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by Michael Swarbrick, Tubby

I arrived at the club, on the last minute, and was uplifted by the sight that awaited me. You couldn't move for boats and at least four were fully rigged and waiting to launch on the apron. Ivan Haslam, the inspiration behind the race, was going round the crews preparing them for the briefing.

Faces not seen since the Regatta last year were evident, was I dreaming. I hoisted the club pennant and then Stephen Tomkinson helped me to rig Tubby. I made it to the apron just in time for the briefing. We were to start within the inner limits, round No.1 Racing buoy, leaving it to starboard, and then race up to the Millennium Bridge at Lancaster.

The first boats on the slip. Dr. Syn, Firequeen & the Laser II photo Jay Jay Blackburn

There was a gentle south westerly breeze and the sun was trying to shine. What seemed like crowds were gathered to help us into the water and see us off.

Heading North, bathed in sunshine, the field already spread out. The 505 and the Osprey closely followed by the Fireball under the cables, the Laser pulling away from the pack. In the right forground is the eventual winner on handicap, Stephen Tomkinson in the Mirror Loki. photo Jay Jay Blackburn

Tubby the Gull, was in the middle of the pack and already the faster boats were breaking loose. It was the first time on the water this year for the Laser II, Ian and Liz Crabtree. I think it was the first time that the Lark had appeared at Glasson, Anne Bourner's new boat, Frolic, the crew busily sorting out all the controls.

Tubby. Michael Swarbrick and his new boat the Gull, used to belong to Anne, roughly taken shortly after the one above. photo Jay Jay Blackburn

Michael had a good start, lying fifth in the photo above but gradually he was to overhauled by the faster boats. Under the cables Frolic's crew where in control and singing sea shanties, ably assisted by the Rescue Boat crew, Jay Jay Blackburn and John Broadhead (not Big John, another one). Still behind though were the Mirror, the Catapult and the two cruisers, Ormen Korte, crewed by new member Sam Hardill and his dad, and Yassou, crewed by Dave Holmes (yet another Dave Holmes, no. 3), piloted by Malcolm Thomason.

Loki. photo Jay Jay Blackburn

Approaching Snatchem's the race had split up into three distinct groups, the three leaders - 505, Osprey and Fire Queen II - Fireball; the main fleet: Ivanocean - Laser, Laser II, Frolic - Lark and the GP14. Bringing up the rear of the fleet were Tubby, Dr. Syn - Wayfarer and Loki.

The Middle Group forming. Ivan, Ivanocean; Steve & Peter, Firequeen; Anne & Friend, Frolic; Ian & Liz, Laser II; approaching the bend at Snatchems. photo Jay Jay Blackburn

Dr. Syn, Firequeen and the GP photo Jay Jay Blackburn

Leaving Snatchem's behind Dr. Syn gradually pulled away to join the main fleet. Meanwhile Loki was slowly creeping up on Tubby. Up ahead Firequeen had dropped back to the main fleet, the six boats all grouped close together. The Catapult was some way behind but Anthony wasn't really racing, he was co-opted into the race against his wishes.

505. Martin and Tony are the first to cross the finish line and come perilously close to the bridge. photo Jay Jay Blackburn

The closing stages. Tubby and Loki struggling to finish, Tubby's still ahead at this time, the Catapult is fast catching them up. Photo by Malcolm Thomason

Martin Topping and Tony Jamieson in the 505 were the first to finish, followed just over a minute later by Moody Blue the Osprey of Alex Whiteside and Lynda Jamieson. Fifteen minutes later Stephen and Peter Jones in Firequeen, the Fireball, crossed the line followed by Ivanocean, the GP14, Frolic, the Laser II of Ian and Liz Crabtree and Dr. Syn, all in the space of three minutes. Five minutes later Loki crossed the line closely followed by Tubby, the last boat over the line the Catapult seven minutes later.

The New Millennium Bridge. Ivanocean is sailing up and down urging the stragglers home. Loki is closing on Tubby. Under the bridge is Dr. Syn, mast lowered and motoring under the New Millennium Bridge. Photo by Malcolm Thomason

The quayside was lined with holiday makers, a few from the club heckling the late arrivals. A delightful damsel called from in front of the museum "Are you from Glasson Sailing Club", "Thank you for coming", which made it all worthwhile.

Loki crossing the line ahead. In the foreground is the rigging of Yassou, from which Malcom took all his photographs. Photo by Malcolm Thomason

The times were recorded by Jay Jay in the Rescue Boat. The Rescue Boat was stationed below the bridge and the finish line was a transit between the Rescue Boat and th slipway on the museum side.

Yassou v The Bridge. Yassou finally gave up the challenge and retired with her mast in place. Photo by Malcolm Thomason.

Dr. Syn. Dr. Syn motoring to the quayside, St. George's Quay, to raise the mast ready for the sail home. Michael Bull is in control and David Nicholls is supporting the mast. Photo by Malcolm Thomason.

We sort of milled around for some time at a loss as to what the next move was and eventually the boats peeled away under the bridge and sailed home.

Tubby on the way home. Tacking down the river just down from Lancaster quays. Photo by Malcolm Thomason

The sail home for Loki, Tubby and the GP14, crewed by James and Thomas Eddington was made exciting as we all tried to keep in front. All the others had disappeared into the distance. The GP was first away followed by Loki. Tubby rose to the challenge and gradually overhauled first Loki and then the GP at Snatchem's. Tubby called out to the GP are you enjoying it, they called back we were until you caught us up. Tubby's lead was short lived as the GP was suddenly ahead again and later, with Snatchem's still in sight, Loki was also in front.

I thoroughly enjoyed the sail both ways, perhaps the sail home was more exciting because I was trying to catch the other two boats all the time.

Back at the Club. Sun Dancer skipper Jim Cruise busy anti-fouling, no doubt being encouraged by Carruthers, aka Brian Roberts Photo by Malcolm Thomason

Back on dry land, washed and dried and most of the boats laid up, we worked out the handicaps. I had been quietly confident that the slow boats would have done well because light winds with the tide always favours the slow handicap boats. The surprise winner of the bottle of wine, to most of the others, was Stephen Tomkinson in the Mirror, Loki, well ahead on corrected time.

The Result:

 

Boat Class	Sail No.	Helm	Crew	Actual Time hrs:mins:secs	Time Seconds	Handicap	Corrected Time	Position
Mirror	27173	Stephen Tomkinson		1 20 49	4849	1364	3554.99	1st
Gull	1873	Michael Swarbrick		1 21 3	4863	1341	3626.40	2nd
Osprey	1086	Alex Whiteside	Lynda Jamieson	0 58 50	3530	938	3763.33	3rd
505	7567	Martin Topping	Tony Jamieson	0 57 10	3430	902	3802.66	4th
GP14	1770	James Eddington	Thomas Eddington	1 13 48	4428	1127	3929.02	5th
Laser	130539	Ivan Haslam		1 13 24	4404	1078	4085.34	6th
Wayfarer	W3362	David Nicholls	Michael Bull	1 15 15	4515	1099	4108.28	7th
Lark		Anne Bourner	Sally	1 13 55	4435	1072	4137.13	8th
Laser II	9842	Ian Crabtree	Liz Crabtree	1 14 6	4446	1033	4303.97	9th
Fireball	K11505	Stephen Jones	Peter Jones	1 12 21	4341	988	4393.72	10th
Catapult	141	Anthony Gask		1 28 36	5316	893	5952.97	11th