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Heles Retain Title Amidst Rain and Mud

Heles School from Plymouth became the first school to retain the Schools Marine Trophy at a sodden Roadford Race Day. Conditions couldn't have been more different to those experienced by competitors last year as the British summer ensured that the lakeside venue was turned into a muddy field that wouldn't have looked out of place at Glastonbury. Given the awful conditions, it was a huge testament to all those involved in the challenge that the racing was as exciting and competitive as ever. Indeed, as the final prizegiving approached it was still hard to pick a winner. However, Heles hasd contineued their all round approach from last year and it again paid dividends as they finished high up in all three categories.

The start of the Solar final with Newquay proving that biggest is best!

Solar Racing

With the difficult weather conditions, finding a window for the solar races proved to be somewhat difficult. As usual, there was an array of interestingly designed craft, notable of which was that from John Kitto School. The racing was extremely close with there being only a small margin between the top three, with Newquay Tretharras just holding off a spirited challnge from both Colyton and Launceston in the closest final since the start of the challenge.

 

Electric Racing

The competition within the Electric category was also as good as we've seen in the five years of the Schools Marine Challenge. Knowles Hill were clearly the dominant team, but the Newquay Tretharras boat made huge improvements towards the end of the racing to match them all the way. Were it not for such a slow start in the first heat they would have

challenged Launceston for second place, if not Knowles Hill as winners. Another team that must be wondering what might have been were Teignmouth as their entry matched Knowles Hill lap for lap in the early parts of the heats, but their

fate turned on two laps of incidents. After treating the crowd to some thrilling head-to-head racing with Knowles Hill the two race leaders clashed once too often and the Knowles Hill boat came off much the worst in a spectacular accident, seemingly leaving the race at the mercy of Teignmouth. However, they failed to capitalise and take

what would have been an impressive first heat lead when their boat inexpilcably crashed into the rescue boat as it went to the aid of Knowles Hill on the very next lap. Knowles Hill did well to recover from their own crash and returned in the second heat, doing enough to stay ahead of a spirited challenge form both Launcestion and Newquay.

West Exe work on their boat between methanol races.

Methanol Racing

The Methanol finals were started in possibly the worst conditions of the day. Indeed, the driving rain seemed to know when the break was between the heats as it eased up slightly when the boats retired to the pits, only to start again with a vengeance as the hooter went to start the next race. Particularly hard hit were the drivers, who found the conditions most difficult in their exposed position atop the podium.

In truth, the Methanol race was something of a rout with Teignmouth fulfilling their potential from their rookie year and winning by a huge margin, completing an astonishing 22 laps more than their nearest rivals, Great Torrington. It could be said that the result of the methanol race was Teignmouth first, the weather second!