Hunts Sailing Club's women on water group growing and growing

 What I notice is that the group has a real community feel. New members are always made welcome and very quickly become one of us. Everyone is welcome, whether they can sail or not, and people are always happy to take newcomers out and get them started.

"That’s where having our own instructors really comes to the fore. One of our more recent members, who has not long moved into the area, has commented how joining WOW has given her an instant friendship network."

It's not just sailing with some taking up kayaking and others imply happy to come and paddle.

And there are additional benefits that have come from the group. Four women now sit on the committee of 12, three of them part of WOW but Weedon-Jones wants that to just be the beginning.

She said: "It’s a shame that that has to be remarkable, but I think being regular users of the club has given people more interest in getting involved in what goes on and maybe also the confidence to join what was a bit of a male dominated group.

"I’m really pleased with this. Women being seen as decision makers really helps with being seen as being fully active and involved in the club.

"It's about time too."

The Hunts Sailing Club's Women on Water group planned a number of activities as part of the Steering the Course Festival, a national initiative.

They included a Trophy Race, a Bring a Friend session and featuring the club’s women sailors on their social media channels.

For more information go to www.huntssc.org.uk

Rossendale Valley Sailing Club race event a ‘resounding success’

 Founded in 1965, the club, in Rossendale, Lancashire, offers sail training and taster sessions for new members, young and old, and said the event was a great opportunity for people to get a taste of what goes on at the club.

A spokesperson for the sailing club said: “It was an amazing event. Over 30 boats took to the waters and competed over several races, with crowds of over hundred cheering them all the way.

“We want to extend our thanks to all the local volunteers. They did a sterling job and made sure the event ran smoothly.”

Argo demolishes Bermuda-Plymouth record

 In her first outing since the beginning of the pandemic, Jason Carroll’s MOD70 trimaran, Argo, last week blew away the existing record for the passage between Bermuda and Plymouth, UK.

Argo’s 4 days 19 hours and 30 minutes (measured, but still subject to ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council) was 16 hours 37 minutes

Argo’s average speed for the direct course was 24.85 knots. In fact, including several gybes, Argo sailed 3,347 miles through the water at an average speed just under 29 knots, making it one of the highest speed passage records ever set by a MOD70.

“It was great, everyone was very experienced, and we had good drivers, so it was very smooth,” recounted Brian Thompson, skipper/navigator for the record.

“Everyone just kept in their rhythm and we were just trying to keep in the ‘Goldilocks zone’ wind-wise going around the high, not too close to the sun and not too far away,"

43rd Three Peaks Yacht Race starts June 19

 The Barmouth to Fort William Three Peaks Yacht Race will start from Barmouth on Saturday June 19, when 16 teams of sailors and mountain runners will set out for Fort William.

Sailors will navigate through the difficult waters of the West Coast, passing through nine tidal gates and by numerous islands and headlands.

Boats will drop the runners ashore at Caernarfon, Whitehaven and finally Corpach, and from there the runners must run to the summits of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, and back. (In the Lake District they also cycle part of the route.)

The year 2020 was only the second time during its 43-year history that the race had been cancelled, and with local funding activities subsequently limited by the pandemic the support from E.ON will help us deliver the race in 2021.

“This historic race has a simple concept, but the complexities of successfully completing the course by sailing, or rowing, through some of the UK’s most challenging waters and scaling the 3 highest mountains of Wales, England and Scotland, has intrigued competitors for over 40 years.

Michael Lewis, E.ON UK CEO, added; “Wind power is vital to Three Peaks Yacht Race competitors, just as it is a sustainable energy source powering Britain’s cleaner future. As a company with a legacy in renewable energy, we’re proud to combine both through the Three Peaks Yacht Race.”

The race will have live satellite tracking, plus daily reporting and photography so race fans can follow all the action.

All information: http://www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk

Salute for Winners Includes Us All as Sailing Resumes in Steady Steps

Salute for Winners Includes Us All as Sailing Resumes in Steady Steps: The sailing community makes the best of what is allowed

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's Clipper Race has launched funded sailing programmes for young people affected by the COVID-19 lockdown

 Young people who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns are being offered funded sailing programmes to help them develop self-confidence and self-esteem.

The Clipper Race has partnered with Our Isles and Oceans campaign on the project.

It is open to those aged between 18-35 from across the UK.

Up to 50 successful candidates will take part in a funded sailing course along the west coast of Scotland this summer, on board an Our Isles and Oceans branded 68ft Clipper Race training yacht.

