Date set for the Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy 2022

 The Steve Nicholson Trophy is one of the most well known winter regattas and has been well supported in the past. The event is raced in aid of Asthma UK charity in memory of Steve, who was a popular sailor and member at Northampton Sailing Club and well respected in the sailing world.

The event which has been held on an annual basis in January since 2002 is a popular winter event for single and double handers with a reputation of providing great racing, raced in two separate fleets with an overall winner of the title.

Sunday 30th January 2022... Hold the date!

Entries open soon on the Steve Nicholson Trophy website, see www.stevenicholsontrophy.co.uk

2021 Women's Match Racing World Championship takes over Cherbourg

 The 2021 Women's Match Racing World Championship, featuring Olympic and America's Cup champions, is set to take over Europe's second largest artificial harbour - Cherbourg-en-Cotentin in Normandy, France - from tomorrow (Thursday, 28 October).

The eight teams of four and five crew members from Finland, France, Netherlands, Sweden and UK will compete over four days of intense racing on J/80 fixed keel one-design sports boats.

The 2021 Women's Match Racing World Championship is being hosted by Yacht Club Cherbourg, after the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) - now hosts of the 2022 edition - was forced to withdraw due to pandemic-related travel restrictions.

The skippers are:

Pauline Courtois (FRA) - Rank 1

Anna Östling (SWE) - Rank 2

Marinella Laaksonnen (FIN) - Rank 5

Octavia Owen (GBR) - Rank 9

Margot Riou (FRA) - Rank 10

Renée Groeneveld (NED) - Rank 15

Sanna Matsson (SWE) - Rank 21

Kenza Coutard (FRA) - Wild Card

World Sailing, the Match Racing World Championship and our athletes are incredibly grateful to the Yacht Club Cherbourg for stepping in as hosts in this challenging time for global sport," said Pedro Rodrigues, World Sailing Events Manager.

"We're now looking forward to edge-of-your seat action in Cherbourg harbour, with amazing vantage points for spectators and a superstar line up of the sport's biggest names in women's match racing."

Historic Shoreham clubhouse demolished for flood defences

 HISTORIC clubhouse has been demolished to make way for essential flood defences.

The clubhouse, home to the Sussex Yacht Club, opened in 1950 but closed for good last November to make way for defences to protect residents in Shoreham.

Demolition of the building was completed last week in preparation for their installation, alongside a new cycle route.

We have retained some important historical features from the building that celebrate this history that we are so proud of.”

Construction of a new clubhouse started in 2019 and opened in the summer after delays due to the pandemic.

Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller Series at Wembley Sailing Club

 Eighteen Merlin Rockets assembled at Wembley Sailing Club for the 2021 Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Open Meeting sponsored by Craftinsure. Being the last ST before the lockdown in 2020, the host club were determined to put on a show for the 10 visitors including those from as far afield as Salcombe and Starcross.

The wind was generally Southerly around 10 kts gusting 17 kts with some shifty conditions just to keep the competitors on their toes.

Arthur and Livvy rounding the last top mark first, followed by Matt and Roger; Chris and Sam were still in the mix in 3rd. Matt and Roger snuck through on the downwind legs, and managed to cover on the final beat into the finish. Arthur and Livvy had to settle for 2nd with Chris and Sam 3rd.

The fleet returned to shore for a fantastic curry prepared by Wembley's excellent galley team. Matt and Roger took the overall prize with their two wins, Chris and Sam finished 2nd overall with Arthur and Livvy making up the podium in 3rd. James and Anna finished 4th and first in the Silver Fleet, with Paul and Hannah keeping the flag flying for the home club in 5th and first Wembley Boat. The Bronze fleet was won by Richard Cooke and Arabella Suchy (Wembley) and the Century Cup (everyone's favourite - helm and crew over 100 years old) was won by Colin Brockbank and Vana Vlastaki (Wembley).

Waldringfield Sailing Club Cadet and U21 RS200 Open

 The Waldringfield Cadet Open went back to its traditional timing of October half term this year to accommodate a busy summer of Cadet sailing.

We were delighted to see so many visitors arriving from Frensham Pond and the Class' emerging latest proto-squadron at Rickmansworth - they really turned the weekend into Cadetfest!

