East Kent Sept 28

Post date: Oct 2, 2013 4:55:14 PM

Seven teams entered the East Kent Autumn Team Racing fixture held on Westbere lake near Canterbury on September 28^th. Four of the teams (Sevenoaks A and B, King’s and Kent Schools SA) came from within the county. They were joined by Ardingly from neighbouring Sussex, the Royal Hospital School from Suffolk, another regular supporter of the event, and we were delighted to welcome Millfield who arrived bang on time having made the long journey from Somerset. Any one of the teams was capable of winning the event as the close score lines often showed, and all handed fireflies and 420s alike capably.

A continuous if at times blustery F4 wind (E) facilitated the completion of two round robins. Each team sailed the other six teams twice, one round in fireflies and the other in 420s. The 42 races, 12 per team, commenced at 11.20 and finished before 4.00pm. Light cloud gave way to sunshine and the afternoon stayed warm.

Royal Hospital School arrived early, evidently on a mission, and by the end of round one with 5 wins had taken the lead. King’s on 4 wins followed by Millfield and Sevenoaks B were the main challengers at the break. In round 2 Sevenoaks B continued their good run with a further four wins, Kent Schools doubled their win rate as their team racing technique improved, and the home team had the best of the round with King’s and RHS finishing the round robin on nine wins each. The final result was determined by the tie breaker races which were clear wins for Royal Hospital School. RHS impressed everyone by their sailing and as a team and were most worthy winners of the 2013 King’s Challenge cup.

The event was concluded by a helpful match de-brief given by chief umpire Mr Andy Cornah and with prize giving. My thanks to colleagues for their great assistance and congratulations to all competitors on a well contested and enjoyable day’s team racing.

Results: 1^st Royal Hospital School, 2^nd King’s Canterbury, 3^rd Sevenoaks B, 4^th Millfield, 5^th Kent Schools SA, Sevenoaks A, Ardingly.