12th Half Ton Classics Cup to be held in August at Cowes

 On Monday 15th August, which is exactly 110 days from today, the 12th Half Ton Classics Cup will start on the Solent, organized by RORC Cowes and the Half Ton Class Europe (HTCE). The halftonners will have been waiting nearly 3 years for that moment...

The HTCE and RORC Cowes will do all that is within their possibilities to make it a great event, like it was in 2011 when the halftonner fleet last visited the Solent, when 38 halftonners took part in a great event, with the local Berret 1978 Chimp finally taking the much coveted Half Ton Classics Trophy.

The Notice of Race has been published at www.halftonclass.eu/media/documents/Half_Ton_Cup_NOR_2022_Final_1.pdf

All interested teams are welcomed to enter their halftonner via www.rorc.org/events/racing-events-2022/half-ton-cup-2022.

The HTCE has been organizing the Half Ton Classics Cup since 2003. The event has been hosted in various European ports like Nieuwpoort (2003-2009-2015-2018), Dinard (2005), Dublin (2007), Cowes (2011), Boulogne-sur-Mer (2013), St-Quay-Portrieux (2014), Falmouth (2016), and Kinsale (2017).

The event webblog halftonclassicscup.com has been revived: this is where the latest news about the event can be found.

British Moth Open at Leamington Spa Sailing Club

 Saturday 23rd April saw the return of the British Moth fleet after a break due to the pandemic. Three visitors joined four home sailors on what was forecast & proved to be a windy day.

Race 1

The fleet got away cleanly with Elaine Laverty leading the way followed closely by Tom Billyard & Abby Freely. Three minutes after the first start Cooper & Davison set off to chase the pack, Cooper had a capsize at the third (gybe) mark allowing Davison to get away & then lost more time due to a navigational error. Meanwhile in the rest of the fleet Janet Smith was sailing a steady race using a Mini-Moth sail & Steve Baker was going well after a slightly late start. There were a few thrills & spills with Freely going in at the gybe mark & needing rescuing & Billyard got wiped out & thought he'd broken his rudder only to find it had a quick release cleat & all was fine but by then had retired. Laverty just held off the faster Davison to take the win & Cooper had fought his way to third after his tribulations.

Race 2

There was another clean start with Elaine Laverty taking an early lead, with no let up in the wind there were several rescues needed including Abby Freely & Steve Baker, Tom Billyard had another capsize but managed to self-rescue. Janet Smith sailed another solid race staying upright throughout. The faster sailors, Tim Davison & Toby Cooper eventually pegged back Laverty with Cooper taking the win followed by Laverty & Davison.

Race 3

A reduced fleet stayed out for the final race, disappointingly for the spectators everyone stayed upright this time, Toby Cooper caught Elaine Laverty up with a lap to go but didn't overtake allowing Laverty to win the race & win overall.

Overall Results:

1. Elaine Laverty (Leamington Spa)

2. Toby Cooper (Broxbourne)

3. Tim Davison (Medley)

4. Tom Billyard (Leamington Spa)

5. Janet Smith (Leamington Spa)

6. Stephen Baker (Leamington Spa)

7. Abby Freely (Hunts)

Gul Fireball Golden Dolphin Series Round 2 at Hayling Island Sailing Club

 The early arrivals were greeted with a strong North Easterly and no let-up in the forecast, which was putting the event under threat. The Race team felt it was OK to race but understood the reluctance of some of the Hayling members and visitors. A wise decision was made to run one race on day one with three on day two when the forecast was more favourable.

The hardy souls that went for race one were treated with some epic sailing. Tom Gillard & Andy Thompson battled with Dave Hall & Paul Constable in the ferocious conditions. Tom & Andy took the win with those that braved the race all finishing.

Sunday brought a little less wind so the rest of the visitors along with member boats took to the water. Three races were run in almost bright sunshine and a wind that became very shifty and a little lighter as the day went on.

Dave and Paul took the first race with David Sayce & Matt Alverado in pursuit. The next two races became a battle between Tom & Andy and Dave and Paul, with Tom and Andy taking the gun in each one. Back in the silver fleet Barry Smith & Ricky Spring took the prize, the bronze prize gong to local boat Tom Thirketle & Tom Payne.

