Salcombe Gin SYC Regatta to be held 7-12 August 2022

 The Salcombe to Kingsbridge Estuary offers some of the most beautiful and safe dinghy sailing in the United Kingdom. This year's Regatta, once again, will be sponsored by Salcombe Gin.

We hope that the thought of summer sailing, some fantastic racing, our SYC friendly welcome, the golden beaches, the superbly located Yacht Club Terrace high above the race course with exceptional viewing of the racing, and the fun 'Après Sail' social life will all encourage you to take part in this year's SYC Salcombe Gin Regatta.

A notable addition to the 2022 programme is an extra Yawl start in the afternoons. The 'Green' fleet is for those who feel slightly apprehensive about entering the fray on the Red or Blue fleet start lines.

The new 'Green' Fleet is open to both Red and Blue fleet boats but not to any boat that finished in the top half of their respective fleet in the 2021 Regatta. It will be scored on handicap using the current Portsmouth Yardstick numbers of the Red and Blue fleets.We hope this will encourage some of the many new Yawl owners to take part in our Regatta.

SYC looks forward to welcoming members and visitors alike to a week of vibrant social events at the SYC alongside some exceptional competitive racing.

Find out more at www.salcombeyc.org.uk/racing/salcombe-gin-regatta-1

Gill Sprint Winter TT at Grafham Water Sailing Club

 A bright day and moderate breeze greeted the 16 boats competing for the Chris Black memorial trophy in the Gill Sprint 15 Winter TT.

With the southerly wind forecast to swing to the East, Race Officer Nigel Denchfield, anchored the committee boat close to the Northern shore to set the Sprint 15 square course alongside Grafham's club racing marks. Four Yellow/Orange pillar buoys identified the course for the Sprint 15's to navigate over 3 back-to-back races.

Final positions for the day were 1st Paul Craft (Worthing Sailing Club), 2nd Steven Sawford (Rutland Water SC) and 3rd Jenny Ball (Marconi SC). The overall winter series was also concluded with Class Chairman Ed Tuite Dalton the winner, Paul Craft in 2nd and Jenny Ball 3rd. Judith Black and her daughter attended the prize-giving to present the Chris Black trophy to Paul Craft in memory of Grafham Sprint 15 Grand Master Chris. Grafham Water Sailing Club and the Sprint 15 class association would like to thank Gill for supporting the event and the prize-giving.

It's great to see the fleet youngsters doing well and winning races. Congratulations to Jason who worked hard for his win after been pushing the fleet hard recently. Note that all 3 races were won with the 'older' boats, so no matter how new your boat or equipment it's the nut on the tiller that's the important part. Do remember to put you hatch covers on properly!

Thank you to all visiting boats, club sailors, our race committee, GWSC safety fleet and shore staff in making this an excellent event.

 Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 Pts

1st 1982 Paul Craft Worthing Sailing Club 4 1 ‑5 5

2nd 1989 Steve Sawford Rutland Water Sailing Club 1 4 ‑6 5

3rd 2025 Jenny Ball Marconi SC 2 ‑3 3 5

4th 1521 Jason Clarke Marconi SC ‑12 6 1 7

5th 1923 David Ball Marconi SC ‑6 5 2 7

6th 2023 E Tuite Dalton Draycote Water 5 2 ‑7 7

7th 2022 Stuart Snell Grafham Water SC ‑8 8 4 12

8th 1986 Frank Sandells Grafham Water SC ‑14 7 9 16

9th 1913 Jan Elfring Draycote Water 7 11 ‑14 18

10th 1744 Derek James Draycote Water 10 ‑13 8 18

11th 2021 Jim Bowie Thorpe Bay Yacht Club 9 9 ‑11 18

12th 1201 Leonard Flynn Thorpe Bay Yacht Club ‑16 10 10 20

13th 66 Mark Aldridge Grafham Water SC 3 (DNC) DNC 22

14th 1634 Ian Mills Tankerton Bay Sailing Club 13 ‑14 12 25

15th 1522 Andrew Clarke Grafham Water SC ‑15 12 13 25

16th 2015 Nigel James Marconi SC 11 (DNC) DNC 30

17th 2028 Ray Gall Carsington SC (DNC) DNC DNC 38

17th 2019 George Love Carsington SC (DNC) DNC DNC 38

Strong and building winds at Starcross Yacht Club for Junior Winter Race training

 Another good turnout of enthusiastic junior sailors on Saturday 12th March, in challenging (but mostly sunny!) conditions. As usual the sailors were split into two groups based on experience.

