The second of the eleven event '99 Thames Area series took place at Ranelagh

SC on Sunday 14th March. Thirteen boats made it to a very early start, but

their efforts were rewarded with a definite hint of spring in the air,

beautiful warm sunshine and a gentle shifty breeze.

The first beat saw several boats gain an initial advantage but on the return

leg they were caught to form a leading group of six boats. Places changed

frequently on the run and at the leeward mark it was Mike Hoyle & Natalie

Jobling rounding narrowly ahead of the Caroline & Alison Martin, Bim Daser &

Jackie Bonella, Chris & Alison Edwards, Tom & Abigail Hayhoe and John

Thronton & Mandy Oliver with not a hairs breath between them all.

On the next two laps Mike & Natalie extended their lead, with Caroline &

Alison never far behind. Bim & Jackie had to fend off determined pressure

from initially Tom & Abigail who momentarily passed them and then from John

& Mandy at the finish. Chris & Alison were always lurking to take advantage

of any mistakes and eventually finished fifth. Their performance being

remarkable for sailing a twenty five year old boat, albeit one that Chris

won the Championships with in '74 & '75!

Behind the leading group the second group of seven boats were having their

own highly contested race, with Paul & Judy Griffiths leading them home in

seventh place overall.

After many years of trying Mike Hoyle finally took home the coveted &

prestigious Silver National Trophy dating from 1937, adding his name to the

list of winners that reads like a who's who of dinghy sailing. The next

Thames Area event is the first of the sea events, at Thorpe Bay on May

15th/16th.

Event 2 Results:

Place, Sail No., Boat, Name, Design,Helm & Crew,Club

1st, N3438, "Lola", Feeling Foolish, Mike Hoyle & Natalie Jobling, Henley SC

2nd, N3283, "New Tricks", Design 8, Caroline & Alison Martin, Burghfield SC

3rd, N3410, "Feeling Foolish", Feeling Foolish, Bim Daser & Jackie Bonella,

Ranelagh SC

4th, N3393, "GFFbFFG", Final Chapter, John Thornton & Mandy Oliver, Ranelagh

SC

5th, N2815, "Mulga Bill", Paper Dart, Christopher & Alison Edwards, Ranelagh

SC

6th, N3433, "Chill Out", Baggy Trousers, Tom & Abigail Hayhoe, Ranelagh SC

7th, N3344, "Ella Grunge", Final Chapter, Paul & Judy Griffiths, Bough Beech

SC

8th, N1277, "Flying Saucer", Flying Saucer, John Stokes & Pat Balm, Ranelagh

SC

9th, N3043, "Leprechaun", Scooter, David & Fiona Stevens, Shoreham SC

10th, N3111, "42", Baggy Trousers, Chris Jeeves & C. Downham, Ranelagh SC

11th, N3362, "Queen of Puddings", Final Chapter, Sarah & Kate Edwards,

Ranelagh SC

12th, N3216, "Twice Shy", Baggy Trousers, Chris & Andrew Stevens, Shoreham

SC

13th, N3091, "Straight & Narra", Design 6, Andrew & Michael Brothwell,

Bexhill SC

Thames Area Overall (after 2 events):

Place, Sail No., Boat Name, Event Pos., Helm & Crew, Club

1st= N3410 "Feeling Foolish", 1, 3, Bim Daser & Heather/Jackie, Ranelagh SC

1st= N3283 "New Tricks", 2, 2, Caroline & Eleanor/Alison Martin, Burghfield

SC

3rd= N3344 "Ella Grunge", 8, 7, Paul & Judy Griffiths, Bough Beech SC

3rd= N1277 "Flying Saucer", 7, 8, John Stokes & Pat Balm, Ranelagh SC

5th N3362 "Queen of Puddings", 6, 11, Sarah & Kate Edwards, Ranelagh SC

6th N3091 "Straight & Narra", 9, 13, Andrew & Michael Brothwell, Bexhill SC