Sailing Club Spotlight Carrickfergus Sailing Club

MEMBERS of Carrickfergus Sailing Club have vowed to continue normal activities “as far as possible” after a fire destroyed the clubhouse at the weekend. Fire and Rescue crews were called to the scene at 11.40pm on Friday after being alerted by staff departing for the night. The blaze was attended by crews from Carrickfergus, Whitehead, Glengormley, Belfast and Lisburn fire stations, as well as an aerial ladder platform from Knock fire station. A spokesperson from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that while the cause of the blaze is still under investigation, it is thought an electrical fault was to blame. “We will be using offices that a few local organisations have offered us for a few days, and then hope to arrange a temporary premises,” said Roger Woodward, Commodore at Carrickfergus Sailing Club. “However, we are keen to emphasize that all the club’s sailing, racing and cruising activities will continue in the meantime. We have a sailing course for children that will continue as planned next week as we have very kindly been offered the use of the facilities at the Sea Cadets building. “As I understand it, when the building was being locked up on Friday night, staff heard the smoke alarm going off and returned to see that a fire had started. The barman Karl Brannigan was absolutely excellent in following the proper procedures to get staff evacuated and the fire crews contacted,” Roger added. “I arrived at the club myself at about five past midnight, and at that stage the flames had already spread considerably, so the main focus of the crew had to be preventing them from spreading further and igniting other buildings such as the boat shed. However it was clear to see that the club was lost at that stage. “We’re very grateful for the support we’ve received from the local community; the Mayor and Mayoress came to club at about 1:30am on Saturday morning which was much appreciated. We hope to continue with our activities as far as possible and focus on supporting the efforts our member Ryan Seaton in the Olympics this summer.”

Sailing: Foxall in need of trouble-free finish with his Ocean dream on the horizon

The six boats competing in the Volvo Ocean Race are sailing their final day at sea today as the 39,000-mile contest reaches its final destination on Galway Bay, eight months after departing Alicante. The overall lead is held by French entry Groupama 4, skippered by Franck Cammas, with a 10-man crew that includes Ireland's Damian Foxall, but success hinges on avoiding incidents. "We've seen it all during this race -- masts coming down, rudders breaking, we don't want any of that in the last 36 hours of the offshore section of the race," Foxall said. "It's going to be harder for the other guys to take it away from us." The fleet is expected to reach Galway sometime between midnight and 6.0 tomorrow, depending on wind conditions on the 540-mile leg from Lorient in Brittany. Groupama's overall win is widely expected, though it relies heavily on a strong performance in this final leg in which they must place fourth or better. American entry Puma, skippered by Ken Read, is the principal challenger and needs to win this leg plus have the French boat finish worse than fourth. Thousands In that scenario, the outright victory of the 39,000-mile race would depend on next Saturday's short In-Port race to be held off Salthill where tens of thousands of spectators gathered in 2009 when the previous race stopped off after crossing the Atlantic from Boston. However, if Cammas and his crew do win tomorrow, next Saturday will still decide the In-Port series that has been sailed in each of the other nine ports around the world since last October. A win for Groupama would be the first Volvo Ocean Race victory for Foxall, who comes from Derrynane and had a childhood dream of competing in the then Whitbread Round the World Race. He will join Cork sailor Justin Slattery, bowman on Ian Walker's Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team, as a winner of this race from 2006. Slattery and Walker haven't fared as well this time after their boat had to miss two stages of the race due to damage. "It's going to be quick trip to Galway, we're really looking forward to it," said Slattery shortly before departing Lorient yesterday. "It can't come soon enough." Live position reports on www.volvooceanrace.com will update the estimated time of arrival into Galway in the course of today.

Sailing is really boring ??

