Bala Sailor Chris Grube still set to represent Team GB in 2021

THE 15 sailors already named to represent Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games -including one who learnt his trade at Bala Sailing Club - will remain the same for the rescheduled Games in 2021. The British Olympic Association (BOA) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) have confirmed the news following the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of the postponement, the BOA asked the RYA to consider and confirm its position regarding the selection of athletes for Team GB. A meeting held by the RYA Olympic Selection Committee (OSC) unanimously agreed that the selections previously agreed should stand for the rearranged Tokyo Olympic Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 8 next year. It means that Bala's Chris Grube will still have the opportunity to represent Great Britain in 2021. It was the OSC’s view that the sailors selected in all ten Olympic classes remain the best choices to maximise Team GB’s medal-winning potential in Enoshima, the sailing competition venue. Team GB’s sailors were the first to be announced back in October 2019, with an initial 12 sailors selected including Olympic champions Hannah Mills (470 Women) and Giles Scott (Finn). Partnering Mills will be her world championship-winning crew Eilidh McIntyre, while in the men’s 470 Luke Patience and Grube were selected. In the men’s 49er class Stuart Bithell teams up with Dylan Fletcher, while Charlotte Dobson returns in the 49erFX alongside Saskia Tidey. Alison Young will make her third Olympic appearance in the Laser Radial discipline. Representatives in the RS:X windsurfer class are newcomers Tom Squires and Emma Wilson. The 12 selections were followed by a further three in February; John Gimson and Anna Burnet (Nacra 17 class) and Elliot Hanson (Laser). Mark Robinson, RYA Olympic Performance Manager and Team GB Sailing Team Leader, said: “I am delighted to re-confirm the 15 athletes already selected for Team GB will stay the same for the rescheduled Games. “Over the past eight months we have nominated an incredibly talented group of sailors to the British Olympic Association and we strongly believe they remain the right athletes to represent the nation in 2021. “The global pandemic has caused much uncertainty but, combined with release of the new dates for the Olympic Games, this decision will give our sailors the confidence, clarity and motivation to charge towards Tokyo 2020 and the goal of bringing home medals for Team GB.” Team GB’s Tokyo 2020 sailors: Giles Scott: Finn (Men’s One Person Dinghy Heavy) Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre: 470 Women (Women’s Two Person Dinghy) Luke Patience and Chris Grube: 470 Men (Men’s Two Person Dinghy) Charlotte Dobson and Saskia Tidey: 49erFX (Women’s Skiff) Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell: 49er (Men’s Skiff) Alison Young: Laser Radial (Women’s One Person Dinghy) Emma Wilson: RS:X Women (Women’s Windsurfer) Tom Squires: RS:X Men (Men’s Windsurfer) John Gimson and Anna Burnet: Nacra 17 (Mixed Multihull) Elliot Hanson: Laser (Men’s One Person Dinghy)

On Course – Episode 2

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

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Sailing the Seawind 1160 - DEMO SAIL & WALKTHROUGH

RYA and YachtsandYachting.com launch ‘The Lockdown Cup’

Following the success of the RYA and YachtsandYachting.com eSailing Demonstration Event, the RYA and YachtsandYachting.com announce the launch of the ‘Lockdown Cup’, a Virtual Regatta Inshore competition like no other. The Lockdown Cup will be a championship of two stages. The first stage will see racers from the eSailing Demonstration Event, that took place at the beginning of April, do battle once again to qualify for five positions available to them within the Lockdown Cup. Taking place on Wednesday 15 April at 16.00 the race will once again be live streamed with commentary and include three races with no discards. The sailors include top Olympic and amateur dinghy races from the UK sailing scene. Another five entries will be open to the UK public via an online competition where applicants will be selected via their application on the following merits: Experience and successes in playing the Virtual Regatta Inshore Game Enthusiasm and love for the sport of sailing Confidence and sense of humour Motivation to beat the crème of the UK Olympic and amateur dinghy racing scene Once selected, the top five from the first stage and the five ‘challengers’ selected from the online competition will do battle within a four race series with one discard, after which, the winner of the ‘Lockdown Cup’ will be announced. The Lockdown Cup event will take place on Wednesday 22 April at 16.00, so make sure you log in and follow all the action. If you think you have what it takes to beat the best in British sailing, then we really want to hear from you! The Lockdown Cup application form can be found at - https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/competition/20/The-Lockdown-Cup All applications must be completed and submitted by Friday 17 April 2020.

Servicing my Tohatsu 3.5hp four stroke outboard engine

SAIL SMARTS - KIDS ACTIVITY - OH BUOY! WHAT COLOUR? SAIL FROM HOME

Entry open for Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2020

The Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image has commenced the eleventh edition of its international photo competition, with photo submissions open until October 6, 2020. The winners will be celebrated during the 2020 Yacht Racing Forum on November 23-24 in Portsmouth, UK. Schedule Photographers are invited to submit their best image taken between 14 October 2019 and 6 October 2020. The 80 best images will be pre-selected by an international jury and published on the event website on October 15, 2020. Public voting will be open between 15 October and 10 November 2020. The 20 best images chosen by the international jury will be announced on October 29 and exhibited at the Yacht Racing Forum. Prizes Three prizes, including prize money, will be awarded: • The Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image (main prize), awarded by an international jury. • The Yacht Racing Forum Award, selected by the delegates of the Yacht Racing Forum. • The “Public Award” based on the number of votes cast by the public on the Internet. Excerpts from the rules • The subject must be directly related to competitive sailing. It includes keelboats, dinghies, multihull, windsurfing, or kitesurfing. Photos taken during training, before and after regattas, are accepted. Photos that are not directly related to competitive sailing will not be accepted. • Photos taken on board a helicopter, using a drone, or a selfie stick are accepted. • Photos extracted from videos will not be accepted.

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Covidiots are rescued by the RNLI after grounding their catamaran while ignoring the government's pleas to stay at home this weekend

RNLI volunteers were forced to launch a rescue boat after two people became grounded in their catamaran while out for a sail, despite lockdown rules in force across the country. Police were seen giving the pair a stern talking to after the incident, which happened despite repeated warnings that people should stay at home. They had taken the boat out in Exmouth, Devon, on Saturday afternoon, but soon ran into trouble as the craft became caught on the ocean floor. A local RNLI crew then had to launch a boat to go out and rescue them. Police were seen speaking to them afterwards, although it is unclear whether their actions led to further action. The resident said: 'I couldn't believe what I was seeing. 'Not only had the crew risked their lives to save them, they risked them again with the chance of catching coronavirus. 'It beggars belief anyone would think this weekend was a good one to go for a sail.' He added that Exmouth seafront had been absolutely deserted on Saturday with the vast majority of people following government adivce and staying home. 'There wasn't a single person out when they were rescued,' he went on. 'People with families weren't even out for walks - it was just them on their boat. 'They were actually arguing with the crew when they returned and claiming they hadn't done anything wrong.' Exeter City Council issued stern advice to pleasure craft users of local rivers and canals on 27 March. In a statement, Grahame Forshaw, harbour master for Exeter Port Authority, said: 'As far as recreational use of the river or canal is concerned, such as use of leisure vessels, kite surfing, paddle boarding etc, it is not essential and those who break the new laws could be fined for doing so. 'Use of the river and canal at this time for recreational purposes could put port staff and emergency services at unnecessary risk. 'Exercise should be done from home.' It went on: 'Exeter Port Authority manage the Exe estuary and the position from the Harbour Master is clear. 'There should be no activity on the water except for commercial or safety related instances.' Both the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Devon and Cornwall Police have been contacted for comment.

Moving Parts | Ollie Pendleton