The first of the 2008 series was very well organised by 3 Rivers Radio Yacht Club on 24th February.

This series was initiated over 20 years ago between three clubs to provide friendly competitive events to encourage ordinary club members that normally would not travel to other clubs. These events are still achieving this objective and are now even more open with five clubs entering 12 skippers for this event.

In the morning a 0-6 mph southerly wind was blowing offshore through the trees and over skippers' left shoulders. It was very variable, with large holes where there was absolutely no wind. This often entrapped a great cluster of the fleet, whilst the rest crept away in the lightest of breezes, often finishing with a big leads. A total of 14 races were sailed over a triangle and sausage course, using a wide leeward gate. The latter added a further element of chance, which allowed there to be 5 different winners.

In the very first race local skipper, John Male demonstrated his local knowledge by gambling to go for the more sheltered inner leeward gate mark. By doing this he gained an advantage over at the initial leader, Roger Stollery, who went for the outer mark. However on the second round he went for the outer mark to confuse the fleet even further, but was overtaken both Roger on final beat. However John then made no mistake in Race 2 by winning from Roger. After a dodgy start Martin Crysell began to sail very consistently and won both Races 3 and 4 from Laurie Bower and David Andrews respectively. He maintained a downwind strategy of always bearing away sharply around the windward mark and taking a course well away from the sheltered area. This nearly always paid off and in the afternoon he sometimes planed at amazing speed to the outer leeward mark, whilst others languished on inner courses. It was Peter Popham's turn to win a pair of races, namely Races 5 and 6, firstly from Martin and then John.

In the afternoon the wind came a bit more from the West and although still blowing over the left shoulder was more straight down the lake. This provided a much steadier and stronger breeze, which everyone enjoyed. Martin won Races 7 and 8 from John and Roger, who then went on to win Race 9. Peter won the next race with Roger winning Races 11 and 13, interrupted by Martin winning Race 12. Finally David Andrews who had been having a bad day won the final race from Peter and Martin.

The prizewinners thanked the 3 Rivers Club in for organising another superb event and particularly Peter Constable who did a good job as PR0 and Ross Pilgrim, who was always on hand to observe, rescue entangled boat's, or move the buoys etc. The 3 Rivers Club also helped Martin Houlton in the drama at the end of the event when he realised that he had inadvertently locked his key in his car. Fortunately 'The Green Flag' were able to open his car without damaging it.

1st Martin Crysell Guildford 'Rok' 28, 2nd Roger Stollery Guildford 'Crazy Tube Too' 31, 3rd Peter Popham 3 Rivers 'Starkers' 35, 4th John Male 3 Rivers 'Starkers' 60, 5th David Andrews Hampton Court 'Prime Number' 61, 6th Martin Houlton Solent 'Constellation' 69, 7th Dennis Moss Hampton Court 'Prime Number' 69, 8th John Carter 3 Rivers 'Starkers' 75, 9th Keith Allen 3 Rivers 'Paradox' 90, 10th Laurie Bower Hampton Court 'Starkers' 96, 11th Roger Pearce Woking 'Paradox' 117, 12th Mark Mortimer Guildford 'Roar Edge' 126.