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An innocent bystanders view………
So training complete, vests washed and in some cases ironed, pasta and other “legal” energy giving substances purchased and concealed in crafts and the Cutters were ready to race. 8am, the boat park came to life with a busy group of enthusiastic if somewhat naive members, we were missing some key stalwarts who keep the club on the road, preparing to load and tow a Galley, two Claydons and a Celtic Longboat on the 3 miles to Tudor Sailing Club to then row some 10 statute miles (don’t ask but it’s a long way) around a course of some complexity past virtually every buoy/mark in Langstone Harbour at least once. All went well apart from the failure of the Galley trailer’s brand new tow hitch to agree to any form of lasting relationship with the tow ball on either vehicle designated to the task. In due course the other boats set off leaving the Galley crew with a dilemma of what to do, a brief chat and it was decided to row towards Tudor to see what might be seen or indeed whether the prevailing Westerly might allow them to reach the start line in time to join the race. In the meantime the advance guard were at Tudor being briefed, fed and watered whilst awaiting the coxes and crew briefings on the days event, the clock ticked by until Sallyport’s crew were espied on the horizon with just state of the tide and obvious sand banks separating them from the race with crews now being actively persuaded into their craft by a very well polished launch crew. A piece of excellent, finger crossing, steering by Steve Forrest and a rising tide saw them glide to nearby buoys to be fetched ashore for necessary refreshment and breaks before joining the race crews just in time for the start! The race was soon underway with Gladys and Mabel amongst the first to leave, followed in quick time by a small stout clinker built craft that hailed from Hill Head Sailing club and then numerous Bursledon Gigs, a single Giglet, six Celtic Longboats, a Galley and seven Cornish Pilot Gigs. The wind and tide were building in equal measure as the crews raced down towards the harbour entrance before turning to the Northish and taking off towards Budds Farm and onwards towards Bridge Buoy before turning again to head back to the harbour entrance and then back again on a very tough leg North towards Tudor and the finish line. The conditions were verging on bonkers with wind over tide over wind over sandbank over channel over waves over everyone in varying measures a true Challenge for all concerned. The end result was that the race, which was to take Seafox, the Dell Quay’s Celtic Longboat just 1 hour 51 minutes and the aforementioned Alston from a hill Head 4 hours and 42 minutes. Crews were greeted back by an increasingly appreciative audience as those that arrived soonest stayed to applaud those that followed. The catering was spot on with bacon rolls leading to cakes and finally burgers, a fully stocked bar and the Hayling Shanty group providing an excellent atmosphere for sharing tales and then the final act, the award of trophies, which is where Tudor really excelled with specially made medals and rosettes for the top three crews in numerous categories! A happy, if somewhat weary group of Cutters loaded up their boats and returned to the boat park at around 6pm to put everything back where it began with the notable exception of Sallyport who stayed at mooring off of Tudor, there being insufficient water or indeed energy to row her back until the following day when Lesley and her GRR crew stepped up to row her back home. Speaking as a spectator it was an amazing day all round with Tudor being the best of hosts on both days, and one which I am sure the crews will remember long after the blisters and aches and pains have gone. All the Cutters crews gave of their best at this event but I would like to recognise three members in particular who exemplify the Club spirit and that is those that gave of their time to cox the most complicated course in the most trying conditions, so stand up please Peter, Steve and Greg and take a bow for enabling your crews to participate in this great event.
Anon.
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