Airship Regatta

what fun!


Caption:

The day started off wonderfully at Austin Green, the racers could not have asked for better conditions, sunny with a two knot warm easterly wind. Captains Edwick, Hampton and Clough started off the race in fine style capturing first second and third respectively, for the first half of the race. Then after tea, when it all looked wrapped up Clough and his Firelight made a dangerous bid for first by cleating low off the fifth marker leaving Hampton's Lusterous Pearl in a distant third and dashing the cup hopes for Edwick's Arrow. Around the same time a Noreaster blew up bringing with it the first signs of a blustery conclusion to the race (captured by staff artist). The airships Gossamer, Kestrel, Madame Huffington were all grounded due to engine failure resulting from the inclement weather, and in the end the firelight took the the cup and the 5,000$ grand prix, an achievment worthy of the family name and an Austin Field regatta record flight of 4:50:23