Countdown to January entry for SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race 2022

 Online entry for the 704-nautical miles SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race will open at midday (UTC 1200) on Monday 24th January 2022 organisers at Wicklow Sailing have confirmed.

After cancelling the 2020 race due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 21st edition of this classic offshore event is being planned with relevant precautions in place to ensure a safe experience.

The course follows the traditional route first contested in 1980 that states "leave Ireland and its islands to starboard" while starting and finishing at the scenic port of Wicklow on the East coast of Ireland.

Berthing facilities at the pier and quays close to Wicklow Sailing Club's base will be available while the Royal Irish Yacht Club in nearby Dun Laoghaire will once again act as a second club base for registration and inspection.

Starting at 1300 hrs on Saturday 18th June 2022, the event is also well-timed to allow completion of the race in good time to deliver to Crosshaven on the South coast for the biennial Cork Week and special celebrations of the 300th anniversary of the Royal Cork YC, the world's oldest yacht club.

Entry will be open to IRC-rated yachts of at least 9.15m/30 feet overall and MOCRA-rated multihulls of 9.0m/29.53 feet with prizes awarded in a variety of categories including Overall winner under IRC along with line honours trophies for first monohull and first multihull. Two-handed entries, Sailing school and Services entries will also be amongst the prizes.

Full details will be included in the official Notice of Race document that will be published in mid-December 2021.

Find out more at roundireland.ie/wp

WASZP UK 2022 Calendar Released

 At a time when the winter warriors are digging out their warmest kit and dusting the ice off their boats, the UK WASZP team has been working hard to arrange a massive year for 2022.

The UK sector of the world's most popular one-design foiler is set for its biggest year yet. In 2021, the UK fleet already broke WASZP records by delivering the highest national championship attendance of any country that the class has ever seen, with 56 boats on the starting line. For 2022, the target is for 70 boats to line up on Portland Harbour for the nationals, and there are plenty of other events for WASZP sailors to get stuck into.

The year kicks off with five training weekends all over the country, headed up by some of the top UK WASZP sailors, including the reigning European Champion, Matt Beck. Newcomers and experienced sailors are all encouraged to turn up, brave the cold and sharpen their foiling skills.

In March, the racing season gets under way at Datchet - a stronghold for the class. This marks the first leg of the seven event Grand Prix series. There is no better place to get the season going thanks to a very active and committed local fleet.

SailGP set to return to Plymouth in 2022 after £6.9m economy boost this year

 

Plymouth is set for an economic boost with the return of the SailGP racing event in 2022 - after it pumped £6.9m into the city economy this year.

The all-action sailing contest is returning to Plymouth Sound in July 2022, as SailGP hosts its Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Britain’s Ocean City for the second year running.

This follows a bumper event in 2021 which saw an estimated 27,500 spectators enjoying the spectacle that brought £6.9m into city coffers.

BRADING HAVEN YACHT CLUB IN THE RUNNING FOR TOP AWARD

 Brading Haven Yacht Club has been shortlisted for the 2022 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year Award.

The East Wight club is now asking members of the public to vote for them ahead of the winner being announced in February at the RYA Dinghy & Water Sports Show at Farnborough International.

The club has taken the opportunity to review all areas of their activities and added a number of innovative ideas to the programme such as after school sailing, sailability, paddleboarding and kayaks. These group activities have seen more members out on the water, as well as enjoying racing and social sailing.

To support Brading Haven Yacht Club visit https://awards.yachtsandyachting.co.uk/rya/.

Head-to-head battle as Welwyn Garden City sailors brave treacherous weather

 Welwyn Garden City Sailing Club braved testing winds as two members went head-to-head in races at Stanborough Lake.

With many deciding against sailing due to the conditions, while others attended powerboat races, Roger Morse and Charles Adams battled it out at the front.

Virtually side-by-side for both races, Adams won the first race and Morse the second.

Battling further back were Angelo Hansen, who continued to race despite multiple capsizes into the cold water and tied for third place overall.

Millie Martin and Ewelina Hoffman also coming third found the challenge of the strong winds valuable experience for their forthcoming sailing instructor assessment

505 Class looks forward to 2022

 International Events

So what is racing in 2022 looking like for the 5o5 Class internationally. Details of International events and the Open National Championships scheduled for 2022 can be reviewed on the Class website at International Fixtures.

The flagship event will be the World Championship to be held in Cork from 3rd to 13th August 2022.

The annual Euro Cup series will take place in France, Italy, Germany and for the first time this year in Spain. The French leg has been moved to the lovely town of San Raphael and the German leg moved to the quaint Baltic town of Warnemunde.

Other News

There will be a very special and unique event for the 505 Class in 2022. After several years of research and effort, the 5O5 Book will be launched. This is going to be a fantastic 'must have' book about the nearly 70 years of history and story of the 5O5 over the ages. Keep an eye for more news and information as promotion of the launch steps up in coming weeks.

