2021 Solution Nationals at Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Sailing Club

 After a grey forecast leading up to the weekend, 15 Solution sailors turned up to a sunny Norfolk coast for the 2021 Solution Nationals hosted by Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Sailing Club.

Overall we saw a clear winner (taking the win even if you didn't give him a discard!) Josh Hamer who learnt his trade at GYGSC many moons ago now, from Glossop SC taking both the National Champion Title and the Masters Trophy. Kathryn Partington-Smith also from Glossop taking second, Joe Crabb from Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Sailing Club taking third along with writing the race report "award". The Ted Funnell Memorial Trophy for the centre of mid fleet went to Stuart Jones and a special shout out to Tim Clarke, winner of the "Sheep Dog Trophy" chasing getting everyone around every race.

Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts

1st 463 Josh Hamer Glossop 1 1 2 ‑6 1 1 6

2nd 432 Kathryn Partington‑Smith Glossop SC 4 4 3 1 ‑7 2 14

3rd 391 Joe Crabb GYGSC 3 3 5 ‑9 3 4 18

4th 419 Jack Turnbull Redoubt SC 5 2 1 4 ‑9 7 19

5th 392 Mike Gower Hickling Broad sc 6 ‑7 6 3 2 3 20

6th 458 Kevin Clark Lee on Solent 2 6 4 5 8 ‑10 25

7th 413 Iain Wilkinson Leigh and lowton 11 5 ‑12 2 6 8 32

8th 416 Stuart Jones Hooe Point SC ‑9 8 7 7 5 5 32

9th 462 Richard Brown GYGSC 8 ‑11 8 8 4 6 34

10th 456 Martin Tubb Leigh & Lowton 7 9 10 ‑12 12 9 47

11th 443 Peter Blackman Burghfield SC (DNC) 10 9 10 11 DNF 54

12th 409 David Brief GYGSC 12 12 11 ‑13 10 11 56

13th 438 Tim Clarke Ardleigh 13 ‑14 13 11 13 12 62

14th 431 Tony Lord Felpham SC 10 13 (DNC) 14 DNC DNC 67

15th 455 Kathryn Clark Lee on Solent (DNC) DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 75

Hadron H2 National Championships at Herne Bay Sailing Club

 After two days of grey skies and brisk winds, the final day dawned with sunshine and a light to moderate Easterly breeze - much to the relief of many in the fleet.

With just two races scheduled to complete the eight race series the 22 competitors were efficiently marshalled by the Herne Bay SC beach crew and racing got under way.

Nick Craig had an almost untouchable lead and his win in the seventh race confirmed his position as 2021 H2 National Champion. Another win for Nick in the last race confirmed what we already knew - he is a master at his chosen sport. Second place was still up for grabs, though, and Richard Leftley nailed two second places but could not sufficiently close the gap on Richard le Mare, who finished third in both of today's races. Roger Ewart-Smith (Itchenor SC) managed to hold on to fourth place in spite of producing his two discards in the lighter stuff.

Two new trophies were available this year - for lightweights and heavyweights. These went to Robin Parsons and Richard le Mare respectively. The Masters Trophy was won by Barry Wolfenden (Bough Beech SC), who finished fifth over all. The Grand Master's Trophy winner was David Maclean (Itchenor SC) and the Ulysses Trophy for helms over 70 was won again by Kevin Connolly (Deben YC).

Over 50 volunteers from Herne Bay SC contributed to an outstanding event which competitors hugely enjoyed both on and off the water. It's the second time in the short history of the H2 class that the club has hosted our championships and we are like old friends now. On the water, PRO Dougal Henshall and his team ran a superbly organised race schedule. All in all, a great championships with a record turnout for the class.

60th celebrations at Fishers Green Sailing Club

 Two days of sailing and games on and off shore were held to mark the celebrations of 60 years of the beautiful Fishers Green Sailing Club.

It may be a small disused gravel pit, with fickle winds and various shallows, but it has been built on love and family feel, with a warm welcome to visitors, for 60 years. Various locations and clubhouses have come and gone until we settled on Holyfield Lake, the present clubhouse being entirely built by the club members at the time.

A great weekend of sailing and fun was had by all. Old film and photos were brought into the digital age, past members were remembered fondly and new memories combined with the old ones. Here is to the next 60 years with a bright future.

Too many 'thank you's to mention individually. Club Secretary Vicky Hill was the driving force behind the scenes, writing lists and thinking of everything, who co-ordinated the 40+ team of members who all contributed to the success of the weekend.

