through on the second lap but Marengo made a perfect rounding at Ellanore and was back in front.  Going left or right up the beats as the wind dropped a bit was a tricky game, Goosander repeated Archon’s earlier error on the next windward leg and fell away with Serenade taking 3rd.  Advantage Marengo, (although it had seemed unlikely following a breakfast of crushed Neurofen).

Another biased line for the last race (of 6, 4 to count) and this time the titans were all over - Marengo, Archon and Migrant (who left it rather late to return).  The Schumacher-style grit was evident as they scythed their way back through the fleet but up front Curlew (Simon Slater helming) was first around Dunes followed by Blue Tit.  Peregrine (the transplanted team Spectre) had gone up the Itchenor side, Archon, Blue Phantom and Avocet up the middle (the tide not making that much difference) and Curlew, Solitude, Whimbrel and Blue Tit up the Thorney side.  You pays your money, though lard was a factor.  There were a few diversions – mixing it with the other keelboat fleets and Archon getting hissed at (4 blasts no less) by a Fishery Protection vessel.  Curlew surrendered their lead by heading in the wrong direction for Thorney, and by Rookwood Archon was ahead, followed by Blue Phantom and Marengo.  BP then had a spinnaker ‘problem’ (the previous evenings excesses?), and Marengo, and Curlew were through.

With that victory Archon had precisely matched Marengo’s results (each counting 2 firsts and 2 seconds).  The results technicians were consulted - and then didn’t tell a soul until the prize-giving at 10pm.  The verdict: Archon won by beating Marengo in that all-important final race.

Overlaps

• Fantastically close racing – ever more competitive
• Good to see Svala back in action
• Archon has been getting quicker in the latter half of the season.  What learned tome has Tony Bridgewater been reading that has almost transformed their performance?
• In a selfless gesture Carolyn did not receive the majority of the previously un-awarded silverware due to Marengo at the Laying-up Dinner.  It has (incredibly) been an even more dominant performance than last year.  Congratulations from us all.