Christchurch Sailing Club 150th Anniversary Challenge Trophy

Ewen Barnes wins the Christchurch Sailing Club 150th Anniversary Challenge Trophy © Russell New

This year Christchurch Sailing Club is celebrating its 150th year, many celebrations are planned throughout the year. Sunday however was all about who would win the Challenge Trophy, a silver bowl which was originally presented by the ladies of the club and dates back to 1914.

It was an early start at 0930, but sailors turned up, encouraged by the provision of coffee and bacon baps to get people in the mood. The race officer Simon Percival briefed the competitors that it would be a single start around a square course, average laps with target time of 60 mins. With that news some reached for a second bacon bap!

Spring weather has not quite sprung as yet across most of the UK, and Christchurch was no exception, with a solid easterly breeze, however still very grey, and the fleet of 34 prepared to start the race at the bottom of Christchurch Harbour.

Christchurch Sailing Club has a strong junior section and it is races like this where they get to prove themselves against the regular racers within the club. The fleet is certainly mixed with ILCAs, Finns, Quests, Teras, Christchurch Scows and even a Tideway.

The mix of boats certainly meant for a packed start line, but once all away everyone found there groove and focused on the task in hand.

After 60 mins racing the race team brought things to a close and it was back to the club for the prize-giving and certainly to warm up!

Prizes were awarded by the Commodore of the Club, Keith Barkway, who thanked the race team and Russell New for preparing the bacon rolls and coffee.

The top three in each class received some glassware, with the first Scow, first lady and first over 60 all receiving a special trophy.

And so to the overall winner. Well it seemed things all aligned as it went to long-serving member Ewen Barnes, who not only scooped the Challenge Cup and fist Scow award, but the over 60s cup as it happened to be his 70th birthday, well done Euan! He thanked all the competitors and race team for what was a great morning, even moreso seeing all of the dinghy fleet from juniors to those seniors out on the water competing against each other.

Overall Results:

Juniors
1st Max Rayner
2nd Jake K
3rd Theo Forbes

Scow
1st Ewen Barnes
2nd Stuart Percival
3rd Paul De La Feullade

Class 4
1st Lindsay Venner (1st Lady)
2nd Merrick Gill
3rd Ian Dendle

Class 5
1st Clare De La Feullade
2nd Nina Jackson
3rd Malcom Hadley