The Horse Trophy Christmas Grand Prix at Crouch Yacht Club
by Phillip Harbott 26 Dec 2012 23:36 PST
23 December 2012
Three yachts and one motor boat ventured out in gusty but mild conditions to race for the Horse Trophy. With varying degrees of effort put into dressing boats to enter into the festive spirit, the boats started an hour long race around Fairway Buoys Number 11 and 7.
Traditional serenading of the race officer with Christmas Songs was done by the crew of Just Is. Duncan Haley's crew had hoisted a Christmas tree aloft and even had a Turkey aboard. Mantra had festive hats and sent the race officer yuletide greetings. Russ Cashel aboard the motor boat Havana Papa had secured a lit reindeer to his pulpit to enter into the spirit of the event.
Mantra and Double Trouble got the best start and Just Is was a little late crossing the starting line. Duncan Haley in Double Trouble rounded 11 first, followed by Phillip Harbott in Mantra, with Just Is third. Double Trouble and Just Is both hoisted spinnakers, but Mantra didn't. On the first down river leg, Mantra managed to stay in touch with the two higher rated boats, but they stretched their lead a little more each leg.
The race finished at 12 o clock and the results were not clear, as the Grand Prix traditionally is run under a complicated handicap system with deductions for decorations and additions for not entering into the spirit of the event.
At prize giving in the Crouch Yacht Club Phillip Harbott passed the microphone over to the race officer who announced the results. Glassware and festive chocolate Christmas Trees were presented to all, with Havana Papa fourth, Mantra third, Double Trouble second, and Frank Curtis and Carole Pickett in Just Is the winners of the Horse Trophy for 2012.