Festive Fun on the Mere: Boxing Day Bash 2025 Race Report
Published 22:45 on 12 Jan 2026
A glorious sunny, but cold, winter's day greeted the sailors to the 2025 Boxing Day Bash in aid of the RNLI. Beaten to the water by the courageous swimmers of the Warrington Dolphins, not all in wetsuits, a fleet of 18 boats prepared for the racing.
Unusually for Budworth, the wind was a north-easterly, driven down in the high pressure belt, promised by the forecasters. Absent at 9.30, the wind arrived until 11.30, and fell away as the boats launched, causing a short postponement. Making a welcome re-appearance the first race began at 12.15 in a steady wind, beating from F to B, and again from E to C this direction requiring a boat start and signals.
The Albacore of Tim Coleman, crewed by Kim Cant raced Chris and Marie Smallwood in the RS around the first mark. Rounding E to port, the Boxing Day spirit of 'goodwill to all' was alive and evident as all the pursuing boats told Tim "E to starboard"! Unwinding, and then rounding correctly, caused the Albacore to retreat from leadership and gave Phil Barnes (Solo), Chris (RS), and Jonny McGovern (GP with Neil Marsden crewing), the chance to take the lead. Not far behind was the leading Snipe sailed by Ben Ditchburn with daughter Matilda as crew.
Tim Coleman in the Albacore regained the lead and crossed the line 22 seconds ahead of Jonny McGovern, Tony and Rachel Wilcock 3rd, Chris Smallwood 4th, Phil Barnes 5th, and Ben Ditchburn 6th. Based on 20 minute laps for the middle of the fleet, the course was shortened to enable sailors to warm up with lunch served by Dianne Owen in the Galley.
Corrected times gave the race to Jonny McGovern, Phil Barnes 2nd and Simon and Rosanna Joyce 3rd.
Over lunch the Race team formulated a new course, giving more balance to the asymmetrics, with a couple of reaches. The wind disagreed! Out on the water for Race 2, the wind disappeared completely, and small gusts blew northerly, southerly, and north westerly. Ready for a total abandonment, the Committee boat was followed by the whole fleet looking for a good position.
But the Boxing Day Bash is organised for charity, to have a lovely day out in the fresh air, and give sailors some fun, so the wind relented and returned to the eastern end of the mere. Quickly, a triangular course was set, from X to A then C, and the fleet set off 'all clear' at the start line. After 4 laps, and some interesting 'mini-battles', Jonny McGovern took the klaxon, 5 seconds ahead of Tim Coleman, followed by Phil Barnes 7 seconds later and half a minute ahead of Chris Smallwood. Tony Wilcock, Simon Joyce and Ben Ditchburn followed rapidly behind.
On corrected time, Jonny McGovern, Phil Barnes, and Simon Joyce took precedence over Tim Coleman.
By this time the sun had disappeared behind the trees, and sailors, rescue as well as Race Management were pleased to relax in the warmth of the bar, with mulled wine and mince pies a traditional closure to the Budworth sailing season.
Results show Jonny McGovern with Neil Marsden in 1st place, Phil Barnes 2nd and therefore first single hander, Simon and Rosanna Joyce in 3rd, with Ben and Matilda Ditchburn in 4th. Tristan Shaw was the Junior 1st place, with Ben and Freddie Smallwood romping home in 2nd and 3rd.
Among the 'personal mini-battles' Luke Shaw (Solo) came ahead of son, Tristan, in. both races by a margin of 10, then 8 seconds, which gave Tristan the 'bragging rights' on corrected time. 'Better sailors' group members Fiona Plaisted and Sam Bithell (GP) took the 'Endeavour Award'.
Concluding, Jonny and Neil thanked Budworth, remarking that the quality sailing, competitive racing, and sheer enjoyable fun of the day had restored their faith in our mere, when previous visits had been rewarded with no wind! Although not called upon to rescue, they thanked Paul Clancy and the Rib team, as well as the Race Management team, Alison Hutton (in the box), Jon Chapman and Hugh Devereux (AROs), and PRO Mark Philpot. With AROs of the quality, experience and knowledge of Jon and Hugh, the actual role of the PRO was to listen to good advice and act on it!
Why not join in the festive fun next year? See you there....
Report by PRO Mark Philpot.
