‘Amazing’ heritage tall ship built in 1892 arrives in Co Down

 A 130-year-old heritage tall ship named ‘Leader’ has docked in Newry where it will be used for the benefit of the local community.

The Brixham trawler was formerly a survivor of the fleets of sailing fishing boats that once fished in the Irish Sea.

Northern Ireland Sailing Charity, Silvery Light Sailing, has received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £244,975 for the acquisition of the 1892-built heritage tall ship to host community sailing programmes and further expand their traditional boat building skills workshops.

Sailing from Bristol’s Underfall Yard after dry docking and a maintenance refit, the 130-year-old Brixham trawler, arrived at the Albert Basin in Newry, County Down.

The heritage vessel is again destined to become a familiar sight in Northern Ireland’s ports providing a unique sailing experience for local youth and community groups, public open days and festivals.

This new National Lottery funded project has not only secured an important part of Northern Ireland’s maritime heritage but allows for the expansion of workshop activities and the opportunity to bring in more volunteers.

Silvery Light Sailing is welcoming new volunteers, for further information on available opportunities to volunteer as a crew member or to learn about boat restoration, contact Gerry Brennan via email silverylight1884@gmail.com.

News of future public events and opportunities to board Leader and find out about its maritime heritage will be available on Silvery Light Sailing’s social media channels @SilveryLight.

Rickmansworth sailing club gets six new dinghies thanks to grant

 Rickmansworth Sailing Club (RSC) has become one of just eight in the country to be awarded to receive a combined boost of £185,000 in grants from the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST)’s Legacy Awards.

This has allowed the club to get six brand new Topper Dinghies that will allow younger members to develop in the sport of sailing. They’ll be available for club members to hire for races and trainin

The Legacy awards of the JMST follows the winding up of the trust, 25 years after the death of John Merricks, the Olympic sailing silver medallist, who died in a car accident in Italy in 199

The awards have allowed various clubs across the country to apply for the leftover funds, with the RSC being one of the eight out of the hundreds who applied who were successfu

The boats have yet to be launched, but the RSC is hoping that they will be ready for use by the end of the month.

The club has also been happy to benefit from a grant given to them by the HS2 Community Grant, which will go some way towards renovating their clubhouse.

h.l.7.g.e month.

Update on 2022 Fireball Worlds in Ireland - 50 boats registered

 Things are hotting up for the Fireball class in Ireland. As their World Championship in Lough Derg YC this August 21st-26th draws nearer, entries have already broken the 50 boat barrier and indications are that this will be a 60 boat plus fleet.

The Irish class has also organised a professional coaching weekend at LDYC on May 7th and 8th with top dinghy coach Thomas Chaix. This event, supported by Irish Sailing, is open to all Fireballers and the idea is to get everyone up to speed and to allow competitors test the conditions at the Worlds venue.

With the Worlds on the horizon a number of sailors from other classes have acquired Fireballs, in particular sailors wishing to graduate from 420s and GP14s. Advice of what to look out for when buying a Fireball is on the Irish Fireball Association website which has had a major redesign by webmaster Stephen Oram.

The class also has two loan boats and one of these is available now to a responsible team for events leading up to, but not including the Worlds. For details contact the class hon. secretary at frankmillerphoto@gmail.com

Internationally there is big interest in the upcoming World Championship with sailors so far coming from Australia, South Africa, Canada, the Czech Republic, France and Switzerland, as well as a big contingent from the UK and from the local fleet. Special fares for the event are available from Irish Ferries.

Besides the May coaching weekend the class has regional events lined up at Sutton, Blessington and Killaloe and plans to compete in the main Dun Laoghaire club regattas throughout the summer. On the back of a promised return to racing out in Dublin Bay eight Fireballs have so far have signed up for the DBSC summer series. All in all this is going to be a busy summer for Fireballs.

Notice of Race, online registration and registration for event camping are now live and can be found at www.ldyc.ie/Fireball-Worlds-2022

See the Irish fleet website: fireball-ireland.com

Build up to the 2022 Etchells Worlds in Cowes begins

 Cowes September 2022 is the place to be. The Etchells 2022 World Championship will be hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron and this weekend, the last in April, the challenge really starts as teams begin to assemble in Cowes to race for the Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy under the watchful eye of the RYS race team lead by Peter Saxton.

