Gosforth man celebrates retirement by sailing around the world

ACTION man Richard Dawson is celebrating retirement by sailing around the world at the age of 65. The retired airline director will wave goodbye to family and friends in August to take part in the ninth Clipper round-the-world yachting event. But, with more people having climbed Mount Everest than sailed round the globe, Mr Dawson has an epic undertaking ahead of him. Before signing up to the race, he only had one week’s experience of sailing while on holiday under his belt. “I must confess to a little trepidation. At 65, it’s not something you take on lightly,” he said. “There have been a number of injuries in the past, people with broken bones having to be lifted off the ship.” While some choose to participate in smaller stretches of the race, Mr Dawson has put himself down for the whole 11-month, 40,000-mile course. After covering the cost of entering the race, Mr Dawson, who lives in Gosforth, Newcastle, and who grew up in Whitley Bay and Ashington, hopes to raise as much money as possible for St Oswald’s Hospice through sponsorship. The Clipper course is the world’s longest ocean race crewed by amateur sailors. A fleet of 12 racing yachts will navigate the route this year, with around 20 people on board at any one time. In the first stretch of the race, participants cross the equator and Atlantic Ocean to reach Brazil. From there, Mr Dawson hopes to travel to South Africa’s Cape Town and on to Australia. The crews will then sail to Singapore, China and the West Coast of the USA, before passing through the Panama Canal and round to New York. Finally there is the “homecoming” stretch with a 22-day, 3,750-mile recrossing of the Atlantic via Northern Ireland. Across the whole race, 600 people from 40 different countries will take part, making it the biggest ever. Last year, the oldest person to take part was aged 72 and the youngest 18. The idea originally came from Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo around the world, who launched the Clipper race in 1995 with the aim of allowing ordinary people to experience ocean racing.

High performance inflatable sailing dinghy

Charity offers Scottish sailing trips to young cancer sufferers

A charity set up by round the world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur is offering sailing trips in Scotland to young people recovering from cancer. Celebrating its 10th birthday this year, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust will create a sailing hub in Largs, North Ayrshire during the summer. The charity has been running from the Isle of Wight for almost a decade, taking young people aged between eight and 24 in recovery from cancer and leukaemia on four-day trips on-board 38ft-48ft cruising yachts. Now, after £40,000 funding from the People's Postcode Trust, it will be able to offer the excursions for two weeks in July round the coast of Scotland. Dame Ellen has now met Health Secretary Alex Neil at Holyrood to discuss the charity's plans. "What we are going to be doing this year for the first time is taking young people from Scotland sailing in Scotland. It will basically be replicating what we have been doing for 10 years on the south coast," she said. "We are really pleased to be working in Scotland. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world to sail and the young people gain so much from the experience. "We have already worked with over 29 Scottish young people so we know that what the trust does is an integral part of their recovery. Having our services on their doorstep will make such a difference, allowing us to reach even more young people across the country. "We've already seen what an impact our work on the Isle of Wight has had, so we know our hub in Largs will be just as life changing." The money from the small-grant giving charity, funded by players of People's Postcode Lottery, will allow the trust to charter the sailing boats from Largs. Dame Ellen said: "Without this funding we simply wouldn't have had the means to make our dream a reality and, as you can imagine, we are delighted to get it all started." Mr Neil said: "It's inspiring to see a charity work hard to make a young person's experience of cancer or leukaemia as positive as possible. Simply being involved with the Cancer Trust gives these youngsters the confidence to be young people again, to be around each other and find the strength to get their lives back on track." People's Postcode Lottery involves players using their postcode to win cash prizes while raising money for good causes in their area. There are five draws a month and 40p from every £2 ticket goes to charity.

Alex Thomson attempts the Keel Walk

Sailing Club Spotlight Colemere Sailing Club

A sailing club in Shropshire has been given £31,000 of Olympic legacy funding from Sport England's Inspired Facilities Fund. Colemere Sailing Club, near Ellesmere, will use the grant to buy a new rescue boat and to build new jetties. Hugh Farrington, club Commodore, said they would be able to bring their safety cover up to "the high standards required". The club has been sailing at Ellesmere since 1959. Mr Farrington said: "We can upgrade the quality of our launching facilities and rescue boat to bring our safety cover to the high standards required and to complement our wonderful 19th Century club house." The funding is part of a £135m scheme to use lottery money to encourage more people to become involved in sport in the wake of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Skud 18 Adaptive Sailing

Alex Thomson on record-breaking Vendée Globe course

British solo sailor Alex Thomson has set a new national record for sailing from the equator and back to the equator of 68d 14hr 53min. That is nearly three weeks quicker than the old record set by Mike Golding. Thomson is also inside the record schedule of 84 days set by the 2012 winner of the Vendée Globe round the world race but still lies fourth as he heads for the Doldrums before crossing the north Atlantic to the finish in Les Sables d’Olonne. On his third attempt, Thomson, 38, has come of age but, like horse racing’s Grand National steeplechase, the Vendée course is littered with potentially disastrous fences. Ahead of the start he said his number one goal was the finish. His management of himself and his 60-foot Hugo Boss has paid dividends so far. He has less than 3,000 miles to run and should be one of four to break the current record of 84 days set in 2008-09 by Michel Desjoyeaux. Still leading is François Gabart, by about 100 miles from Armel le Cléac’h with Jean-Pierre Dick third. But Golding is closing down on the man in fifth place.