Brass Monkey at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club - Preview

 The Selden SailJuice Winter Series is well under way and so it's time get your entry in for the one and only true Northern event in the series: The Brass Monkey at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club on the 27th December.

You are guaranteed a typical warm Yorkshire welcome to our underfloor heated clubhouse and renowned galley fayre. We pride ourselves in never running out of hot water for the showers! The event has been full to capacity with over 100 entries for the last few years so worth getting your entry in soon.

We have kept our entry fees again low this year at only £30 for a single and £40 for a double hander. This includes food and refreshments all day, post race punch and nibbles afterwards!

There will be lots of prizes kindly supported by the club.

There are two handicap races scheduled and most dinghies (PY between Mirror and 49er) are welcome, but sorry no multihulls or keelboats. As in previous years we will hand out bow numbers and trackers at reception.

We have and will take the required Covid precautions at the time, such as a well ventilated clubhouse with extra seating capacity in new marquees on terrace with heaters.

Please enter at https://yorkshiredales.sc/brass-monkey-2021/ and see also our Facebook discussion forum for immediate information on weather conditions.

Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre named World Sailors of the Year

 Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre scooped the ultimate accolade in recognition of their sensational Tokyo 2020 gold medals as they were named World Sailors of the Year.

The women's 470 Olympic champions made history this summer, with Mills becoming the most successful female Olympic sailor of all time with two golds and a silver to her name, while McIntyre equalled the success of her father Mike who took the top spot in the Star class at Seoul 1988.

The pair saw off some of the biggest names in women's sailing to take top gong including Brazil's two-time Olympic champion Martine Grael, kitefoil world champion Daniela Moroz from the USA and French round-the-world yachtswoman Clarisse Cremer.

I am completely blown away," said Mills, from Cardiff. "The line up this year was absolutely incredible. I am so proud of Eilidh for everything she put into this Olympic campaign, she was the absolute best teammate. I am really honoured.

"I feel privileged to be a female in sailing right now, there are so many opportunities out there. I really hope to be a part of forging the pathway for female sailors of today and for the future. It is inspirational to be part of a federation like World Sailing who take sustainability so seriously and I feel so lucky to be involved in such an amazing sport."

McIntyre, from Hayling Island, Hants, added: "I just want to say thank you to Hannah, and everyone for voting for us and for all of your support. We wouldn't be here without all of the amazing women pushing us."

The pair picked up 37 per cent of the public vote, making them clear winners.

Also in the British Sailing Team, double Olympic champion Giles Scott was shortlisted for the men's award, but was beaten to it by Australian SailGP star Tom Slingsby.

50th edition Rolex Fastnet Race - dates for 2023 announced

 The 50th edition of the world's largest offshore race will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line on Saturday 22nd July, 2023, prior to the annual Cowes Week festivities.

The 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race will run before Cowes Week in 2023 in order to cope with the berthing needs of the large fleet prior to the start on 22nd July, and pre-event registration will again be offered to competitors in Cherbourg. We are excited to be working with our hosts once more for the finish of this great race and expect it to be even better than the 2021 event," says Race Director, Chris Stone.

The arrival of the immense fleet will once again be eagerly anticipated, with spectators enjoying the atmosphere of the international yachting festival as boats complete the 690 nautical mile course from Cowes to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, via the Fastnet Rock. Starting with the first arrivals from the 23rd of July, the daily influx of international competitors on a diverse range of boats culminates in a memorable prize-giving to mark the 50th Rolex Fastnet Race in Cherbourg on Friday 28th July 2023.

Save the date - Saturday 22nd July 2023

For further information or enquiries, please contact the RORC Race Team on: E: racing@rorc.org, T: +44 1983 295 144, or go to: www.rorc.org or the race website: www.rolexfastnetrace.com

Frensham Youth Sailing

 The youth class, consisting of children aged between 7 and 17, is growing in size again after a brief plateau during the two years Covid-19 has been raging across the world. Frensham Pond Sailing Club, located in Farnham, England, is the home of these up and rising sailors. However, they rarely get a chance to sail here with the competition season coming up, taking them up and down the country to new venues and different conditions.

For the last two weeks, they visited South Cerney, a sailing club located in Cirencester.

Being trained by Ex-Cadets who can pass on their extensive knowledge, the cadets could feel their sailing improving- even with the testing conditions they faced. High winds that tested their stamina and bravery allowed many a chance to train in conditions slightly out of their comfort zone; these kids were able to push themselves in both training and racing in order to gain better control of their boats.

While interviewing some of these persistent sailors, the cadet class was described as a “community” where "everyone helped each other". Others said they “make lots of friends” and have “lots of fun sailing”. Clearly the class is a great way for sailors to socialise with others in the same boat as them, both figuratively and literally.

When asked about the troubling conditions, one replied “it isn’t much fun if it’s the same all the time”. One ex-cadet even went as far too say: "the cadet class allowed me to make friends, in a great community, which I still have now even if I don't sail the boat anymore".