Over 20 boats are entered so far and that includes many experienced professional sailors, fully Corinthian crewed boats and youth crews who have already shown their strong credentials, the current entry list is available on YachtScoring.com

Lawrie Smith will be sailing his new Heritage built Etchells for the first, and having won the last UK event quite convincing he is as always expected to be amongst the front runners. Meanwhile in the Youth teams Mike O'Donovan has just come back from the USA having being given the opportunity to sail on an F50 and actually hit 50knots.

Going forward through the summer David Heritage has 4 more Etchells to build for overseas owners coming to Cowes for the World Championships, and some of those new owners are expected at the forthcoming lead up events.

Discover Sailing at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club on Sunday 22nd May

 Are you looking for a new way to get active and get outdoors or are you hoping to find something you can enjoy together with the family? If the answer is yes, the Royal Torbay Yacht Club in Torquay is inviting you and your family to come and get on the water on Sunday 22nd May.

Whether you're completely new to the sport or looking to get back on the water, RYA Discover Sailing is the perfect time to give it a go. This nationwide event will see thousands of people taking part in sailing activities, with open days and taster sessions taking place at sailing clubs and centres across the country. We're inviting the local community to come down to get out on the water, see what the Royal Torbay Yacht Club has to offer and get involved. Who knows, you might just get hooked!

Express your interest in several different water-based activities, on the day we are offering you a chance to try out Sailing, Motorboating, Paddle boarding and more! Sailing can be as physical or as relaxing as you want to make it, you can sail with others or on your own, do it competitively or potter about and just enjoy the gentle escape of being outside in the elements. Here in Torquay, we have easy access to some of the finest sailing waters in the world.

For full details about what's going on at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club visit rtyc.org or follow the club on Facebook @royaltorbay.

For more information contact: Larissa Connabeer Tel: 01803 292006 Email: admin@rtyc.org Website address rtyc.org/event/discover

SCYC Abersoch Keelboat Week 2022 Entry Now Open

 South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club (SCYC) is delighted to be organising and hosting Abersoch Keelboat Week in 2022 which is an open event 22-26 August 2022.

Keelboat Week has been an established event in the calendar for over 40 years and is renowned as being a fun regatta with a serious edge - a relaxed atmosphere off the water compliments the competition on it.

SCYC offers stunning views of Cardigan Bay, Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula; the waters are pristine, there is no commercial traffic and tides, such as they are, are fair. For families ashore, the beaches offer clean sand with warm and clear waters - on calm days you may even see dolphins playing close inshore. Abersoch village offers a wide variety of shops, bars and restaurants and there are many other attractions in the surrounding countryside.

We look forward to welcoming you to this fantastic event and will do all we can to ensure that you have a memorable and enjoyable week... and some great sailing!

Notice of Race and Entry at scyc.co.uk/event/keelboat-week

TEAMAC to sponsor Falmouth Classics race

 Teamac, the brand name of one of the leading British producers of marine paints and coatings, will be sponsoring the Saturday race in the Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management's 2022 Falmouth Classics. The Saturday race to be held on the 18th June is to be known as the Teamac Race.

Geoff Mackrill said "Teal and Mackrill Ltd, based in Hull,is a family business which was established in 1908. We are very proud to be sponsoring the Falmouth Classics Saturday Race where all of the vessels will be using marine paints, varnishes and antifouls to keep them in tip top condition".

Falmouth Classics now in its 35th year will take place from 17th -19th June with vessels arriving on the 16th. The event will include racing on Friday and Saturday, public access to the pontoons on Saturday, a rowing and sculling competition at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club from 16.30 on Saturday, two parades on Sunday and from the 17th - 19th a Maritime Village on Custom House Quay. The Classics takes place at the same time as the Falmouth International Shanty Festival with its 71 groups.

Find out more at www.falmouthclassics.org.uk

Fowey Royal Sailing Regatta open for entries

 Fowey Royal Sailing Regatta has been delighting visitors and residents since the early 1800s and is the highlight of the sailing year in Fowey.

Fowey Sailing Committee has planned a great mix of sailing during the week long event which will take place in 2022 from August 14 - 19 in the stunning waters around St. Austell Bay and the river Fowey. Activities afloat will be complimented by lots of events and entertainment ashore in the scenic historic port town of Fowey, Cornwall.

