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British Sailors Dominate International 2.4mR Open Championships at Kinsale

Ireland was outclassed as British boats took the podium places at the International 2.4mR one-person keelboat Irish Open Championships at Kinsale Yacht Club today. Megan Pascoe, a past World and European champion in the class, dominated the four-race event with four straight wins and was followed by Katherine Hedley with four seconds. Brian Harding was third. The top Irish sailor was John Patrick in sixth place overall. Five UK visitors travelled to Kinsale for the championships. With Saturday's racing washed out as Afloat reported here, the pressure was on to complete all racing today in the ten-boat fleet. It is the first time the event was held on the south coast with last year's championships held on Carlingford Lough. Sunday dawned with a flat calm but racing soon got underway with London 2012 Olympic Race Officer Jack Roy in charge. Races were each of 40 minutes duration in the 10-knot winds from the northwest. At the first start, the wind took a big shift moving from NW more into the north and so Roy abandoned that start to allow the course be moved. The boat is primarily used for racing and the class holds highly competitive national events in many countries. In some countries, it features mainly as a class for sailors with a disability. The 2.4mR is ideal for adapted sailing since the sailor does not move in the boat, and everything is adjustable from right in front of the sailor. Both hand-steering and foot-steering are possible.

Project which helps transform lives is back in Scunthorpe after four-year break

A project that has helpd thousands of people to change their lives over the last decade is back in Scunthorpe after a four-year break. The CatZero charity has completed the first of six new programmes in North Lincolnshire, supported by the European-funded Community Led Local Development (CLLD) scheme, administered through North Lincolnshire Council . They will see up to 14 unemployed people on each course – all with different issues and challenges that they need to overcome. Participants are taken through a series of team-building activities, business support work, volunteering, CV compilation, mock interviews and personal one-to-ones. Together the 14 people on the first CLLD course achieved 142 certificates of achievement and qualifications, including food hygiene and health and safety, with a 95 per cent pass rate. Sailing is also an integral part of the work, with the charity using its floating classroom – a 72ft challenge yacht – to take people on short and long sails. The participants experienced an eight-day sail from the Humber to the Orkney Islands, working four-hour on and four-hour off shifts to sail the boat while carrying out all the on-board duties in an environment free from peer pressure or outside influence. A celebration event for successful participants has been held at The Baths Hall in Scunthorpe . Jordan Godwin, 21, from Scunthorpe, took part in the programme and has now applied for cruise ship work. He said: "I would recommend this to anyone, it will change your life around. I have done other programmes before, but nothing like this." CatZero programme manager Pete Tighe said: "We are delighted to be back here, working with a group of people who have wanted to be inspired, to move from the lives they have now to the lives they want. Well done Scunthorpe for rising to the challenge." To enquire about future CLLD programmes in Scunthorpe, email pete@catzero.org

Hugo Boss yacht launches on Thames with sailing star Alex Thomson and Poppy Delevingne

Celebrities, models and yachting enthusiasts flocked to the banks of the Thames on Thursday evening for the launch of the HUGO BOSS yacht. The sleek black vessel, which will be raced by British sailor Alex Thomson, was christened by model and actress Poppy Delevingne, who poured champagne over its side to declare it officially launched. The sustainably-minded IMOCA 60 yacht, which features custom-built solar panels and an electric motor, is now destined for the 2020-21 Vendee Globe, one of the toughest solo sailing races in the world. Alex Thomson has previously finished third in the race in 2013 and came second in 2017 but is now aiming for first place. After the atmospheric sunset christening ceremony, guests including model Sam Rollinson, Lady Sabrina Percy and Neelam Gill decamped to the stylish La Pont de La Tour restaurant by Tower Bridge to toast the boat's launch with more champagne. The yacht will race for the very first time on 27th October when Alex Thomson competes in the Transat Jacques Vabre race from France to Brazil.

