Race number 4 of the BJRC 2026 Season
Four boats took part – Poohstick, Scrapper, Blue Moon & Rascal.
Start time of 09.30 from Marconi SC.
Sunday June 7th our fourth race. Just four boats on the line this time for the start at Marconi instead of the traditional Osea pier line. The south westerly breeze was a forecasted 13 to 25 Kts. The temperature was around 20 degrees and quite pleasant.
Our race officer Richard Robarts had set the course B-13-U. All four boats cleared the line successful, the wind direction enabling a spinnaker start. Rascal taking the lead followed closely by Blue Moon, Poohstick and Scrapper.
Rascal was still the lead boat as we passed Thirslet Spit and headed off on a dead downwind run to WM1. Rascal rounding the mark first followed by Blue Moon, each bearing away from the wind and onward to the Bench head, the breeze feeling more Southerly across the beam.
Rascal still maintaining a few hundred metres lead from Blue Moon at the Bench head.
We gybed around the mark and headed for the Inner Bench head, ready to drop the spinnaker for a beat back out to the Bench head, the gusts strengthening to the high twentys by now. Scrapper & Poohstick pursuing the race leaders a short distance behind. The tide had yet to turn as we headed towards the outer turning mark North Eagle for a starboard rounding.
By this time, we were seeing gusts of up to 30 Kts. This continued for the rest of the afternoon as we sailed back into the river. Blue Moon closing the distance on Rascal as we rounded WM12 and WM3 and onward to the finishing line at MSC. Rascal crossing the line just over a minute ahead of Blue Moon, Scrapper finishing third over the water followed by Poohstick. A great race despite the lower number of competitors.
Many thanks to Dave Russel of MSC for setting up the automated race start software, we are grateful for all your valuable time spent on this project, it’s proven extremely useful. Thanks also to Marconi members who have designed and installed the hardware, most impressive! Thanks to Race Officer Richard Robarts for setting the course. Thanks as usual to all boat owners, skippers and crew for racing, your continued support of the BJRC is appreciated.
Our next race, number 5 is the Stone Cruiser trophy & Marine store shipway trophy on Sunday 21st June, start time 08.30 from Stone sailing club.
Course set B-13-U
Outward Course – WM1(s) BHP(p)
Estuary Course – IBH(p) BH(p) CB(p) NE(s) NWK(s) BH(s)
Inward Course – WM1(p) WM12(s) WM3(p)
Following handicap corrections (provisional)
Congratulations for first, second & third places go to.
Race Results BJRC – Marconi Cup.
First place –– Rascal – Nicky / Ian Johnson, and crew.
Second place –Scrapper – Tommyand crew
Third place – Blue Moon – Richard Robarts and Crew.
Race Results RYA YTC – Marconi Trophy.
First place – Rascal – Nicky / Ian Johnson, and crew.
Second place – Blue Moon – Richard Robarts and Crew.
Third place – Poohstick – Barry Ely and Crew.
