Ranelagh Sailing Club 

National 12        Merlin Rocket       Lark         Solo      Laser    

Warwick Smith Trophy Race 2008 v Minima YC

Ranelagh assembled a strong team for this event, held on November 8^th 2008 at Minima YC in Kingston. This trophy was first presented for an inter-club race in 1922 by H Warwick Smith and has been contested 65 times since, the score now standing at Ranelagh 39 and Minima 26. Each team was represented by 2 (vintage) Merlin Rockets, 2 Enterprises and 2 Solos

Two races over a short sausage course were held in variable conditions with generally moderate wind, rain & sun. In the first 5 lap race the 2 Ranelagh Merlins quickly established a lead on the course followed by Steve & Kathy Collins in their Enterprise who took 2^nd place on the water and 1^st on handicap by the end.  Phil Plumtree & Ellie Bremer had to settle for 2^nd on handicap ahead of the leading Ranelagh Enterprise of Dave Evans and Sarah Edwards. Fran Gifford & Alex Jackson finished 3^rd on the water and 4^th on handicap. The two Minima Merlins of Ben Marshall/John Wilkie & Paul Seamen/Eileen Barry finished 5^th & 6^th with the Ranelagh Solo of Christopher Edwards, failing to snatch 6^th place by just 11 seconds. Race score was 36 to 42 in favour of Ranelagh.

After a short pause and some adjustments to boats the second race was started with just 4 laps to go over the same course. Again the Ranelagh Merlins took the lead but were hard chased by the Enterprises of Evans/Edwards and Collins/Collins just over 2 minutes separating these 4 after 30 minutes of racing. This time an Enterprise was victorious again on handicap but it was Dave Evans and Sarah Edwards who beat Phil Plumtree and Ellie Bremer into 2^nd place, with Steve & Kathy Collins having to settle for 3^rd on handicap ahead of Fran Gifford and Alex Jackson. Christopher Edwards in Lollipop, the oldest Solo in the race, managed to beat the two Minima Merlins on handicap this time, the first Minima Solo of John Kemp also splitting those two.

A most enjoyable afternoon’s racing was had and the hosts laid on soup and a fine tea after in their cosy bar/clubroom overlooking the Thames, even laying on fireworks at Hampton Court which could be watched through the Poplars opposite. Overall score of both races was 69 to 87 in Ranelagh’s favour.

Ranelagh are reprising their successful Mid-Week Series from the summer with a 2 race series on Dec 13^th & 14^th. Contestants & children are also welcome at Ranelagh’s Christmas Dinner on the 13^th.