Early mist gave way to sunshine as 20 yachts gathered at Cantley for the Cecil Howard Memorial Race, the traditional feeder event for the YNR. Slight problem: no wind. Happily the flood tide had set in by the time the first of four starts set off at 10:30. One or two hung on mudweights to ensure they stayed the right side of the start line, but once off and going there was just about enough breeze to make progress upriver.

In the bottom half of the fleet, groups of boats seemed to clump together and, regardless of handicap, drifted up the river in convivial groups. Further ahead, the crew of Tinkerbell were concentrating hard on every bubble, figuring out how to make the best of the tide while, towards the back, Stella Genesta reportedly cracked open the beers.

The wind eventually filled from behind, bringing the fourth start up towards the third, some of whom challenged the race box by finishing in a clump of six. Tinkerbell won the jugs, with Maidie taking the David Valentine Trophy for second place. Third was David Radley on Wandering Rose, with the Barnacle family guesting on Morning Calm taking the Ian Spoors trophy for fastest “slow” boat.