A huge thanks to GUL for providing generous vouchers to the winners! Also to HISC for laying on yet another great event along side the Ospreys and Contenders- we'll be back at the start of July for the Fireball Class 60th Anniversary Celebrations.

Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3 R4 Pts

1st 15122 Tom Gillard Shandy 1 ‑3 1 1 3

2nd 15155 David Hall Paul Constable Blackwater SC ‑2 1 2 2 5

3rd 15112 David Sayce Matt Alvarado HISC (DNC) 2 5 3 10

4th 14836 Kevin Hope Andrew Stewart Notts County 3 5 (DNF) 5 13

5th 14889 Barry Smith Rick Spring Thornbury SC 4 6 6 ‑7 16

6th 15166 Simon Kings Jono Loe HISC (DNC) DNF 3 4 18

7th 14242 Rupert Smith Chris Turner NSSC 5 7 ‑8 6 18

8th 15046 P Popple Jez White SSC (DNC) 4 7 8 19

9th 15161 Chris Turner Colin Parke (DNC) 8 4 9 21

10th 14614 Tom Thirketle Tom Payne HISC (DNC) 9 9 10 28

Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race : Two Handed Titans

 For the 2022 Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race a record 15 teams are planning to take on the marathon IRC Two-Handed.

Short-handed racing with the RORC has been booming in recent years with 84 teams competing in the 2021 RORC Season's Points Championship. The 1,800-mile Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race is a hard task for a full-crew, let alone Two-Handed. Since IRC Two-Handed was introduced 12 years ago, 25 teams have started the race; only nine have finished.

The Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race is scheduled to start from Cowes on the 7th of August 2022. Starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron line, the fleet race east through the Solent, past the headlands of the South West of England, and into the Celtic Sea and the West Coast of Ireland. The Atlantic racing continues past St Kilda, up to the most northerly point of the course, Muckle Flugga - on the 61st parallel. Turning south through the North Sea, then along the English Channel and then returning to the Solent, the race finally finishes back in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

For more information about the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race and to enter, go to: roundbritainandireland.rorc.org

Entries and expressions of interest: roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/entries-interest

Marathon Watch becomes official timekeeper of Isle of Wight’s Round the Island Race

 To mark its partnership with the race, Marathon Watch is launching a Limited Edition Round the Island Race Marathon Stopwatch with a unique face design inspired by the race logo.

Marathon Watch is is also offering 15% off their wristwatch collection for all friends of the race until 30 September 2022, with anybody able to enter the discount code RaceForAll2022 at checkout on uk.marathonwatch.com.

Clevedon Sailing Club Easter Bonnet 2022

 Rescheduled due to lack of wind on Easter Friday, this year's Easter Bonnet event was held on Sunday 24th April. A variety of classes took to the water in sunny conditions with flat water and a stiff NE breeze. Race officer Neil Ballard set a 'P' shaped course with fast reaching legs out to sea, a run to the Lake mark and a long beat back to the club.

Visiting helmsman Ben Ballard led from the start in race 1 sailing his father's D Zero hotly pursued by Robin Goff in his newly acquired Aero 7. Several other boats found the conditions trying resulting in frequent capsizes including, after a break of a few years, Alex East sailing his Laser 8.1.

By race 2 the wind strength had dropped slightly much to Martin White's relief after numerous capsizes and a retirement in race 1. Again the boats of Ballard and Goff were at the front of the fleet joined by SeamusRyan and Paul Hield in their 505 and East who slowly got to grips with the big rig Laser. Stuart and Amy Turner sailed consistently in a Vision following the leading group to the finish.

The wind continued to moderate for race 3 which saw the 505 lead Ballard and Goff to the finish. Rachael Elliot and Rory Stretch followed up the rear in a Feva struggling with a broken tiller but at least managing to finish.

Overall Results:

Fast Handicap

1st Robin Goff (Aero 7)

2nd Ben Ballard (D Zero)

3rd Stuart and Amy Turner (Vision)

Slow Handicap

1st Rachael Elliott and Rory Stretch (Feva)

Learn to sail at Royal Lymington’s RYA OnBoard Centre

 Wednesday Junior Sailing (WJS) is an RYA Onboard Centre that takes place at Royal Lymington Yacht Club on Wednesday afternoons between April and September. It is run by passionate volunteers, who give up their time to help encourage the next generation of water users. We are in the unique position of being able to run child-led sessions to learn sailing, racing, rowing and powerboating.

