The 75^th Birthday of BLUE JACKET (RB4) was celebrated in style last weekend. Blue Lightening cocktails were kindly provided by David Beale and Diana and enjoyed by a large crowd at Rowton House at the RBYC. This vantage point provided a wonderful view of BLUE JACKET dressed overall moored in front of the clubhouse.

The recital by the ‘Poet Laureates’ of the now traditional limerick dedicated to each boat was met with approval by the packed crowd.

Friends and supporters of RB4 then gathered for a blue themed dinner in the RBYC to continue the celebrations into the night. The visiting Royal Thames Yacht Club team (see below) joined in the celebrations and claim that their performance in the team race the following day may have been affected by their late night in the bar!

RTYC vs RBYC Team Race

Sunday heralded the annual team race against the Royal Thames Yacht Club. Peter Hunter once again assembled a very sociable team to try and wrest the Aspirin Trophy from our grasp. Conditions were ideal with a steady easterly wind just firm enough to make a very interesting beat over the tide. A short course off the club provided an entertaining view for the spectators as 8 RBODs battled it out in some tight racing. The racing was controlled with crisp efficiency by Chris Slatter and Richard Neville, kindly manning the race box on their weekend off. After some tense and exciting team racing, the RBYC came away victorious winning all three races; although there was only 0.75 point separating the teams in the last race. Thanks to the RBOD owners who lent their boats and well done to the winning helms and crews:-

RBYC Team:-

Tim Herring (QUARTZ)

David Beale (ONYX)

Steve Adams (WHITE ROSE)

Mike Shields, Will Dallimore, Nicola Hastwell (GERALDINE)

After the racing both teams and supporters of the RBOD Class enjoyed a superb seafood lunch organised by Martin Smith.