Aberdeenshire man to sail around Britain to honour late friend

Brian Munro will be taking on the mammoth challenge in the Lauren Sophia, named after his two daughters, to raise money but also to remember his close friend George Peggy Senior. The former fisherman, from Fife, had jested about Mr Munro’s previous attempt to navigate round Britain, saying he “missed out the top part” by avoiding Shetland and Orkney. In 2017, he had attempted to sail around Britain for charity and travelled 2,300 miles – but missed out the north islands. When Mr Peggy died, Mr Munro couldn’t make his funeral due to work commitments – so now hopes to commemorate his former friend and fulfil his goal of truly sailing around the UK. The former Aberdeen Harbour worker, who left his job in January to pursue a career in sailing, hopes to complete the task in less than six weeks. Mr Munro will follow in the wake of Will Hodshon, 42, and Rich Mitchel, 44, who last year completed the fastest ever UK mainland circumnavigation in an open sailing dinghy to raise funds for the RNLI and Surfers Against Sewage. He said: “I hope to have fewer problems this time. “Last time I went clockwise around Britain, but the engine completely broke and took a month to fix. “I’m hoping for plain sailing this time – and it will be brilliant to go up around Shetland. “Hopefully it would make George proud. He was a good friend and really helpful when I was learning the ropes of sailing. “He had more than 30 years at sea as a fisherman and joked I really hadn’t been around Britain as I had missed the islands. “I feel I know have the chance to fulfil my goal properly.” Mr Munro will kick-off the journey by launching from Aberdour and travelling to Eyemouth before working his way around Britain. The Kinlochbervie to Stromness and Stromness to Wick legs promising to be standouts. His final leg will be from Montrose to the Forth Bridges. He added: “I’ve learnt a lot from the mistakes of last time. “It will be difficult and I don’t take the sea lightly, but my motivation will be George. “I want to prove to myself I can do it and prove that to him.” For more about the adventure or support the fundraising effort, visit sailingaroundbritain.co.uk.

ISLAND SAILING CLUB LAUNCHES THE WINDELER CUP

The Island Sailing Club has announced the Windeler Cup, a new race for small keelboats that will run on the same day as the world-famous Round the Island Race – Saturday 30th May 2020. The race will allow boats which are too small to safely participate in the annual circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight to join in the excitement of the Round the Island Race weekend. Entries open on 1st March 2020. Instead of sailing the full 50-mile course of the main race, boats from the Daring, Dragon, Etchells, Flying Fifteen, Mermaid, Redwing, Swallow, Sonar, Squib, RS Elite and XOD classes will compete in a ‘Round the Solent’ race for the new Windeler Cup. The race will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes, immediately after the main Round the Island fleet is underway, and will follow a course around the Western Solent, taking advantage of favourable tides to finish back on the RYS line in Cowes. The race has been named the ‘Windeler Cup’ after Major Cyril Windeler, who created the Round the Island Race in 1931 as an opportunity for owners of smaller yachts to enjoy a ‘bigger than usual’ competition. It is in this spirit that the Island Sailing Club has introduced the new race and addressed the desires of smaller keelboats who would like to take part in the main race. Rob Peace, the Island Sailing Club’s Rear Commodore of Sailing said: “We are often asked whether some smaller keelboat classes could once again participate in the Round the Island Race, as they did in the past. Unfortunately, with today’s stringent safety restrictions, we’re not able to accommodate these classes. However, we have come up with the idea of a new race, starting at 0830 hours after the last Round the Island start, that will allow the smaller keelboat classes to sail for their own prestigious trophy on a shorter course around the Western Solent. “We’ve spoken to many owners in the respective classes about the concept and had a huge level of interest. We’re therefore very excited at the prospect of running the WIndeler Cup in 2020 and welcoming the whole fleet back to the Island Sailing Club Race Village in Cowes after they finish, to join in the race-day celebrations!” Visit roundtheisland.org.uk to register for the 2020 race from 1st March 2020.

Take on the Cadet Class Spinnaker Challenge at the RYA Dinghy Show

Following the success of the Spinnaker Challenge at last year’s show the UK Cadet Class Association will once again be inviting Cadet Class sailors and visitors to the show to take on the challenge and see if they can top the leader board in a bid to be crowned champion and win some great prizes. Taking place on the Cadet stand (H31) at the RYA Dinghy Show 2020 (29 February – 01 March, Alexandra Palace, London) the challenge involves a timed spinnaker hoist, set, gybe, set and drop. Cadet Class members wanting to take on the challenge are invited to visit the stand from quarter to each hour for 15 minutes throughout the show to set their times, with the rest of the hour open to all visitors to have a go. There will be cadet class sailors on hand to offer training and top tips to visitors before they have a go at the challenge. There will be prizes for both the fastest Cadet Class sailor and show visitor and participants who are not already class members will receive a free year’s membership of the UKNCCA. The winners will be announced on Sunday at the end of the show. “The Challenge was a great success last year, so it seemed only fitting to see its return this year. It’s a really great way to teach new skills and help young sailors improve their techniques in a safe and fun way”, commented David Little, Chair of the UK Cadet Class. From beginner to aspiring Olympian, the Cadet Class is a junior two-person training dinghy specifically designed for children and young people. Drop by the stand at the show to find out more about this popular dinghy class and test your skills in the Spinnaker Challenge. For more information about the UK Cadet Class Association visit www.cadetclass.org.uk

Winter Training Camp - Making the days count!

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