Prince Charles drops in to sailing academy

PRINCE Charles cracked open a bottle of Dorset beer on a visit to the Olympic Sailing venue – and poured it all over a boat. He raised cheers with his impromptu royal seal of approval of the new Team GB 49er Skiff, while enjoying a ‘whistle-stop tour’ of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy yesterday. The sun shone as the prince toured at the invitation of triple Olympic gold-medallist Ben Ainslie, who is an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust. He was also met by the Lord Lieutenant for Dorset Valerie Pitt-Rivers, the High Sheriff Jeremy Pope, Portland mayor Sylvia Bradley, Councillor Jenny Collinge, sailing academy chairman Edward Leask and chief executive John Tweed, and RYA Olympic manager Stephen Park. Ainslie said: “It’s great for Prince Charles to see what’s taking place down here and the activities, not just for the Olympic sailors but for the youngsters coming down to use these facilities more and more. “It’s really getting exciting, there are so many international teams training and preparing, as there have been for a long time. “You can feel the excitement and tension building up.” Britain’s 49er sailor Stevie Morrison said it was a ‘real honour’ that Prince Charles had toasted their new vessel, which will be sailed in the Games. Ads by Google Custom flags made in UK Custom flags printed to your design Fast delivery. Free art assistance. www.MrFlag.com Yacht Charter London 2012 Support Team GB In August From Your Own Chartered Yacht In Weymouth Bay www.leopard3.com/Olympics2012 Stevie’s crewmate Ben Rhodes, of Exmouth, said: “He used a bottle of Palmer’s Dorset Gold ale. “We’ve called her Lovely Rita after the Beatles song, we thought it was about as British a name as it could be. Also, Ben calls his boats Rita so we thought we’d get in with that action too.” He added: “Prince Charles was really nice, he told us about when he was here in the Navy.” Portland Paralympian John Robertson said: “This was the first time I’d met Prince Charles, he’s a nice chap.” Weymouth’s Olympic windsurfer Bryony Shaw said: “He told me about all the times he used to do windsurfing back in the ’80s. “He seemed really interesting.” Charles also met a line-up of athletes from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America. Australia’s 470 sailor Amanda Clark described the Royal visit as ‘pretty incredible’, which highlighted how the Olympics brought about ‘good will’ and the chance to meet very influential people. She added: “I’m so happy he came down to support sailing and to christen the boat for the British, that’s just so cool.” PRINCE Charles helped students leave a lasting flavour of 2012 under the new Dorchester Sports Centre. After attending a Prince’s Foundation reception in Poundbury, Charles was met by cheering children at the sports facility. The prince helped pupils from the Thomas Hardye School to bury a time capsule under the new £8million centre. The school’s history department ran a competition of ideas and chose six Year 9 pupils to put together the final product. Hannah Roberts-Baker said: “It was really exciting getting to meet Prince Charles, I thought he would be really prim and proper but he was really funny and friendly.” History teacher Gemma Cambell said: “They all got into it and some of the ideas they came up with were really interesting. The capsule includes a student film depicting a day in the life of a young person in 2012, photos of animals that could become extinct or landmarks that might be eroded, music lyrics, favourite recipes, a TV guide and a plaque from West Dorset Warriors swimming club. The new centre on Coburg Road is being developed by West Dorset District Council in partnership with the county council and Thomas Hardye School. District leader Robert Gould said: “The time capsule will not only provide future generations with a snapshot of life in 2012, but is a fantastic way to show the excitement surrounding this development.” The Prince then hitched a ride back to Poundbury on an electric bus. His final engagement of the day was a visit to the anaerobic digester at Rainbarrow Farm near Martinstown, which is supplying 750 Poundbury homes with electricity and will soon be providing gas for around 4,000 homes. PRIME Minister David Cameron hopes to get to Weymouth and Portland to catch some of the action during the Olympic Sailing events, the Dorset Echo can exclusively reveal.