Waldringfield served up its very best and with Insulate Britain holding off their protests on the M25 until Monday morning lots of sailors and their parents got home safe, happy but exhausted. A big thank-you to Waldringfield SC for hosting the event and the many, many helpers who make these things happen. We will see everyone again for the season finale, the Inlands at Grafham Water SC on 27th-28th November, and for the various regional training programmes taking place throughout this winter - please sign up now if you haven't already done so as it makes organising things so much easier, webcollect.org.uk/cadet

RS200 SEAS Open at Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club

 Well done to David Jessop and Sophie Mear on winning the 2021 SEAS Open at Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club.

 Overall Results:

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

1st David Jerssop Sophie Mear 1659 Wenbley SC 1 2 1 ‑3 1 5

2nd Andrew Barnet Lynee Ratcliffe 1635 IBRSC & Pevensey Bay SC ‑4 1 2 2 2 7

3rd Julian Bradley Helen Cafferata 1178 Wembley SC 2 3 3 1 ‑6 9

4th Nigel Bird Andy Bird 1395 RYA 3 ‑5 4 4 5 16

5th Tom Hirst Joe Sutton‑Jones 1253 Broadstairs SC 5 4 ‑6 6 3 18

6th Kim Gavin Michelle Ryder 1637 IBRSC ‑8 6 5 5 4 20

7th Martin Lown Colin Lown 345 Neatly SC 6 7 7 ‑8 7 27

8th CJ Uta Griesenbach 1241 IBRSC 7 8 ‑9 7 8 30

9th Nick Marley Ian Peace 1725 IBRSC (DNF) 9 8 9 9 35

10th Clare James Clare Archer 1409 IBRSC (DNC) DNC DNC DNC DNC 48

10th Chris Webber 16 Pevensey Bay SC (DNC) DNC DNC DNC DNC 48

How to set a boat anchor in 3 simple steps

 Step 1: Choosing your location

It's important to make sure that you are far enough away from shallow waters and any potential hazards that your boat could drift in to while anchored. You also need to make sure that there are no hazards in the entire turning circle of the boat.

Once you are happy with your boat's location then it's time to drop the anchor.

Step 2: Dropping the anchor

An easy mistake to make is to just throw your anchor and line over the side. This can cause issues with the anchor getting tangled in the line/chain and not laying correctly on the ocean floor.

You should carefully drop your anchor straight down and feed the line until you see or feel the anchor hit the bottom.

Once the anchor is resting correctly on the bottom, it's time to set the anchor.

Step 3: Setting the anchor

To set the anchor, give out some scope (surplus anchor line) and then hold the line on a cleat and let the anchor start biting on the seabed as the boat drifts back on the current. Gradually continue to pay out more scope until you feel the anchor bite and hold.

Your anchor should embed itself in the ocean floor, give to a hard tug to ensure that it is set. An anchor being set means it's completely stuck.

Once you're happy that the anchor is set, tie the anchor line off on a cleat and you're ready to enjoy the waters!

How much scope should I let out?

A safe rule of thumb for the quantity of line to scope depends on whether you are using a rope or chain line.

For chains, you want to ideally have three times the depth of water for the chain. So in 5 metres of water, you will want 15 metres of scope.

For rope lines, a good rule of thumb is five times the depth of water. So for 5 meters of water, you will want 25 metres of scope.

Prestigious Dragon sailing race to return to Falmouth in 2022

 A prestigious national sailing race is to return to Falmouth next year.

The Edinburgh Cup is the British Open National Championship for Dragon class boats which are nine-metre keelboats, raced by crews of three people.

It is the first time since 2009 that the race will be held in Falmouth, Cornwall.

It’s a highly competitive class with many mixed crews and a real honour for Falmouth to welcome back the Edinburgh Cup.

“It takes a big team effort ahead of time and during the event. It’s already bringing together local sailing experts from across the area including Flushing Sailing Club and Mylor Sailing Club.”

Boats will arrive in the town on July 2, and racing will take place each day until July 9.

An opening ceremony will take place at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club to welcome the sailors and launch the event.