The more experienced group, sailing mainly Teras with some Toppers, a Feva and Laser, revelled in the strong winds. They sailed some follow-my-leader, as well as boat handling in strong winds and mark rounding. After a re-group ashore and some theory, they were back afloat again for another hour of fun, before a warming late-lunch and a final shore-based session.

Some of the less experienced group went afloat and enjoyed reaching to-and-fro in the strong winds, while others went out in a RIB or watched the excitement from the shore; before lunch and a theory session ashore.

Big thanks to the Starcross RYA Race Coaches who ran a fantastic session, as well as the parent helpers.

The next Junior Winter Training is 26th March, and Starcross is running a Tera and Topper Open Meeting on 11th June, as well as the annual Junior Regatta 18th - 21st August. More details closer to the time on www.starcrossyc.org.uk. 

RS400 demo available for trials and for the Noble Marine Rooster RS400 Nationals

 Due to a cancellation, one of our two RS400 demo boats has unexpectedly become available for the Noble Marine Rooster RS400 National Championships at East Lothian Yacht Club, 8th-12th August.

The RS Class Association fund the demo boats, which are looked after and transported by committee volunteers, to introduce new sailors to the fleet. One is based in England and the other in Scotland, both are available for trial sails and for events.

Give the demo boat a go... but be prepared to open your wallet shortly after!'

To book your sail or enquire about booking the demo boat for the Nationals, please contact sally@rs-association.com

Fireball and Scorpion Open Events to be held at Staunton Harold Sailing Club

 Two full days of top flight racing are in store for Fireball and Scorpion sailors at the upcoming Fireball Gul Golden Dolphin and Silver Scorpion events at Staunton Harold Sailing Club.

Fireballs

Please sign in, in advance online. Note that payment is on the day - but signing in, in advance allows us the opportunity to set the day up in advance

Registration from 9 am on Saturday

The warning signal for the first race on Saturday will not be before 11:55 on Saturday and 10:00 Sunday

There will be up to 12 sprint races, in the format of 7 on Saturday and 5 on Sunday, weather conditions depending

No warning signal will be made after 15:00 on Sunday

Entry fee £30

Please note that because this is a Golden Dolphin event, competitors need to be members of the UKFA to qualify for the Gul prizes. See the Membership Requirements for National and International Championships and Golden Dolphin events section on the Fireball website for membership requirements. Please do this in advance of coming to the event to avoid disappointment at the prize-giving!

And for competitors to eligible to win the series at they must compete in three of the Gul Golden Dolphin events please find details of full eligibility and dates / locations here for further races in the series.

Silver Scorpion

With 75 boats already signed up for the Scorpion Nationals at Looe SC in July, we're looking forward to seeing travelling Scorpion sailors join us to get the season under way and start their Silver Scorpion Series off with a winning streak!

Sailors need to register and pay in advance via the National Scorpion Class Association website.

Please also sign in, in advance via the Staunton Harold Sailing Club website so that we can set the day up in advance for results.

The warning signal for the first race on Saturday will not be before 11:55 on Saturday and 10:00 Sunday

There will be up to 12 sprint races, in the format of 7 on Saturday and 5 on Sunday, weather conditions depending

No warning signal will be made after 15:00 on Sunday

Entry fee £30

We look forward to seeing you on 26/27 March and if you have any queries please contact us via info@shsc.org.uk.

