The John Cope Race - Natalia's report

Sunday 24th July 2022

Today we set sail to start the downriver John Cope race. This consists of two races, one down river to about Battersea Park and the other from Battersea Park to SBSC.

We started the first race with Peter just on the line, but Andrew, James and Jakob quickly caught up. Four minutes in, James was leading the race in his Solo, with Andrew and Jakob closely battling it out in their Lasers. It was quite a windy day so the whole way down favoured some incredible but difficult downwind sailing. Andrew, James and Jakob were neck and neck the whole way down, but James managed to seal the deal and take first place at the end of the first race.

The race took about half an hour considering the favourable wind, so we had to wait about half an hour at Battersea Park before the tide turned.

James and Jakob had the best start in the second race which started at 18:45 with Jakob heading the whole upwind leg back to SBSC. James, Andrew, and Peter closely followed. The exhaustion and satisfaction were evident across everyone’s faces once they got back to dry land.

James managed to secure the race winning him the cup to the John Cope race with Jakob and Andrew in second and third place. Congrats to all sailors, a well-deserved pint of beer was waiting for them at the club!

Natalia.

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