Dinghy Sailing with Flying Fish

GBR Youth Challenge selected for Red Bull Youth America's Cup trials

GBR Youth Challenge has been announced as the British team challenging for the Red Bull Youth America's Cup. The team will compete at the selection series in San Francisco between the 18th and 24th of February 2013, using the same AC45 catamarans as the America's Cup World Series. They will be competing against 11 other nations for the opportunity to sail in the first Red Bull Youth America's Cup. After the selections teams will go into an intensive training program in pursuit of the ultimate youth sailing goal, to win the youth Americas Cup in San Francisco. The eight sailors that make up GBR Youth Challenge have come together with the aim of winning the Red Bull Youth America's Cup. All have proven themselves to be some of the best young sailors in Britain competing in events of the very highest level including RC44 world championships, TP52 Medcup, Extreme Sailing Series and F18 world championships. Their focus and drive set them apart from the rest as they all have the longing to be allowed the chance to compete on yacht racing’s world stage. The team is led by James French, a talented sailor from the Isle of Wight, who has taken every opportunity to better himself from a young age. He will be joined by Trystan Seal, Peter Austin, Will Semken, Adam Lees, Adam Piggott, Andrew Sinclair and Tom Forrester Coles. A number of the team have come through the British Keelboat Academy a joint RYA and UKSA programme aiming to develop young British sailors. According to James French, "We have been very fortunate to receive financial backing from Team Concise (teamconcise.com) to help us get this far. Team Concise is committed to helping young British sailors. Their main focus so far has always been offshore racing in Class 40's and its amazing to see the success they have already had there. It's a real advantage to GBR Youth Challenge to have another young team with a phenomenal race record assist us with our program." Moving further down along the campaign path the team are looking for likeminded companies and individual’s to join the campaign to help them progress. This is an amazing opportunity for anyone to become involved with, as the possible rewards could be fruitful as well as promoting youth sailing. We are passionate about youth sailing and hope that we can bring together a group of likeminded individuals to move forward and get a chance to compete in the most prestigious event in the sailing world. GBR Youth Challenge For more information please do not hesitate to contact James French. gbrchallenge@gmail.com Editors note The America's Cup has a long history in Britain, the first race being sailed around the Isle of Wight in 1851. Britain has had a long tradition of challengers all the way through from the foundation of the cup. From the outside, the race has changed dramatically, moving from wood to carbon fibre in the search for perfection. Even though the boats are now modern racing machines the essence of the races has not been lost, it is a pure test of skill and tactical calls with the only difference between the two teams competing is the people sailing the boats. After the success of the Americas Cup World Series, stopping in Plymouth for spectacular grandstand racing, the plans were laid down for an opportunity for young sailors to have a route to the top. It is first time that there has been a clear pathway to give youth sailors the experience they need to compete the most prestigious event in sailing. We are proud to be forging a pathway in the first Red Bull Youth Americas cup with the hope that more will follow and be inspired to take up the challenge of representing Britain at the Youth Americas Cup.