Craftinsure Supernova Open at Cotswold Sailing Club

 A good turnout of 22 Supernovas for the combined Craftinsure Cotswold SC Open and Spring Championship. A new format of three back-to-back races due to Covid went down well, with the weather gods playing ball with everything from a cold rainy 20knts to balmy sunny 8knts with lots of shifts as the clouds came and went.

First to the windward mark in race 1 was Cotswold newcomer Will Gifford followed by Milliner, Hawley and Young. Milliner got passed Gifford on the run and gave then a tight cover upwind. These 2 pulled away for the 1,2 with Hawley having a good tussle with Young for 3rd.

Race 2 Gifford led at the windward mark again showing good height and speed, followed closely for the first 2 laps by Young, Hawley, Reeve and Milliner. The shifts and gusts gave lots of passing opportunities up and downwind. In the end Milliner pulled into the lead from Hawley with Young in 3rd.

Race 3 saw a course change with more reaches and gybes as the wind built and became gustier catching a lot of the fleet out for a swim at some point. Hawley lead at the first mark, with Williams, Young and Gifford following closely. Milliner pulled through downwind and extended into a big lead as Williams then Young capsized to let Hawley have a secure 2nd with a Gifford taking 3rd.

The Race Officer did a great job of turning the races around quickly and as the fleet came ashore they were greater with hot soup and the plenty of cake for the prize-giving.

 Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 Pts

1st 1245 C Milliner Cotswold sc ‑1 1 1 2

2nd 1263 S Hawley Bartley SC ‑3 2 2 4

3rd 1299 W Gifford Costwold SC 2 ‑4 3 5

4th 1261 G Young Cotswold SC ‑4 3 4 7

5th 1217 S Ward Costwold SC 6 6 ‑7 12

6th 1224 C Hawley Bartley SC 5 ‑8 8 13

7th 1248 M Williams Costwold SC 7 ‑12 6 13

8th 1280 A Reeve Cotswold SC ‑9 5 9 14

9th 1244 J White Costwold SC ‑10 10 5 15

10th 700 D White Costwold SC 8 7 ‑13 15

11th 1141 E Clancy Cotswold SC 12 9 (DNF) 21

12th 1160 P Undrell Haversham ‑13 11 10 21

13th 1031 I Barlow Burton SC 11 ‑13 11 22

14th 1080 J Gerwat Felpham 14 ‑19 12 26

15th 1079 B Horlock Exe SC 16 ‑17 14 30

16th 1218 P Bates ‑21 14 17 31

17th 1215 M Malcolm Haversham ‑19 15 16 31

18th 1203 S Johnson Cotswold SC 17 ‑23 15 32

19th 1180 D Stephen Bartley 15 ‑22 20 35

20th 1009 S Jellicoe Bartley ‑23 16 19 35

21st 1069 B Smith ‑20 18 18 36

22nd 1167 S stephen Bartley 18 20 (DNF) 38

23rd 1274 A Gould Cotswold SC 22 21 (DNF) 43

Fancy racing on a yacht this summer? Come to Crew Match at Royal Lymington!

 Fancy racing on a yacht this summer but don't know how to get involved? The Royal Lymington Yacht Club (RLymYC) will be hosting its Centenary Open Day and 'Crew Match' on Saturday 26th March to introduce the fun of sailing and boating to as many people in the community as possible.

The Centenary Open Day will take place from 10am to 4pm at the RLymYC clubhouse in Bath Road, Lymington, with the Crew Match Morning taking place from 10am to 12noon.

Matching sailors with skippers looking for crew.

Crew Match is a relaxed and informal event for people to match their sailing experience, level of knowledge and racing ambition with club members looking for crew. Complete beginners are welcome, as well as more experienced crew.

RLymYC Commodore, Phil Lawrence, said: "Anyone interested in boating is encouraged to come along to our Open Day and Crew Match Morning. You don't have to be a member of a sailing club, just keen to participate in our sport. Crew Match introduces the inexperienced but keen sailor to the right team. Many skippers are happy to train those with no sailing experience but genuine enthusiasm. I'm delighted to say that we have had a successful 'match score' over the years with many still competing in our Spring Series and Thursday Night Racing.

