Team Racing at LCSC vs Bar YC vs Law Society YC

2002:

Each year the Corinthians invite the Bar and the Law Society Sailing Club to compete for the Bar Cup on our reach. Last year's event was not held as both the Bar and the Law Society had problems raising a team, and we were up to our eyes in building works. It was especially nice to welcome Susan Leon of the Bar and Gary Grimshaw of the Law Society who achieved the no mean feat of getting their busy colleagues together to visit our Club this year.

Before the race began it looked as though there would be little or no wind, but by the time the race started the wind had increased to a force 3 west by south west. The Bar Association members were a little anxious as one of their notably tardy members still had not arrived, but his hopeful crew waited patiently and Lo! he panted in at the last minute complaining about the traffic and claiming to have abandoned his car in Notting Hill Gate in favour of the tube.

Nine dinghies competed, three in each team and a change round after each race. At the start every dinghy except Charles Apthorp of the Bar Association was over the line, and the only reason he failed to join them was because he conducted a very close inspection of the end of the pontoon. Fortunately, Chris Eade was on hand to grab the dinghy as it impaled itself on the end of the pontoon. The race officer, Jon Smith, ably assisted by Ben Luddington, indicated a general recall and the dinghies assembled for a second attempt. The second start revealed a repeat performance, but, fortunately for the fleet, both Jon and Ben suffered a severe case of temporary blindness and the only dinghy not over the line crewed by Natalie and Bridgit of the Bar Association shot into the lead - poetic justice.

The fleet beat down to no 4 buoy off the Surrey bank in a huddle, with the Law Societies' dinghies bringing up the rear. As usual no 3 buoy, off the end of the Eyot, sorted out the ducks from the swans and local knowledge won out, three Corinthian dinghies shot into the lead running down to no 1 buoy. One of the Bar Association dinghies misjudged the very strong tide and hit the buoy and immediately did a very impressive 360. One of the tail-enders, however, seemed to have the idea that one should aim squarely for the buoy and succeeded in achieving a direct hit. They failed to do their 360, but as they were almost last we presumed the race officer assumed that this was done while he was distracted counting the fleet across the line. By the second round, Will and Mandy Henderson were in the lead, closely followed by Martin Dixon, Alan Beaney and Hugh Kemlo.

In order to ensure we succeeded in completing three races Jon shortened the second race to a single lap. The changeover of crews and dinghies was a trifle chaotic and the onlookers were fascinated to observe the formalities taking place in one of the Bar dinghies. The dinghy cast off on a broad reach, the crew (who later told me that she had never sailed a dinghy before) stood with her back to the mast and the helm stood up and formally shook hands, once this quaint ceremony was completed (while those of us on the shore were praying for one of those Corinthian gusts which never came) they adopted the usual sailing positions and began sailing in earnest. As the fleet geared itself up for the start, a rowing eight took its life into its hands and rowed right through the middle of the fleet. Fortunately everyone missed them, although a few dinghies appeared to make a serious attempt at intimidation.

Both the Bar Association and the Law Society, well known for their fast learning curves, absorbed the local knowledge and this time the fleet stayed in a compact bunch and the whole fleet got off to an impressive start with no offenders over the line. Although Jon had gleefully announced that he had found the black flag and any infringements of the rules would result in disqualification. The battles continued all around the course but Will and Mandy, once again, established a lead that the Corinthians were unable to alter.

The second change over was much faster, and just to make life a little more interesting a selection of eights roared through the assembled fleet. At one minute to the start the wind increased and an eight and a four shot through the line in the opposite direction; and, just to increase the sailors' blood pressure, one could see a clutch of rowers lurking upstream no doubt debating the best time for maximum impact. They judged it pretty well, but fortunately hugged the Surrey bank out of the way of the starters. A Law Society dinghy found the main sheet wrapped under the rudder and managed to disentangle it in time for the start and Martin Dixon decided that his dinghy was so full of water he returned to the pontoon, hauled it out of the water, and drained it out.

The start of the final race had two dinghies over the line but they immediately returned and no-one noticed the interestingly innovative eight minute start sequence. The beat down to no 4 was, again, a close run thing. Jon threatened to disqualify a rule infringer (we were sure he just wanted the pleasure of hoisting a black flag) but was persuaded that this was a fun race and he had better stow it. On the returning run the frisky wind resulted in a couple of broaches, but, despite the Safety Boat driver's hope of further excitement they stayed afloat and Charles Frater's crew Ben Smith and and Wayne Hanson maintained their position of nonchalant indifference sprawled across the bows.

Supper was served in the Ballroom and Maggie Eade provided her usual high standard of delicious food that disappeared at an alarming rate.

Corinthian members will be pleased to note that the Bar Cup will remain at the Club for another year thanks to our demon team of: Hugh and Miranda Kemlo, Martin Dixon and Val Nedyalkov and Alan Beaney and Debbie Thomas

We beat the Bar Association by a whisker and their team members were: Will Henderson, Cathy Henderson, Charles Apthorp, Bridget Forster, Natalie Campbell, Harriet Brown, Simon Davenport and Alexander Witts.

Not far behind was the Law Society team of: Dave Rickard, Alan Sheeley, Tim Herbert-Smith, Finbarr Leahy, Wayne de Nicolo, Penny Evans, Angela Read and Susan Leon.
Beverley

Final Score: LCSC - 30; Bar - 38 and the Law Society - 67.

2002: Tuesday 18th June at 19.15: LCSC vs the Bar and Law Society Yacht Clubs. This is team racing in Enterprises by selected teams in a series of exciting short races. Come and cheer on LCSC and come to the buffet meal afterwards! Please put your name on the list.

Wed 10 May 2000

Fancy taking on the keenest legal brains around?

This is what a determined LCSC team did, and won, when they battled with teams from the Bar and Law Society Yacht Clubs on the evening tide of May 10.

The suits began arriving at the club from 17:30 onwards to be welcomed by Beverley Beech and Peglyn Faber - who were organising the event. Nine enterprises were quickly rigged ready for action.

A light NE wind made for tricky sailing conditions and, following a 1, 3 & 6 win for the home team in the first race, dark and legalistic mutterings about local knowledge were to be heard.

During the interval a few substitutions were made in the Law Society's team and we had a hard task to achieve 1, 4 & 5 in this second race which gave us the overall win. The Bar and Law Society drew for second place.

After that there was an excellent supper at the clubhouse for competitors during which Commodore, David Edwards presented the cup.

Miranda Kemlo

Annual team racing event at the club against the Bar & Law Society. Start was at 1815. It is 3-boat teams. In practice two races were held in reasonable wind though it was across the river.

We are a little light on the history of this cup - if anyone has the history and results, please contact Beverley or the club.

Maggie's dinner afterwards was splendid!

Copyright © London Corinthian Sailing Club, 19 Jul 2002