Gipsy Moth IV leaving Buckler's Hard for Channel Islands

 HAMPSHIRE is about to lose the famous boat in which Sir Francis Chichester became the first person to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe.

Gipsy Moth IV, one of the star attractions at Buckler's Hard, has been sold and is due to relocate to the Channel Islands next month.

The 54ft ketch was owned by the Gipsy Moth Trust, which closed earlier this year after its finances were wrecked by the pandemic.

Her new owners are Peter Tom, chairman of Leicester Tigers rugby club, and Ian Walker, owner of the Little Big Hotel group.

The Hon Mary Montagu-Scott is commodore of the Beaulieu River Sailing Club.

She said: "We are sad to see Gipsy Moth IV leave but hope the Guernsey Sailing Trust continue to use her to inspire a new generation of young people to take up sailing.

"We hope Gipsy Moth will be a frequent visitor to the Beaulieu River in the future."

Horning Sailing club honored for 'outstanding commitment'

 The Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association has given the club its Martin Broom Trophy for making an "outstanding commitment to Broads boating".

The club set up a training centre in 2004 which began with six young sailors and grew to become one of its most important aspects, and now has a team of around 30 volunteer instructors. 

2000 Class Association UK National Championships at Royal Torbay Yacht Club

 The 2000 Class Association held their UK National Championships at the top sailing venue of Torbay, hosted by the world-class Royal Torbay Yacht Club. The event took place over the 8-13 August attracting 47 entries in total, including three Junior entries.

A special mention to the Armed Forces in supporting the event with the Royal Navy entering two boats, British Army eleven boats and the Royal Air Force four boats. Many personnel were experiencing their first National Championships having only learnt to sail in the last few months!

Whilst many classes have decided to reduce their Nationals in duration, the 2000 class still held a five-day event with a lay day. Many families came along and the location of Torquay has many local attractions nearby to keep the non-sailors happy. The Royal Torbay Yacht Club was available to all to use for the week.

After five days of very challenging conditions and highly competitive racing throughout the fleet, Rob and Sarah Burridge secured the crown as successive National Champions for 2021. Paul Cullen and Fresh Abendstern secured second place for the successive time also. A huge congratulations to brother and sister team Darren and Natalie who were in third place - Natalie was returning to national championship sailing after taking time out from competitive racing after having a child.

Next year's UK Nationals are already planned, taking place at Castle Cove Sailing Club, Weymouth on the 13-19 August 2022. The event is attracting a lot of attention with people already booking their accommodation.

There are still lots of quality events taking place in 2021. The highlight being the National Inland and Welsh Championships which are taking place on the 16-17 October at Cardiff Bay Yacht Club. Book now to avoid disappointment.

If you want more information about the 2000 Class Association then head over to www.2000class.org or www.facebook.com/2000classassociation

National 12 Burton Week 2021

 Burton Week 2021, sponsored by Allen, will be held at Shoreham SC over four days the August Bank Holiday weekend. With sailing so limited over the last 18 months and some new combinations it is difficult to identify much form in the runners and riders this year.

We can expect lots of competition throughout the fleet!

Thanks to our title sponsor Allen Brothers but also to Dinghy Shack who are providing prizes as Shoreham is part of the N12 National Series for 2021. The Burton Cup this year is kindly sponsored by KitBrix.

www.national12.org

Helensburgh Sailing Club holds first regatta since Covid

 HELENSBURGH Sailing Club was pleased to welcome 30 dinghies to the start line off the pier last Saturday after a virus-induced gap of almost two years, during which travelling and provision of facilities were both highly problematical.

The handicap fleet of 11 dinghies, all local, enjoyed some spectacular high speed sailing, with the son-father combination of Calum and Neil Rosie in their RS400 as winners, ahead of Calum Bell and Christine Wood in their RS200 and Craig Latimer in his Blaze. Bell and Wood pipped Latimer for second on tie-break.

There was stalwart sailing in the breezy conditions by HSC’s juniors on the smaller racetrack. Logan Brown won in his Optimist, ahead of the Toppers of Tristan Somerville and James MacPherson, though all the boys showed great sailing skill in very testing conditions.