We will also be showcasing other aspects of life at the Royal Lymington, both on and off the water, so to find out more about the club please come along."

Join the RYA Para Sailing Hub

 Sailors of all ages and abilities pledged their support for the para racing community, as the RYA launched a brand-new support network, aimed at increasing racing opportunities for disabled people in the UK.

The RYA Para Sailing Hub offers sailors, volunteers, coaches, and supporters a place to come together as a community and grow the opportunities available. Officially launched at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, the hub is packed with resources, training opportunities and advice.

RYA Sailability Manager Joff McGill said: "Para sailing is one of the most inclusive sports globally offering disabled sailors a level playing field on the water. It's great to be officially launching the new RYA Para Sailing Hub.

"We've had 50 people already signed up to hub. We're building a community of sailors who love racing, organisations, and the sailing community to find out what we can all do to increase opportunities for disabled people. From young sailors and children through to Sail GP and British Sailing Team sailors, the support for the campaign has been brilliant".

Jazz Turner who races in a 2.4mR said: "Sailing is a freedom that I literally can't get anywhere else. When I'm in the boat I compete against able-bodied people, and no one can tell I've got a wheelchair and it's just amazing".

Lucy Hodges, six-time Blind Sailing World Champion adds: "You jump into a boat, fold your cane up, leave you guide dog on the shore, use all your other senses and you can get that boat around the racetrack".

The Para Sailing hub is championed by the RYA Sailability and builds upon the success of the #MoreThanSailing campaign, which launched in 2018 and aimed to break down perceived barriers to participation and provide more opportunities for disabled people to get on the water.

To sign up and find more information visit the RYA Para Sailing Hub.

Noble Marine Combined Comet Class Inlands to be held at Llangorse Sailing Club

 The Combined Comet Class Noble Inland Championship will be hosted by Llangorse Sailing Club on 30th April to 1st May 2022. The event welcomes the Trio, Versa, Duo and Zero classes.

Entry also includes the highly anticipated nautical cartoon mug! And the all important Honey Pot Race!

The club is easily accessed from the village of Llangorse, 6 miles east of Brecon. The Lake is Wales' second largest inland waterbody, at around 400 acres it provides a perfect safe and picturesque site for dinghy sailing and camping is available nearby.

Further information will be available soon on the CCCA Facebook and website, cometcombinedclasses.co.uk

You can also contact our club secretary via secretary@cometcombinedclasses.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you there.

Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club

 The sailing season at Hollingworth Lake opened with three races on Sunday 6 March. 10 boats took to the water in a shifty easterly wind with some strong gusts at times.

There were three different race winners. Although well ahead in conditions which suited the RS400, Richard and Heather Marsh scored a couple of second places on handicap to be runner up overall. They were beaten in the first race by Chris Massey in his racy single-hander RS300, who then took third place in the second race. In third place in that first race, Lauren Marsh (Topper) chased her parents fantastically well.

The second race was won by young Jasper Bramwell in his Topper, who coped well with the changing wind direction and strength.

The Solos had to wait for the third race to regain their usual strong performance placing. Martin Brennan took that win, followed by Nick Brook and Mike Smith in fourth place, behind Richard Marsh, now crewed by Chris Massey.

RYA boosted by Sport England funding to help more people get afloat

 The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is among the first group of over 40 organisations working in partnership with Sport England to benefit from its new funding model, as it plays a foundational role in the sport and physical activity sector and is well placed to help level up access to sport and physical activity across the country.

The RYA has been awarded the long-term government and National Lottery funding from Sport England because it has committed to co-deliver change at a national and local level, to help more people enjoy the benefits of playing sport and being active.

More than £190 million is being invested for this first group, with the 43 partners including the RYA receiving funding for up to five years. This new funding model from Sport England provides longer-term financial security as organisations recover and reinvent from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sport England's support and funding are critically important in sustaining a broad range of RYA initiatives, including Sailability and other grassroots programmes such as OnBoard - the RYA's children's sailing and windsurfing programme - and our youth and junior performance pathway.

