Sailability National Conference

Some 184 delegates from 60 Sailability sites across the country attended the annual RYA Sailability National Conference and dinner this weekend (15th February 2020) where the winners of the RYA Sailability Awards were announced (Wyboston Lakes, Bedfordshire). The RYA Sailability Awards were presented by RYA Board Member John Scott and recognise the priceless contribution made by sailors, volunteers and partners. They were awarded across six categories: Volunteer of the Year, #MoreThanSailing, Team of the Year, Young Person of the Year, Sailor of the Year and Exceptional Contribution, First to be presented was the Volunteer of the Year which was awarded to Annie Molyneux for her contribution to Rutland Sailability and the Challenger Class. Annie’s efforts include making sure newcomers feel welcomed at the site, supporting the racers on Thursday and weekends and travelling around the country assisting the Challenger and Hansa events. Annie said: “I was really surprised, delighted and honoured to receive my award. There are so many volunteers who are ‘unsung heroes’ that I would like to think that I could receive it on behalf of all the volunteers”. The next award to be presented was Team of the Year which was awarded to members of Bolton Sailing Club for the life-changing opportunities they have created for people with disabilities to be able to get out on the water at their venue. Described as an ‘all-round lovely human being’ Flossy Campion (18) from Whitefriars Sailability took the award for Young Person of the Year. Since 2018 she has donated her time, learning to use the hoist, working with a member of the Blind Sailing Team and assisting with schools and groups. The #MoreThanSailing award is all about collaboration either locally or nationally recognising a new and innovative project, activity or piece of work that has enabled inactive disabled people to become more active. This year it was awarded to Andy Beadsley and The Wheelyboat Trust, who work with people of all ages with a wide range of sensory, learning and mobility impairments. Ben Foulsham, 15, collected the award for Sailor of the Year. Ben is autistic and discovered his love for sailing after a week with the Island Sailing Trust before continuing to sail at Oxford Sailability. Since then not only has his confidence grown but he now can sail solo, has even taken part in his first regatta and won a trophy. Finally, Exceptional Contribution Awards were presented to Andrew Cushen (Dart Sailability) and Dave and Shirley Musgrove (Disabled Sailing Association). Jim Aldis (Whitefriars Sailability) and John Deason (Oxford Sailability) were also named as winners but unfortunately were unable to attend. Earlier in the day delegates were treated to an action- packed agenda with inspirational guest speakers as well as a total of 26 interactive workshops! The subjects included Funding Future Activities, Improving Race Strategy, providing the best experience for people with Downs Syndrome, Volunteering and Boating and Mental Health Support and more. “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended this year’s conference and dinner” commented RYA Sailability Manager Joff McGill. “Once again you couldn’t miss the brilliant atmosphere throughout the day with connections being made and projects being planned. The event brings people together who make fantastic things happen and we look forward to another very exciting year ahead.” 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.

Welcome to the 2020 Fife Regatta

After the resounding success of the 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013 regattas, we are delighted to announce the dates of the fifth Fife Regatta. 4th – 11th June 2020 A fleet of famous Fife Yachts will return to their birthplace on the Clyde to participate in a unique regatta. As with the previous Fife Regattas, participants will enjoy the spectacular scenery and hospitality but with a new itinerary that combines past favourites with new destinations. We look forward to welcoming the Fife Yachts back to their home waters in 2020. More information coming soon. For all the latest news and updates, please follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

Britain's Anna Burnet and John Gimson win gold at World Sailing Championships

British sailing duo Anna Burnet and John Gimson are peaking at the right time ahead of the Olympics, claiming gold in the Nacra 17 Class at the World Sailing Championships in Australia. The pair, who are both in the British team for Tokyo, having been selected ahead of Nikki Boniface and Ben Saxton, finished strongly to take the title ahead of Australia's Haylee and Nathan Outteridge. In the final race, in which points are worth double, Burnet, 27, and Gimson, 36, overcame a 16-point deficit to finish in top spot. After the race Gimson said: "I'm a bit speechless. We had to go out and win the final race to give ourselves a chance and in the end all the cards just fell into place for us." The other Australian pair of Lisa Darmanin and Jason Waterhouse took the Nacra 17 bronze.

Mast snap 2019 Draycote Sailing Club

Heavy Wind Europe Sailing 2020

Different Dousing Techniques

Solent Sailing Ep 22 - Lymington - Fishermans Rest

Yacht Racing Forum 2020 destined for UK

The Yacht Racing Forum will take place for the first time in the United Kingdom, on November 23-24, 2020. The event will be based around Portsmouth Harbour, with the main conference taking place in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard’s Action Stations and Boathouse 7. As the leading annual conference for the business of sailing and yacht racing, the 13th edition seeks to gather sports’ personalities from all over the world: event organizers, sponsors, designers, professional sailors, boat builders, media, technical providers as well as insurance and finance companies. In addition to the forum, specific visits on November 23-24 will be organized with the support of Portsmouth Harbour Marine, to look at both tourist attractions and industries involved in competitive sailing. Early registration is now open via www.yachtracingforum.com.

