Eight Norfolk Punts met last Saturday for the traditional end of season Athene Cup river race!
Starting at the confluence of the rivers Thurne and Bure deep in the Norfolk Broads the race follows a responsive 3 leg course set by the race committee adjustable in length and location to allow for a 2 hour race. The direction was set by race officer Val Kambatta - upwind to Acle, back downwind then take the left hand river towards the ruins of St Bennetts Abby, pass a mark to port then follow the river back towards Potter Heigham before returning back to the finish at Thurne Mouth.
The opening stages of the race provided some of the most exciting and tactical close quarter racing of the season, with the hard 'boundaries' (riverbanks) and close ducking, lee bowing and clean tacking of all boats demonstrating the seamanship and skill of all involved.
By the end of the race 'Wild Goose' was first home, and subsequent winner of the 'Blackbird Trophy' for fastest passage, followed by 'Snow Goose', and 'Decoy'. After handicaps had been applied Simon and Rachel Clayton in 'Decoy' were awarded the overall win ahead of the two hard chines Wild and Snow Goose.
The fleet look forward to a winter of tinkering by the 'shore crews' as plans are afoot for new spinnakers, surgeries to boats to fit poles, chutes and self tacking jibs in advance of next season!
Overall Results : -
1 - Decoy - Simon and Rachel Clayton
2 - Wild Goose - Charlie Stewart and Tom Chandler
3 - Snow Goose - Jane Pye and Karen Armitage
4 - Redwing - Rupert Reddington and Kate Delieu
5 - Cormorant - Bart Sawyer and Eliza Boulton
6 - Wahoo - Andrew and Robert Friend
7 - White Eagle - Jack Holland and Gavin Smith
8 - Rainbow Trout - Terry Vincent and Harry Levenridge
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