Sailing Club Spotlight Chichester Sailing Club

The first races of the Chichester Yacht Club Snowflake open winter series brought a good turnout of more than 40 boats. Race officers Nick and Roger Elliman laid a P-shaped course with a good beat, followed by an exciting reach in front of the CYC clubhouse, much to the enjoyment of onlookers. Winds were fast, variable and gusty, starting around force five but building to six and gusting seven in the second race. Even some of the most experienced sailors were affected by conditions, with many capsizes and retirements keeping the safety boats busy. The fast fleet comprised a good number of RS200s, plus Merlin Rockets and RS400s and a smattering of other fast boats. In race one, Steve and Sarah Cockerill (Hill Head) were fastest on the water in their Merlin Rocket but were pushed into second with the RS200 of George Yeoman and Sophie Ormsby (Itchenor) taking first several minutes ahead of next RS200. Third were Ben and Charlotte Ainsworth in an RS 200 (Itchenor). In race two, there was a general recall as the tide was beginning to turn. The racing was notable for the lively and close completion between the RS200s, who were flying round the course in the conditions. The first four positions went to RS200s. First were Edward Fitzgerald and Rosie Sibthorne (HISC) a few seconds ahead of Yeoman and Ormsby in second. Dicken Maclean and Hannah Young (Island Barn SC) were third. At the end of the races Yeoman and Ormsby were leading the series. In the medium fleet, in race one, the National 12 of William Warren and Sophie Mackley (Shoreham SC) shot out ahead of the fleet to take a good lead, winning on the water and on handicap. Luke South (CYC) put in a good time in his Laser to finish second on the water and tied on handicap with Mark Harper (Solo, CYC). In race two, the conditions led to the second race being shortened because of the many retirements and capsizes. The Solos dominated the fleet, perhaps because of fewer capsizes, although even some of the Solo fleet retired in the difficult conditions. Mike Linney and Giles Dixon were notable in their Laser 2000 for several capsizes but for continuing to be the only two-hander to finish. The first three places went to Solos. First was Nick Peters (HISC), second Ray Collins (Locks SC), third Mark Harper (CYC) - with Peters leading the series at the end of day one. The slow fleet were all under 16. In race one the RS Feva of N Townsend and A Fordham put in a fast time on the water, but were beaten into second place on handicap by Harry Kennedy in a Laser 4.7 (Hill Head SC). Third was Alex Butler in an RS Tera (HISC). Only a few ventured out in race two in the heavy winds. First was Butler, second Billy Venius-Ozanne and Andre Ozanne in an RS Feva (HISC), with Butler leading overall at the end of the day. The next Snowflake races take place this Sunday (Jan 13) - first start 10.30am. Spectators welcome.

Sailing Club Spotlight Marconi Sailing Club

Sailing World Championship event set for Poole

The 2013 International 2.4 metre Class Open World Championships are set to take place in Poole this September with the competition being in of the very few events in the sport where able-bodied and disabled sailors compete together. The Championships will be staged by the Poole Yacht Club from September 6 until 14 with International 2.4mR being the only class where able-bodied and disabled sailors, male and female, compete in the same boats on a level playing field. A best-ever fleet of around 100 sailors is anticipated at the event with a top cast of able-bodied and disabled sailors set to attend, including Britain's 2.4mR London 2012 Paralympic champion Helena Lucas. The 2.4mR is the one-person Paralympic Games boat and typically 25-30 per cent of an International 2.4mR fleet is classified with a range in type and severity of disability, making it an even playing field. "We are delighted to be bringing the 2013 Worlds to Poole," said International 2.4mR class Association secretary Steve Bullmore. "This event always captures the imagination wherever it's staged because the racing is so unique. "You have Paralympic and disabled worlds medallists going head-to-head with top able-bodied athletes in unbelievably tight, tactical and strategic racing. "The 2.4mR is a keelboat but has the fingertip feel of a dinghy. "The sailor sits facing forwards in the 'cockpit' of the boat with all controls within arms' reach, so the sailing isn't physically demanding. "Also the boat is insensitive to different sailor sizes, as body weight is always close to its centre of gravity. "This is why we get such equal and intriguing competition." Britain’s 2.4mR London 2012 Paralympic champion Helena Lucas is expected to compete at the International 2.4 Metre Class Open World Championships in Poole All racing will take place in the famous Poole Harbour, which typically presents tidal, flatter conditions with a South-Westerly prevailing wind. "It's been a lot of very hard work in a very short space of time, but when you're offered the chance to stage such a prestigious event, you don't turn it down," said Poole Yacht Club Rear Commodore Tim Edom. "We're very honoured to be hosts and look forward to welcoming so many world class sailors to compete on Poole Harbour's stunning waters."

GP14 World Dinghy Sailing Championship to be Hosted on Strangford Lough

East Down Yacht Club has announced that they will be hosting the GP 14 World Championship in August 2014. This will probably be the largest ever dinghy sailing championship to be held on Strangford Lough. It is anticipated that there will be in the region of 130-150 boats competing in the event, with entrants from Ireland , United Kingdom, Europe and even as far afield as Sri Lanka. East Down Yacht Club is situated on the Western shores of Strangford Lough about 1 mile north of Killyleagh. The facilities at the Club have recently been substantially up dated with concrete hard standing for all boat parks and surrounding grounds. It also has its own Caravan and Camping facilities on site which together with additional marquee facilities will make the whole event have a very " Championship village atmosphere feel to it ". Many competitors will be living on site or staying in nearby B&B accommodation, but all will enjoy the onsite catering and evening entertainment which will be laid on. There will be 5 days of very competitive racing taking place with daily prizes and culminating in the awarding of the overall Championship winners on the last day. Strangford Lough is well known to many sailors and provides a fantastic venue for such an event, not only for its outstanding scenic qualities, but also for the abundance of wild life which can be observed around its shores and on the water. It provides large expanses of open water which are tidal , but not exposed to open sea conditions owing to the relatively narrow entrance to the Lough.