Irish Sailing Pathfinder Women at the Helm 2019

Olympic Sailor Offers Top Ten Tips for Race Officers

Olympic helmsman Mark Mansfield, who is now a sailing coach, provides some sailor-focused thoughts for Race Officers Over the past few years, I have been competing in various sailing events throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA. Very often it is the same issues that repeatedly come up which the sailors are not happy with. Invariably, it is either race course set up or the conduct of the race management or both. Race Officers roles are primarily linked to on-the-water race management. They are responsible for laying the course and starting and finishing the races. The most experienced become International Race Officials recognised by the International Sailing Federation. Here in Ireland, we are blessed with having some excellent Race Officers who not only officiate in events in this country but also further afield, all the way up to the Olympic Games. Some others, however, are still learning their trade and this can lead to frustration with the sailors so here are some tips for Race officers from a competitors perspective. Tip 1. The Waiting Game The biggest complaint from sailors is always waiting around between races to get the next start going. Often when there are three or four classes on the same course area, there can be an hour between the first class finishing and the final competitors for the last class to finish. This is very frustrating. At an event I did this year, the J Cup in Hamble, the race officer used a separate finishing boat (a rib) to record the finishers. The start line was always positioned behind the leeward gate with the start buoy always in place and ready for a new start. At the end of each class's last leg, the fleet went around the left-hand gate (facing downwind) which was positioned to the left of the startline and reached to the finish. Once that class was finished they were told to get to the start and a new race sequence would start again in 10 minutes. There were six classes on the one racecourse and three races were completed in record time. Each day. classes were starting again while other classes were still coming down the last run. Tip 2. Pick Your Time Start the racing early (or late) if possible. Though not always a race officers decision, if only one or even two races are being sailed, try and not use up the whole day with sailing. Boats are finding it harder and harder to get crew, and sailors often have family or other commitments at weekends. Races starting at 12 midday, as often they are, involve realistically a full day in order to maybe just do two races, each lasting one hour. Were racing in these cases to start at 10.30 and if the time between was kept to a minimum, then the sailing could be finished by 13.00, leaving an afternoon free. Likewise, as they do with DBSC racing, starting at 14.00 or 14.30, leaves the whole morning available for other matters. Tip 3. VHF Banter Keep the chat over the VHF to a minimum during the race sequences. Often you hear Race officers over the VHF “coaching” competitors that they are too close to the line, and sometimes even telling boats that they are over, even before the start. I can understand this is local league racing, but in recent years it is sometimes also happening in bigger events. Starting is part of the sport and working out whether you get to the line early or late is a tactical choice. Tip 4. 'Ping' the Line Nowadays most competitive boats are using startline GPS aids like Racegeek or Velocitek pro starts. These require the boats to 'ping' both ends of the line. If a race officer decides to move either the Committee boat or the pin, they should allow 5 minutes or so before going into a sequence, as many boats will need to ping the line again. This came to a head at Scottish series this year when an Irish boat was disqualified for being around the start line as another class was in sequence. The reason for this was the pin was moved late, and then the Race officer went straight into a start sequence so many boats needed to re ping. Later in the regatta boats were in the same position needing to re ping, and were not disqualified. Tip 5. Perfection Not Required Often, a lot of time seems to be wasted by some race officers trying to get the perfect line and perfect first beat. Sometimes it is better to not be perfect and just get the race away. If it comes to pass, in 10 minutes or so of the race, that it was unfair, abandon it, and go again. Tip 6. Reaching Start is Toss of a Coin Avoid reaching starts if at all possible on inshore races. This is particularly so if the start line is near a shore and part of the line is affected by possibly less wind. In a big event, this type of start can determine a whole series. Often these starts are a toss of a coin as to which area of the line is best to start. At one regatta this year, a reaching start happened for various reasons in two races. The pin was closer to the first mark but in a bit of a lee from the shore. In these races, within a five minute period, competitors in one class got hammered for starting near the Pin. Then five minutes later, the pin was by far the place to start for the next class. It all depended if a gust came down to that part of the line or not. There's just too much luck involved with reaching starts. Tip 7. Keep Competitors Up to Date Before the race keep the fleet informed over the VHF if there are delays due to a lack of wind, huge shifts or other matters. Some Race officers in Ireland are very good at this, others less so. Tip 8. Big & Small Boats If at all possible, try not to start two different classes together in the same start in important regattas. A big boat with big sails can ruin a smaller boats start in the same race. All very well if they are in the same class, but if the bigger boat is in the class ahead, then a regatta can be decided by whether another big class boat comes over the top of you at a start and kills your ability to get away clean from the line. This is possibly more a race organisers decision, but race officers can be involved also in making these decisions. Tip 9. Vary Courses In a mixed fleet, race officers should try to vary the courses as much as the sailing instructions will allow. In IRC racing, asymmetric spinnaker boats like reaching, whereas the symmetrical boats generally like the windward/Leeward courses. A race officer determining to use all windward/leeward courses is effectively giving an advantage to the symmetrical boats. A mix of courses is better, if possible. Tip 10. Shorten When Needed Race officers need to be more proactive in shortening races to prevent, on occasions, half the fleet not making a finish in time and end up being scored DNF. This has happened a few times recently in Irish events and can be very frustrating for those that do not make the finish. Time out might be ok for tail-enders but certainly not ok if, say, only the top half of a fleet finish. When there is a dying breeze, the Race Officer should be on high alert to running out of time as competitors must finish within 30 minutes of each other. Options include shortening the leg of the course or finishing at the end of the previous leg.

