The 2012 Millennium Bridge Race
Friday 6th April 2012 - Glasson Sailing Club
'Twas dull and windy - WNW F4 gusting F5 - it may have been a little stronger
Many thanks to Doug Gorton - Patrol Boat with Crew Barbara & Jessica Sharples and Michael Swarbrick - OOD. Thanks also to Dave Gill for helping with the launching and recovering.
Because of the wind strength Ivan suggested that we shorten the race and turn at the slipway just before the Carlisle Bridge - we all agreed.
We were privileged to have three visiting boats from Morecambe & Heysham Yacht Club, which made twelve boats in total - a good turnout for such a windy day.
I didn't get any photos at the start, more concerned with getting them all under way so the first photos are of the boats as they finished - this was a bit tricky because I was finishing and timing them at the time.
Anthony & Kath in the lead with the two Enterprises from Morecambe just appearing round the bend
Anthony & Kath in their Yachting World Dayboat approaching the finish line, the first boat to finish and, as it turned out, the overall winner after handicap
The leading Enterprise of Tony Rackham and Paul Burt - you can just see Ian & John in the background. Tony and Paul came fourth and Dave and Tyrone in the other Enterprise were fifth.
Ian and John in the Bosun, just after they had finished, I didn't have time to get a photo as they were approaching the finish. The came third on handicap.
Steve, Mirror, and Owen and Ivan, GP14, approaching the line - who would cross it first?
Steve crossed the line first and finished second on handicap.
Owen and Ivan in the GP14
David and Gillian finishing in their GP14
Dad Ian on the Topper finishing behind them but beating them on handicap.
John in his Hobbit headiung for the slipway.
Doug on his own in the Patrol Boat, I guess his crew were cold.
The other boats were:
Chris in his Mirror who almost made the line but opted for a tow over the last few metres
Andrew Watson and Barry MacGuire from Morecambe in the Falmouth Bass Boat who owned up to having used their 'iron topsail' and
Andy, Lorna, Geff and Val in Andy and Lorna's Drascombe Lugger - they were the first to use thei 'iron topsail'.
Everyone enjoyed the sail despite the challenging conditions.
Well done Anthony and Kath!
Comments from the Morecambe sailors:
Dave & Tyrone: Thank you for such a great days sailing up the lune estuary, fantastic facilities, warm friendly welcome.
Most defiantly come again.
I would like to sail down the lune again in summer. A big thank you to all the organisers.