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Teignmouth Live Up To Early Promise

A closer look at recent results of the Schools Marine Challenge clearly shows that Teignmouth Community College are a team on the rise. After a promising rookie year they routed the opposition in last year's methanol race and would have won the Electric race were it not for an unfortunate collision with the rescue boat!

2008 was they year it all fell into place for the team from Dorset as they scored points across all categories to take an impressive victory in the sixth Schools Marine Challenge. Throughout the event they were pursued gallantly by Launceston College who scored enough points to have won the trophy in any other year, taking first place in both the Electric and Methanol racing categories as well as fourth in the Solar event. Reigining champs Heles put up a spirited defense of their title, finishing a distant third behind the two leaders.

Unlike last year, the weather was very co-operative, and despite a short shower during the Solar races, competitors were able to give their best in helpful conditions.

Well done to all those involved in what was a memorable event!

Solar Challenge Report

As the morning progressed the weather improved markedly on the solar pond with the final being run in near perfect conditions. Teignmouth set the early pace but were equalled in their qualifying speed by an impressive craft from Eastern region entrants Applemore College. Applemore's craft looked fast, but they were slightly fortunate to post their fast time early as their 2nd and 3rd runs were hampered by problems with their guide wires.

With the final taking the best two of three times to decide the result it was important that boats were consistently fast; one fast time would not be enough to take the title. The first heat was won convincingly by Teignmouth with Applemore in 2nd, but the second heat saw an amazing run by Applemore to post the fastest time of the day (12.8 seconds) as they narrowly defeated Knowles Hill. The third heat saw normal service resumed as Teignmouth ran out easy winners from Applemore whilst mechanical problems left Knowles Hill in last place. Both Knowles Hill and Applemore will know that if only they could have repeated their 2nd heat performance then victory would belong to them. As it was, Teignmouth edged out Applemore by less than a second with Beaminster taking third place.

Electric Challenge Report

The standard of craft involved in the Electric Challenge was superb, with lots of action on the Roadford water. Launceston set the pace from the outset and were joined at the head of the standings by Teignmouth after the first heat. But whilst Launceston were able to continue their pace in the next two heats, Teignmouth couldn't keep up and hit technical problems in heat three. Pilton finished strongly in the last two heats to sneak ahead of them, whilst Heles also finished strongly.

Methanol Challenge Report

A number of pit watchers were attracted by the subtle lines of the Newquay Tretharras craft in the marquee and as it powered around during the warm-up it looked like they would be the team to catch. Not for the first time though, their race was run a little too early as they came to a halt prior to completing theit first lap and that would be the last we would see of them until much later.

Yet again Launceston started well, clocking 11 laps in the first heat, trailng early leaders Knowles Hill by 3. Beaminster, Teignmouth and Estover also posted plenty of laps to set up a thrilling finish. Knwoles Hill failed to appear in heat two, leaving Beaminster to take the lead ahead of Teignmouth and Launceston. As heat three started the result was in the balance with any one of three teams in with a good chance. Teignmouth were early casualties with mechanical problems leaving the title to be fought out by Beaminster and Launceston. As fate would have it, as it has so often in the past here, the title was decided by a collision. No blame could be apportioned to either driver, but as heat three developed, a collision took place between the two leaders. As Beaminster and Launceston clashed it first looked as though Launceston had come off worst as they flipped over, but they were righted by the rescue boat and went onwards, completing an impressive 19 laps. However, Beaminster were not so fortunate, sustaining damage that ended their challenge, allowing Teignmouth to post another second place finish.