On Saturday 28th September eight lady helms started the Packard Ladies Race. This year it was an all in handicap race on an oblong course in-front of the club.  Competitors were greeted with brilliant sunshine and a fickle but brisk force 2 breeze. There was a mix of single handers and keelboats, including three Otter lady helms. After three laps of the course and just under an hour of racing, Alex Porteous in her Blaze was a worthy winner finishing over two and a half minutes in front of the next boat on corrected time. She was followed by three Squibs who battled each other all the way around the course and were helmed by Scarlett Anderson, Hannah Harden and Jo Tribe who finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively on corrected time.  Top Otter was Amelia Kilgour in 5th followed by Florence Fisher in 6th and Amelia Bowd in 8th and they were all in Lasers. Becky Bacon, helming an RCOD for the first time in race conditions, sailed a great race in what must have been a difficult course and conditions for a large boat. A well deserved champagne celebration on the mooring after the race! I’m sure the lady helms who had crews would like to thank them for their efforts.

The Packard Ladies Cup commemorates the sailing achievements of two intrepid yachtswomen, the Packard sisters, Celia and Nina, who originally won this cup at Burnham Week back in 1899. This year winner will be presented with the Cup at the Laying Up Supper on 26th October. For the full results please click HERE.

Photos courtesy of PB Photos.