THE INAUGUAL Bart’s Bash is a sailing race that was run by sailing clubs all around the world on Sunday on behalf of the Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson Sailing Foundation charity.
Each sailing club sailed an individual Bart’s Bash race at their location (with certain set requirements to meet the Guinness World Record criteria) on Sunday and Arden Sailing Club in Defford was part of the event.
Eight crews from Arden Sailing Club took to the water at 11am on Sunday, joining thousands of other dinghy sailors from hundreds of clubs across the UK to take part in simultaneous races over a measured course of 1km laps.
The club raised over £80 in sponsorship for Bart’s Bash. In a light north easterly wind and pleasant warm sunshine, Niall Campbell (Enterprise) took first place, Ralph Evans (Solo) second and David Yule (Heron) third.
In the first of the scheduled races for the Arden Burgee, sailors handicaps are adjusted dependent on placings in the Pursuit series of races. Campbell again took first, Evans again second and Stuart Stephen (Enterprise) third.
The final race of the day – the Strensham Series – saw Campbell again triumphant with Stephen and Evans changing position for second and third.
Keith Stevens took best placed Comet in Bart’s Bash (fifth), with Terry Andrews having a good day finishing as leading Comet in the Arden Burgee and the Strensham.