Young adults off on sailing adventures

Sixteen young adults from throughout Shetland are all set to experience life at sea for an exciting adventure as they join the tall ships Swan, Europa and Alexander von Humboldt II as sail trainees. Ten trainees left Lerwick onboard the Swan on Sunday to sail across the North Sea to join other traditional sailing vessels from Scandinavia taking part in “Nordic Sail”, with the Swan being the only visiting boat. Forming in Hals, Denmark, the 29-strong fleet will race to Uddevalla, Sweden, with the event ending with a second race to Risør, Norway, before the Swan heads back to Shetland, returning on 9th July. The trainees on the Swan are Vaila Henderson, 15, Robbie Jamieson, 15, Lauren Johnson, 16, Ryan Leask, 16, Thomas Meadows, 18, Callum Mustard, 18, Ailish Parham, 16, Michaela Peterson, 15, Ellie Simpson, 15, and Erin Simpson, 17. Nordic Sail is renowned for its friendly atmosphere and is organised by the Sail Training associations of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Over 400 crew will be taking part in the event between 28th June and 7th July 2012, with activities organised in each port for the visiting crews, similar to a Tall Ships event. The other six trainees are due to take part in the the Tall Ships Races, presented by Szczecin and organised by Sail Training International. Jack Jamieson, 20, Daniel Lawson, 19, and Scott Sandison, 18, will be setting sail on the Europa from the Netherlands as part of a European Youth-in-Action programme on the race between St Malo and Lisbon from 7th to 21st July. Kristen Jeromson, 21, Michelle Robertson, 23, and Emma Rochester, 18, will be joining the newly built Class A German tall ship Alexander von Humboldt II on the leg between Lisbon and Cadiz before returning to Lisbon as part of the Cruise-in-Company from 21st July to 2nd August. All of the Shetland trainees will work closely with the crew of their allocated ships, undertaking tasks such as watch-keeping, setting sails and other domestic duties which they will share with other trainees. Sail Training Shetland chairman Peter Campbell said: “This year will see the total number of young people participating in our annual sail training schemes reaching eighty since the charity’s formation in 2009. “We are delighted that we have again been able to recruit a spirited group of young people from around Shetland. I am confident that all of our trainees will take away something positive from their experiences and will be great ambassadors for our community. “We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our grant funders, sponsors and supporters for their generous and valued support.”

Wild Camping by Sail Boat.

Liveaboard life: self-sufficient w/ solar, sails & VHF radio

Sailing in the Surf

Discovery 50 Cat

Sailing Club Spotlight Sunderland sailing Club

DOZENS of sailors took to the waves to mark the centenary of a Wearside yacht club. Members of Sunderland Yacht Club, in Roker, marked its 100th anniversary with an “impressive spectacle” involving 25 boats. Teenager Luke McGill, an instructor at the club and RNLI crewmember, also carried the Olympic torch on board the lead craft as the procession made its way up the River Wear. Alan Dixon, commodore of the club, said: “The day went really well. The weather could have been better for the public, although it was cracking for sailing, but we were given a great reception. “Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we were really proud of Luke.” Mr Dixon said the River Wear was one of the earliest sailing centres. In 1837, it featured the first of the borough races, which included all water-based craft and preceded the formation of the first yacht club on the river in 1856. After a decline in membership, a new club was formed in 1905, the Sunderland Motor Boat and Yacht Club, which changed its name to the Sunderland Yacht Club in 1912. Sailing stopped at the club during the First World War, but was formally started again in 1935. It then opened its first clubhouse at the North Dock. After relocations and redevelopment, the club settled at its current site at Old North Pier. Luke, 18, from Fuwell, said he was “proud and privileged” to carry the torch. “While it is me, physically, carrying the torch in the relay, I was there to represent all of the volunteers who do such great work for the RNLI, yacht club, and the Royal Yachting Association,” said the St Aidan’s School sixth-form student.

