Results of Southend Barge Match 2011
Sunday 28th August

The weather was glorious with a lot of sunshine and a stong breeze from the W during the day, which allowed the barges to make good progress against a fast running tide at the beginning of the race.
The race was started at 11am by the Deputy Mayor of Southend-on-Sea Councillor Sally Carr.

The barges set off from the pierhead on a course that took them to Sea Reach No 7 buoy then back to the pier via West Leigh Middle and Leigh Low Way marks. The barges then sailed across the Estuary to the Mid Swatch and West Nore Sand Mark before returing to the pier head via the Leigh Low Way buoy to finish - distance 15.2 nm

Class C sailed a shorter course: Pier to West Leigh Middle, Leigh Low Way, Pierhead, West Nore Sand and finish at the Pier head - distance 10.1 nm

Results:

Class A - Bowsprit Barges
1st Edme
2nd Marjorie
3rd Adieu

Class B – Champion Staysail Barges
1st Melissa
2nd Edith May

Class C Restricted Staysail Barges
1st Lady of the Lea

Fastest Start overall: Edith May 14s
Fastest barge to the outer mark: Edme
Seamanship Prize: Geoff Gransden Edith May

The prizegiving was held at the Alexandra Yacht Club, where the prizes were presented by Deputy Mayor Councillor SallyCarr.