Those select few who attended the YSC DIY BBQ at Coldham Hall had a marvellous evening, relaxing in the shade with a few drinks, some leisurely cooked food and good company. The weather could not have been more perfect, with the sunshine and warmth lasting well into the evening.

Sunday was a little more challenging, though, with barely any breeze to be had at the 9.30 race briefing and even less at the 10.20 start. The stationary Morning Calm was closest to the line at the hooter, with Anna not far behind her and Vixen and Glory bringing up the rear, a long way behind.

Despite the free wind, making over the beginnings of the flood tide proved tricky, but eventually a small amount of breeze appeared and all four yachts started making way down Train Reach. There was even some cut and thrust, with every boat being in the lead at some point.

Then the wind died again and a wall of Yeomans crept up behind. When the next few puffs of wind came, Morning Calm and Glory, sailing for YSC and CHSC respectively, somehow disappeared off in front, leaving Anna (CHSC) and Vixen (YSC) stranded with the Yeomen. Glory was then to be seen sitting in a river bend ahead for quite a long time, while Morning Calm disappeared around the corner to loiter on the other bank, out of sight to the rearmost boats.

Some forwards and backwards drifting ensured before excitement in the form of the Coldham support boat laying an early turning mark for the Yeoman fleet. Anna and Vixen wondered if they could round it too. One Yeoman snuck around, Vixen had a rush of blood to her head and got comfortably past the buoy, leaving Anna stranded behind the Yeoman fleet, way behind.

Then, moving faster than she had all day, Vixen zipped backwards on the tide to Anna (accompanied by a Yeoman, who was wondering how the collision regs work in reverse) until the two yachts were close enough to converse. Retirement was mentioned by Vixen, but then Anna got a gust and so did Vixen and we were off again. Then stopped again. Glory had vanished and Morning Calm had still not been sighted again. We had been on the water for 90 minutes by now and were still barely a third of the way down Train Reach.

Anna and Vixen, being on opposing sides and each unable to retire unless the other did, came to a gentleman’s agreement and gave up. Started their engines and left the other two yachts to battle it out. Went to the pub, bought beer, sat in the sunshine and, 30 or 40 minutes later, watched both Morning Calm and Glory sail briskly back to the finish line.

With Bill finishing comfortably ahead on elapsed time, he won the Bessie Bell Centenary Trophy and also became custodian of the Challenge Cup on behalf of the YSC. It is a while since Coldham won this trophy and disappointing to have such a low turnout. Perhaps more boats will come and join the exhilarating fun next year!