Thank you to everyone who turned up to make it such a special occasion.

Optimist Midlands Traveller Series Open at Barnt Green Sailing Club

 The second event of the Midlands Traveller Series for Optimists was held on Saturday 4th September.

Prizes were awarded to Thomas Kelsall - Staunton Harold SC 1st overall; Will Moss - Barnt Green SC 2nd overall; Theo Smith - South Staffs & Draycote SCs 3rd overall; Jack Hodgkins - South Staffs SC 1st junior in main fleet; Oscar Smith - South Staffs & Draycote SCs 1st regatta fleet; Lochlyn Grant - Leigh & Lowton & West Kirby SCs 2nd regatta fleet; Oscar Johnson - Blithfield SC 1st sailor sailing in their first event and Anila Atkins - Barnt Green SC 2ndsailor sailing in their first event. There were also prizes for all the sailors competing in their first event and awards to nine sailors for exhibiting great examples of the British Youth Sailing values and behaviours.

Maldon heritage centre Thames sailing barge exhibition

 A THREE week exhibition is set to celebrate the history of Thames sailing barges in Maldon.

The Thames Sailing Barge Trust in association with the Maeldune Heritage Centre are holding the exhibition from September 8 to September 28.

John Rayment of the Thames Sailing Barge Trust said: "The Thames sailing barge has had a major part to play in the growth of Maldon and for over 150 years have been a regular site in the Blackwater Estuary.

The Trust aims to preserve the vessels but also provide the opportunity for the public to sail on them, and to educate children and the general public on their history.

John added: "We regularly hold open days and events and run very successful Children’s Days throughout the year."

The Red Sails Over the Blackwater exhibition is open between 11am and 4pm from Tuesday to Saturday at the Maeldune Heritage Centre and is free to enter.

For more information visit www.bargetrust.org or contact John Rayment at events@bargetrust.org.

Abersoch Mirror Week 2021 exceeds the F Factor

 South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club continued its members only approach into the summer of 2021 only to see the Covid-19 lockdown rules lifted in Wales just in time for Mirror Week 2021 to be opened to all with only 10 days to go to the start of the normal Mirror Week.

This allowed 24 Mirrors to hitch up and find their ways onto the Llyn Peninsular. 24 boats is a little light compared to the numbers of previous years but still a fantastic result after the 10 day dash.

After a great time the honours were decided on Friday in the last two races of the week.

Gold Fleet

Ruby showed her pedigree as the overall winner of the gold fleet.

Silver Fleet

Dad & Son Leach and Blue Bell tied at the top of the silver fleet. Snoopy was the oldest boat in 16th overall.

Squirt picked up the seamanship award for rudder juggling and the first wooden boat was Cheeky Monkey in 13th.

The event concluded with a successful prize-giving. All competitors made it onto the Vimto medal podium.

The people behind the aforementioned dash know who they are, and they know that the club, the members, the guests and the competitors are all appreciative of what they did to make this week happen.

Interesting point to note, only 10 wooden boats this year - has the dynamic of the fleet finally changed?

Next year is the 25th Anniversary of this fantastic week. The dates for the week are starting on Monday the 15th August 2022, finishing on the 19th August 2022. Competitors are more than welcome to use the club on both weekends before and after the actual week.

2021 ICRA National Championships on Dublin Bay

 After a pause of 25 months, the annual Irish Cruiser Racing Association championships got under way on Dublin on Friday where a fleet of 80 entries are contesting four national titles.

Wind conditions proved better than forecast and the full schedule for the day was completed on time for all course areas managed by Jack Roy and Con Murphy with their teams.

Few classes have clear leaders at this early stage with 'nip and tuck' action after more than four hours afloat.

Rooster to sponsor Noble Marine RS700 & RS800 Nationals

 It's just a few days until the eagerly anticipated Noble Marine RS700 and RS800 National Championship which will run 9th to 12th September 2021 at Castle Cove Sailing Club. Four days of top-notch racing in a fabulous sailing area will be celebrated at the Rooster sponsored prize-giving. Rooster are the official clothing sponsor of the RS Class Association and sponsor each fleet's National Tour.

Irish 12 Foot Dinghy Championship at the Royal St George Yacht Club

 Over the weekend of 28-29 August the Royal St George Yacht Club was filled with 12 foot dinghies of four different types for a weekend of celebration of the smaller dinghy.

