On standby: Solo transatlantic record

Armel Le Cléac’h and the 105ft maxi-trimaran Banque Populaire VII, the former Groupama 3, is now in New York and on standby to set a new singlehanded transatlantic record between Ambrose Light (USA) and Lizard Point (UK). The current record for the 2880 mile route held by Francis Joyon onboard the 118ft maxi-trimaran IDEC of 05:02:56:10 was set June 2013.

Gibbi wins race hat-trick

Morecambe Sailing Club commodore John ‘Gibbi’ Gibbison was on top form for the club’s evening meeting on Sunday winning all three races. Sailing his Laser, Gibbi beat David Edwards and Dyane Silvester’s Vago in the first race with Phil Chandler in another Laser second for the two following races on June 8. Phil was also third in the first race, David and Dyane in the second race with Dave Baron, also in a Laser, coming in third in the third race. Fine weather, light winds and a small tide made for a pleasant evening’s sailing. Phil Shelling and Neil Ryder teamed up for rescue boat and officer of the day duties. Morecambe Sailing Club is offering free sailing taster sessions as part of Morecambe Bay Water Fest on the weekend of 28 and 29 June 2014. Full details and booking information at www.mhyc.co.uk.

Busy yacht season ahead for Shetland

LERWICK Harbour is gearing up for a busy summer of sailing with a series of local and international events expected to attract several hundred crew, beginning with the arrival of entrants in the Round Britain & Ireland Yacht Race this week. The race, held every four years, began in Plymouth on 1 June and the 13 remaining entries are en route clockwise around Britain and Ireland. The race is open to all yachts and multihulls between 30 and 50 feet in length, crewed by two people. Lerwick is again one of the 48-hour compulsory stops and entrants are expected at various times from Wednesday onwards. All told, more than 500 yachts are expected in the harbour during the summer season. Later this month competitors in the annual Bergen-Shetland Race are due to arrive. Around 40 yachts, in either fully crewed or double-handed classes, are expected to participate in the race first held in 1987, with competitors expected in Lerwick on 26 June before departing on the return leg on 29 June. Another major date on the sailing calendar is the European Fireball Sailing Championships, last held in Lerwick in 2003, with high-performance dinghy crews competing in up to 10 races in Breiwick and the port’s south harbor. The European competition will be held in the week following the Shetland National Fireball Championships. The latter event’s six races will take place on 24-25 July. Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Sandra Laurenson said: “The harbour will again be playing host to a number of sailing enthusiasts, many of them repeat visitors, meeting and competing in the established races and underlining the popularity of the port and Shetland with yachting crews. “The return of competitions, whether annually or years apart, is always special – including, for example, the European Fireball Championships, back for the first time in more than a decade.” • For more information on events in Lerwick Harbour, including local regattas, you can visit the LPA’s website at www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk/events .

Disabled sailing school receives £50,000 donation

A disabled sailing school in Cornwall has received a £50,000 donation from Age UK to help fund its training programme. The Mylor Sailing School is the first centre of its kind in the area and aims to make sailing accessible for people of all ages with disabilities. Age UK have put the money towards a two-year programme that will teach disabled people over 50 how to sail. The generous donation will help fund instruction, powerboat costs and marketing, as well as training for volunteers who will help with the project. Mylor Sailing School owner Tracey Boyne told the West Briton: "We are all a bit blown away. I'm a bit anxious because it's a very large amount of money and we want to spend it well. "This is something I've been working towards for a long time." Ms Boyne is hoping to "get some of the less able and lonely people out of their houses". "If they don't have much mental or physical ability it will just be a nice experience for them," she added. The funds from Age UK come after a number of smaller donations by local businesses, charities and a marathon runner. The centre, which opened earlier this year, had previously bid for a £120,000 grant from Sport England but was sadly rejected. Mylor Sailing School is holding an open day on 2 July for the Age UK project, which will include one-hour sailing taster sessions. Contact 01872 266388 or sailability@ageukcornwall.org.uk for bookings.

