Sailing News

Streaker Open Meeting Sunday 13th April

Twelve boats entered the second event on the Streaker Northern Paddle circuit. Full report.

Sailing Reports

Sunday March 23rd

On a wintry day a good mixture of boats turned out to sail in the Easter Regatta, with Toppers, Enterprises, Lasers, Streakers and an RS 200 taking part. After some close sailing and quite a few capsizes the largest Easter egg was won by Jess who got a first and a third with Russell and Kate next with two seconds.

Sunday 16th March

A good day for Toppers. Eight boats started on a rather cold and grey but windy day. After the Commodore had practiced his capsize drill five times and most others had gone over too, it was decided to shorten the race. Oli came first and Michael third in Toppers with Russell and Kate second in their Enterprise.

The wind moderated a little for the second race and this was won by Mike Brown in the Laser.

News from members at Open Meetings

Battle of the Classes Pursuit Race 2008

London Boat Show Sunday 20th January 2008

The alarm went off at 5.05am (well it had to really!) for the journey down to Excel. Rigged and ready to go by 10:30, a short briefing followed given by PRO Paul Carpenter (of Hayling 06 fame). The 100 minute pursuit race started at 12:00 noon with the 505’s starting with the Hornet 32 minutes later.

The wind on the water at this stage didn’t look too threatening however it always gets up just as you want to launch, doesn’t it! The wait for the start and first few laps seemed to be the windiest (Force 4 and a bit), Andy had the worst of it not being able to clip on upwind as the wind was so gusty (oops I shouldn’t say that I am a helm).

Each time we passed under the bridge there were the lofty calls of "Come on 5 0" from Dougal, Tanya and the two Kates who also took the pictures. The wind direction was skewed a little across the full length of the dock so the windward leeward course was a beat up the side of the moored yachts with some careful tacks by the side of HMS Exeter, making sure not to damage her Majesty’s pride and joy.

The run back down, also on that side of the course (more pressure less wind shadow etc) became quite congested as each class steered their optimum angle. The final beat; short tacking up the dock side felt a little like one of Adam Bowers training exercises from a few years ago, but as the finishing gun went we were about two tacks short of the leading three who all crossed the line together. Incidentally the prizes are quite good too for anybody who has the opportunity of doing next years race!

Overall results

1st Phantom 1277 Andy Couch

2nd National 12 3492 Graham Camm Sam Childs

3rd 505 8935 Russel Short Andrew Short

Go to the Gallery to see a picture.