The 16th annual National Championships for Lymington River Scows were held in challenging conditions over the weekend, hosted this year by Keyhaven Yacht Club at the western end of the Solent.

A record number of LR Scow Association members turned up and enjoyed lunch, companionship and an excellent supper on a sunny Saturday despite racing having to be cancelled due to winds gusting over 30 knots.

One expert pair, Catherine Maguire (née Putt) and Andy Ash-Vie gave a master-class in the sailing capability of the Scow for the rest of us watching from the Clubhouse, while the only other boat to venture out soon became mud bound on a lee shore and provided the safety crew with a useful exercise.

Sunday brought rain but reasonable winds which allowed race office Hugh Carter to run two exciting races for nearly 50 Scows in single, double and junior classes. The challenge this time was unusually high waves under the fresh easterly wind.

Championship Winner in the single-handed was Robbie Claridge of Royal Lymington YC for the second year running, in the doubles David Ellis and Evie Bradley of KYC and Jack Bradley and Hannah Mutton in the juniors.

A special trophy for the best performance by a helmsman new to Scows was presented to the Association by Anne Chivers, Commodore of KYC, and was won by Peter Blick who had taken possession of his LRScow No.513 only two weeks previously and finished in third position.

(Article by John Turner for Yachts and Yachting)

Overall Results:

2011 National Championships