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Thursday, 13 February 2014
Tenby Sailing Club gets OnBoard
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
Honoured For Landmark Disability Sailing Work
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Great things planned for the GP14 International Class 2014
Lots of great things planned for the GP14 International Class. Check out the 3 dinghies at London Dinghy Show 1st and 2nd March. Get entered for some fabulous Racing Events, including Weymouth for the Nationals, then the World's in Ireland this year. Look forward to visiting the Caribbean in 2016 for the next World Championship to be held in Barbados. Mainsail will be out to GP14 Association members in March, but look out for your newsletter this month. Not an Association Member, then check out details to join on the website www.gp14.org
Monday, 10 February 2014
PARALYMPIC CHAMPION SUPPORTS UKSA
Saturday, 8 February 2014
Sail 4 Cancer announces Hudson Wight as an official supporter in 2014
Recently launched performance sailwear company Hudson Wight is supporting the sailing charity Sail 4 Cancer at a range of UK regattas this year. Participants at a number of events where Sail 4 Cancer is the chosen charity will be able to win a set of Hudson Wight HW1s by entering the charity's various prize draws, competitions and event raffles. The charity will be providing a range of Hudson Wight prizes at industry regattas ranging from the Profile Cup and Legal Cup organised by Britannia Corporate Events, to the Henry Coanda Challenge and Torbay Week, one of the oldest regattas in the country.
"The support of Hudson Wight will enable us to raise funds to provide much-needed respite breaks for families affected by cancer. This year we hope to help a record number of families," commented Lizette van Niekerk, Fundraising Manager of Sail 4 Cancer.
Sail 4 Cancer has also joined the Hudson Wight Affiliate Scheme that allows supporters buying their sailing clothing and accessories on the Hudson Wight website to use the Affiliate Code: SAIL 4 CANCER, giving them a 10% discount on the purchase and the charity will then receive 15% of every sale.
"We are delighted to include Sail 4 Cancer as our chosen charity for 2014. We only sell direct and our Affiliate Scheme is at the heart of that business model. It allows us to give 15% of all our sales to our affiliates who are typically volunteer run Clubs and Class Associations. The aim is build a top-level brand with the sport of sailing as a key stakeholder in our success. With that approach we hope to give more people a chance to get out on the water," said Hudson Wight's Managing Director Jamie Scrimgeour.
For more information on Sail 4 Cancer please visit: http://www.sail4cancer.org/hudson-wight or visit the Hudson Wight website at: http://www.hudsonwight.com
Friday, 7 February 2014
Congratulations to Ben Saxton of Grafham water sailing Club
Congratulations to Club member Ben Saxton, who won a bronze medal at the recent Sailing World Cup event in Miami, helming a Nacra 17 catamaran. This result moved Ben and his sailing partner Hannah Diamond up to first in the latest ISAF world rankings for the Nacra 17 – a useful step towards their aim of representing GBR at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and wining Olympic gold.
Big year ahead for Pascoe
Thursday, 6 February 2014
Sponsors wanted for GB sailing challenge
WEYMOUTH: Exciting 2014 events programme launched !
A new range of performance wet weather gear
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
SAILABILITY :- Grantham’s Val performs well at windy Rutland Water
Calling new British sailors: RYA Push the Boat Out begins May 17
Calling new British sailors: During the weekend of 17-18 May, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) will once again be running RYA Push the Boat Out (PTBO) with clubs, centres and marinas across the UK offering a range of ‘have a go’ and taster sessions for you to experience sailing and windsurfing.
In 2013 thousands of people took to the water including newcomers, regular sailors as well as families. Over 100 sailing clubs opened their doors to host Push the Boat Out events.
Clubs and centres can now register their 2014 PTBO open days and taster sessions.
RYA Push the Boat Out is also part of National Watersports Month. May signifies a great time to kick start a summer of sport and National Watersports Month promises to provide an action packed schedule of activities across the country.
'Push the Boat Out is a fantastic opportunity for clubs to inspire those who live locally to get out on the water and find out just how easy it is to get involved in the sport' said RYA Club Support Advisor Jackie Bennetts.
'This year Push the Boat Out is going to be even bigger and better with more clubs signed up and even more people of all ages and abilities finding out why sailing is such a great sport'.
If your club is holding an event for the public on RYA Push the Boat Out weekend, the RYA will provide promotional materials including postcards, badges and pens, coasters and key rings. Resources will also be available on the RYA website including advice on how to run an open day, promote your event and downloadable PTBO posters.
Monkey business on River Mersey
THE threatening winter conditions did not prevent Liverpool Yacht Club / Tranmere Sailing Club staging their latest Brass Monkey Series races on the River Mersey on Sunday.
There was a seven-strong turnout in IRC Class One eventually headed by Greg Chiswell's Diva from Bada Bing (Andy Napper and Andrew Farrall) and Eazi Tiger (Adam Kyffin).
The Warwick Telfer owned Clarevouyant took Class Two from Saphoenix (Ken Roberts).
There were three starters here. The next competition is scheduled for February 16 at 10.30am.
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
West Mersea's Martin Evans prepares to sail for 145-mile sailing challenge
AN Olympic hopeful will sail from Mersea to the Netherlands on a boat about the size of a surfboard to raise money for charity.
Martin Evans, 21, believes he will be the first person to take on the 145-mile challenge in a Laser dinghy, which is just 4.2m long and 1.4m wide.
The former Colchester Royal Grammar School student, who is in the second year of a law degree at Exeter University, will take on the challenge in June to raise money for the RNLI.
Monday, 3 February 2014
Pascoe seals second consecutive Miami crown
THE cancellation of racing on the final day for the Paralympic classes saw Portland’s Megan Pascoe secure her second consecutive Miami World Cup title.