Sailing Club Spotlight Herne Bay Sailing Club

FOR the third year running Herne Bay Sailing Club hosted a group of deaf and hearing impaired youngsters for an open day in aid of the National Deaf Children's Society. Also involved were Me2, an organisation that encourages hearing impaired kids to participate in sport. . Although the wind was too strong for sailing, organisers Claire and Nathan Hudson insured a fun-packed day was had by the 30-strong group of youngsters. Bay club members volunteered to help out and there was food, hospitality and a wonderful day of thrills with some of the children venturing out in kayaks and, later when the wind had increased, in the club's safety boats. As the wind dropped off a little in the afternoon Clive Woodward took parties of children and staff out sailing in his 16 foot Devon Dabber to cruise the surf. THERE were classic sailing conditions for Whitstable Yacht Club's annual championships. Scheduled to run over three days and six races, and with a forecast of brisk Easterlies, it was always going to be the fittest and fastest that would triumph. The weather lived up to the forecast with a strong breeze and big waves on both Saturday and Sunday, but unfortunately too much wind on Monday prevented a grandstand finish. That meant the championship was decided over four races which gave Dick Ledger and Tom Bruton (F18 catamaran)a clear win with two first places and a fourth. In rough conditions which led to a number of capsizes, their performance in the fastest boat on the water was outstanding. Throughout the fleet there was some amazing sailing, especially from the cadets in their Toppers, a class won by Dryston Harnett. Also battling through the wind and waves, offering a gutsy performance in tough conditions, was first lady Donna Hender in her Wanderer. The sailing was followed by a Diamond Jubilee street party. Result: 1 Dick Ledger & Tom Bruton (F18), 2 Phil & Karen Emery (Merlin Rocket), 3 Tudor Owen & crews (505), 4 Charles Campion (Laser), 5 Matt French (Laser Radial), 6 Sergei Samis (Musto Skiff). Whitstable Yacht Club have reduced membership fees by 40 per cent to encourage newcomers to the sport. Details from www.wyc.org.uk or the club office on 01227 636921. FOLLOWING a successful open day, it was back to racing at Hampton Pier Yacht Club as race four of the summer series took place. In light and fluctuating winds the race officer set two courses to accommodate the three fleets that were sailing. The fast fleet was led from start to finish by Mark Whetton and crew in the Fireball, but with Richard Gower and Howard Barker (Trio) and Peter Bell (Laser) never far behind it was down to handicap adjustments to determine the winner. First were Gower and Barker, with Bell in second and Whetton in third. The medium fleet was won by Frank and Glynis Oliver (Versa) with Dave Farmer (Comet) in second and Ken Smith (Xtra) in third. In the slow fleet it was another victory for Simon Govier (Mino) with Andrew McGregor and Lee Gannon (Mirror) racing home a comfortable second. Next Saturday sees a day of general sailing followed on Sunday by race five in the Summer series.