The impressive Falmouth Working Boats will get the regatta week started in spectacular style, when they arrive in Fowey on Monday 15 August. These gaff-rigged oyster dredgers have survived as a class because of the oyster fishing in the river Fal over hundreds of years, as the oysters must be dredged under sail or oar. Not all the fleet are active in the winter as the fishing industry has declined, but with well known Cornish fishing families still owning boats the tradition of working in the winter and racing in the summer continues. With their massive sail areas and brightly coloured topsails they are a stunning sight for spectators when finishing their daily races inside Fowey harbour in front of the Royal Fowey Yacht Club. They leave the harbour and head back to Falmouth on Friday 19 August.

Also unique to Fowey are the Troy class keelboats, a local 'one-design' class of Fowey, first conceived in 1929. The boats are made of sawn timber, measure 18ft long (22ft including bowsprit) and have a lead keel weighing 1500lbs. Class rules require traditional wooden varnished spars and that the boats be built by a local boat builder and kept within a 10 mile distance of the River Fowey. The Troy fleet will be out in force for the regatta, including T12 Barbara who was re-launched in 2021 following a total rebuild by Marcus Lewis, of a boat that was recovered as a wreck from the Outer Hebrides, winning him 'Best Restored Sailing Vessel under 40ft' in the Classic Boat Awards 2022.

The dinghies will start their morning races outside the harbour and complete courses in the bay directly outside Fowey harbour entrance. In the afternoon they start and finish from a committee boat positioned inside the harbour, racing on Tuesday to Friday. On Saturday the annual children's race will be held in the harbour.

Entry is free for under 25 helms. 

For more information please contact Fowey Sailing Committee at committee@foweysailing.org. Details of all Fowey sailing events can be found at www.foweysailing.org Follow Fowey Sailing Committee social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @foweysailing.

Beat the price increase for the 2022 Gul Fireball Nationals

 There are just a few days left to enter the 2022 Fireball Nationals at the reduced entry fee. Entries received prior to midnight on 1 May 2022 will receive the early entry discount.

Brightlingsea Sailing Club is excited to host the GUL Fireball Classes National Championships over the long Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend of Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June 2022. The Notice of Race is live and online entry is now open. Full details here...

The club will be open to welcome arriving competitors from noon Wednesday 1 June, when equipment inspection for the Fireball class will also open. Should anyone wish to drop their boat off prior to that special arrangements can be made by contacting Regatta Chair Fiona Brown on fiona.brown@fionabrown.com.

Afloat the Race Committee will be led by International Race Officer Paul Jackson from West Mersea, who heads up BSC's highly experienced team. The programme will see the Contenders scheduled to race up to ten races with two races on Thursday, three races a day on Friday and Saturday and two races on Sunday. The Fireballs are scheduled to race up to eight races with two races planned for each day.

Note, the closing date for entries is 13 May 2022, after this date entries will only be received at the discretion of the Organising Authority.

12 Hour Sail: Cadet sailors raise over £4500 for the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal

 Josh Davidson (13) and Hettie Thorogood (12) met on the competitive Cadet class sailing circuit.

Even though they are from different sailing clubs, South Cerney and Waldringfield respectively, Josh and Hettie hatched a plan to come together and sail a Cadet dinghy non-stop for 12 hours in support of the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. Details at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sailforukraine. With a final nod of approval from both sets of parents and the generous support of South Cerney Sailing Club (SCSC) for the use of the lake and safety facilities, the green light was given and the event was a go.

Sailing Josh's 1978 Cadet 7274 Wave Rider, the pair shared helm and crew responsibility throughout the day to ensure the dinghy continued to move unassisted for the full 12 hours. Launching just after 8am on the 21st April, the pair had the SCSC lake to themselves in light 8 - 10 knt breeze for the first 4 hours. Setting a triangle and sausage course, the pair set the spinnaker to get down to the leeward mark to keep the day focused and more interesting. Throughout the day there were live sessions on social media, and the original target of £1000 was left well behind.

Just after crossing the finish line Hettie said, "(I Feel) AMAZING! We have raised over £3.5k! Thank you everyone who has donated!"

With the sail complete they returned to land with wobbly legs, wondering why the world wouldn't stop moving beneath their feet. Asked about the biggest achievement of the day, Josh replied, "I can't believe we raised so much! It was a long day and some bits went really slowly, but we did it! The next event we do will seem really short and easy, and I won't complain about Arky (Race Officer) doing back-to-back races any more..."

The pair had little time to recover. Both were sailing as competitors in the windy and wild UKNCCA selector event at Pevensey Bay just 36 hours later.

