The BJRC race series started early this season (26th April), and Marconi almost achieved a clean sweep of the podium positions.
Despite the very wet and cold NNE wind blowing, 5 Marconi boats joined a very congested pre-start area. McGregor IV (Peter Ward) just made it to the uptide side of the line with 20 secs to spare before the 5 minute gun, whilst Blue Moon (Richard Robarts), who charged at the line early, performed a 360 and lost all speed before crossing the line towards the back of the fleet. Caroline (Andy Ellis) and Woozle Hunter (Ian & Laura Ivermee) made a good start closely followed by Lazy Suzy (John Littlewood) and for most Marconi boats things just got better as the race progressed. The fleet of 16 boats rushed passed Marconi’s on it’s way out of the estuary, providing an impressive show for the clubs members who were preparing on the hard to commence their mooring laying duties.
Once the boats had settled in their respective positions down towards Bradwell, McGregor set about chasing down the fastest boat on the water Quixotic (BSC). Hot on their heals were Caroline, Woozle Hunter and Crazy Suzy who managed to enjoy a very close battle throughout the race. Meanwhile Blue Moon was clawing her way back into the race as one by one she overhauled the boats ahead of her. On a course that saw the fleet sail twice down the Colne, as well as back from North Eagle, there were some great spinnaker legs to sail, and it was here that McGregor made errors allowing the following boats to win back time on the return to the finish at Osea. Blue Moon continued to storm through the fleet and almost managed to catch newcomer, Absolution (MBSC) finishing just 4 mins behind on corrected time and 2nd in IRC class. Woozle Hunter was only a further 2 ½ mins behind Blue Moon for 3rd in IRC class.
In the BJRC NHC class, Woozle Hunter came out on top winning their first silverware of the season, the Blackwater Cup. 2nd in NHC went to Caroline, with McGregor closing in 3rd for a clean sweep for Marconi.
IRC Class Results:
1st Absolution – Evolution 26 – Eric Reynolds (MBSC)
2nd Blue Moon – Super Seal – Richard Robarts (MSC)
3rd Woozle Hunter – Sigma 33 – Ian & Laura Ivermee (MSC)
5th McGregor IV – MG38 – Peter Ward (MSC)
7th Crazy Suzy – Selection 37 – John Littlewood
The full IRC results can be found here:
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/033143a6b9ffc5b475328b703/files/Race_1_BW_Cup_IRC.pdf
NHC Class Results:
1st Woozle Hunter – Sigma 33 – Ian & Laura Ivermee (MSC)
2nd Caroline – Dehler 29 – Andy Ellis (MSC)
3rd McGregor IV – MG38 – Peter Ward (MSC)
6th Blue Moon – Super Seal – Richard Robarts (MSC)
8th Crazy Suzy – Selection 37 – John Littlewood (MSC)
The full NHC results can be found here:
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/033143a6b9ffc5b475328b703/files/Race_1_BW_Cup_NHC.pdf
The Marconi Cruiser Cup race will be held on Sunday 10th May, starting at 08:30 from a line just West of Bradwell Creek tide guage. This is an open event which is part of the BCOSS series and all cruisers, irrespective of how serious you want to be, can enjoy the fun of sailing a course in a large fleet.
Contact Peter Ward if you’d like to crew on one of the Marconi boats, or if you’re a skipper looking for crew.