Giant sailing yachts return to Falmouth

For the first time since the world was last at war, Falmouth will see the return of a class of vast sailing yachts this month. The “J Class” was established in 1929 and serves as a rating for large sailing yachts designed between 1930 and 1937. Measuring as much as 140 feet in length and weighing up to 200 tons, there were only ever ten of these elegant giants built during the design’s heyday – mostly because of the immense expense involved in their construction and maintenance. Now, after years of the original yachts laying largely forgotten - rotting away in mud berths or being broken up for scrap - four of the J Class will make a triumphant return at a specially designed five day regatta in Falmouth from June 26-30. Commodore Peter Collet from the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club (RCYC), which is hosting the event, said: “We feel particularly privileged and we are very excited about it. “The history of the J-Class is all around us here and there will be, in this club, an exhibition of memorabilia that will explain it all to the public during the event.” David Pitman is secretary of the J Class Association, which was formed in 2000 to oversee the revival of the class and organise races. He said: “The ‘J’ is probably one of the biggest sailing boats that you will see in the world. They need 30 crew and have more than 10,000 feet of sail. “The last race we had they sailed for four hours and finished within 15 seconds of each other, so it’s very, very close racing and this is a wonderful opportunity to see them in UK waters. “Once you see the boats close up, you will realise just how special they are,” he added. The four yachts to feature in the Falmouth regatta will be “Velsheda”, which was originally built in 1933, “Ranger”, which is a replica of the last J Class to successfully defend the America’s Cup, “Lionheart”, based on an original design from 1937 and the recently launched “Rainbow”, which is a replica of a 1934 yacht of the same name. Races are billed to start at 11am and will last for approximately three to four hours. Although the starting point is dependent upon wind direction, the finish line is envisaged as taking the four sailing yachts between Pendennis Point and the Black Rock marker at the mouth of the Carrick Roads. John Pickup, principal race officer for the RCYC, said: “That means if you are stood on Castle Drive around about four o’clock in the afternoon you will see these boats coming in at speed and quite close together. It will be quite a sight.” Spectators are encouraged to go out on the water and see the “J’s” up close, but must not manoeuvre in front of the boats and should try to avoid the starting “box,” that will be marked out by boats flying “J” flags at each corner. Mr Pickup said: “People who go out there have to understand that this is a great sport to watch, but these are massive lumps of material that can’t turn easily and certainly can’t stop. “We are really desperately keen that spectators should get out there and see what’s going on, but while all four boats are managed be professional skippers, who are very experienced and know the rules, they will find it completely impossible to deal with two boats converging on their bow.” Race commentary will be available on Channel 69 UHF. For more information, contact the RCYC on 312126.

Virtual sailing gives competitors the edge

Simulating weather and water conditions before a race could give sailors the advantage they need to win, new research reveals. The study, carried out by the Yacht and Superyacht Research Group (YSRG) at Newcastle University, UK, with the Yacht Research Unit of the University of Auckland and the Italian super-computer centre CILEA, looked at how accurately we can predict the way a yacht will behave during a particular race using parameters such as sea conditions and currents. Modelling the way each factor impacts on the yacht at every stage of the race, the team - led by Newcastle University's Dr Ignazio Maria Viola - has shown that it is possible to use a virtual simulation to steal an advantage over your competitors. Dr Viola, who over the last ten years has worked with several Olympic Sailing teams and America's Cup teams, explains: "Until now, competition-level sailors would have to carry out physical tests to accurately choose the best boat for that particular race. "What we have shown is that by simulating the conditions we can predict with the same degree of accuracy as the most reliable of these tests how each boat will behave across the course. "At the highest competitive level every second counts and using this information, competitors can choose the boat that can potentially win them the race and give them an edge over the rest of the field. Ultimately, however, whether they win or not is down to the sailor and how he or she performs on the day." The team modelled the resistance on the hull in a range of scenarios, racing virtual crews in state-of-the-art yacht designs, comparing the results with data from model-scale towing tank tests. The research, published this month in the leading academic journal for yacht engineering, the International Journal of Small Craft Technology (Transactions of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects), shows for the first time that simulation can be used to precisely measure water resistance against a boat's hull. The new method, developed by Dr Viola, can now be employed by any sailor, yacht designer or researcher to test the performance of a boat under different weather conditions. Newcastle University Yacht and Superyacht Research Group is the most published and largest research-focussed group in Europe. Currently working with America's Cup sail and yacht designers, the team are world-leaders in the numerical modelling of sailing yachts. "Virtual races could be the key to helping Britain finally clinch the America's Cup," explains Dr Viola, who has also just completed tests on a new candidate for the 2016 Olympics. "The America's Cup is the oldest trophy in the world and the most expensive to win with each challenger spending tens of millions of dollars in designing, building, and sailing its boat, which represents the state-of-the-art of the worldwide marine industry. "First held in 1851 at Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, America held the title for 132 years. Since 1983, however, the Cup has been successively won by Australia, USA, New Zealand and Switzerland, before finally being brought back to the USA in 2010 with the San Francisco Yacht Club's victory of the 33rd America's Cup. "The race will be won by the team with the most skill but our research shows that we can use virtual sailing to remove other unknowns."