Thames flooding decimates Henley Sailing Club racing year

Henley Sailing Club 2012 Trophy Winners © Duncan Mackay

Retiring Commodore of Henley Sailing Club, Tim Saunders, delivered his final annual report to members at the club's AGM held on Saturday at Castle Royal Golf Club. "Although Henley Sailing Club has been under water twice this winter and washed out the Christmas Party at the club, we were fortunate that the Thames did not burst its banks this summer and prevent all sailing. The increased speed of water flow, however, did create many problems for sailing throughout the year. Particularly hard hit were the Robb and the Sailing Secretary's challenge cup races which were postponed twice before being abandoned completely for the season when the conditions proved impossible to squeeze them into the remaining race days. Three open races for visiting sailors were also abandoned. The Winter Warmer racing series held in November was also abandoned to raging waters." said Tim.

Commodore Tim Saunders continued, "The Environment Agency has red boarded the locks throughout the summer on numerous occasions and warned all navigation to cease. Although, when the wind has been strong enough, we have permitted sailing at the club's Officer of the Day discretion on amber warnings, usually when the stream speed was decreasing. Safety of sailors and other river users remains a paramount concern to the club. After the early summer Drought Orders were issued it proceeded to rain at a rate and frequency not seen for 100 years. The club has offered its congratulations to all those who braved the wet weather and difficult river conditions especially those who laboured for no reward in the silverware stakes".

Tim Saunders thanked all of those who had helped him steer the club through the three years of his tenure especially members of the hard working committee and his wife Judy. In handing over the baton to the newly elected Commodore Peta Bowyer he offered his support for the future of the club's leadership and thanked retiring Rear Commodores Duncan Mackay and Steve Rothery for their contributions. The members also voted in Nigel Bonsor as Vice Commodore and Carol Stitson as Rear Commodore for 2013.

The club's new Commodore, Peta Bowyer from Benson, thanked Tim and Judy for their combined efforts to bring fresh events and new members to the club. "We have an exciting year ahead, with lots of scope for both our new and rusty sailors. Saturdays will bring our own programme of tuition running alongside fun sailing and BBQs. Sundays will bring lunches before racing as well as tea on the lawn. To complete the picture, Wednesday sailing will end with supper. Yes, we like to keep our sailors and friends well fed. Let's hope for good winds, great food and parties, and no more floods please" said Peta.

The brightest highlight of the evening was the presentation of the array of gleaming silverware to the successful sailors by the club's scorer Steve Rothery and Judy Saunders.

The following race results are a record of those events that did take place:

2012 summer, autumn and winter racing results

Weldon Challenge Cup
The Weldon was won by just 0.5 of a point when Steve Rothery and Helene Hook in a National 12 beat Carol Stitson in a Laser

Campbell Challenge Cup
The popular midweek, summer, Wednesday evening racing had a strong field with some challenging conditions: good winds, no winds and some cancellations due to flooding. At the finish it was Carol Stitson who took first prize with Alan Cadwallader second on 50.5 and 48 points respectively on the last race of the series.

Waynflete Cup
Stephen Gent and Viv Roberts in a modern National 12 narrowly defeated Carol Stitson in a Laser by 0.5 points.

Tapply Cup
The Tapply Cup was run on Sunday afternoons during the summer and the winner was Stephen Gent crewed by Viv Roberts followed up by Chris Gent in second place (with a varied and motley crew) to keep it in the family.

Stewart Challenge Cup, Bix Cup, Wargrave Challenge Cup and T Pot Trophy
This year's winners of all four cups were Stephen Gent crewed by Viv Roberts defeating Steve Rothery and Helene Hook on each occasion! Both skippers were helming National 12s.

Peach Pursuit Trophy
This 'popular' race was won by phantom of the river Jeff Manning (Phantom Class) from Tim and Gus Saunders in their National 12.

Merton Cup
Viv Roberts just defeated Judy Saunders by means of count-back rules after drawing level on 7 points each.

Gorman Cup
Won by a very brave Roux Kerr (age 8) sailing a club Mirror with his dad Graeme as ballast and crew!

Hunter Cup
Emma Cadwallader crewed by Viv Roberts in a National 12 beat off the challenge of Graeme Kerr crewed by Claire Relton in an Albacore in this one day personal handicap, specialist pot hunter's cup.

Jubilee Bowl
This fantastic piece of silverware was won by Carol Stitson who beat Steve Rothery and Helene Hook.

National 12 Open Meeting (9 September)
After the start of the first race when barely a ripple had crossed the water there were thoughts of abandonment and one boat had already given up. Then, just before lunch it started to blow. After lunch the races licked by and all the National12 fleet sailors enjoyed some amazing sailing. After tea on the breezy lawn the Henley Challenge Trophy was awarded to Graham Camm with Zoe Ballantyne as crew with runner up John and Ollie Meadowcroft. Winner of the Admiral's Cup were fourth placed Steve Rothery and Helene Hook.

HSC Club Championships (14 October)
Richard Conway-Jones defeated Amelia Huby-Green in the Saltwood Cup. Carol Stitson defeated Alan Cadwallader in both the Russell Skinner Cup and the Auditors Cup. Tim and Gus Saunders defeated Stephen Gent and Viv Roberts in the Fiddler Challenge Cup.

For further details see www.henleysailingclub.org.uk