Yacht will race in tribute to crew of lost Cheeki Rafiki

A yacht crew are to compete in this year’s Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race in tribute to the four crew lost from the Cheeki Rafiki while raising money for the RNLI. The men – experienced captain Andrew Bridge, 22, from Farnham, Surrey, and crew members James Male, 23, from Southampton, Steve Warren, 52, from Bridgwater, Somerset, and Paul Goslin, 56, from West Camel, Somerset – got into trouble on May 15 as they sailed back to the UK from a regatta in Antigua. Overwhelming public support saw the US Coast Guard resume its search for the missing men, who had raised the alarm while some 620 miles east of Cape Cod, having previously suspended it. But hopes that the missing men might have survived were dashed on May 23 when the 40ft (12m) yacht’s life raft was found still stowed in place, indicating it had not been deployed in an emergency. A fundraising campaign has now been launched at www.justgiving.com/Cheekirafiki It said: “Members of last year’s Cheeki Rafiki Fastnet crew were due to take part in this year’s Round Britain and Ireland race with Andy, and were looking forward to sailing with him again. “In tribute to Andy, and the other members of the Cheeki Rafiki crew – James, Steve and Paul – who were sadly lost, sailing from Antigua, back to the UK, we will now be racing to raise money for the RNLI. “The RNLI are an amazing UK based charity who save hundreds of lives at sea every year around Britain, and are dependent on donations from people like you. Please give anything you can.” It has already smashed its initial target of £5,000 with more than 2,000 donations now totalling £19,500. Mr Goslin, a dental surgeon, grew up in South East Cornwall where he first learned to sail. His family said he had been “a passionate sailor” and had “loved everything to do with the water”. “He’d been talking about sailing across the Atlantic for many years,” they said. “We are, therefore, trying to take some comfort in the knowledge that he was fulfilling one of his lifelong dreams.”

Tenby Sailing Club

Club Sailing A lightly attended race on Wednesday resulted in a one, two, three of Osprey, Mike and Deanna; Osprey, Paul and Anthea and Redwing, Bill and Tom. Sunday’s two races took place in a force three southerly run by Danny Owens. In both races, the Osprey of Ted and Matt reached the windward mark first and they sailed on to take the wins. In both races, Mike and Deanna in their Osprey were second and Bill and Tom in the Redwing third. It was good to see young Ieuan James competing in a club Laser (until he dropped his camera overboard!) and Richards Johns competing in Danny’s Streaker until he pulled the strings too hard and broke it! Cruiser racing Last Friday evening’s race took place in very light winds, so a short course was set by PRO Blake Shaw. There being no racing marks in the bay yet, it was decided to make use of fishermen’s marker buoys, gambling that they would not be lifted during the race! A short beat and two offwind legs meant there was lots of practice in use of spinnakers during the three laps. There was quite a lot of change of positions during the race, but John Griffiths in Tejeda finally pulled away, with Blake in Slipstream second. Denny Young in Heather was third and Steve Lewis in Aries fourth on handicap. Next race on Sunday at 2 pm, with the round Caldey race the following Sunday, June 15. CLUB REGATTA The club regatta weekend on June 14 and 15. Three races round the cans on the Saturday and the Round Caldey race on the Sunday. Individual prizes and a team event open to teams of five boats with a cash prize available of £500 to the winning team. Event kindly sponsored by Lewis Lewis and Co Ltd, Solicitors, 01994 231044. Coppet Week Last week, our neighbours, Saundersfoot Sailing Club ran their annual Coppet Week regatta in their customary friendly and welcoming manner. Two RS200s and an Osprey attended and enjoyed racing every day, although not the results achieved! Top Tenby boat was Dan Jackson with Ruby/Emily; none of us was close enough to see, let alone be on, the podium! Saturday Sailing Saturday sailing for adults commenced on Saturday and will now continue every week. Turn up at 3 pm; beginners should pre-arrange with their instructor if coaching is required. For further details, contact Mark Dashfield on 07971474517. Junior Sailing With wind blowing on to the launching slipway, some boats had to be towed out, but once out in the bay everyone experienced some heavier weather sailing. Juniors are reminded that on Saturday, June 21, the club is staging a CYRC which is a competition for local youngsters with a programme of short races. Anyone with Stage 2 or above is invited to take part. Prizes for all classes and also a great opportunity to improve your sailing. Sad News The club was saddened this week to hear of the passing of life member Mary Simmonds. Mary had been a member for 55 years or more; the club extends its sympathies to all in their sad loss. Mary’s funeral is to take place in St. Julians Church on Monday, June 9, at noon, and afterwards in the Sailing Club. Forthcoming Events Greek flotilla holiday September 2014: Still a few places left - book early to avoid disappointment! Please contact Paul Evenden. Saturday Suppers Deanna’s Diner is still operating in the club on a Friday and Saturday evening. Food varies weekly, and all is home made. Come and give it a try. If possible, give Deanna a ring to let her know you are coming on 07897220377; this will help planning and efficiency on the night. Subscriptions Subscriptions for 2014 became due on January 1, so please complete the form and renew now. The forms are available in the clubhouse or can be downloaded from the website. This year we accept on-line payments, as well as in cash or by cheque. Please follow the instructions on the website. For all queries, please contact Julia Dashfield, membership secretary, on the helpline (01834)844918. Opening Hours The club is open Wednesday evenings, Friday and Saturday nights from 7 pm, and Sunday lunchtime after sailing. Website The club’s website can be found at www.tenbysailingclub.org.uk which includes a Facebook link and details of activities and sponsors. We are a friendly and welcoming members club and try to involve all members in a variety of activities, both sailing and social. To enquire about joining, call at the clubhouse, contact any member who will be pleased to help, or contact us on line.

