On 16 April 2011 the Chas Howe series 3 was raced with A boats.  Auspiciously this was also the first race for the Turning Pole Trophy,  magnificently carved and donated to VMYG by Ray Hersee whose recent restoration of Barika has gained such admiration.   The  prize is for this annual one off  A class race,  historically originating at Gosport by our editor's initiative as the first ever  VMYG race of historic MYA class boats,  (followed soon after by the Pout Cup race for 10R boats at the Round Pond).

The turn out of 6 classic boats of such importance was a fine sight and together with well wishers and crew,  the attendance was about 20 people, great encouragement for the growing strength of the series.  Amongst the boats was the just completed beautiful restoration by John Gale of Graham Wyeth's 'Orange' boat, in fact most tastefully finished in off-white topsides and blue, with a subtle green/grey boot top!

Unfortunately conditions did not recognise the significance of the Event as although it was delightfully warm and sunny,  there was no wind to speak of.  When the slightest puff arose it lasted for no more than minutes and varied wildly in direction, a run on occasion turning into a beat.  Furthermore appearance of algae forced a reduced course length on this largely drifting match. Perfect tune and balance, with equipment operating completely freely were essential given the conditions.  Guying was unrealistic and an awful lot of luck was needed.  Martin and Mervyn's beat was split giving the unusual 1.5 score.   

After  lunch and a failure of the wind to fill in,  the match  finished early after only 2 heats in total, leaving your correspondent the winner by the slenderest of margins.

As a postscript the racing benefited once more from the generous work by Blaze Construction Ltd on the lake and the new floating rope boom and starter buoys at both ends made by David Bell.  The Palace have also undertaken some bank work and grass seeding.   Our worry however is the overwhelming in significant areas of our electronic counter measures by filament algae, which so early in the year is now threatening the free sailing programme.

Anthony Warren OOD
Events Secretary VMYG
26 April 2011

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