Pilot Cutter Review 2019

FAST and STABLE FOILING CATAMARAN WITH FLYSAFE® FOIL CONTROL - iFly 15

The boat they queued for an hour to see – Bavaria's new C42

RYA Bursary Awards for aspiring young Felpham sailors

Three young sailors from Felpham Sailing Club (FSC) have had a boost to their sailing and coaching ambitions thanks to performance and coaching bursaries from the RYA’s London and South East Youth Training Fund (LSEYTF) LSEYTF is a charity associated with the RYA to support youth development. The performance bursaries are awarded to promising young sailors who have demonstrated potential in events at regional, national or international level. Coaching bursaries fund applicants who have shown the capability and enthusiasm to support their fellow sailors to attend an RYA Race Coach Level 2 (RCL2) course. In return for the bursary sailors are expected to pass on their experiences and enthusiasm to help inspire others to follow in their footsteps Jack Miller (18), now in his first year at university, has been awarded a Coaching Bursary. Jack, the current West Sussex Schools Champion, has sailed in RYA Zone, Transition and National Squads. He became an RYA Dinghy Instructor last summer and has been coaching at the FSC since, including running very successful dinghy squads during May & June 2019. Roger Belton, Senior Instructor at FSC, said in nominating Jack: “Jack has been sailing at FSC since age 7 and his passion for racing has grown and grown. With the support of his parents he has participated in squad training in three dinghy types and has had great experience racing two handed dinghies at National & World level. He has been a role model at FSC with many youngsters aspiring to follow his example. He has become more interested in instruction and passing his knowledge and skills onto others. He is already qualified as a Dinghy Instructor; the RCL2 qualification will enable him to be an excellent Race Coach. Jack said: “I am very grateful to receive the award and am looking forward to taking the race coach course so I can help other sailors have the same experience I was lucky enough to have.” Josie Kelly (12) and Mia Gray (12), both from Middleton-on-Sea, received performance bursaries. Josie started sailing in 2016 and racing in 2018. In 2019 she progressed from club to open and national events, finishing third overall and first girl in the RS Tera Southern Traveller Series, which won her selection for the RS Tera Class Association Tera Sport Squad then Tera Pro Squad for 2019-2020. Roger says of her: ”In the last 12 months Josie’s sailing skill, racing skill, and determination to succeed have all made rapid leaps forward. She has transformed from a young, quiet club sailor enjoying a pootle, to a confident young lady who has raced at many venues across the South East. She is an excellent role model at the club and helps others in all sorts of ways. I look forward to seeing her make similar progress in 2020.” Josie said of her award: “I was absolutely delighted when I found out I was gifted the bursary, someone had noticed my hard work over the past year. I am planning on putting some of the money towards a few competition entries next year and some towards a Laser 4.7 training sail so that I can progress further. I cannot thank the team behind this enough. I was over the moon and I am so excited to see the money put into action!” Mia started sailing three years ago and quickly progressed into racing, taking thirds in the Tera class at both the West Sussex Schools Regatta and the RYA Regional Youth Championships in 2019. She has gained her RYA Assistant Dinghy Instructor qualification, and is FSC’s youngest ever Cadet Captain. Roger says of Mia: “She has shown tremendous enthusiasm for sailing and racing in her short time with FSC. She listens and acts upon training and coaching advice, and always does it with a smile. As Cadet Captain she is very popular with her fellow Cadets and she helps to organise social events at the club.” A delighted Mia said: “I was so happy to receive the bursary, and I am really looking forward to choosing some equipment for my Tera, hopefully at the RYA Dinghy Show. Thank you everyone at the RYA for the award, I was so lucky to have been chosen, and thank you to Roger, and everyone at FSC for always supporting me with my sailing.” Dave Ellis, Chairman of the RYA’s LSEYTF adds: "It’s fantastic for young sailors to be able to experience a range of opportunities, both in the UK and internationally, during their development as they learn so much. But the costs of travel, accommodation, food etc. all quickly mount up and the bursaries provide some assistance to our young sailors as they develop their sailing careers”. “We have an abundance of talent in the region and we want to give our young sailors, whether destined for ‘podiums’ or as coaches, the best chance to realise their ambitions.” FSC is an RYA Training Centre, OnBoard Centre, and British Youth Sailing Recognised Club, and is a finalist for the RYA Club of the Year.

"We're not invincible, and this race is dangerous" - Sam Davies - Vendee...