Exmouth Sailing Club latest - blustery conditions for latest races

In the handicap fleet, in the only race sailed, Iain Horlock was chasing Chris Rhodes and Les Arscott and failed to catch them. The Trios also only managed one race and Peter Labdon, turning out for a rare Saturday race managed a third. The bank holiday Monday saw 13 boats on the water for a series of fun races, organised for crew who normally do not helm. The rules were; small single handers and no hotshot helms! The conditions were ideal with only five-to-eight knots of breeze and almost no tide, so going in the right direction was the only challenge. The first race was a steep learning curve for many, but some coaching from the safety boats was allowed and the qubas and fevas kept up with the lasers fairly well. George Crundwell was awarded the yellow jersey. The second race saw Hazel Lawson in front of elder son Dale for some time, to great applause, with Marion Geare receiving some coaching from daughter Ellie to try and stay level with husband Richard. Some chaos ensued as the sailability hawk attempted to join in, but after several close encounters it was persuaded to leave well alone. Annabel James was awarded the second yellow jersey to the acclaim of husband Chris and sons, manning the safety boat. For the third race the tide was running down one side of the course and those unaware of this, suffered setbacks. Sue Davis got her Buzz going better and pulled up to the front, avoiding the pitfalls of those behind, especially some (who should have known better) who were swept sideways onto moorings on the downwind leg. Sue Davis took the final yellow jersey and all adjourned ashore for tea and cake. Cruisers on Tuesday had a lovely evening with a good 12-15kts of breeze and good conditions with no waves. The fast fleet all got away at their appointed times and chased away after Maybee (Martin Minter) with the two laser 28s neck and neck the whole time. The 31.7s slowly separated as Electra had a succession of minor snarl-ups and Exehibitionist (Rick Newcombe) even though lightly crewed slowly closed the gap on Red Fox. The big boats, Footloose and Jenesis appeared together, to round the safe water mark at full speed with Electra, providing some exciting moments for all, especially any slow fleet boats in the vicinity. Stuart Hills had kite problems after that, allowing Rex Frost to briefly overtake, but soon the big boys took off leaving Jammin trailing behind. The slow fleet got their excitement meeting the fast boats rounding mark two and safe water, sometimes at very close quarters. In the first Two Rivers Junior series races in Teignmouth, Charlie King and Rory Gladstone were second and third in the fast group, with Sandy Bailey third in the slow fleet. Thursday night races, predominantly with juniors, are at present dominated by Charlie King and Josh Geare with 25 points between them and the rest of the field. Nice to see George Crundwell and Harriet Melbourne, also getting good results. Other members please note that any crew, relatively new to racing, are welcome. Several adults take part at times and we shouldn’t let the kids have all the fun. For full results see; http://www.exe-sailing-club.org/