Port of Falmouth Sailing Association presents cheque to Roseland Youth Sailing Trust

 The Port of Falmouth Sailing Association was able to present a cheque this week to the Roseland Youth Sailing Trust after raising funds throughout 2021 for the charity.

Competitors entering Falmouth Sailing Week 21 donated, as did the volunteers who helped run the regatta. An online auction for a sailing experience offered by Coastland at Mylor raised the rest. Each year the organisation partners with a local sailing charity.

The Roseland Youth Sailing Trust funds sailing lessons for children in over 20 primary and secondary schools in the Roseland and clay country. Over a 1000 youngsters have been introduced to sailing so far. This year the charity enabled eleven 16-18 year olds to get a chance of the attitudes, experience and skills needed for quality jobs in the maritime industries. Places were originally organised on the 24m gaff ketch Maybe to sail on the Falmouth to A Coruna leg of the Magellan-Elcano Tall Ships Race. Sadly, as we all know, this was cancelled but the RYST persevered and Maybe took the eleven venturers onboard, in August, for a solo 10 day expedition.

Local businesses, sailing clubs, and organisations really did work together to change the lives of these youngsters and helped each to find new practical and life skills. They came back exclaiming "it had been the best 10 days of our lives" Many are now keen to find careers in the maritime sectors.

420 End of Seasons 2021 at Grafham Water Sailing Club

 What a great event our 2021 End of Seasons was! Hosted by the friendly Grafham Water Sailing Club, the wind was full of the usual shifty, tactics at the ready, lake sailing and we boasted a fleet of 39 boats.

Saturday was a light south westerly breeze averaging at 10kts. It was definitely a get in the pressure sort of day. We had 4 races and 4 different race winners including Ella Lance & Will Martin who hit the top 5 every time and were overnight leaders from Megan Farrer & Ellie Rush who picked up a 1st and a 2nd and Ollie Meadowcroft & Oscar Cawthorne who had a consistent day with a win and three top 7 results. George Creasey & David Bromilow won the final race of the day. The most spectacular performance of the day came from Ellie Creighton & Bee Greenfield who were in the hunt all day and found themselves in 7th place overnight.

Sunday was much breezier and very, very cold! And with a northerly wind averaging up to 15-20kts, I'm pretty sure everyone was wearing a woolly hat of some sort! In the windy conditions Ollie & Oscar dominated the first two races on day 2 getting round the course with a decent advantage on the fleet, but managed to only record a BFD and a 1st, whilst Ella & Will took control of the leader board recording a 1st and a 3rd.

Overall Results:

Pos Bow No Sail No Helm Crew Fleet R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 Pts

1st 12 56954 Ella Lance Will Martin Open 2 2 1 ‑4 1 3 2 4 15

2nd 42 56108 Alice Davis Oliver Rayner Open ‑8 4 6 3 5 2 1 5 26

3rd 9 54852 Megan Farrer Ellie Rush Female 5 1 2 ‑11 6 7 4 7 32

4th 38 55244 Henry Heathcote Hector Bennett Open 4 3 11 ‑12 10 6 3 2 39

5th 17 55854 Joe Warwicker Hugo Valentine U17 Open ‑12 9 5 9 3 4 7 3 40

6th 36 54480 Nick Evans Joey Taylor Open 11 8 ‑14 10 2 8 5 1 45

7th 62 54058 George Creasy David Bromilow U17 Open 13 6 8 1 7 5 ‑17 8 48

8th 45 55242 Harry George Ralph Cawthorne U17 Open ‑17 12 4 8 11 9 9 6 59

9th 10 54483 Millie Irish Clara Jones Female ‑18 11 15 6 4 11 8 11 66

10th 39 55942 Mathias Potter Ellie Thomas Open 9 5 13 2 12 (DNF) 

Classic sailing in the West Country makes history

 The first ever Pantaenius sponsored West Country Classics Series, for classic and heritage sailing boats took place in 2021. Results for two or more of three Classic sailing events which included Dartmouth, Falmouth and Fowey Classics were combined to identify four winners.

The prize-giving was hosted by Saltash Sailing Club during Storm Alwen. Skippers and crews from the ten boats that completed two or more of the events, gathered with partners and supporter to witness the presentations. All boats received a flag as a memento of participating in the first West Country Classic Series. Eight of the ten boats were either gaff or lug rigged. The oldest being the Looe Lugger Our Boys which was launched in 1904.

Sue Treneer, who has been involved in running Falmouth Classics in a variety of capacities for 35 years presented the prizes. In fourth place with 169 points was the Swan 55 "Lulotte" - Ben Morris, third the Heard 28 Capraia with 177 points - Patrick Vyvyan Robinson, in second place scoring 190 points was Mary Ritchie a 27' gaff cutter built by John Fuge and launched in 1992 - Don and Pauline Garman and in first place the beautiful gaffer Cynthia built in 1910 by Thomas Jacket of Falmouth with 191 points - Peter Lucas.

The next West Country classics Series will begin in 2022 at the Falmouth Classics from 17- 19 June.