Since 2005 almost 1 million young people have been introduced to sailing by RYA OnBoard and our Sailability groups run over 50,000 sessions a year for people with disabilities. Our friendly clubs have something for everyone - whatever your age, background or level of ability. Start your journey today at www.rya.org.uk/start-boating.

Love Boating? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding British boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 02380 604 159, email member.services@rya.org.uk or visit www.rya.org.uk

B14 Big Guns Heading to Rutland

It looks like the B14 2022 TT series is kicking off with a bang over the weekend of the 19th - 20th March at Rutland Sailing Club. The class's five main winning protagonists over the recent period will all be there.

Lining up will be Harken GBR 796 (Nick Craig/Toby Lewis, current World and multiple event/class Champions), Team Seavolution/North Sails GBR 799 (Mark Barnes/Charlotte Horlock current National and multiple class champions), Blue Badge GBR 771 (Mike Bees/Martin Worth, past multiple champions), Highland Girl GBR 774 (Dave Hayes/Pete Nicholson, past multiple champions) and Brightmile GBR 797 (Mark Watts/Matt Johnson, multiple podium finisher). A line up that would match that of just about any domestic class, with possibly only the Merlin Rockets at their strongest bettering, of which three of these teams also compete in.

So if you fancy testing yourselves to see how you match up against these 5 teams of which several will need no introduction, do not be intimidated, then you need to be on that start line to experience probably some of the best dinghy racing in the UK over that weekend. With the 2022 season starting off with a bang and a full calendar leading in to the Europeans at Whitstable one of the UKs pre-eminent bits of racing water on 1st - 4th September 2022, if you fancy skiff racing, then you need look no further if you really would like to know how you match up against some of the fastest dinghy sailors in the UK.

There are currently a couple of top B14s on the second-hand list www.b14.org just waiting for the right teams to take them on their next adventure. Also if you would like to get involved as a crew of helm then go to the FaceBook page B14 Sailors and join in the discussions.

Designed by Julian Bethwaite and based on the Bethwaite 18 footer, you've no doubt been watching the JJ on 18footer.TV on YouTube (now the Murrey designed 18), well you could get an idea of the taste of what it could be like racing a B14 here in Blighty. Just imagine going downwind with 50 sq.m. of sail area doing 20 or more knots grinning from ear to ear as you get that adrenaline rush.

So if you want so great sailing at some great venues, sailing a great dinghy with a bunch of friendly but competitive souls, then you need to be in a B14 testing yourselves against these teams.

See all on the water in 2022 and lets all have a great season.

 

Bala Massacre Pursuit Race to be held on 20th March

 Bala Saling Club's 2022 sailing seasons kicks off with the Massacre Pursuit race on Sunday March 20th. In years gone by the Massacre has attracted the hardiest of Welsh and northern teams to compete in the 3 hour pursuit, often a test of endurance in the favourable south westerly or north easterly winds.

This year's race commences at 1pm, with a briefing at midday and registration from 11am. The club café will be open all day, offering spectators panoramic views of the race course which is likely to utilise the all 4 miles of Bala Lake.

Depending on conditions, the race is planned to run up to 3 hours, with big courses often attracting SB20s, Flying Dutchman's, 505s and fast catamarans. The last (2019) Massacre was won by Elizabeth Potter, sailing a D-Zero, from West Kirby SC. The Notice of Race can be found here and visitors and members are invited to enter online before the 19th March.

The Massacre starts what should be an exciting 2022 sailing season which includes the Easter Regatta on 16/17 April, the 3 day catamaran open on the early May bank holiday with a combined Shearwater open, the GP14 Inland Championship on the 21/22 May, the 2 day Bala Long Distance which is once again part of the Great British Sailing Challenge, Bala fun week starting on Monday 22nd August and finally the August Regatta and Comet National Championship starting on the 27th August. All open meeting information can be found here.