Wiltshire young carers take to the seas for six-day sailing challenge

Seven young carers from Devizes, Warminster, Trowbridge and Salisbury took to the high seas recently to develop their leadership skills, improve their qualifications and raise money to support other young carers. The young people completed a six-day sponsored sailing challenge over the Easter school holidays, successfully navigating over 100 nautical miles. They were on a sailing boat the Moosk, owned by the Island Trust. The trust, based in Devon, aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people through the confidence building and traditional adventure of sailing. The young carers, who are supported by the Wiltshire Young Carers Service at Youth Action Wiltshire, learned about life skills, personal safety, how to sail and how to cook for each other. They all gained ASDAN Leadership and Royal Yachting Association Competent Crew awards. They are aiming to raise £500 for the Wiltshire Young Carers Service via the Just Giving site at www.justgiving.com/wyc-sailing-resi. So far £380 has so far been raised. Wiltshire Young Carers Service provides support to young people who have to care for a family member, as well as opportunities for them to spend time away from their caring roles. Feedback from the young carers showed that they enjoyed the trip immensely and that it has helped them to become more confident. “I really enjoyed the sailing residential; it was a great experience,” said Dan Strawson, 16, from Devizes. Lynn Gibson, assistant chief executive at Community First Wiltshire, said young carers often take on huge responsibilities at home and need time to enjoy outside challenges and opportunities. She said: “The young carers would like to thank Youth Action Wiltshire, The Island Trust, Bradford on Avon Rotary Club and everyone who has sponsored them in their efforts to raise funds for other young carers’ respite sessions through their Just Giving website. “It was a wonderful experience that has not only benefited the young carers themselves but will also help other young carers in future.” Youth Action Wiltshire is a service provided by Community First in Wiltshire which has been supporting young people and volunteers in Wiltshire and Swindon for more than 60 years. It supports over 750 young carers, works with over 70 youth clubs and runs training and activities for hundreds of vulnerable young people.

Olympic Sailing: How the Brits do it

When measuring the success of an Olympic sailing program, it is often the British Sailing Team to which the comparison is made. So it is notable that when a top sailor on the British team decides to hang up his hiking boots, it becomes the type of news that is shared with calculated and comprehensive detail. Here is their latest bulletin… British Finn sailor Andrew Mills has made the ‘tricky decision’ to hang up his sailing boots and end his quest for Olympic gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The Ashford-born sailor has decided to call time on his eight-year journey in the heavyweight dinghy class, having been offered a career opportunity outside of the sport that he couldn’t refuse. Mills, 28, has been a central figure in the British Sailing Team’s successful Finn squad in recent years, having aided Sir Ben Ainslie as a training partner during the 2008 and 2012 Olympic cycles and with his own career highlights coming at the 2011 European Championships where he won bronze, and with regatta victory at last year’s ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres. He also achieved five top-ten finishes at the Finn Gold Cup (the class’s World Championship), claimed a sixth place at the recent European Championship at La Rochelle last week, and outside of the Olympic Classes, is a Round the Island Race record holder with Ben Ainslie’s JPMorgan BAR. “It has been a really tricky decision – much as it would be great to keep sailing, do what I love to do among some great friends, the time comes where you have to look at your own interests and your own future,” Mills explained. “I feel I’ve made great progress with my sailing this cycle and think I have more to come, but when I look at the competition I am up against for the one British spot for Rio and the form Giles [Scott] is in, I don’t think I’m quite fast enough. “Sailing for me was always going to be a first career with the intention of moving into something more permanent afterwards, and I’ve been given a really great opportunity to make one of the smoothest transitions from sport into business that you can get. It’s a one-time offer and although I’ll be sorry to be leaving the team, it’s an offer that I feel I need to take in the best interests of my longer-term career.” Mills will continue sailing in the Finn until mid-July, aiding the British Sailing Team’s Finn squad in their preparations towards the Rio Test Event in August and September’s Santander 2014 World Championships before starting his new role in the financial services sector in late August. “There are so many people to thank within the team for their contributions, support and expertise over the years which have been paramount to my achievements,” Mills added. “However, I would like to say a special thanks to my family for all their support, to the RYA and UK Sport for backing and investing in me, and also to my coach Matt Howard and training partners Mark Andrews and Giles Scott.” RYA Olympic Manager Stephen Park commented: “Andrew has been a stalwart in the Finn class for many years, and although he never achieved his dream of competing at an Olympic Games, there should be no doubt of the part he’s played in the huge successes the British Finn squad has enjoyed over recent years and for that, and his commitment and dedication, we thank him. “I know this has been a difficult decision for Andrew, and everyone at the British Sailing Team wishes him all the very best with his future career.”

