HENLEY SAILING CLUB
Founded 1896
PRESS NOTICE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14/9/10
FAMOUS FIVE STAR AT HENLEY
Famous boats and star performers from the UK’s National 12 fleet took to
the River Thames at Wargrave Reach on Sunday (12 September) to compete
for the stunning silver bowl, the Henley Open, which is first prize for
the winners of this testing one day race.
John and Olly Meadowcroft of Upper Thames Sailing Club sporting the
latest in carbon fibre technology in Lightning Storm finished in first
place with John and Mandy Thornton of Henley Sailing Club (HSC) second
in another modern boat The Full Monty. John Ibbotson and Gus Saunders
came third sailing under the HSC burgee for the day and winning the
Admiral’s Cup for older single bottomed boats in Pillow Talk. Finishing
fourth in veteran wooden boat Saranac was Stephen Gent and Viv Roberts
of HSC and, with a creditable fifth place, Alan and Emma Cadwallader
also from HSC in Runaway.
The star performers of the National 12 fleet were led by John
Meadowcroft, a former N12 Burton Cup winner, and John and Mandy
Thornton. John Meadowcroft was crewed by son Olly who at the ripe old
age of 7 was deputising for mum and double Burton Cup winner Katie
Meadowcroft. Olly is clearly a star in waiting having no trouble in
managing the technical requirements of roll-tacking and balancing the
boat in an intensely absorbing sailing competition.
In light to variable winds with none of the marks proving particularly
hazardous, most boats covered the demands of the course without mishap
or equipment failure. However, there were some highly competitive starts
and a degree of gamesmanship over the three races during the day. John
and Olly Meadowcroft won it with two firsts and a second place in the
three races on the river. Many of the travelling fleet of N12 skippers
and crews are well known to each other over many years racing for the
Burton Cup but they’d better watch out for young Olly on this form.
Photos courtesy Gareth Jones of
sports-alive.com