Eighteen Uffa Fox designed National Firefly dinghies took part in the annual Elmo Trophy event for youthful team racers with teams from across the country. One hundred and thirty- seven races were held over two days in eighteen dinghies. Despite these dinghies being designed in 1946, 75 years ago, they remain to be the best dinghy for team racing with teams of three boats. This event took place over two days at the eastern end of Dun Laoghaire harbour.

A similar design to the International 12 foot dinghy is the Dublin Bay Sailing Club 12 Foot dinghy which shares the same hull design but carries a gunter rig designed in 1969, with an 80 sq. ft. mainsail, a small jib and a foredeck to keep the boat dryer when sailing in the Dublin Bay chop. This championship was won by 'Albany' which was built in 1936 and sailed by Gavin Johnston and Gail Varian from Dalkey.

British Keelboat Academy opens doors for next intake

 Applications are now open for the British Keelboat Academy's next intake of young sailors.

The British Keelboat Academy (BKA) supports sailors aged between 18 and 24 to develop the skills they need to race keelboats at a national level.

No previous keelboat experience is necessary and applications for the BKA's 2021/22 cohort are welcome from young racing sailors across the sport.

Those applying for the British Keelboat Academy must be available, if invited, to attend a selection weekend at Port Solent, 13/14th November. Those demonstrating a strong desire to learn coupled with a strong work ethic and the ability to work well within a team will be among a group of around 60 sailors who will make up the 2021/2 British Keelboat Academy.

Subsequent training weekends will include: Online Theory, 18/19 December; Spinnaker Handling, London, 29/30 January; Inshore Yacht Training, Solent, 5/6 March; J/70 Training, Cowes, 9/10 April. A separate offshore training module will also be available.

The cost of the selection weekend will be £85 and the BKA squad fee is £315. Applicants should be aged between 18 and 24 years on 13/11/2021 although exceptions can be made on a case by case basis.

Sailing association seeking to help disabled children have an adventure of a lifetime at sea

 The Disabled Sailors Association (DSA) is hunting for youngsters who are keen for an adventure at sea but who may have been put off by their disability.

The association supports people with hidden disabilities, visual impairments, people on the autistic spectrum, amputees, and many other complex needs.

Mike Wood, the organisation's chairman, said the activities could have a life-changing impact on young people and was keen to get more people involved.

Mike said the Paralympics and Team GB's performance was continuing to inspire more disabled people into sport - and that he was keen to capitalise on this new wave of enthusiasm.

The yachts have run to nearly full capacity for over 25 years, with over 40,000 people having sailed on the specially equipped boats. Participants will have the opportunity to experience a ride around the harbour, as well as the chance to control the yacht, with all facilities fully accessible.

The DSA are determined to make it their mission to enable disabled sailors to have the best possible sailing experience.

To find out more, email office@disabledsailing.org or contact Mike at 07541 754196.

Conwy Fife One Design 'A' Series Race 17 at Royal Anglesey Yacht Club

 A somewhat grey Bank holiday Monday greeted the fleet of 18 Fifes that turned out for the 17th race in the 'A' series.

For those of you unfamiliar with the class, the 'A' series runs throughout the season on Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays and comprises of 20+ races, consequently, it's the one everyone wants to win and competition is fierce. We have sailed 17 races so far, with another 4 to go until the end of the season and the fact that we have seen 11 different winners during the season maybe demonstrates just how difficult it is to win!

After 17 races (and with discards in place) the standings for the first 10 boats in the series are as follows:

1st 5, Thelma III - 32pts

2nd 38, Sard - 37pts

3rd 41, Fiona - 56pts

4th 34, Ceridwen - 63pts

5th 42, Enigma - 65pts

6th 29, Gitana - 67pts

7th 15, Coila - 71pts

8th 30, Coralie II - 79pts

9th 39, Hwyl - 83pts

10th 35, Tarka - 100pts

Fleet of 78 boats gathering for ICRA championships on Dublin Bay

 National titles in four IRC classes plus a white sails event will be decided on Dublin Bay next weekend (Friday 3rd-Sunday 5th September 2021) when the National Yacht Club hosts the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) National Championships.

A total of 17 clubs from Ireland's North, South and East coasts will be represented by 77 crews, a slight reduction in usual numbers that is attributed to the gradual reopening of the country after three waves of the virus.

The ICRA series will be hosted by the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire with further updates and results available at cruiserracing.ie and on social media.