Trent Valley SC’s first Vintage and Four Plank open meeting took place in beautiful sunshine and the seven vintage and six four-plank boats enjoyed a fabulous day’s racing last Saturday.

The first race was started in light winds with a short reach to the first mark. John Cheetham arrived at the mark first and sailed into an unassailable lead in his Windfall design. Nick Gill sailing China Doll N2487 also had a good start but was ultimately overtaken by vintage ‘old hands’ Brian Herring and Brian Kitching.

The second race saw a narrow boat deciding to join in the fun but John Cheetham led from the line with Peter Ferguson in second. There was lots of place changing to the top mark, but John Cheetham finished in the lead with Rosie White second in her Paper Dart and Brian Herring third.

The third race saw Diane Thornton in her Cheshire Cat first around the bottom mark followed by John Cheetham and Brian Kitching. More close tacking ensued but by the end of the first lap John Cheetham again had a huge lead, followed by Nick Gill who had finally remembered the secrets of the Trent, with Rosie White in third.

Overall Results

1. John and Alison Cheetham, Yeadon SC (4-plank)
2. Rosie and Chris White, Burghfield SC (4-plank)
3. Brian Herring and Ros Stevenson, Winsford Flash (Vintage)
4. Nick Gill and Christine Marshall, Trent Valley SC (Vintage)

The prize for the greatest vintage index (total age of helm, crew and boat) was awarded to Brian Miatt and Margaret Purkis from Yorkshire Ouse sailing Witch N153.