LCSC visit to Ranelagh

Saturday 20th August 2005

This was our second attempt at arranging this year's fixture; last time no-one was able to go. Memories of last year's visit in a pleasant south westerly breeze (perfect LCSC sailing weather) where it took c.30 minutes of anchoring and patience to get past the wind hole by Fulham Football Ground were perhaps still all too vivid in all our minds. Never mind a recent trip to Strand on the Green, where we battled with an extraordinarily fickle wind, strong currents and river piles to race very, very tortuously round Kew Eyot (a bit like racing round Chiswick Eyot but smaller) and filled the bottom four places.

This time however a strong northerly wind was forecast - making for a very tricky wind on the Hammersmith stretch but for fantastic conditions down the Fulham stretch – with an exciting run from Hammersmith Bridge right up to Ranelagh’s foreshore. No fewer than 9 LCSC boats set sail down to Putney, where four Ranelagh boats were awaiting to sail against us (the summer holidays having denuded their fleet) – but with what remained including two notoriously quick and well sailed Solos.

The sail down afforded some opportunity to sail the course ahead of the race (not something LCSC are used to bothering with) and test where the wind would hold up best while trying to keep out of a strong spring flood tide. This confirmed that there was sufficient westerly direction in the breeze for it to allow sailing over ‘Fulham flats’ - the wide stretch of shallow water off the Fulham bank - and hugging the bend under the football stand. But come the race - which set course 'A' with simply two buoys - one on Putney Embankment and the other on the Barnes shore opposite the Crabtree pub - we initially all elected to stay over on the southerly bank and sail the long way round the outside of the bend.

This error was rectified the second time around - with Hugh Kemlo playing the leader to be followed. The field was spreading out by then with the Lasers accompanied by Terry and me in his Enterprise but with the leading Solo with its bandit handicap (we LCSC Enterprises aren't used to giving other boats time) not far behind. Further down the fleet two Ranelagh dinghies were having a battle with John Chick and Beverley Beech. Jeremy Whiting and Graham Neal’s early contention was scuppered when they spectacularly capsized at the top mark - caught by one of the sudden gusts which claimed a fair number of competitors at various times.

The Fulham stretch provided a veritable festival of boating to make Sport England proud. South Bank SC also had a wide selection of boats sailing, rather less seriously - but whose similarly coloured racing marks served to confuse all of us at times - while pleasure cruisers romped around making for some great sea like waves to accompany the force 3 breeze. Only the rowers were absent, with the size of the waves providing likely swamping conditions.

The race lasted a full 2 hours. Hugh and Terry were having a great tussle on the last lap when we heard a loud bang - and saw Hugh's top mast collapse to the deck. Terry and I sailed on to the finish on our own - and counted the minutes nervously until the Solo finished - surely too many for it to have won on handicap.

Ranelagh's hospitality then moved into full swing as they provided a slap up high tea - and confirmed the results with LCSC gaining 1st, 3rd and 4th positions and being presented with their excellent etched glasses. For Maury Shenk this was his first glassware win and he was deservedly delighted.

With the tide still too high to sail back up under Hammersmith Bridge (never mind our legs too tired to beat back against a fast ebbing tide) we were towed back up to LCSC in a long line - many thanks to the rescue boat drivers Charles Frater, Richard Wood and Jer O'Mahony. Tucked in the side of Terry's boat was the silver trophy we had wrested back from Ranelagh's clutches.

We haven't got long to be smug about our victory - the return trip from Ranelagh to LCSC is on 1st October so let's hope we get as good a turnout from LCSC again. Oh and a south-westerly wind would be nice too please.

Copyright © London Corinthian Sailing Club, 05 July 2006