Sailors from all over Northern Ireland are getting ready for RYANI’s Youth Championships this weekend.

It is the 30th year of the popular competition this year there is a focus on reducing plastic and ensuring the event is more environmentally sustainable. The Championships will run on Saturday and Sunday at Strangford Lough Yacht Club where over 160 sailors will also compete for the highly coveted Northern Ireland Schools Cup and Club Trophy. The Green Blue Charter is a UK-wide environmental awareness initiative which was developed by the RYA and British Marine and its aim is to work towards promoting a sustainable boating community. In line with the Charter, RYANI has this year committed to ensuring the Youth Championships have an environmental focus which will ultimately safeguard the waters and habitats for the future. Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful has also supported the Green Blue Charter and have provided litter pickers for the event. In 2018 the Green Blue and RYANI has already delivered a series of workshops to educate clubs and instructors in Strangford Lough, which is an area of natural beauty. Through the workshops, the importance of protecting marine habitats and species, including birds, was highlighted. A new-look website has also recently been launched, which provides useful resources as well as educational activities for young boaters that can be delivered on the water and onshore. The most popular of these is Marine CSI which gives young people the chance to become marine special agents by analysing fingerprints, unscrambling puzzles and testing water samples. Other resources include instructor teaching aids to help pass on environmental good practice to students on RYA courses, a variety of eye-catching infographics and video clips to help communicate sustainable boating top tips via social media, e- newsletters, emails, news articles and display screens. Campaign manager Kate Fortnam, said: “The Green Blue is excited to announce the launch of its brand new website. The new site will provide bespoke information on key environmental issues, current best practice guidance, green products and services, as well as an array of awareness raising resources to help boat users, clubs, training centres, instructors and marine businesses in communicating the good practice we can all adopt and facilitate to make our boating more sustainable.” The Green Blue also provides outreach activities to help the recreational boating community raise awareness and share good practice among others. Activities include workshops at RYA, British Marine and stakeholder conferences, presentations at the RYA Dinghy Show and Southampton Boat Show, talks to boating clubs, businesses and organisations, training for RYA instructors and interactive activities and stands for boating events. The Green Blue continues to work closely with the marine leisure industry and develop partnerships with those keen to raise awareness and help make UK boating more sustainable, including Sunsail Ltd, Dean & Reddyhoff Marinas, Elvstrom Sails, Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, RS Aero Class Association, the Personal Watercraft Partnership, British University Sailing Association (BUSA) and the Andrew Simpson Foundation. The campaign has given them the tools to raise awareness and put in place facilities to enable their staff, customers, members, competitors and spectators to become ‘Green Blue Champions’. By working towards an environmentally self-regulating boating community, The Green Blue aims to help boaters minimise the impact they have on the environment and protect wildlife and its habitats so they can enjoy the marine environment far into the future. To get an insight into The Green Blue’s activities, explore collaborative opportunities, discover current good practice and access the variety of resources visit www.thegreenblue.org.uk follow @thegreenblue on social media, email info@thegreenblue.org.uk or contact Kate Fortnam on 023 8060 4227.

