A source said: “David had a look around some yachts in the summer, and decided to treat himself.
“He helped design the boat himself, and has been incredibly hands-on with everything.
“It’s not an oligarch-stylee super-yacht, but it’s still pretty plush by anyone’s standards.
Britain’s Emily Mueller and Florence Brellisford were today crowned female 29er Youth World Champions at the Barceló Mussanah Resort in Oman.
A win in the final race confirmed gold for Mueller and Brellisford, finishing six points clear of Charlie Leigh and Sophie Fisher of the USA.
Boris Shaw of Britain took silver in the male Techno 293+ windsurfing category finishing behind Gold medalist Federico Alan Pilloni of Italy.
Just missing a podium place was Lucy Kenyon, who took fourth place in the female 293+ windsurfing category.
Britain had representatives in all of the 11 classes, an incredible feat in itself.
Ella Geiger was sixth in the female Formula Kite class.
In the boys 29er Leo Wilkinson and Sam Jones were 16th, Julia Staite and Bettine Harris were 17th in the female 420 and Jamie Cook and Will Martin were 16th in the male/mixed 420.
Adam Farrington came home 12th in the male Formula Kite, Coco Barrett was 12th and Sam Dickinson 40th in the male and female ILCA 6 while Jasmine Williams and Alfie Cogger were 10th in the Nacra 15 fleet.
France won the Nations Trophy for the best team performance in Oman. Britain was fifth.
The season started shortly after lockdown finished in April with the Youth Regatta and Optimist Easter Egg and finished with the 420 end of seasons in November. 1500 boats have visited the club in this period. The start-gun has been triggered an estimated 200 times, and the black flag used more than once.
The biggest fleets of the year have been the Optimist Early Summer Championship, Topper Not the Nationals, RYA Eastern Region Junior Championships, RS Inlands, ILCA Masters Inlands and the well-loved Cat Open. Other classes to visit Grafham Water this year include Flying Fifteens, Merlin Rockets, 29ers, Moths, D-zeros, Solos and RS600s
The club plans another busy season for 2022 with another 17 meetings planned including the 40th Grafham Grand Prix on 2nd January, the National School Sailing Association championship, Topper National Series and Optimist end of seasons.
Any class looking ahead for an inland venue for a championship or open meeting for 2023/24 should contact Nigel at office@grafham.org.
Grafham Water Sailing Club is located in Perry, near Huntingdon. The club is now accepting winter membership at a discounted rate for the period through to 31st March 2022.
See www.grafham.org for more information.
Strong line-up of events planned for 2022 as World Sailing, the international federation for the sport, continue their push to have Para Sailing reinstated for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will make its decision at the end of 2022 on which sports will be reinstated.
World Sailing delivering on key Strategic Priorities to support the growth of the sport by 2023.
Successful launch of 'Back the Bid' #SailtoLA campaign in late October saw a groundswell of support from renowned global sailors and leading figures in the sport including Sir Ben Ainslie, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Dee Caffari MBE, Franck Cammas and 2021 America's Cup winners Team New Zealand led by Grand Dalton.
This is the year it will be decided which sports get reinstated by the International Paralympic Committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Games," said David Graham, CEO of World Sailing. "While we are still waiting for the IPC to confirm the reinstatement process and timeline, we expect the application and declaration of intent to be requested in Q1. World Sailing will then have to submit our initial application package by Q2 and full application by late summer. The final decision on which sports, if any, are to be reinstated are normally announced at the IPC Annual General Meeting, which is in November.
2022 Para Sailing Events
A total of five major Para Sailing World Championships and inclusive events will be staged in 2022 in Japan, Australia, USA and the Sultanate of Oman. "Our launch in October to get Para Sailing reinstated at LA28 resonated around the world with leading sailors, fans and organisers. The campaign was enthusiastically supported by our Member National Authorities and partners who are critical to our success. It is very clear that the sailing community feels strongly about getting sailing back in the Paralympic world. But the hard work is really only starting on this road, and 2022 is a crucial year," continued Graham.
