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The Claude Barry Trophy

Intra-Service Match Racing for the Claude Barry Trophy - 6/7 November 2008

The weekend of the 6th/7th Nov was set to be the annual Inter-Services Match Racing showdown for 2008. As the competition neared, 5 Navy teams formed and eagerly prepared to do battle in SB3’s. Whether this involved trawling the SB3 website for tuning tips, learning the finer points of the Match Racing rules, or merely trying to get your head around the Starting sequence, all were looking forward to what promised to be an excellent event.

In the final weeks before the occasion it became clear that the Army were getting nervous as the RN flexed its muscles; meaning they were forced to pull out of the event citing ‘Insurance issues’ as an excuse; but we all know the real reason. This did not deter the Navy however, and after some sterling organisational work by Lt Giles Bradford, the competition went ahead under the new guise of Intra-Service Match Racing for the Claude Barry Trophy.

With eager anticipation the competitors assembled at Hornet sailing club, excited about the 10-15 knots wind forecast and the spectacle before them. Alas, only to be greeted by a flat calm which lasted all day and postponed racing until the following day. An evening enjoying the views from Fort Blockhouse bar ensued, followed by a sociable all-you-can-eat Chinese in Gunwharf, which fully prepared the sailors for day two.

Up at the crack of dawn, and the boats were on the water by 0800, with light winds forecast to build. The event consisted of a round robin of 15-20 minute races around a trademark windward leeward course outside Portsmouth harbour. After mastering the starting entry procedure the teams set about learning the finer points of pre-start tactics and SB3 sailing. The Fleet Air Arm 2 team of Hamish Walker, Sam Mettam and new RN recruit Lucy Matthews made a good start with an early scalp in race 1 from the experienced MOD team led by Keri Harris. Some good pre-start tactics by the FAA gave them the lead only to be reeled in around the racecourse leaving a close final leg. Olympic sailor Penny Clark and her crew also showed their strength with excellent boat speed despite the odd costly mark-rounding hiccup. The FAA1 had a great tussle with this team from HMS Sultan resulting in a nail biting finish as the FAA led the race, but with a penalty to take on the finish line, which resulted in a difficult call for the umpires. After a thoroughly enjoyable day of close racing the FAA2 went on to take the Trophy by way of some nice boat handling and teamwork.

All in all, despite the weather’s best efforts, the event lived up to expectation and can only improve next year if the Army can solve their insurance problems. Thanks of course have to go to the Race committee team of Mike Tatersall and Rick Hanslip; and a rescue/umpiring team led by Grahame Forshaw, without which the event could not have happened.

Report by Lt Hamish Walker.

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