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A ship-shape first season for local sailing charity

Following its official launch last October, Celtic Capability Sailing is celebrating its first year in operation and a successful season of sailing. The RYA-accredited charity, based at the Barry Community Water Activity Centre, was created to offer sailing experiences to a wide range of people that would like to try sailing, with or without disabilities, with the focus on capability, not disability, and with an aim to grow a diverse and inclusive sailing community. The team consists of more than 15 volunteers, all with a wealth of sailing knowledge, expertise and practical skills and who are proud to be involved, lending their skills to every aspect of this project. When not out on the water, the Capability Sailing Team is involved in events, fundraisers and business functions which allow it to promote the charity’s services to all in the South Wales area. One such is The Autism Directory Live Expo, taking place at Cardiff City Stadium on the September 27. This show will provide face-to-face access to the services, resources and provisions that are there to help individuals and families living with autism, and the professionals that support them. Capability Sailing has also partnered with Jubilee Sailing Trust, and are holding a fundraiser on September 29 at The Lookout in Cardiff Bay. With the best view in Cardiff Bay and themed around ‘A Day At The Races’ with tote betting on several competitions, this informal event promises to be packed with fun as well as raising money for both worthy charities. Tickets are priced at £10 and available through Eventbrite or on the door at the venue, and include a picnic and entertainment by Leighton Jones. You can get in touch with Capability Sailing through its website www.capabilitysailing.co.uk, via any social media channels or directly at admin@cababilitysailing.co.uk, or search for #capabilitynotdisability.

Celebrity launch for new accessibility at Bewl Water

Para Sailing World Champion Will Street and BBC presenter Steve Brown joined the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells and members of Mariners of Bewl in unveiling a new pontoon section and hoist at Bewl Water. The launch on 14 September will make watersports more accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. Mariners of Bewl, the club behind the project, support the integration of physically disabled and able-bodied people through sailing. The club, based at Bewl Water for the past 30 years, is accredited by the Royal Yachting Association Sailability scheme. The hoist and pontoon took two years to plan and cost over £20,000 to purchase and install. Thanks to grants and donations from the RYA Foundation, Sports England, Bewl Sailing Association, Hilary’s Dream Trust and a number of generous individuals and groups, the ‘Big Lift’ project has finally taken off. Richard Hayden, a trustee of Mariners of Bewl, said: “We are very grateful for the generous support of the organisations and individuals who have funded the hoist, davit and pontoon. The equipment now means that those who need a hoist on a stable platform to transfer from land to boats can now do so in a safe and more dignified way and allows us all, irrespective of a disability to get on the water and enjoy our respective activities.” Photo left to right: Steve Brown, the Mayor and Will Street cut the ribbon. Operations Manager at Bewl Water Phil Daley enthused: “We are extremely excited to have these new facilities on site and look forward to seeing more and more people enjoy the fantastic sport of sailing at Bewl.” Steve Brown added: “Whatever sport you are part of, however able or disabled you are, sport is huge. It bridges gaps, it makes friendships, it gives people common ground and that is really important. Sport has been a massive part of my life.” If you are interested in sailing with Mariners of Bewl please make contact by email to enquiries@mariners-of-bewl.org.uk To find out more about sailing opportunities for disabled people, or those that need specific support to get on the water visit www.rya.org.uk/sailability.