Sailing school working with disadvantaged children in need of funds

A HARD-up not-for-profit sailing school says it needs extra support to continue helping Plymouth’s youth get involved with the sport. Plymouth and Devon Schools Sailing Association, based in Commercial Wharf on the Barbican, has been going since the 1950’s. It takes children of all ages, as well as adults, out onto the Sound in the spirit of making sailing accessible to everyone in the newly-termed “Britain’s Ocean City”. One 17-year-old volunteer instructor, Charlie Burton, who started with the club aged only 11, has been awarded a scholarship to Plymouth University next September thanks to his sailing prowess. But the club admits it is in desperate need of funding if it is to continue its good work. “We are struggling financially, I must admit,” said Ade Beaven-Smith, the centre manager. “The finances for us are not particularly pretty. We rely on people paying subs as we are totally self-financing. We’re hoping we can secure some sponsorship in the future. “We are open to all schools in Devon and Cornwall and run weekly Saturday sessions taking people out on the water,” he added. “We also work with Alternative Complimentary Education (ACE) children, pupils for who traditional education has not worked. “Some of them have behavioural difficulties, attention-deficit disorder or autism. “They can be a real handful but as soon as you get them on the water, they change. They are out of their comfort zone and they start listening to you because they know their life could depend on it. “Sailing gives them a sense of achievement. They have to work as a team. They are in control of the boat in their very first session and helping to work it. “It gives them that freedom of going out - there are no white or yellow lines telling them where to go out there on the sea.” The school works on getting people equipped quickly with the skills they need on the water. And progression can be swift. The club offers two and five-day courses in which people can finish-up with a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualification. “The first experience they get is what we call a ‘joy-ride’,” explained the Derriford resident, who also runs his own IT business. “It is a short and sweet trip out on the water in one of the boats. They have all their wet gear on and it’s just a fun session. “After that, on Saturday mornings they will be given the chance to do some helming and steering in one of our dinghies. “You do not need a huge amount of experience and knowledge of the sea to get going. We try and introduce things such as safety, understanding of tides and wind awareness over time.” People like instructor Charlie Burton, a sixth-former at Coombe Dean school in Plymstock, is one of the club’s success stories. After joining at only 11, he started assisting the teaching by the time he was 13 and is now a fully-qualified RYA instructor. He has been granted a scholarship to Plymouth University to study Navigational and Maritime Science and has already begun racing with the university’s yachting team. “My dad was in the Royal Navy for countless years so I thought I would like to get onto the water,” said the teenager. “I came down with my school and have been hooked ever since. “I did think about looking elsewhere for university, but Plymouth is just ideal for sailing.” - Plymouth and Devon Schools Sailing Association runs sessions on Saturdays from 10am-1pm in Commercial Wharf, situated off Madeira Road. - Small boat racing takes place on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm in Plymouth Sound. Also setting off from Commercial Wharf, dinghies are priced at £5 per person.

Tall ship to give bird's eye view of waterway

A TALL ship dedicated to helping to improve the lives of its voyagers will be making its first appearance in Milford Haven next month. The Tall Ship Pelican, a beautiful square rigged sailing ship, is due to arrive at Milford Haven on Sunday, June 8, to take part in the Seafair Haven. The ship will then be offering day sails to the public on June 9 and 10. Tall Ship Pelican is operated by a charity, Adventure Under Sail, whose mission is to help young people to become more employable and learn life skills by taking them on sailing adventures. This year Adventure Under Sail and the Tall Ships (Wales) Trust are working together to get young people from west Wales onboard this year and in future. “We are really excited about attending Seafair Haven for the first time this year,” said Lou Keeling, marketing manager. “We hope that lots of people take up the opportunity of coming onboard for a day’s sailing with us. “Passengers will have the chance to steer the ship, help to set the sails and enjoy some lovely food including a bacon roll for breakfast, a heart lunch and afternoon tea and cake. “It really is an opportunity not to be missed. What’s more, day sails and the adult voyages we offer all help to fund our charity – and no previous sailing experience is necessary”. For more information on the Tall Ship Pelican’s programme for 2014, or to find out more about the charity, visit www.adventureundersail.com. To book a day sail, visit www.seafairhaven.org.uk and register your details, email seafairhaven@gmail.com or call 01348 840420. Tickets are £100 for a full day including mornings snacks, lunch and tea. All full programme will be provided on booking.

