Sunday 22nd January: Round 7 of the Harkers Yard Gig Series at Maldon.
As Elettra remained in Maldon following the Fancy Dress row we were able to have a lie in! Sunday dawned extremely cold and frosty though and we found Elettra up to her gunwales in the mud and full of ice!
Martin and Tim soon had her bailed out and after bacon rolls at Maldon Little Ship Club then we just had to wait for the tide. The Maldon races are time trials, with boats setting off in pairs based on their previous performance, at one minute intervals. The start of the Ladies race was postponed twice, which actually worked in our favour as the SB Hydrogen was leaving the quay and the thought of her sailing through the fleet was a little daunting.
Our Ladies team, Sandra Clayton, Sophie Clayton, Lauren Hughes (from Lower Thames ) and Jenny Ball, rowing for the first time with us, coxed by Peter Clayton, got off to an excellent start. Paired with Velocity from Brightlingsea (BCRC), they held them off all the way to Byrhtnoth, encouraged by many cheering supporters from the shore. Just before the first mark the Ladies managed to pass Audacity from Wivenhoe (Wivgigs) and rounded the mark ahead of them. With the tide under her Elettra made good time back to the finish, off MLSC but then began the long wait for the final results.
The Men’s team, Martin Baker, Tom Clayton, Steve Cleaver and Tim Harker, coxed by Peter Clayton then quickly took to the water. Another good start enabled them not only to hold off Velocity but quickly leave them behind and by the turning mark they caught and over took Tyrant from Rowhedge (RCRC) and Audacity, who had started one minute ahead of Elettra. Once again with the tide under them they raced back up river to the finish catching Molliette from Brightlingses (UCRC) and Hunter from Manningtree (SSC) who had started two minutes ahead of them.
The Mixed race, Martin Baker, Kathy King (BOCRC) , Jenny Ball and Jonathan Lavender coxed by Tom Clayton once again got off to a good start against Velocity, who they held off. They quickly gained on Tyrant, who they took after the turning mark and almost took Hunter at the finish , who had started two minutes ahead of Elettra. I’m not sure what tactics the cox employed but apparently his coxing was hilarious!
Prize giving was very tense as you never really know how well you have performed against the other boats in a time trial but I am pleased to say we had our best results ever!
The Ladies came 11th, the Men 6th and the Mixed 10th.
Well done everyone and especially well done to Jenny, who was not only rowing with us for the first time but rowed twice!
It was also lovely to see and hear all the supporters from the club and especially to see Ray and Maureen Ball.
Our next event is at Wivenhoe on Sunday 5th February, the day after the Winter Ball! So wish us luck!