"The number of female sailors competing at this year's Hansa Worlds was particularly encouraging for World Sailing as it supports one of our strategic development priorities to increase female participation globally to 30% by 2023 and, ultimately, achieve gender parity." Over 120 sailors competed at the 2021 Hansa Worlds, representing 23 countries including Oman, Australia, China, Turkey, Greece, Chile, Lithuania, Malta and Namibia, and with a strong female line-up in both the Hansa 303 single person class (20% female) and Hansa Liberty (56% female).
The Merlin narrowly beat Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane in their 505 with Jack Hopkins' Laser (ILCA 7) edging out the GP14 of Nick Craig and Toby Lewis for third place. Olympic Champion Dylan Fletcher stepped into the back of a National 18 with Michael Wilson and Ben Batchelor to finish in fifth place.
It was a diverse entry of boats with 34 classes ranging from the Topper to the Formula 18 catamaran, along with Flying 15 keelboats and National 18s. There was a big 420 turnout, the class making this one of the go-to events for the winter season.
Events in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2021/22:
Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water SC
20 & 21 November 2021
Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club
11 & 12 December 2021
Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey, Yorkshire Dales SC
27 December 2021
Burghfield Breezer, Burghfield Sailing Club
27 December 2021
Grafham Grand Prix, Grafham Water Sailing Club
2 January 2022
Bloody Mary (TBC), Queen Mary Sailing Club
8 January 2022
King George Gallop, King George Sailing Club
22 January 2022
John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club
5 & 6 February 2022
Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club
19 February 2022
Overall Results:
Pos Class Hcap Sail No Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3 R4 Pts
1 Merlin Rocket 980 3759 Thomas GILLARD Rachael GRAY Staunton Harold SC 1 6 ‑8 2 9
2 505 883 9215 Roger GILBERT Ben MCGRANE Netley SC 6 ‑11.5 1 4 11
3 Laser 1108 218526 Jack HOPKINS Delph Sailing Club 4 5 ‑22 4 13
4 GP14 1130 14185 Nick CRAIG Tobytastic LEWIS Burghfield / Frensham 5 ‑7 4 6 15
5 National 18 906 425 Dylan FLETCHER Michael / Ben WILSON / BATCHELOR Isle Of Man YC ‑11 8 6 6 20
6 Laser 1108 215390 Thomas BRINDLEY Redesmere SC 7 4 ‑23.5 10 21
7 RS Vareo 1093 621 Luke FISHER Emberton Park SC ‑14 14 7 2 23
8 Laser 1108 212109 Ben FLOWER Paignton SC ‑3 3 3 20 26
9 Enterprise 1153 22456 Nigel BIRD Iain BIRD R.Y.A 2 ‑25 13 14 29
10 Supernova 1077 1060 Alex HORLOCK Warsash SC ‑51.5 9 11 16 36
For the Skippers not able to return, Seumas Kellock, Guy Waites and Rich Gould, we thank them for their stellar skippership in leading their teams in previous legs of the circumnavigation.
Four new Skippers will be leading teams from February 2022, two of which will be familiar names to Clipper 2019-20 Race Crew. Former AQPs, Dan Jones and Mike Miller will be rejoining the upcoming edition as Skippers. Dan is set to lead WTC Logistics. Mike Miller will be Skipper of Visit Sanya, China.
New to the rescheduled race are Skippers Patrick van der Zijden and Nigel Parry. Former Clipper 2013-14 Race Skipper, Patrick, will be joining Zhuhai as Skipper. And the new Skipper of Dare To Lead will be Nigel Parry, who many of you will know as a Clipper Race Training Skipper.
The Clipper Race is set to announce the lineup of Clipper 2019-20 Race AQPs within the next fortnight.
The Portsmouth Yardstick handicap system is run jointly by the RYA and its affiliated clubs to allow sailors to race different boats against each other fairly.
