Charity boat race fun was sunk by inconsistent rules

It is with regret I feel compelled enough to write to the Post & Times having just taken part in the charity dragon boat race day at Rudyard lake in aid of the Sailability charity.

I have competed in this for the last few years and usually have enjoyed it immensely. The team which I was part of was strong and we recorded the fastest time in the heats, easily surpassing the time recorded of the winners of many previous years, and winners of last year's competition. The semi-final saw the two fastest teams placed against each other and even though there was a unintentional coming together of boats between my team and another, we recovered enough to finish second and were on course for the final.

However, it was deemed by the officials that our boat was the guilty party in the coming together and rather than receiving a five-second penalty (as a boat in exactly the same situation had received earlier) we were disqualified. Lo and behold the race which followed ours witnessed another coming together of boats and this time neither a disqualification or time penalty resulted.

I am fully aware that the day was in aid of charity, but even so there is nothing wrong with a competitive spirit and it was clearly a case of one set of rules for one, and another for the other.

We were told we could compete in the plate (runners up competition) but surely if we are disqualified we can no longer compete in the competition at all. To be told by the head steward it is a charity fun day, and then being told you are disqualified from this 'fun' day leaves a sour taste.

I have collected quite a large amount of sponsor money to take part in the event but now I am afraid, I will be giving it to another charity, who dare I say it, maybe deserve it a little more.

Will Robinson

Ladderedge