The Island Race, Aug 30

Published 11:21 on 7 Sep 2020

Members of Ullswater Yacht Club took part in their oldest trophy race on a long-distance course in light winds on Sunday, August 30

The Island Race was first sailed in 1959 and the event has been held every year since then. The club had been founded the year before and the idea of sailing the full length of the lake, around an island at the other end and back captured the imagination of the enthusiastic members of the new club.

The race for the Island Race Trophy is still one of the most popular closed events in the club calendar and despite Covid-19 restrictions to keep members safe, organisers were keen that it should take place. The trophy was donated in 1959 by founder member Selwyn Kirwood who specified that the course should be to both ends of the lake to the furthest island in the South, Cherry Holm, and to the North end at Pooley Bridge.

But this year it wasn't to be. With a very light Northerly wind, the race officers decided it would be sensible to have a shorter course to the first island, Norfolk Island and back. Keith Lockey and Paul Adams in a VX One took an early lead and managed to stay ahead of the eleven-boat fleet to the island and stayed ahead all the way back. They finished in around two and a half hours, winning the overall race and the coveted trophy on handicap. Two other VX Ones were next over the finish line but they were not far enough ahead of a Flying Fifteen sailed by Dave and Sue Giles who took the overall second place.

In the cruiser fleet, there were eight starters but they all suffered from the lack of wind. Of the five finishers, the first back was Etap 21 sailed by Keith McDermott, Mike Egan and Martin Barratt after almost four and half hours and they were also first on handicap. Second back and second on handicap were Brian Moreton and Bill Bell in a Kite.

- Sue Giles

Last updated 19:16 on 15 April 2024