ANRC Rally 2005

Narrow Boat Handling Competition

The Narrow Boat Handling competition was postponed on Saturday due to high winds. Although this event did not feature in the Amber Plaque, there was a cup at the end of it. OCC entered Harry as Captain and Chris as crew in Blue Velvet. The strategy was for Harry to do the handling and Chris to direct and if as the Cruiser Handling knots were required, Chris was the expert. The handling went well despite getting a discarded plastic boat tarpaulin tangled around the prop. Harry with Chris's assistance manoeuvred Blue Velvet in and out of buoys both forward and reverse with absolute precision. Even on the mop challenge, 8 notches out of a possible 10 were achieved. Chris wanted to go for 10, but the red zone loomed and so did disqualification !! The competition whilst doing well on the buoy challenge only scored one's and two's on the mop challenge. All was well for Harry and Chris, all was left was the questions and possibly the knots. Our hero's felt quietly confident. Then can the major blow ! All the questions related to the canals. Canals, we're on the River Nene? Terry where are you? The other competitors, now enjoying a life of retirement and frequenting the canals on a regular basis, now seemed to have the edge. John from PYC (later declared the winner) actually hit Blue Velvet on his return. "Luckily for him the judging had stopped ". The other John from PCC (second club OCC), who had just returned from the canal system and was going back, knew the answers, but has only scored 1 on the mop challenge. Our hero's had fought well for the club, but had to concede in the end. Stll good fun was had by all !!!

Our Hero's  head away to star the challenge ahead.	Concern as Harry wonders why the engine has stalled and Blue Velvet is drifting?
Free again to continue the challenge. Winning was back on the agenda !

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