Please select your home edition
Edition

Sam Pascoe wins the GJW Direct 48th Bloody Mary

by Tony Bishop 7 Jan 2024 08:16 NZDT 6 January 2024

Musto Skiff sailor Sam Pascoe won the GJW Direct Bloody Mary pursuit race, the fifth leg of the Selden Sailjuice Series, held at Queen Mary Sailing Club on Saturday 6 January 2024.

The winning helm from Castle Cove Sailing Club, crossed the line ahead of a 185 boat fleet accompanied by sailors representing 52 boat classes from 84 sailing clubs. A dry north westerly force 2 to 3 wind greeted the sailors, with the sun poking holes in the clouds during the race, competitors had no complaints about the conditions.

Winning helm, Sam Pasco said: "It's a very great feeling, I've chased it for quite a long time, brilliant to win it. I got a second last year, matching my Dad's result in a 2.4 from 17 years ago, so a good one to tick off the list!"

See full interview by Mark Jardine:

Martin Pue, race director, said: "The 48th GJW Direct Bloody Mary was an extremely competitive race leading to prizes being awarded to the top ten boats across six different classes. A huge success overall with a great turnout, it was impressive to see nearly over 20 youth helms, and 38 Grand Masters.

"The race was well organised and a huge thanks must go to the volunteers, the race management team, safety teams and staff who worked tirelessly throughout the day. We would like to thank our title sponsors GJW Direct and also the Selden SailJuice Winter Series."

Overall Results: (top ten)

1. Sam Pascoe - Musto Skiff, Castle Cove S.C.
2. Tom Gillard & Rachael Gray - Merlin Rocket, Sheffield Viking S.C.
3. Jack Holden & Robert Anderson - RS400, Chichester Y.C
4. Graham Camm & Anya Camm - National 12, Burghfield S.C.
5. Philip Meakins & Richard Anderton - Osprey, Warsash Y.C.
6. Sam Barker - Musto Skiff, Castle Cove S.C.
7. Ian Martin & Chris Martin - Merlin Rocket, Burghfield S.C.
8. Ian Walker & Anna Warren - RS400, Warsash Y.C.
9. Matt Reid & Libby Watkins - RS400, Parkway Y.C.
10. Ben Saxton & Lottie Fields - Merlin Rocket, RYA

Helm prizes:

  • First Lady Helm: Ann Jackson & Alan Skeens - Enterprise, Burghfield S.C
  • First Queen Mary Helm: Griff Tanner Musto Skiff, QMSC.
  • Grand Master: Philip Meakins & Richard Anderton - Osprey, Warsash Y.C.
  • First Junior Helm: Edwin Cross ILCA 6, Shoreham S.C.
Class prizes were also awarded to:
  • ILCA 6 - Edwin Cross, Shoreham S.C.
  • ILCA 7 - Jamie Blake, Great Moor S.C
  • Merlin Rocket - Tom Gillard & Rachel Gray, Sheffield Viking S.C
  • RS200 - Thomas Goodey & Verity Hopkins, RNSA
  • RS400 - Jack Holden & Robert Henderson, Chichester Y.C
  • RS800 - Ben Palmer & Dicken, Hayling Island S.C
  • Topper - Sam Mason, Silver Wing S.C
The GJW Direct Bloody Mary was proudly supporting the RNLI's 'All Hands on Deck' campaign.

Related Articles

Osprey Open at Queen Mary
A bright, blustery morning greeted the sailors A look back on the Osprey Open meeting at Queen Mary Sailing Club on 14th June 2025, where a bright, blustery morning greeted the sailors who made it there for the Osprey's inaugural one day open meeting. Posted on 24 Jun
Phantoms at Queen Mary
11 Phantoms walk into a reservoir... Eleven bold (some say foolish) Phantoms descended upon QMSC, riding in on a fresh breeze — though some were fresher than others, thanks to last week's unfortunate wildlife encounter. But I digress. Posted on 19 Jun
Merlin Rockets at Queen Mary
Double black diamond descent in the Craftinsure Silver Tiller Series A keen fleet of Merlin Rocket crews descended upon the Queen Mary reservoir on Saturday 14th June for another episode of the exciting event in the ever hotly contested Craftinsure Silver Tiller series. Posted on 17 Jun
RTYC Cumberland Cup overall
Royal Thames Yacht Club defend the title The final day of the Cumberland Cup with nine teams from across the globe, saw an intense battle to secure the final place in the Gold Group before a double round robin to decide who would lift the trophy from 1781. Posted on 19 May
RTYC Cumberland Cup day 2
Team racing battles intensify at Queen Mary reservoir Glorious sunshine and a shifty 8-12 Knot Northerly wind greeted the teams to day two of the Cumberland Cup. Despite the hospitable welcome at the Houses of Parliament none of the sailors appeared the worse for wear. Posted on 17 May
RTYC Cumberland Cup day 1
Home advantage for Royal Thames YC on opening day The Royal Thames Yacht Club team lead by Murray Hampshire and Arthur Henderson made the most of the tricky Northerly winds to lead, undefeated, at the end of day one of the Cumberland Cup. Posted on 16 May
RTYC Cumberland Cup preview
International teams will gather in London for top flight team racing Nine of the best international Team Racing Clubs have gathered in London for the biennial Cumberland Cup. Posted on 15 May
RS700 rescheduled 2024 Inlands at Queen Mary
A strong turnout of skilled sailors took part in a series of challenging races The RS700 Inland Championship took place over the weekend of the 15th and 16th of March 2025 at Queen Mary Sailing Club (QMSC). Posted on 19 Mar
RS800 Spring Championship at Queen Mary
A brisk Nor Easter makes it feel more like the Winter Championship Queen Mary SC hosted the 2025 RS800 Spring Championship alongside events for the RS200s, RS400s and RS700s. Ten boats entered what might have better been described as the "Winter" championships with a brisk Nor Easter in evidence for the whole weekend. Posted on 19 Mar
From Abandoned to Ambition
ABC Lives Project Sends Second Container of Donated Boats to St Vincent & the Grenadines Following the success of the 2023 donated boats container, led by Tony Bishop at Queen Mary Sailing Club (QMSC), the St Vincent & the Grenadines Sailing Association (SVGSA) has taken a significant step forward. Posted on 17 Mar