Whilst midweek evening sailing starts to come to a close as the nights draw in, HSC will switch to its popular Autumn Series on Sundays starting in mid-September.

Revving up for the Tiger Trophy - next up in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series

 If you ever thought of competing in the legendary John Merricks Tiger Trophy but didn't fancy getting cold at Rutland Water, next weekend is your opportunity. Taking place on 28/29 August 2021, the Tiger Trophy marks the finale of this season's long-extended Seldén SailJuice Winter Series.

As usual the event is open to a wide range of dinghies and other small craft including sportsboats, catamarans and Challenger trimarans.

The format is three back-to-back handicap races on Saturday and a Pursuit Race on the Sunday. The legendary Tiger Dinner will take place at Rutland Sailing Club on Saturday evening starting at 6.30pm.

Enter now at: www.sailjuiceseries.com

Aberdeen & Stonehaven Yacht Club Annual Regatta 2021

 Following the easing of restrictions, it was good to see 13 visitors joining a healthy local fleet for the annual ASYC regatta held in Stonehaven bay. The ten strong D-Zero class looking to use this Northern traveller event as a warm up for the nationals the following week, even tempting three English boats to make the long journey north.

The class winners were confirmed as the following:

D-Zero - Nick Craig (Scottish & Northern Traveller)

Blaze - Ian Pittendreigh (Blaze Scottish Championships)

ILCA7 - Peter Malcolm (Scottish & Masters Championships)

ILCA6 - Scott Logan (Scottish Championships)

Gen. Hcap. - Adam Craig

RS200 - Daniel & Colin Scott (Scottish Traveller)

The club would like to thank all the numerous volunteers that put in a lot of time and effort to ensure the regatta would be back on after a years absence, and also to thank Survitec for their support.

Young sailors overcome strong headwinds for postponed Mayflower 400 Race

 After two days of beating into a strong westerly headwind, 12 UK Sail Training vessels, crewed by young people, arrived safely in Dartmouth on Thursday morning to mark the end of ASTO's Mayflower 401 Small Ships Race.

The race began at Southampton's Ocean Village Marina and saw the vessels round the eastern end of the Isle of Wight before making their way West again towards Dartmouth. Strong winds and rough seas battered the fleet but amongst the crews, spirits remained high. Many of the young people had not sailed before, let alone through the night in difficult conditions.

The sense of achievement and joy of the young people was evident in the on-the-water prize-giving ceremony where trophies and prizes were hand-delivered to the winning vessels moored in Dart Harbour by way of water taxi.

This event was the first opportunity for Sail Training vessels and young people to gather since the lockdown. Since mid-July, over 30 Sail Training charities are finally able again to provide life-changing positive experiences for young people and disabled people.

List of Prize Winners:

Seven Seas Trophy (Line honours) - Challenge Wales, Challenge Wales

Aurora Trophy (First after corrected time) - Jolie Brise, Dauntsey's School

Richard Langhorn Trophy (Spirit of the race) - Olga, Sailing Tectona CiC

Bloodhound Cup (Youngest average age crew) - Jolie Brise, Dauntsey's School

Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships at East Lothian Yacht Club

 Ben & George took the bullet and the Winter trophy with Christian & Sam in second. Taxi & Pippa got third, while Tim Saxton & Mary Henderson sailed into fourth, Alex Jackson & Chris Kilsby were fifth and James & Chris finished sixth. Dan & Ben Alsop were first silver fleet, and first bronze was Ben Archer and Olivia Bellini.

The overall results were close, but not close enough in the end, meaning Stu and Tom claimed the Championship title. Christian and Sam did put up a great fight to finish second with a consistent score line even with no practice sailing together this year. Ben and George certainly found their mojo on the last day, and without the gear failures on day one, it may well have been a different story, but they finished in third. Taxi and Pippa came in a very credible fourth, Tim and Mary were fifth and Ian and Charlotte finished much better than they started the week, ending up sixth.