At the end of each year, clubs submit their results data to the RYA which collates and analyses it then adjusts PY numbers accordingly. The more data received, the more accurate the PY numbers will be.
There is just one week left to get submissions in ahead of this year's deadline of December 20.
Adam Parry, technical manager at the RYA, said: "As we approach the 70th anniversary of the Portsmouth Yardstick scheme it would be great if this year was one of our largest returns showing how strong our clubs and classes are after a turbulent 2020.
"Understandably there was far less racing in 2020 which lead us to our decision to freeze the PY numbers for a year but we are hoping that this year we can have enough data to help update numbers and help clubs create fairer racing for their members.
"With a week to go until the submissions deadline, we're calling on any clubs still to submit their data to do so as soon as possible."
Club handicap and results officers can submit their data online at www.pyonline.org.uk
For more information or assistance, contact technical@rya.org.uk
The season started with some uncertainty as to how well attended the events would be due to Covid. Fortunately, the first open meeting of the year at Burghfield Sailing Club got lucky. 16 sailors arrived for the one day event, five of them visitors. Mike Lyons went onto win the first event of the year.
Next up and with Covid restrictions still looming which unfortunately had an impact on travellers' accommodation was the Northern Championships. Due to Covid the event had a low attendance with just 7 sailors able to take part.
However, it wasn't all bad news for first time hosts Dee Sailing Club. The competitors would be among the first to lay eyes on the new design sail.
Newcomer to the fleet, Will Gould, took home the Northern Championship trophy and with it a target on his back for the season!
With Covid restrictions easing the attendance for the Southern Championships was hopeful, only to be dashed by a very windy forecast for Sunday. However, the eager ones who were chomping at the bit to get back into fleet racing made the journey.
Four of those attending had been lucky enough to get their hands on the brand new sail design developed by Hartley Boats. This soon turned into the "official" launch of the new sail. As they were hoisted the fleet came quickly pacing across the dinghy park to check it out. First impressions were good!
Ben Harden went onto win all three races, with the new sail, followed by Eden Hyland in second also with a new sail - however, in third and only beaten on count back was Nic Tolhurst who was using the old sail. So, it wasn't seen as a clean sweep for the new design.
Then it was time for the big one, and boy was it a big one!
In fact, the biggest one in history...
With Covid restrictions relaxed the Blaze fleet came back with a vengeance as 70 boats made the start line at the 2021 National Championships, hosted by Paignton Sailing Club.
The Blaze fleet, seeming keener than ever, started to arrive to the English Riviera in dribs and drabs from the Wednesday, some of whom joined the club racing in the evening. However, the majority of the fleet arrived throughout the Thursday, with some even making the journey from as far north as Aberdeen.
During Thursday morning it was quite common to see Will Gould from Hartley Boats being swamped by the masses who had new sails on order and were chomping at the bit to see it in the flesh! Many of whom were keen to get out on the water to test the new sail and make the decision on whether they would stick with the North, which they had tried and tested rig settings for or opt to go for their new Hartley Boats (HB) sail.
After two days of racing, it was Ben Harden from Burnham-On-Crouch who took the win, with a day to spare. Unfortunately, for the rest of the fleet racing was cancelled on Sunday as the wind never arrived.
Heading into the end of August, when the weather is supposed to be nice, and it was the turn of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club to host the Blaze fleet for the eastern Championships. Home to the largest fleet in the country, it was expected to see a good entry, and a good entry it was with 27 getting on the water.
The two days of racing sandwiched an excellent social evening with plenty of fun and games taking place in the RCYC bar.
Nic Tolhurst gave Ben Harden a good battle through all 6 races which were sailed in a variety of wind strengths. However, Nic didn't quite manage to get past Ben by the finish line, so it was Ben Harden who took the Eastern Championships title.
The last event of the season was hosted by Hornsea Sailing Club, competitors started to arrive on the Friday to beautiful October weather which promised much in the way of lovely sunshine, views, and scenery around Hornsea Mere but less so of wind.
