The traditional end of season race was run on Sunday 19 October with a fleet of 29 boats for an all-in-start from the launch downriver. The start line was between the launch anchored off Clarks buoy and Osea Road buoy, with a beat downriver against the tide to Doctor buoy off Osea Pier and then a run back with the tide around the river’s official navigation marks. The turning point was at Herring Point off Maldon with the fleet finishing across the club line. 

The handicap race was very close with a Wayfarer helmed by Graham Hoy & crewed by Clemency Evans winning by a 40 second margin over Dan Dixon in a Finn in second place with Rob & Katherine Carver in a Laser 2000 in third place. One cruiser participated, John Dyer & crew in “Breezy” and so won the Copsey Cup. 

The bridge crew ran a race for the Short Course Fleet started from the Club line for 3 Mirrors and 1 Optimist. The winner was Julie Nelson crewed by Sarah Bakewell and well done to Oliver Keeble for finishing the race is his Optimist.

Many thanks to RO Malcom Green & ARO Judy Barnes who were in the launch driven by Steve Sharpe. The bridge crew of myself, Wendy Walker and Julie Shelter processed the results quickly.

We also ran a Macmillan Coffee morning and many thanks to Social Secretary Julie Shelter and her team for all their organisation. We raised £530 for this exceptional charity so thank you to all members for your support. The RNLI also had their usual stall which had a successful day with sales of £300.65 and donations of over £200.

Our Rear Commodore, Joe Bird organised an Open Forum for members to put forward their suggestions for improving and rejuvenating the way racing is run at the Club. Some really good ideas were forthcoming – there will be another Open Forum on Saturday 1 November at 19: 30 – the bar will be open so please come along to express your views.

BSC Commodore

(Photos: Gay Ayton)