A Sailors Lot UK

Wednesday 25 March 2020

ROPE TIPS - MORE GRIP LESS FRICTION - Marlow Ropes & British Sailing Tea...

Tuesday 24 March 2020

How to Avoid a Gybe Broach

Sunday 22 March 2020

Open sailing event returns to Chichester - could it be back for good?

After a winter of storm disruption, the weather was near perfect for the time of year, with a south-westerly wind in the mid teens, and even the sun made an appearance - making it a fine day for sailing. The CYC race committee had worked closely with the class association to set up the event, so on the day the race officer set the RS400s preferred windwar- leeward course with a gate. The first race brought a few capsizes and one boat broke its mast, but was won by Steve and Sarah Cockerill, followed by Jon Heissig and Nicky Griffin. The second race saw the fleet crowding the line with a few boats over. After a regrettable mix-up it was decided the fairest result was to award joint first place to Cockerill and Heissig. The third race was full of incident. Jack Holden and Rob Henderson built an impressive lead, sailing downwind at astonishing speed as they made the most of the gusts. But then had difficulties with their spinnaker which halted the boat by the leeward gate and saw them overtaken by Heissig and Griffin. Holden and Henderson tried to catch up, but the race was won by Heissig and Griffin. At the prizegiving, third place went to Holden and Henderson (Arun YC), second went to the Cockerills (Lee on Solent SC) and first place went to Heissig and Griffin. It was nice to spend at least a few hours outside in the sunshine and after racing, competitors gathered in the sloop for a race tea. The talk after the event was about next year, and it is hoped the RS400 will become a regular fixture at CYC.

Northampton Sailability generates £12,500 to draft in the Welland Flyer to its growing fleet of 20 craft

A booming club dedicated to helping disabled people sail has launched its most exciting boat yet on dry land in Market Harborough. Northampton Sailability has generated £12,500 to draft in the super-sleek Welland Flyer to its growing fleet of 20 craft. Market Harborough Building Society Charitable Foundation ploughed in over £2,000 to speed the mighty boat on its way. And, fittingly, the vessel was officially named by building society chief executive Mark Robinson in The Square just yards away from their historic Harborough home. Speaking after the ceremony on Friday March 13, thrilled Mark told the Harborough Mail: “We are delighted to be able to help Northampton Sailability acquire this magnificent boat. “We are here to support our local community across Harborough. “And clubs like this one do so much fantastic work with inspirational people, who really make you think.” He added: “We’ve had our charitable foundation for 20 years. “We have given away an amazing £250,000 over that time to great causes such as Northampton Sailability. “This boat will have a positive long-term impact for the club and this is a genuine good news story in very challenging times.” Based at Pitsford Reservoir, Chris Bignell, principal of Northampton Sailability, said: “This is a very big day for all of us. “Welland Flyer will be our most exciting boat and will do double the speed of any of our other craft! “A lot of people are going to have a lot of fun in this incredible boat in the years to come.” He said they had built up a tight-knit team of 72 volunteers and 53 members – coming from all over the Harborough area. “We take people sailing who have a wide range of mental and physical disabilities. “We also have wheelchair users and employ special hoists to lift them into our dinghies,” said Chris, of Naseby. “We’ve been going since 1996 and love the work we do. “And I’d like to say a huge thank you to Market Harborough Building Society for helping us land this brilliant boat.” Emma Dakin, 52, travels from her home in Lutterworth every week from April to October to go sailing at Pitsford – and she’s been blind since birth. Beaming from ear to ear, inspiring Emma said: “I’ve already been out in the Welland Flyer – and she’s a true flyer! “She’s so fast and easily the most exhilarating boat we have. “Sailing is right at the heart of my life, I just love it.” She said she took to sailing like a duck to water in 2004 – and has never looked back. Now an assistant instructor, Emma added: “I navigate around Pitsford Reservoir using my own special clock system in relation to local landmarks. “Sailing is so relaxing, so good for your mental as well as physical health. “We are always looking for new members so come along and join us out on the water – you’ll love it.” If you would like to find out more about Northampton Sailabilty check out their website here: https://www.northamptonsailability.org.uk/

Saturday 21 March 2020

Scottish Series Regatta Cancelled Over Coronavirus Restrictions

The Scottish Series, Scotland's biggest sailing event scheduled for the Clyde on May 22 is the latest yachting regatta to become a casualty of Coronavirus restrictions. In a letter to competitors issued this morning, the 2020 cancellation stated that the decision has been reached in line with government guidelines and the expectations that disruptive impacts are likely to be in place into June 2020. The event is the first of the Irish Sea's 2020 calendar but with Howth Yacht Club's June Bank Holiday Wave Regatta already postponed til September, there was an inevitability about this morning's Scottish cancellation. Irtish boats have been very successful in recent voyages North including an overall win in 2019 by Andrew Craig's J109, Chimaera. The Troon cancellation means that with Scottish Series and Wave Regatta now gone the first of the major sailing fixtures is the Round Ireland Race that is still some 13 weeks away. The statement also says 'We have also considered the logistics of being able to complete preparations for what is the second-largest regatta in the UK during a time when many suppliers and sponsors are struggling to continue with business as usual activities. We are also conscious that many of you will have your plans to launch and prep for the event disrupted and indeed, may not be able to make it". The statement concludes with dates for 2021 Scottish Series as 28 - 31 May.