On Sunday 21st of September Marconi Sailing Club Joined forces with 6 other clubs on the River Blackwater to help host and take part in The River Blackwater Barts Bash.
Participation:
So WOW! over 200 sailing boats from a vast number of classes, taking part in 3 simultaneous races, over three separate race courses on the River Blackwater, in support of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.
The total amount donated between the seven clubs looks to be well in excess of £3000.00, well done everybody, an excellent effort!
http://andrewsimpsonfoundation.co.uk/
Thanks to some very thorough preparation and suitably experienced race officers with nerves of steel, the race organisation was slick with all of the races starting on time!
The army of excellent race officer assistants, support boat operators and helpers of all kind are owed a debt of gratitude by the participants. As many of them, given the fantastic breeze, would much rather have been sailing.
The cruisers had their own course starting from opposite Stone Sailing Club. A slow handicap course was set to the west of Mill Beach for the approximately 50 boats with a handicap slower than PY1185. The fast handicap course was set around Osea Island (9.7Km) and with approximately 150 boats in this race it was a very impressive sight when the starting gun went and they all thundered towards the line. Remarkably there was only one collision reported and happily everyone was able to continue.
The award for good timing (if there was one) would go to the two young chaps who’s Dart 16 mast fell down literally seconds after crossing the finish line…remarkable! Nobody suffered any harm and the boat was out racing again in the afternoon.
I am sure everyone who took part will have their own tales to tell, it was a fantastic event held in fantastic spirit for a fantastic cause. Everyone who took part or was involved in any way should feel very proud.
It seems the Bart’s Bash results database is somewhat over loaded currently, I guess that should not really be a surprise. After such a brilliant day I doubt anyone is really that concerned about the result 🙂