Running the Match Racing

It's never a dull moment when we run any racing, but the match racing regatta for the Farr 45s, racing for the Imperial Trophy, is often the most action-packed show we put on - and not just for the competitors.

Thames Five blasts of for a mark change

CSO, the Proff and Thames Five blast off up the course to deliver another rapid mark change.

PRO Gill Smith checks the wind direction

While Principal Race Officer Gillian Smith checks the  breeze, and Assistant Race Officer Richard Prest provides the back-up.

Two-tags Gill

'Put it there,   please, T5.'  Clickclick comes the swift reply...

'Yes Ma'am...' 

T5 mark laying

T5 running fast

'All gone.'  CSO and Proff pop one in,  then swiftly back to base for a  well-earned cuppa... oh yes?  I don't think so, somehow... 

While you're there, Thames Five...'  

 GS on VHF

'... that windshift leaves the line wrong. I'm afraid we need to shift the pin.  If you can lift it,please...

pinlift1  pinlift2   I'll tell you where to put it...

GS sights the line angle 

'... somewhere there, I think... Thames Five, turn south - you have the length of the tow to go... stand by... stand by... DROP  DROP DROP.'

 GS with VHF

Now.

Let's have another one, shall we?

match race start 

There are some great action pictures of the Farr 45s in action here, on photographer Paul Wyeth's website. Paul took these photos of the RTYC team doing its stuff when we ran the Royal Thames Imperial Trophy Match Racing tournament for the Farr 45s over the weekend of July 4th and 5th earlier this year.

You can find out more about joining the Royal Thames race officer team here.