What followed was a weekend of light and shifty racing, where catching every gust was just as important as the shifts!
Burnham boy Charlie Mathews kept his cool through out the two day event and took his first major championships win!
Now for 2022
Here's what you can look forward to. Make sure to put the dates in your diary and we will see you there for another epic season of Blaze sailing!
19th March - Burghfield Open Meeting 2022 - Burghfield Sailing Club
7 & 8th May - POSH Open Meeting 2022 - - Paignton Sailing Club
21st & 22nd May - Southern Championships 2022 - Warsash Sailing Club
10th to 12th June - National Championships 2022 - Stone Sailing Club
20th & 21st August - Eastern Championships 2022 - Royal Corinthian Yacht Club
10th & 11th September - Northern Championships 2022 - Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club
1st & 2nd October - Inland Championships 2022 - Draycote Water Sailing Club
Nick Phillips' Chaotic (RTYC) won three of the Grand Slam Events, including the Royal Southern YC Salcombe Gin Regatta, Cowes Week, and the Open J/70 UK National Championship. Chaotic was the overall winner of the 2021 J/70 Grand Slam Series. Johnathan Calascione & James Peters' Calypso (RYS) was runner up for the season, and Paul Ward's Eat Sleep J Repeat (RSrnYC) was third.
Doug Struth's DSP (RSrnYC) was the Corinthian winner of the 2021 J/70 Grand Slam Series. DSP made a late charge for the season, culminating in a superb performance winning the Corinthian J/70 UK National Championship. Second by a single point for the season was Charles Thompson's Brutus II (RSrnYC). Patrick Liardet's Cosmic (RSrnYC) was third.
The 2022 Season will kick off in April with a Training Clinic organised by Dog Palfrey. A new venue for 2022 will be the International Paint Poole Regatta which will be one of seven UK Grand Slam Events. The 2022 J/70 UK National Championships will be held during the J/Cup organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club.
Social Media Digital Communications Manager
Graphics Designer
Technical - Olympic Equipment Manager
Technical Specialist
World Sailing Classes Executive
Partnership Manager
All positions are based at World Sailing headquarters in London, UK. Applications should be sent to human.resources@sailing.org. Applicants should provide a current CV and covering letter.
The closing date for all vacancies is 8 January 2022.
The talented youngsters, all aged 18 or under, will represent the British Youth Sailing (BYS) Team at the 50th edition of the prestigious regatta being held in Mussanah, Oman, from 11-18 December.
Competing in the 29er, 420, Nacra 15, ILCA 6, Techno293+ and Formula Kite classes, the sailors gained selection to the team for their performances at the 2021 RYA Youth National Championships.
Launched in 2013, the partnership through RYA OnBoard supports youngsters who display enthusiasm, drive, talent and commitment to the sport and who may not ordinarily have the opportunity or financial backing to achieve their goals.
The young sailors and windsurfers were selected from over 50 nominations.
The 2021 winners are:
NAME CLUB BOAT
James Thomas Burwain Sailing Club, Lancashire Topper
Sean Hampsey Holy Loch Sailing Club, Argyll Topper
William Powell Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, Wales Topper
Lily Hosty Swarkestone Sailing Club, Derbyshire Topper
Jayden Siu Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre - Portsmouth, Hampshire Bic Techno
Martha Sargeant Ullswater Yacht Club, Lake District RS Tera
Aarian Rexha Docklands Sailing and Watersport Centre, London Bic Techno
Aiden Carter Stour Young People's Water Passport Trust, Kent RS Tera
Fred Buckley Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club, Yorkshire Topper
Tahir Mohammed Burton Sailing Club, Derbyshire Bic Techno
Ollie Baker Axbridge Animals (Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club), Somerset Bic Techno
Connie Wilson East Antrim Boat Club, NI Topper
Shaun Cameron Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust, Scotland Topper
Morgan Dulake Bowmoor Sailing Club, Gloucestershire Topper
