 This race is held annually and is open to all – not just OGA members. It is run on handicap so that slower boats get a chance against the big smacks. It is also a great melting pot of the old and the new – this year there was even a good fleet of classic bermudans as well.  The Deputy of the Cinque Port was on hand with his lady to see the fleet off. Peter Maynard, the Race Officer had a difficult time fixing the course in strong northerly winds. He hit on a brainwave which allowed the fleet to go out to sea and along to Clacton Pier but stay fairly well in-shore away from the big seas that would have been found out at Wallet Spitway. We were lucky to have the Brightlingsea Harbourmaster Bernie Hetherington on hand with a big rib, crewed by Pete the Knife, as fail safe to support the smaller boats. In the event there were no major incidents and most boats completed the course. In the end the big smacks were squeezed out of the main prizes on corrected time – the smaller gaffers had a good day, taking the first seven places, lead by Whistler. But the work boats had their own mini-race on scratch won by Maria. Even she could not make up her time against the smaller smacks on handicap lead by Harriet Blanche. It was great to see Mark Butler racing Spellbound again after a long period ashore – finishing third overall. In true “old gaffers” style, four of the first ten boats home on handicap were over 100 years old (Kestrel, Victoria, Harriet Blanche, and Dorothy) 24 finished. 
In the Bermudan fleet Mike Mccarthy was well ahead of Maid of Tesa and Cirrus – but Black Diamond was a very close fourth out of seven finishers.
After the usual pint on the quay and massive distribution of prizes it was off to the Colne Yacht Club for an excellent hot supper and music from the Golden Rivets. On Sunday morning the fitter members of the fleet turned out for rowing races on the boating lake in the Scouts “one design class” rowing boats. All appeared equal except the boat allocated to Pete the Knife appeared to have not standard mini oars which really slowed him down. 
The winners were James Pratt and Julia Raper in the single sculls, Robert & Lorna Hill in the mixed doubles and the Dragon Boat race was won by Pete the Knife with Nick Hillman, James Pratt and James Palmer.
On Sunday afternoon, while the fleet cruised to Wivenhoe, the smack boats raced all by themselves. Retired sail-maker Jimmy Lawrence was well ahead in Native followed by Pete the Knife in Papa Stour and Mark Bielecki in Two Brothers. At the Wivenhoe Prize-giving a special award was made to Bernie Heatherington for his great support throughout the week-end.
in the August Eastcoaster in the members section". |