Sailing club finally gets its new clubhouse

 Dedicated members of Shropshire Sailing Club have turned their dream of a new clubhouse into a reality after more than a decade of planning and fundraising.

The purpose-designed clubhouse at Whitemere near Ellesmere, replaces an old wooden hut and provides a modern, warm and energy efficient building, which includes changing rooms and showers, disabled facilities, a galley for catering, lounge and training room.

An official opening with past and present members who have been involved with the project saw the club celebrating the end of a long journey to upgrade its facilities.

Shropshire Sailing Club aims to provide access to sailing for all, including beginners, keen racers and those who simply “enjoy messing about in boats”. The club is an RYA Recognised Training Centre and also has RYA OnBoard recognition for its work with children and young people. Find out more at Shropshire Sailing Club - sailshropshire.co.uk - or discover more about how to start boating at www.rya.org.uk/get-afloat.

Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club: Annual Felucca Trophy

 Hollingworth Lake saw close racing with 16 Merlin Rockets on the water competing for the annual Felucca Trophy over the weekend of 16 and 17 October.

Visitors came from Berwick in the north, to Poole and Shoreham in the south.

In the relatively light winds, racing was a bit like snakes and ladders. However, Matt Biggs and Beka Jones, from the West Midlands, always seemed to find the way to win in three races out of the five, and in the others they came second.

Other race winners were Richard Whitworth, on a home visit, crewed by young Jasper Bramwell, who finished third overall. This was Jasper’s first experience of a weekend sailing in a ‘senior’ boat at the very competitive level. Arron Holman, crewed by Pippa Kilsby, took the other race win and was runner-up overall.

New boats arrive at Fairlop Waters amid country park investment plan

 The fleet at Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre has 26 boats after investment from Redbridge Council.

There had been concerns over the centre's future, after staff were let go earlier this year, with a petition to save it reaching more than 8,000 signatures.

At a council meeting on February 24, council leader Jas Athwal said the venue would not be closing.

It has since reopened and the investment for the new boats comes as part of 250-acre expansion plan for Fairlop Waters Country Park.

The new boats include 15 Hartley 10's, which replace the wooden fleet and allow for two people to be taught in the same boat.

IOCA UK Gill Optimist End of Season Championships at Royal Torbay Yacht Club

 Exactly 100 of the UK's top young Optimist sailors enjoyed two days of glorious autumn sunshine, last weekend, on the English Riviera as the IOCA UK Gill End of Season Championships returned to Torbay for the first time in five years.

With wind significantly lighter than forecast, competitors had to wait for racing to get under way on both Saturday and Sunday. 

In the End of Season Championships, Henry Camm from Warsash SC took the top spot in Main Fleet, as first boy and the overall winner, with Lila Edwards from Parkstone Yacht Club the first girl and fifth overall. Top Junior was Joe Wimpory, representing both Bewl and Hayling Island Sailing Clubs.

The Regatta Fleet was won by Felix Howe of Royal Lymington Yacht Club, who secured five first place finishes across the nine-race series with club mate Isla Hutchinson securing first girl and fourth overall. Royal Lymington took home the top performing club trophy for the Regatta Fleet, having secured the top seven positions, while Warsash SC triumphed as top performing club in Main Fleet and Parkstone YC were recognised for delivering ten top performers to the event.

IOCA would like to thank event sponsors Gill for their support, Royal Torbay Yacht Club and its members for hosting the event, Principal Race Officer Ian Bullock and Regatta Fleet Race Officer Imogen Gibb, along with their busy teams, for delivering a great series in challenging conditions - and all of the parent volunteers for making the event possible.

To find out about upcoming Optimist class events please visit: www.optimist.org.uk/all-events

Retired Penzance man sails around the UK fundraising for two charities

 74-year-old Richard Kerswell is taking on an epic challenge for charity while also ticking off an item from his bucket list!

Richard, who grew up in Tanzania and now lives in Penzance, Cornwall is currently sailing around the UK - single handedly in aid of Give the World a Shot and Orphans in the Wild.

80 per cent will go to Give the World a Shot aims to provide Covid vaccines for the third world, and the rest to Orphans in the Wild which cares for HIV orphaned children and foster families in Tanzania.