10 of the new recruits will be given the chance to be allocated a funded place for a leg of the 2023-24 Clipper Race

Under the guidance of a Clipper Race training skipper, each group of young people will be challenged to learn new practical skills, develop their self belief and work as a team.

In addition, 10 of these recruits will then be offered the opportunity to apply for an additional four weeks of intensive ocean racing training to be held at the Clipper Race Training HQ in Gosport, Hampshire.

If successful, they would receive a funded place on board the 70ft Our Isles and Oceans team entry, which will be competing in the 2023-24 Clipper Race.

Each recruit would complete one leg of the Clipper Race circumnavigation

The co-founder of the Clipper Race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said he hoped the programme would make a positive change in the successful candidates’ lives.

‘Sailing is so much more than just a sport or pastime as it gives you experience that is as useful in the workplace as it is on board a yacht. The sport develops self-confidence and self-esteem which is so important to restore following the pandemic,’ he said.

Wembley Sailing Club offering families a free lesson in Welsh Harp

 Wembley Sailing Club, in Birchen Grove, Welsh Harp, is offering families a free opportunity to steer a boat on Sunday, June 27, from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Whether you are completely new to the sport or looking to get back on the water, RYA Discover Sailing is the perfect way to give it a go.

Families can experience a free go on the water at Wembley Sailing Club.

John Green, commodore of Wembley Sailing Club, said: "We’re inviting the local community to come down to have a go at sailing, and see what Wembley Sailing Club has to offer and get involved.

“Who knows, you may just get hooked.

Dovestone Sailing Club courses returning to reservoir

 DOVESTONE Sailing Club is set to restart its popular Royal Yachting Association dinghy courses at the reservoir.

The courses will take place over the weekend of July 17 and 18 along with August 21 and 22.

They are aimed at taking beginners up to a standard where they can sail safely and independently.

A club spokesperson said: “This summer would be a perfect time to learn to sail and Dovestone provides the most beautiful surroundings.

“The reservoir has ideal sailing waters for all levels of ability. "And whether you are taking your first steps afloat or want to develop your skills, the club has a dedicated team of instructors and coaches to look after you.

“You don't need your own boat - all equipment is provided.”

For more details on the courses check the Royal Yachting Association website, rya.org.uk/training/courses.

Rathlin Island Welcomes Yachts for Start of 2021 St.Kilda Challenge

 Rathlin is Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island. It has a population of about 150 and lies opposite Ballycastle on the world-famous North Antrim Coast.

Today (9th June) the marina in Church Bay is buzzing with yachts raring to start tomorrow (10th) in the 2021 St.Kilda Challenge organised by Ocean Sailing Scotland, Comann na Mara (Society of the Sea) and the Clyde Cruising Club.

This passage race of almost 200 miles will start five miles off Rathlin, renowned for its strong tides, and finish at the entrance to Village Bay on St.Kilda. The fleet will head out into the Atlantic, keeping the Scottish west coast Islands to starboard, with an option to divert inside if weather requires it. Keeping the UNESCO World Heritage site also to starboard, the passage race will round the archipelago and finish in Village Bay.

St.Kilda lies 40 miles west-northwest of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides.

The fleet is Golden Fox, Contender, InTuition, Polished Manx, Shenavall, Chorus and Clockwork. After the race, they will move on to Loch Maddy North Uist.

Earl Shilton girl wins silver medal at sailing championsips

 Imogen began sailing just three years ago after doing an initial course at Dixie Grammar School. She enjoyed it so much that the family visited Draycote Water Sailing Club and the enthusiasm of the Club’s staff and volunteers persuaded them to join the Club and do more courses. Her father, Andrew, is now also a regular sailor at the Club.

This led onto racing. Imogen now races two single-handed boats, the Tera and Topper, as well as the two-person Feva. She is in the top five of the Topper National Series.

Imogen, aged 12, said: “I love sailing because of the amazing sense of freedom and responsibility that comes from being entirely responsible for yourself and your boat when out on the water. As a sport, I love the way it is a mix of being physically challenged whilst also being a massive puzzle trying to work out how to use the wind in the best way.”

Imogen and Felicity are due to be sailing their Feva together again at the World Championships in Germany in the summer as well in separate boats at the Tera World Championships in Denmark - provided both events go ahead.

Draycote Water Sailing Club’s Youth & Junior fleet covers junior learn-to-sail courses every school holiday and half term, improver fun sessions on Friday nights and Saturday mornings, racing on Friday evenings and the Draycote Academy which offers high level racing training.

For more information visit the Club’s website.

