Classic Boat — January 2018

Clockwise from top left: the Lord Mayor of Maldon presenting the big smack cup to Robin Page of Alberta; Adrian

Mulville and son Ollie, winners of the bermudan class in their West Solent OD Halloween; Bob Fawkes, winner of the

small smack class in Lizzie Annie; Jane Coombs on Hardy

Main photo: Lizzie Annie sailing
past the promenade and
on to Maldon town

racing rather than the shallows of the east coast, but I
have my best start ever, crossing the line as the horn
sounds. I’m amid very close racing with other beautiful
boats like Jamie Clay’s Albert Strange-designed Firefl y
and Stella No 58 Mai. These are well-cared-for boats,
varnish still bright, even at the end of the season. And
they are skilfully sailed, so I’m pleased to be on starboard.
It’s competitive: calls are made for clear water and some
are serious. Traditional sails are gybed and tacked in the light
southerly breeze, allowing a broad reach to the fi rst mark.
It’s a joy to see these boats in such close company –
part of the reason we take part. In a short period the fl eet
begins to separate into individual hull speeds. The course
takes us out and across the now-fl ooding tide where boats
can lee-bow to make the mark easily.
The fi nish is off Osea Pier, once a landing stage to the
island, but now derelict. It’s a traditional place to anchor
and to wait for the tide to fl ood the fi ne approaches to
Maldon town. So the race boats anchor – time to have
lunch – before the second race starts and the fl eet sets off
to a fi nish at The Hythe, the town quay, in front of
Maldon’s Little Ship Club, established 90 years ago, where
crowds have gathered on the promenade.
In these perfect conditions, the race becomes a parade
of sail. It’s an impressive sight, possibly even better seen
from the deck of a boat. In the brief tide gap the boats
head into the boatyards before the ebb tide takes hold.
They settle onto the mud and skippers and crew head to
the old sail loft for a beer supplied by The Mighty Oak
Brewing Company of Maldon.

The prize-giving is a tradition in itself, with each

winner’s trophy supplemented with a box of Maldon Salt

(harvested from local waters since 1882), as well as a copy

of Classic Boat.

The winning names may be familiar to many east coast

readers. It’s a traditional race, well organised and

attended, and each year gathering together boats and

crews who have grown up with traditional boats.

Many have restored them, like Bob Fawkes who rebuilt

his small smack Lizzie Annie in his younger days and

continues to care for her. Likewise, attending again this

year is Noel Probyn on Hardy. On board with him is Jane

Coombs, co-chair of Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.

Robin Page takes the honours in the fi rst race, sailing

Alberta in the big smack class, while Bob Fawkes sailing

Lizzie Annie wins the small smack class. The gaff -rig

winner is Jamie Clay’s Firefl y.

My bermudan class was won by Adrian Mulville in his

West Solent One Design Halloween. He also won the West

Solent One Design class, but then he was the only entrant.

I wish that there was a Gauntlet-only class, which I would

have won, but instead I was in mid-table obscurity. As two

skippers pointed out, I should clean my boat’s hull before

a race. “Don’t worry about new sails, clean the

hull fi rst,” smiled Bob over a pint in the local pub.

It’s a grand event, worthy of a clean bottom!

The next Maldon Town Regatta is set

for Saturday, 22 September, 2018.

maldonregatta.co.uk

PETER SMITH DEN PHILLIPS