WJS is open to local young people between the ages of 8 and 18. You do not need to be a member of the Club to attend. In our nurturing environment sailors work at their own pace following our card scheme which it turn leads to RYA qualifications, from Stage 1 through to Instructor level.

There are two 2-hour sessions from 27th April to 28th September (weather permitting): 14:00-16:00 and 16:00-18:00. Children are expected to stay for the full 2-hour session.

Each session cost just £1, and your time.

We understand that your time is precious, and realistically not every parent/guardian can be here all the time, but without the help of volunteers, WJS would not run. So we ask all parents/guardians to give some time, whatever your skillset.

Look out for information about sailing on the Club’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages @rlymyc.

For more information, contact the club office on 01590 672677 

Scottish Toppers at Annandale Sailing Club, Castle Loch

On the 16th and 17th of April, Annandale Sailing Club hosted the third Topper Traveller of the 2021/2022 Series at Castle Loch.

21 Toppers took part, with 15 boats racing in the main fleet and 6 competing in the regatta fleet. We had 6 races over the weekend in very shifty conditions, racing around fixed buoys across the loch. 

The regatta fleet had a great two days out on the water, with amazing coaching from Jennifer Wesley who gave lots of useful tips and pointers to the less experienced racers. Thanks to the RYA Scotland for funding this. After 7 close races, Sam Milroy in first, Breagha Johnstone in second and Katherina Serranto.

Thanks to the Sylvia and the volunteers in the kitchen for making delicious food as well as to the race officers for getting lots of amazing races in those challenging conditions. Thanks to Annandale Sailing Club for supplying the prizes and for there hospitality and hard work putting on a fantastic weekend of sailing.

,Overall Results:

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

1st 48096 Ben Homer DBSC 1 1 4 ‑5 1 1 8

2nd 48716 Thomas Looseley St ASC 3 ‑5 1 4 3 4 15

3rd 47775 Ruari Herrington Largs SC ‑6 2 3 3 6 2 16

4th 48100 Josh Milroy St MLSC 5 ‑6 5 1 2 5 18

5th 48582 Finley Briggs Largs SC 2 4 2 7 5 ‑9 20

6th 21545 Harry Rooksby ASYC ‑9 7 9 2 4 8 30

7th 48264 Emily Shearer CCCDS ‑10 3 8 6 7 6 30

8th 47303 Cameron McDaid Largs SC 4 8 6 8 ‑9 7 33

9th 48568 Sophie Kennedy ASYC 8 ‑9 7 9 8 3 35

10th 48818 Tristan Sommmerville HSC 7 ‑10 10 10 10 10 47

11th 45189 Rohan O'Kane CCCDS 11 11 11 11 11 (DNF) 55

12th 60504 Cicely Blair St ASC 12 12 ‑14 13 14 11 62

13th 46940 Freya Millar St MLSC (DNS) DNF 12 12 13 DNF 69

14th 1 Sean Hampsey HLSC 14 14 15 14 12 (DNF) 69

15th 48059 Lucy Leyshon Solway SC 13 13 13 (DNC) DNC DNC 71
 

Final call for Poole Regatta 2022 - entries close at midnight tonight!

 Guarantee your place on the start line at one of the most popular South Coast regattas by entering before midnight on Sunday 24th April at pooleregatta.co.uk. Less than two days remain to get your yacht entered to race next weekend.

Running across the bank holiday weekend from 30th April to 2nd May, the International Paint Poole Regatta provides closely matched racing for multiple class fleets. Yachts will race over five courses out in Poole Bay and back in the harbour, followed with lively evening socials off the water. As well as Pip Hare being guest of honour at the official prize-giving on Monday 2nd May, there is a strong rumour that she will also be crewing in the regatta aboard one of the entries already signed up to race!

Berthing and launching facilities at Poole are excellent, with the well-respected combined yacht clubs of Poole working closely with the award-winning Poole Quay Yacht Haven to provide options for all sizes and shapes of keel boat. This makes it simple for both local boats and visitors from further afield to compete. Everyone is very welcome.