The learn-to-sail courses are available to non-members and can be found here:

https://draycotewater.co.uk/courses-activities/sailing-courses/

Scaramouche Sailing Trust seeks new trustees

 Are you interested in nurturing young sailing talent? The Scaramouche Sailing Trust is looking for two new trustees to join their board and help raise crucial funds for the Greig City Academy (GCA) Sailing Programme and shape the future of the charity.

Since 2014, the GCA Sailing Programme has established an extraordinary track record in changing lives through sailing, providing opportunities to students from inner city London who would never otherwise have had the chance to get afloat.

Just two years after the programme was launched, the students competed in the 2016 Round the Island Race onboard their 45ft Admiral Cup yacht Scaramouche, racing it to 14th in class.

A year later, Greig City Academy became the first state school to enter their own boat and compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race, placing 144th out of 362 starters, which won Scaramouche sailor, Montel Fagan-Jordan, the YJA Young Sailor of the Year Award.

The Scaramouche Sailing Trust has gone from strength to strength, with sailors competing regularly in Etchells, 420s.

Students competed in the 2019 Fastnet Race, and during the COVID-19 pandemic refurbished more yachts and dinghies.

Recently, the teenage crew of the Intro 22, Riot, set the benchmark IRCRecord for round the Isle of Wight, with a corrected time of 7 hours, 32 minutes and 42 seconds.

The GSA programme has benefitted from gifts in kind and commitments from people across sailing, winning financial backing from Sport England and sponsors like the Dual Group.

But, behind the scenes, it has been a hand-to-mouth existence. It has often been uncertain where all the money is going to come from to keep the programme running.

Now, the Scaramouche Sailing Trust has been set up as a registered charity to move the programme on to a more stable and sustainable footing, and it is hoped the two new trustees will help bring in more consistent financial support, and explore how other state schools can benefit from GCA’s experience and bring the benefits of sailing to their students.

Full details about how to become a trustee are available on the trust’s website, scaramouchesailing.org.uk.

An open webinar to find out more about the position, with no obligations, will take place on the 17 June 2021 at 1630. Find out details here.

The deadline for applications is 30 June 2021.

Llandudno sailors compete against UK's brightest at national championship

 Liam Farrell and Felix Stewart, members of Llandudno Sailing Club, set sail at Hayling Island Sailing Club from Saturday, May 29 to Tuesday, June 1.

It presented a significant challenge for the duo, but one they responded to with determination on their way to an exceptional series of runs throughout the weekend.

A total of 85 pairs entered the competition, with Liam and Felix ending the championships with a superb fourth-place finish as a result of their efforts.

They were just one spot away from a podium finish to further enhance their growing reputation across the circuit.

Liam and Felix with certificates following a near-podium finish at the weekend event in Hampshire.

Liam, a year nine pupil at Rydal Penrhos, developed a real talent for sailing from an early age, following in the footsteps of brothers Kevin and Eddie on his way to national recognition.

The pupil has been part of RYA Cymru Wales sailing squads for a number of years and was recently selected to the Royal Yachting Association’s Regional Training Group – Feva (North) squad, for their 2020/21 winter coaching initiative.

In addition to his sailing exploits, Liam has achieved academic success in the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust’s challenges, is a gifted musician and has also assisted Eirias Hockey Club in Colwyn Bay to secure a coveted North Wales Championship in 2020.

SailGP: Fairy tale victory for Japan in Taranto

 SailGP fans were out in full force – with sell-out crowds on-shore and nearly one thousand registered boats lining the racecourse – to enjoy the second and final day of the Italy Sail Grand Prix in Taranto.

Keeping spectators on edge, Nathan Outteridge’s Japan SailGP Team reigned supreme with a massive win in the final podium race to secure a home victory for Italian sailor Francesco Bruni.

Spain finished in second place in front of Jimmy Spithill’s U.S team to move to the top of

the SailGP Championship leaderboard following the opening two events of the season.

Nathan Outteridge's Japanese team won the final of the SailGP Grand Prix in Taranto after taking advantage of the USA's late crash down, which broke their rudder and ended their chances of victory.

Both teams were joined in the winner-takes-all final by Spain however on the fourth leg, it was Japan who were closest to the USA and therefore able to capitalise on their mistake.

The victory capped a consistent weekend of sailing for Outteridge's team. Over the course of five regular races prior to the final, they were never out of the top three and the weekend was a sharp turnaround from them not being able to finish in Bermuda, due to a collision with the USA.

SailGP Championship - Season Points

Country Points

Spain 16

Great Britain 15

Japan 14

New Zealand 13

France 12

Australia 12

United States 11

Denmark 11