The Blaydon Race
For the first time in over five years, tides and conditions permitted a downstream race towards Newcastle upon Tyne city centre. Conditions were overcast with light winds and after a short delay, Race Officer Peter Middlemiss started the fleet on the ebbing tide. Thankfully the wind filled in slightly allowing the fleet to make a clean start and the boats duly made their way through the bends of the broad Tyne.
Graham Miatt, Sue Jones and Dave Davies had a slight lead over the pack during the initial stages of the race. However, places were continually being traded as the fleet rounded bends and the wind died as the fleet fell into the lee of the high banks. Dave & Kath Davies stretched out an impressive lead in their Pipedream and appeared unstoppable. As the fleet passed the Vickers building it was exposed to the strengthening wind and Sue Jones gradually caught the Davies just after the leeward mark, with Bernard Clark rounding 3rd and Howard Chadwick in 4th.
Having taken approximately one hour to reach the leeward mark, the fleet embarked on the long beat back to the finish in the freshening wind.
As the fleet tacked its way upstream & up to the first pair of bends, there was just as much place changing as on the downstream leg. Brian Miatt caught Marcus Wheel, Peter Miatt and Howard Chadwick both overhauled the Davies & Bernard Clark. Peter Miatt lead this pack but despite reducing the lead of Sue Jones, was unable to pass her. Peter Miatt and Sue Jones extended their lead over the pack in the calmer stretches, only for Sue to lengthen her lead and go on to win, with Peter in 2nd and Howard Chadwick in 3rd. Dave & Kath Davies pipped Bernard Clark into 5th place on the line.
1st Sue Jones & Sue Wright, N3263,
Nottingham SC.
2nd Peter Miatt & Matthew Aye , N3448, Tynemouth SC.
3rd Howard Chadwick & Clare Flather,
N3356, Yeadon SC.
4th Dave & Kath Davies , N2951, South
Windermere SC.
5th Bernard Clark & James Shipley
N3382, Yorkshire Ouse SC.