Bright future at new £1million club-house

WORTHING can look forward to a bright future as a centre for watersports, thanks to the completion of the town’s new £1million sailing club headquarters. That is the view of Worthing mayor, Bob Smytherman, who was at the official handover of the keys for the new building in Sea Place, Goring. The keys for the state-of-the-art club-house were handed to Commodore John Cooper by builders Kier Homes. Mr Cooper said: “Kier Homes really has gone above and beyond our expectations with the provision of this tremendous new club-house – thank you to all those who made it possible. This facility will not only put Worthing at the forefront of British sailing but will be an asset to the whole town.” The mayor added: “This building represents a great opportunity for the whole town which can now look forward to a bright future as a centre for watersports.” The state-of-the-art clubhouse replaces the 1970s building on land acquired by Kier Homes from Worthing Borough Council for the development of new beachfront apartments at The Waterfront, Sea Place. The apartments, pictured below from the sky, are due for completion next year. The clubhouse was designed to echo the coastal style of the apartments. It includes a new entertaining area with balconies, while boats can be securely stored beneath the building. The new location will eliminate the hauling of equipment between sites on a daily basis – meaning more time on the water for all. The building will also allow the club to apply for accredited trainer status from the Royal Yachting Association, considered the gold standard in sailing across the globe. Nick Moore, deputy managing director of Kier Homes, said: “Having been years in the planning, it is a great pleasure to provide Worthing Sailing Club with a new, purpose-built facility next to our fabulous residential scheme. “We are very proud to hand over the keys to the new club which we hope will inspire the next generation to take up sailing, enjoy the coast and really make the most of Worthing. I wish the club every success in their new HQ.”

Fundraisers aim to purchase safety boats for disabled

FUNDRAISERS are hoping to buy new equipment for disabled sailors. Project Zöe is aiming to provide Chesil Sailability, based in Portland, with its own safety boats. The Castle Cove Sailing Club Ladies Sailing Group took on the challenge of raising £6,000 in six months from March. Through fundraising and donations, they’ve raised over £6,380 to buy a Hansa 303 boat called Spirit of Zöe. Diana Gill, who is overseeing the project, said they were still keen to add to this total and raise money for a new Rib. She said: “Project Zöe was initiated because Chesil Sailability was working with borrowed boats last year and needed a fleet of boats. “We have been working on borrowed Ribs so Chesil Sailability is in desperate need of its own Rib for safety purposes.” Chesil Sailability is based at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. It provides disabled people with the opportunity to sail. Project Zöe is inspired by the memory of Zöe Wright, a skilled sailor who grew up in Weymouth and fought cancer for most of her adult life. She died on New Year’s Eve last year, aged 38, after an eight-month battle with a metastatic high grade endometrial sarcoma, a rare incurable form of cancer. Zöe had already beaten leukaemia twice as a teenager. In her early 30s, she beat cancer yet again after having thyroid cancer. She was a member of Castle Cove and in recent years was a keen runner, taking part in Parkruns all over the country. In July 2012, she was an Olympic torchbearer, carrying the torch through Canterbury. Sara Lloyd, Zöe’s mother said: “It was just the way she used to go for life. She was a sailor and did lots of outdoor sports. She looked on the bright side of everything. “The generosity and donations we’ve had have been amazing.” Project Zöe is organising two events this month in the hope to raise more money. An Auction of Promises will be held on Saturday, May 17, at Frampton Village Hall, whilst Smallmouth Cove Fete will take place on the Rodwell Trail on Saturday, May 24. For more details, visit chesil sailability.org.uk/project-Zöe.