Carmela Cup retained by the Royal Thames Yacht Club

by Royal Thames Yacht Club on 20 Jan 2011 Royal Thames Carmela Cup had a blustery Saturday morning see eight teams of eight sailors arrive at Queen Mary for the annually run RYA Open Two Boat Keelboat Team Racing Trophy.

The eight teams taking part:
BUSA helms Mark Powell and Rob Friend
Sea View YC helms Richard Hill and William Edwards
Royal Northern &Clyde YC helms Grigoir White and Alan Manuel
Royal Thames YC helms Ali Hall and Mark Lees
Royal Yacht Squadron helms Ed Peel and Bruce Grant
Southampton Male Voice Choir helms Guy Breary and Ian Dobson
Team Aalsmeer helms Marc de Haas and Jan Bakker
Wellington College helms Charlie Esse and Rob Gosling

With winds gusting up to 25 knots on Saturday morning racing looked unlikely but the decision was taken to reef the main and to commence with the 2011 Carmela Cup. The Race Officials led by PRO David Arnold successfully managed to get 15 races in despite the inclement weather, leaving 13 races to complete the round robin the following day.

Sunday presented similar conditions - the wind had abated a bit but had been replaced with a colder breeze and some rain - but by now four races were being accomplished an hour which enabled the round robin to reach its conclusion with RTYC undefeated in the round robin and Southampton Male Voice Choir beating BUSA into second.

The Carmela Cup Final climaxed in a closely contested first- to- win -two final between RTYC and Southampton Male Voice Choir. The first race was very close and no quarter was given between the two teams with RTYC taking the first race. The second race was even closer with numerous pass- backs and penalties - it was anyone's call as to who would win. Going round the final mark RTYC had a losing combination as they held last place and going up the beat it looked like Southampton were controlling both pairs on the race course - however, RTYC boat 1 slowed and engaged Southampton boat 2 in an attempt to free RTYC second boat. All four boats engaged in very close action - in very breezy conditions - until, eventually RTYC came out with a first and second place. RTYC thus emerged victorious to retain the Carmela Cup 2:0 in the final and undefeated in the regatta.

Royal Thames YC would like to thank all the teams for taking part in the 2011 Carmela Cup. RTYC would also like to thank the race officers and umpires for their efforts - an outstanding job given the conditions. Finally, we would like to thank, once again, Queen Mary Sailing Club for all their help and support.

Final Results
1st RTYC
2nd Southampton Male Voice Choir
3rd BUSA
4th Sea View Yacht Club
5th Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club
6th Royal Yacht Squadron
7th Wellington College
8th Team Aalsmeer

Royal Thames Yacht Club website