GP14 Craftinsure Northern Bell Open at Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club

 When the wind is blowing form the north east at HLSC it usually means challenging racing conditions. So, for the Craftinsure supported Northern Bell Open, it might well have discouraged entries.

Three visiting boats, from Bassenthwaite, Blackpool & Fleetwood and Budworth were ready to compete with two home boats in the F4 winds and some 'white horses' on the Lake.

The first race started with all five finding their way to windward. It was when, downwind, flying spinnakers soon sorted out the lead. Adam McGovern, now crewed by his father, Tim, was a bit more cautious than the Telfords when it came to leeward marks and held off the challenge. Behind, Hugh Devereux and Malcom Bird raced hard against local Tom Daniel and Alice Morris. There was always a chance of a capsize.

After lunch, two races were sailed back-to-back. Hugh Devereux and Malcolm Bird found that they had some equipment failure and felt it was best to withdraw, So four boats started and this time the Telfords gained the lead. Their spinnaker flying gave then greater speed than the McGoverns could maintain and avoid the capsize danger. Gybes were managed with skill. After a capsize, Tom Daniel and Alice Morris gave the opportunity for third place to Adam Chaplin and Wendy Bailey.

The wind may have eased a little for the third race, but the outcome was another win for the Telfords who romped away on the reaches. The McGoverns red spinnaker flew too and Tom Daniel kept upright. It was an exciting day to watch skilful sailing. With tea and cake at the prize-giving, it was thanks to the race team of Nick Brook and Martin Brennan and the very active safety boat team.

Overall Results:

1st John & Jack Telford (Bassenthwaite SC) (2), 1,1

2nd Adam McGovern & Tim McGovern (HLSC 1, (2) 2

3rd Tom Daniel & Alice Morris (HLSC) 3, (4) 3

4th Adam Chaplin & Wendy Bailey (Blackpool & Fleetwood YC) (5), 3, 4

5th Hugh Devereux & Malcolm Bird (Budworth SC) 4, (DNC), DNC

Dovestone Sailing Club

 We are a sailing club, affiliated to the RYA, that welcomes families and individuals new to sailing or experienced. We provide training and coaching for adults and young people, to develop skills towards taking part in the club racing programme and beyond.

Dovestone Sailing Club has sole use of the almost 100 acre reservoir at Greenfield near Oldham. It is set amid dramatic scenery in the PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK off the A635 Greenfield to Holmfirth Road, via Banks Lane. It is approximately half a mile from the Clarence Hotel at the junction of Chew Valley Road and Manchester Road, Greenfield.

Entry open for the 60th Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy

 Ullswater Yacht Club is planning diamond celebrations for the 60th Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy on July 2 and 3. 2022 is a special Birkett year as it is also the 60th anniversary of the death of Lord Norman Birkett the 'Saviour of Ullswater'.

The iconic long distance event was established by the club in honour of Lord Birkett who died in 1962, two days after making a successful speech in the House of Lords which prevented Ullswater from becoming a reservoir.

After postponement in 2020 and a limited entry number of 160 in 2021, this year the full Birkett is back with 230 boats and online entry is now open.

 Victoria Cliff Hodges, Lord Norman Birkett's granddaughter who is an enthusiastic supporter, will be attending the weekend.

"The club is proud to welcome Victoria to the Birkett and to have Waitings on board as main sponsors for this important weekend," said Commodore Kathryn Hall. "It is more than just a sailing race but a celebration of the beauty of Ullswater which we are all able to enjoy."

Booking for the event, catering all weekend and camping/campervans on site (no caravans) is now open online via the special Birkett website at www.ullswaterycbirkett.org

Non-racers can also get a piece of the on-the-water action on a special three-hour Birkett Cruise organised by Ullswater 'Steamers'. Passengers on the exclusive charter will board at Pooley Bridge Pier at noon on Saturday, July 2, and the steamer will stand by off the UYC clubhouse so that they can experience the drama of the 1pm mass start by 230 boats on a line which stretches the full width of the lake. A UYC member will give a commentary as the steamer follows the fleet.

The racing boats make for a spectacular sight all along the lake, for anyone wanting to watch the race from the shore, the start times are 1pm on Saturday, July 2, and 11am on Sunday, July 3."

Book for the Birkett Cruise direct with the steamer company at www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/events/birkett-trophy-cruise tel 017684 82229.