Please select your home edition
Edition
Savvy Navvy 2024

Moth Bowl and Bossoms Cup at Medley Sailing Club

by Georgina Ferry and Iain Tullis 23 Jun 2014 18:09 UTC 21 June 2014

Visitors arriving for the Moth Open and Bossom's Cup on Saturday 14 June could not believe their eyes. Not only was the sun shining on the buttercups across the meadow, but there was a stiff breeze blowing from the unobstructed north-east.

Seventeen boats took to the water, pretty much evenly divided between visitors and locals. A good day's sailing was in prospect and the Thames at Medley did not disappoint.

The first race began with a beat off the start, with Tim Davison (856) and Toby Cooper (754, Broxbourne) starting as they meant to go on by taking the lead. Andy Mathews (881, Chew Valley) and Robert Paynter (839) were in close pursuit. Ian Miller (824) contrived to capsize at the end of the first lap, losing 7 places in the process. The finish was close but Davison just edged it.

If anything the wind increased from the second race, necessitating a hard beat up to the top mark. Mathews made a good start but again it was Davison ahead of Cooper by the narrowest of margins.

The 'bring a dish' principle produced a lunch that could have fed twice as many, all ably coordinated by Moira Strutt, and served and cleared away by her willing team of helpers.

By the start of the third race, for the Bossoms Cup, the wind had not eased but had moved to the east, making for a fast reach in both directions. OD Iain Tullis's course swung the fleet from bank to bank between buoys 3 and 4, so it was not all plain sailing. Davison again made a good start but by this time Cooper made the most of the fast conditions and took the bell and the trophy. Gary Tomkins (882, Hunts) was in third place, his best result of the day.

The third race (fourth overall) for the Moth Bowl started dramatically as a sudden gust took five boats over the line early and capsized three. Tullis wisely sounded a general recall, and the second start was much more decorous. Cooper pressed home his advantage and crossed the finish line ahead of Davison, but it was too late to change the overall result.

Once again the fleet came off the water to a groaning table laid with home made cakes. Medley can be proud of putting on such a successful event - very many thanks to all involved.

Moth Bowl Results:

1st Tim Davison (Medley)
2nd Toby Cooper (Broxbourne)
3rd Andy Mathews (Chew Valley)
4th Toby Smith (Medley)

1st Lady – Abby Freeley (Hunts)

Bossoms Cup Results:

1st Toby Cooper (Broxbourne)
2nd Tim Davison (Medley)
3rd Gary Tomkins (Hunts)

Related Articles

British Moths at Farmoor
Sharing the course with the Lightning 368s on a light wind day Eight Moths and a couple of dozen Lightnings shared an open meeting on 17 August 2024 at Oxford Sailing Club. There was a good showing from the Medley Sailing Club, which is of course just up the road. Posted on 21 Aug
British Moth Nationals at Hollowell
With an increased number of entries on previous years it was all set for a good event The British Moth Nationals were once again held at Hollowell Sailing Club from 7th to 9th August. With an increased number of entries on previous years it was all set for a good event. Posted on 17 Aug
Leamington Spa British Moth Open
A bright & breezy day for the season opener The first open meeting of 2024 for the British Moth fleet dawned as a bright & breezy day and saw a fleet of eight boats competing on the small reservoir at Willes Meadow in Leamington. Posted on 15 Apr
British Moth Nationals at Hollowell
A new and welcoming venue for the class The British Moth Nationals were held at a new venue for them on the 2nd to 4th August 2023. Hollowell Sailing Club were exceptionally welcoming hosts & opened the club the afternoon before the championship started to allow drop off and camping. Posted on 5 Aug 2023
British Moths at Medley
Racing in wonderful conditions on the Thames in Oxford Fourteen British Moths hotly contested the Medley Moth Bowl on 10 June. Four races were sailed in wonderful conditions, with plenty of wind from the North East, i.e. off Port Meadow. This gave exciting sailing to say the least. Posted on 14 Jun 2023
British Moths at Leamington Spa
The fog quickly clears and the wind fills in Saturday 22nd of April saw the return of the British Moth fleet to Leamington Spa for their first Open of 2023. With light winds forecast & a somewhat foggy start conditions didn't look especially promising. Posted on 23 Apr 2023
British Moth Nationals at Chelmarsh
90th Anniversary event for the class The British Moth fleet returned to Chelmarsh Sailing Club for their 90th Anniversary National Championships on 27th July with a programme of seven races over 3 days. Posted on 8 Aug 2022
Welsh Moths
The quintessential English boat at the quintessential English Club 90 years ago, just as now, the UK was being gripped by a financial crisis. A group of sailors based in Central London had been looking for a new one design dinghy to replace their collection of disparate boats that they raced on Regent's Park Lake. Posted on 6 May 2022
British Moths at Leamington Spa
A windy day as the class returns after the pandemic Saturday 23rd April saw the return of the British Moth fleet after a break due to the pandemic. Three visitors joined four home sailors on what was forecast & proved to be a windy day. Posted on 25 Apr 2022
Arrested development
Has the restricted development genre had its day? Let's start with a little Christmas Quiz and play spot the odd one out. Numerically, the Merlin Rockets are our most successful development class, but in this classic shot from a crowded Salcombe, can you recognise the one boat that ISN'T a Winder? Posted on 23 Dec 2021
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTER