2024 Bottle boat Championship & Junior Championship at Waldringfield Sailing Club

by Roger Stollery 8 Sep 09:15 UTC 18 August 2024

Waldringfield Sailing Club again hosted this annual event with 9 entries, which resulted in 8 boats in each of the 15 races sailed.

The ebb tide on the River Deben combined with the north-westerly wind gave a good beat to the windward mark, with Noel Fraser leading the fleet all around the course to win Race 1 from Robert Norris and Bernard Kufluk. John Fish's number 14 went out of control, did not complete the course, was picked up by club's rescue boat and took no further part in the racing.

Robert Norris improved his performance to win the Race 2 from young 11 year old Elliott Mason sailing a borrowed boat. Stephen Videlo, who had a problem in Race 2 came back to win Race 3 from Robert and Bernard, but was beaten in the next by Bernard, who went on to win Race 5. Elliott got the best start and sailed brilliantly to win Race 7 from Robert and Bernard, who then won the next race from Noel and Robert. It was Stephen's turn to win Race 9, so that the lunchtime leaderboard was very competitive with Bernard leading with 12 points just ahead of Noel & Robert both on 13 points and Stephen on 19.

Competitors joined in with the club's barbecue for new members, who had been enjoying the spectacle of the BOTTLE boat racing in front of the clubhouse.

After lunch the tide turned to give a very strong ebb and very little wind to counter it. In Race 10 those who tacked close to the shore were able to beat the tide and Bernard succeeded in crossing the finish line in front of Stephen and Noel. Race 11 was started, but the wind just faded and the whole fleet started to drift downriver towards Felixstowe. RO Roger Stollery broke his golden rule of never abandoning and had no choice but to abandon this one! Of those struggling to make progress against the tide, young Elliott never gave up and was seen to ease his sheets every time the wind freed and came square across.

After a delay waiting for the wind to increase, Bernard who was also acting as the boatman reset a much shorter windward leeward course in the strongest patch of wind, which was varying wildly from north-easterly to westerly. 2 young teams now competed with the adults; Lucas Fish paired with Elliott and his brother Oliver teamed up with Helen Price. Race 12 was won by Stephen beating Bernard into 2nd and the Lucas/Elliott team 3rd. Oliver & Helen won Race 13 by a short head from Bernard and Stephen all crossing the line in the same second. Noel took Race 14 in front of Bernard with the Oliver/Helen team 3rd. Noel did well to win the start of the final Race 15, but Bernard pulled through to win from the Lucas/Elliott team with Noel 3rd.

The trophies and prizes were presented by Celia Mason, who thanked Roger for organising the 23rd of these championships as well as creating these fine boats made from rubbish.

The Junior BOTTLE boat Championship Trophy went to Elliott Mason, who finished 4th overall with runner-up being the Helen/Oliver Mason team who finished 6th overall. All the juniors are pleased to go away with their prizes of pencils and Mowan Joystix. Bernard claimed the BOTTLE boat Championship Trophy and took away a practical prize. Runner-up Noel and 3rd place Stephen also won practical prizes.

The next BOTTLE boat event is at Guildford Model Yacht Club Christmas Brass Monkey event on Saturday 14th December.

Overall Results:

1st Bernard Kufluk with 20pts
2nd Noel Fraser 26pts
3rd Stephen Videlo 31pts
4th Elliott Mason 36pts - Junior Champion with Lucas Fish
5th Robert Norris 38pts
6th Helen Price/Oliver Mason 68pts - Junior runners-up
7th Mike Pert 84pts
8th John Fish 99pts

All the Competitors were from Waldringfield Sailing Club.