If you were undecided about entering, or if you find yourself without plans for next weekend, get straight online and enter the International Paint Poole Regatta now, before it's too late.

pooleregatta.co.uk

Barnt Green Sailing Club encouraging more to get involved

 The club held its first junior training course between April 19 and 21 and is encouraging young people to get involved in future programmes.

A total of 30 people signed up for the course and had the opportunity to use the recently installed floating pontoon to provide better access to the water for able and less able sailors.

The pontoon was funded by the Royal Yachting Association Foundation, Worcestershire Community Foundation, Bromsgrove District Council and the sailing club.

Gordon Padmore of Barnt Green Sailing Club said: “I would encourage people to sail, as it is the perfect opportunity for all to get active through sports participation, improve their mental health and well-being, learn a new skill and develop confidence in communication with others.”

The club is holding an open day on May 14 for those interested in taking up sailing.

Noble Marine Moth Inlands at Grafham this weekend

 The Noble Marine UK International Moth Class Inland Championship takes place this weekend at Grafham Water Sailing Club.

A strong entry is expected following early season events at Oxford SC and Queen Mary SC that were well supported with a healthy mix of seasoned skippers matched by new additions and returning faces to the class.

With gusty North Easterly conditions predicted, this years winner could come from a number of skippers with recent Oxford heavy air winner Simon Hiscocks, Eddie Bridle, Alex Adams, Kyle Stoneham and Ben Clegg predicted to be at the sharp end. Others sure to be in the mix after showing good early season form are Alex Barone, Andrew Jarvis, Gareth Davies and Joe Adams.

Add to the above a fleet one or two new boat launches, a few home builds and the odd wildcard in redline speed conditions and nothing is certain for this years Rose Bowl.

Follow the UK Moth Class for the season ahead at www.internationalmoth.co.uk and at www.facebook.com/MothClassUK

Disabled Sailing Association Torbay's season gets off to great start

 Covid has not dampened the enthusiasm of the volunteers running the Disabled Sailing Association Torbay.

The association has been busy throughout the period of Covid safety restrictions:

yachts Freedom and Free Spirit have been upgraded to meet the latest requirements

training of skippers, mates and crew has continued

on-shore courses have been run covering everything from engine maintenance to first aid to vhf radio procedures

RYA competent crew and day skipper on shore courses have been run

the all-important fund raising has continued.

Dave Musgrove and his wife Shirley represented the DSA and expressed gratitude for

the support of his Worshipful, The Mayor.

The event in itself enabled us to showcase the work we do and may encourage others to

donate, whether it be financially or with their time.

The event raised over £600. A great start for us to the many other fundraising events

planned for this year.

The play Laying the Ghost was specially put on for the Disabled Sailing Association and

proved to be great entertainment as well as raising £763 for the DSA.

Our thanks go to the Little Theatre Company.

Sailing has resumed for disabled individuals!

There are strict Covid safety rules still in place on our boats. The safety procedures are on the website and are also available on request.

A welcome return to a full programme for the 2022 Taittinger RSYC Regatta

 Online entry for the 2022 Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta (Friday 22 - Sunday 24 July) is now open and competitors are already rushing to apply for the early bird discount available until midnight 1st June. Last year, 208 boats entered this fun and friendly sailing event and interest in this year's Yarmouth-based regatta is already proving to be keen.

As one of the South Coast's most popular regattas, the Royal Solent and Champagne Taittinger are always looking to deliver the best event possible both ashore and afloat. This year sees the welcome return of the opening Champagne Reception and also the outstanding Towers Party on Saturday night.

The regatta's title sponsor, Champagne Taittinger, remains firmly embedded: 'We are delighted that the Royal Solent is able to host the 14th annual Taittinger Regatta this year, and in particular the Champagne Reception on Friday evening,' confirms Taittinger's Emily Reay. 'Everyone is looking forward to welcoming both new and returning boats to Yarmouth for a competitive and thrilling weekend of racing alongside the popular onshore events. May we have perfect conditions for sailing and for friends to raise a glass of Taittinger together.'

While the shore-based social schedule is a time-tested, winning formula, the event's offshore activity continues to evolve. With over 200 boats competing in the regatta's traditionally inclusive fleet, entries are welcome from IRC; IRC Swan; IRC Classic Cruiser; Contessa 32; Folkboat; J's 24-70-80-104-105-109-111; P40; VX10; Sonata; Sigma 38; SB20, XOD & YOD.