23rd April 2016
12 boats made their way to South-West London for the annual Firefly Junior Cup at the TamesisClub. This event is for the children – and there seemed to be quite a few of them!
The blustery northerly wind was strong enough that not many of the children managed much helming, but a every boat had at least one child crewing or doing other crucial jobs such as sticking heads in the water or shooting water pistols.
There were three close-fought races on a windward-leeward course up and down the river, giving lots of excitement for both the sailors and the enthusiastic crowd on shore. Special mention must go to Olivia Powell, who on one of her first competitive outings in a Firefly was capsized by her dad… luckily there was plenty of restorative tea and cake on offer in the ever-hospitable Tamesis clubhouse.
In the final race of the day two intrepid children took to the helm: Thomas Davey and Matthew Mason, both aged 8, and crewed by their dads (who have a long rivalry of their own). After a titanic battle all the way the course, Matthew just held off Thomas to take line honours and the Junior Cup.
Author Jamie McEwen
Photos Carolyne Vines
Results:
Junior Cup (children helming)
| Place | Helm | Crew |
| 1st | Matthew Mason | Will Mason |
| 2nd | Thomas Davey | Alex Davey |
Children Crewing
| Place | Crew | Helm |
| 1st | Thomas Davey | Alex Davey |
| 2nd | Arthur Greaves | Steve Greaves |
| 3rd | Finn Morris | Roger Morris |
| 4th | Robbie & Elizabeth Hudson | Stuart Hudson |
| 5th | Olivia & Ana Powell | Alec Powell |
| 6th | Zoe & Matthew Mason | Will Mason |
| 7th | William McEwen | Jamie McEwen |
| 8th | Ludo Kameen | Paul Kameen |
| 9th | Pippa & Millie Wakefield | Nigel Wakefield |
| 10th | Anna Morris | Amy Morris |
| 11th | Luca Merriman | Grandpa |
| 12th | Jack Dingwall & Joe Merriman | Ben Dingwall |
Cheering Competition
| 1st | Finn Kameen |
| 2nd | Ben McEwen |
| 3rd | Sylvia McEwen |
| 4th | Polly Mason |
| 5th | Ella Simmonds |
Brave Sailor – Stella Davey
Best Swimmer – Olivia Powell
Nelson Lookalike – Angus McEwen