Race Officer Richard Collis sent 18 boats off on a windward start in the 2016 BJRC Marconi Cruiser Race. With 20 knots of wind at the start most selected reefed mains and their smaller jibs as they made their final preparations for the long beat out of the river.
Ned Kelly made a perfect start as they reached down the line, but unsure of whether they had infact been over, returned to find themselves rejoining the race towards the back of the fleet.
The conditions clearly suited Caroline, (one of 5 Marconi boats that had scrubbed, launching just less than an hour before the start.) who was well positioned towards the head of the fleet as they started the first of two visits down to C8 in the Colne. Short stopper waves and increasing winds made it a wet leg out towards Wallet Spitway but on the return towards the Mersea shore and No1, there were indications that the winds were beginning to ease, allowing crews to consider hoisting their kites.
But the damage had already been done on Monkey Business, splitting their reefed main, Quixotic also had a damaged main, and both retired. Meanwhile Absolution were streaking ahead flying their code zero, but suffered a broken running backstay causing them to lose their mast. Thankfully all the crew were safe and they managed to return to Maylandsea unassisted.
So with 3 of the IRC boats now out of the race and McGregor III sailing conservatively, the battle for the new IRC Marconi trophy was being done by Crazy Suzy, towards the head of the fleet, Triton who had stood by to assist Absolution should they need it and Blue Moon.
In the end, Triton came out on top as the IRC winner, but Caroline had sailed a superb race to win the Marconi Cup in the BJRC handicap. After a number of finishes towards the bottom of the results sheet Andy Ellis and his crew, just 3 up, mastered the conditions superbly and we hope their form continues through to the end of the 2016 BJRC series.
Well done Caroline. A great result.