Royal Thames Carmela Cup — 27 March '10

27 March –28 March

the RYA Open championship of two-boat team racing in keelboats

Dates: Saturday/ Sunday 27th/ 28th March 2010

Venue: Queen Mary Sailing Club, Ashford Road, Staines, London.

Carmela Cup

Royal Thames has retained the Carmela Cup following a tense final against Wessex Exiles at Queen Mary Sailing Club on 27^th March. The British Open Championship for two-boat team racing in Keelboats was held in the RTYC/RYS fleet of J80s.

Competitors were met with a steady 8-10 knot breeze on Saturday morning and a double-round robin was completed for the four competing teams (Royal Thames YC, Wessex Exiles, West Kirby SC and Royal Port Nicholson YC from New Zealand). Racing was close from the outset with many place changes throughout each of the 15 minute races. Upon completion of two round robins, RTYC and Wessex exiles were tied on 5 wins and 1 loss. These two teams proceeded to a first-to-win-two-races final.

The breeze had increased to about 12-15 knots for the final, with several large rain clouds passing over the course giving rise to some gusty conditions. The first race began badly for the RTYC, with one boat penalised by the umpires for an infringement shortly before the start. This left Wessex Exiles with a 1,3 combination which was converted to a 1,2 by the windward mark. The RTYC had recovered to a 2,4 combination by the leeward mark and a penalty for a Wessex boat on the short final beat handed victory to the Thames.

Race two started in a similar vein to race 1 with a Thames boat in a solid 4^th position, although Hall (RTYC) split from the other boats and came back in to the windward mark in 1^st. Strong work down the run from Wessex gave them the upper hand until a tight decision went against Field (Wessex) at mark 3. With defeat looming, Cornah pulled off a great move at the start of the final beat to force a penalty on the Thames, handing the race to Wessex.

With the score locked at 1-1, the teams were set for a deciding race. A clean start was followed by a tight first beat, but Wessex capitalised on a slim advantage to round in a 1,2. The pairs split down the run, allowing the Thames back into the race. The Thames converted to a 1,2 in the closing stages of the final beat, handing them the Carmela Cup for 2010.

Above Carmela Cup umpiring team (l to r) Jack Edwards, George Ehlers, Alan Baser, Bernard Kinchin, Peter Johnson (CHUMP) and Brian Smith (photo - David Arnold, PRO).

1^st, Royal Thames YC; Mark Lees, James Boyce, Ben Clothier, Tom Finch; Ali Hall, Dave Royse, James Boadle, Jim Eynon. 2^nd, Wessex Exiles; Andy Cornah, Guy Brearey, Carl Gibbon, Sam Breary; Ben Field, Katie Archer, Simon Haighton, James Ward. 3^rd, West Kirby SC: Leo Dixon, Will Sheppard, Jack Gifford, Dave Chesire; Matt Findlay, Ben Lister, Andy Gray, Tony Lewis. 4^th RPNYC  Matt Brien, Stephen Wilson, Mike Halstead, Charlie Lowe; Henry Arnold, Ben Walker, Matt Mosley, Chris Mosley.

ROYAL THAMES CARMELA CUP 2010 - ROUND ROBIN POINTS TABLE 

In the first-to-score two wins Final RTYC beat Wessex exiles: 1 -0 - 1

The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions form are here.

Entry Form is here.

Directions to Queen Mary SC are here.