First silver fleet was James and Anna, who had some excellent results all week, and first bronze fleet were newcomers in the Merlin fleet, Tom and Ed Low.

Huge thanks to East Lothian Yacht Club and all the volunteers for being a wonderful host club and for such a fantastic reception, it’s a stunning venue and is definitely worth a visit. Also, thanks to our race officer and his team for dealing with the sometimes tricky conditions and giving us some great racing.

Many thanks to our sponsors HD sails, SSE, NB Distillery, Fernhurst Books, Triggernaught Sportsglasses and our title sponsor Aspire Financial Advisers.

The Merlin Rocket Nationals 2022 will be hosted by Mount's Bay 31st July to 5th August.

UKLA ILCA 6 National Championships at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy

 The final two days of the Nationals brought some super tight racing into the ILCA 6s, with only a few points separating the top four leading into the final day of championship racing. Sailing the bigger winds of the forecast, Day 4 and 5 reminded the sailors of the fun of hiking hard all week!

Overall National Championship:

Daisy Colligridge GBR 1st

Jon Emmett GBR 2nd

Ben Elvin GBR 3rd

Top 3 Females (Open):

Daisy Colligridge GBR 1st Female

Molly Sacker GBR 2nd Female

Chloe Elvin GBR 3rd Female

Top 3 Males (Open):

Jon Emmett GBR. 1st

Ben Elvin GBR 2nd

Sebastian Kempe BER 3rd

Silver Fleet:

Rory Ferrier - winner of the SouthEastsailboats prize

RS Aero UK National Championships at Hayling Island Sailing Club 2021

 Racing is under way at the 2021 RS Aero UK Nationals with a whopping fleet of 140 RS Aeros signed up and looking forward to a fun week hosted at Hayling Island Sailing Club. A mixed forecast looks set to provide good racing with for opportunities for everyone to shine.

Wednesday was a chilled warm up day for the main event. In the morning UK Class Training Coordinator Sammy Isaacs-Johnson delivered a coaching session ashore, sharing the lessons learnt over the Class' seven years to help those new to the Class and to championship racing.

Still time to enter the Stoneways VPRS National Championship

 There is still time to enter the 2021 Stoneways Marine VPRS National Championship, so don't delay and ensure you are part of a fun weekend of racing and socialising from the 28th - 29th August.

Hosted by Lymington Town Sailing Club, the National Championship is open to new and existing VPRS rated yachts. Visit www.vprs.org for the Notice of Race and to enter.

The relaxed event is a great opportunity for cruiser racers and any other sailors interested in dipping their toes into cruiser racing to compete against a competitive, but friendly and welcoming fleet in the Solent.

The convenient Dan Bran pontoon has been allocated to provide walk ashore berthing for entrants and the sailing club is open to competitors for breakfast, dinner and warm showers throughout the weekend.

The VPRS National Championship is sponsored by Stoneways Marine, a leading yacht and marine trade insurance provider. For full race and class details visit www.vprs.org and for all your 2021 yacht insurance needs, or contact the Stoneways team on 03333 609 886.

SailGP practice racing full of surprises in Aarhus Denmark Sail Grand Prix

 Aarhus Bay, playground to the inaugural ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix, is proving itself as a drama-filled stage for this week's return to SailGP racing action. With a capsize by the Danish team and a new speed record for the British already on the books during practice racing, fans are sure to witness a spectacular main event on August 20-21.

The Danish event sees the return of both sail racing giants and Olympians who will reunite with their SailGP Teams to battle for supremacy on Danish waters. Ben Ainslie has returned to the driver's seat for Great Britain, along with a new family member to cheer him on. And, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke are back in charge of the New Zealand SailGP Team following silver medal success in Tokyo.

For the home team, Nicolai Sehested will be looking to newly crowned golden girl Anne-Marie Rindom - fresh from success at the Tokyo Olympics - to help catapult the team to the front of the highly-competitive fleet. Sehested will be relying on her local knowledge, alongside fellow Olympic gold medalist Martin Kirketerp, following many years of Olympic training on Aarhus Bay.