The conditions also handed the island’s Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell victory in one of only two events that’s eluded them so far during their six-year SKUD partnership.
The British Sonar trio of John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas claimed silver, having also seen no racing on Friday, while Paralympic champ-ion Helena Lucas joined Pascoe on the podium, winning 2.4mR bronze just three points behind her team-mate.
“It’s a very, very good way to start off the year,” Pascoe admitted.
“Last year here was a bit more tricky – I wasn’t quite leading going into the last day and I had to have a few things go my way – but last week has steadily gone my way. Everything’s been really fast and I’m really, really happy.”
The 2.4mR fleet was sent out and even managed to start a race before any trace of wind finally disappeared from their course area.
“We had quite nice wind to start with – it was about six knots, as the beat progressed it was going more and more left, the pressure was becoming incredibly patchy,” the 27-year-old Pascoe explained.
“But going down the run it just went incredibly soggy – I was lucky enough to have had a good beat and was ahead of Helena and Allan, which is what I had to be, so even if the race had finished I was confident I’d still be in the position where I am, but the race wasn’t going to finish. “We were definitely going to be timed out on that one.”
Pascoe, aiming to qualify for her first Paralympic Games at Rio 2016, admits that her Miami win is a timely confidence boost at the start of the season.
“I think 2014 could be very important in terms of my Rio campaign. There are all sorts of rumours about when trials might start, but really it’s always nice to win and it would be nice to go to the IFDS Worlds in a really good place.
“They’ve always kind of eluded me, so hopefully we’ll get one this time.”
Meanwhile, Paralympic SKUD class gold is the thing left on Rickham and Birrell’s hit list after finally breaking their Miami World Cup duck. “We’ve been to the Miami World Cup five times – my first ever SKUD event was out here in 2008. We’ve done every year except one since then, and we’ve had every result from fifth to second I think. Finally, now we’ve got to the gold, so now we’ve got a 1,2,3,4,5 in our five attempts.”
Largs sailing event lands top award
The Royal Yachting Association Youth Championships has been voted Event of the Year by the UK sailing community and readers of the Yacht and Yachting Magazine.
Held last April, it was the biggest ever UK Youth Championships to be held in Scotland.
The 450 young athletes who sailed in 239 boats were from all over the UK, and even from as far away as Australia and Serbia.
The championships were held at Largs Yacht Haven.
David Kent of the Scottish Sailing Institute, based at Largs Yacht Haven, thanked the volunteers who made the competitors so welcome.
Saturday, 1 February 2014
500 student sailors aim to qualify for British Uni Team Racing titles
2014 BUCS/BUSA Student Team Racing Championships.83 student teams, representing 36 British universities, are competing to qualify. Most will be racing at venues around the British Isles this coming weekend, with the Northern group of universities meeting the following weekend (to accommodate the tide timetable!).
University sailing clubs (USCs) have been busy training, selecting and competing since the beginning of the current academic year, last October. Team racing is one of the disciplines of student sailing, together with fleet, match and keelboat yacht racing. Clubs also make an increasing contribution to bringing newcomers into sailing, organising learn-to-sail training and facilitating a variety of sailing-related training and qualifications.
But Team Racing is particularly popular in universities because of its exciting and sociable sailing format, as a team of sailors work together to try and establish an overall winning combination for their team over their opposition. Team races are fast and furious and reward good starting, boat speed, boat handling, rules knowledge and team work skills.
Most university sailing clubs organise sailing at least once a week at a local sailing club, often two or three times a week, arranging team race training and, in many cases, taking team racing skills to a high level of performance.
University sailing clubs compete with each other throughout the academic year, organising events themselves across the British Isles. Many familiar names appear in the calendar year-by-year. The Leeds’ Halloween Howler, Sheffield Shuffle, Oxford Magnum, Brummy Bender, London 6-Pack, Cardiff’s Welsh Dragon, Bristol Brew, Loughborough Lemming and Warwick Turtle have already been held this year.
Friday, 31 January 2014
Scottish Sailing club in line for national award
Loch Venachar Sailing Club has been shortlisted for the Royal Yachting Association Scotland club of the year.
Club representatives will find out if they have won tomorrow (Saturday) at the RYA awards dinner at the Glasgow Science Centre.
Loch Venachar Sailing Club is a friendly, family-focused club which has a core of enthusiastic and willing volunteers committed to making everything the club does a success.
It has a growing reputation as the place to take children to learn to sail Optimists and progressing on to racing, initially at the club and then on the traveller circuit.
It has increased the number of sailors competing away from the club and, as well as supporting these
young racers, the club has been making an RIB available to support the regatta fleet where hosting clubs were struggling to provide resources.
The club was recently awarded Charter Plus status by Active Stirling and its volunteer instructors ran a second successful year of SQA sailing for a local high school.
It is up against Dalgety Bay SC and Clyde Cruising Club in the club of the year competition.
RYA Scotland chief executive James Stuart said: “The nomination process has brought to light a host of truly outstanding activity and people. Consequently the short list is of a very high standard indeed.
“Our awards dinner is a chance for us to draw attention to these remarkable people and clubs.”
The club of the year award is sponsored by Clyde Challenger.
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Andrew Simpson: Olympic sailor's 'Bart's Bash' logo chosen
The winning entry has been unveiled after a competition to create a logo for a race in memory of Olympic sailing champion Andrew "Bart" Simpson.
More than 65 entries were received, including many by schoolchildren, but the organisers eventually chose a logo by a professional graphic designer.
Polly Durrant, from Dorchester, said her logo reflected the "give it a try" ethos of the Bart's Bash dinghy race.
It is being held simultaneously at UK sailing clubs in September.
Simpson, from Sherborne in Dorset, was killed while training for the America's Cup in San Francisco Bay.
Trustees of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASSF) picked the winning logo from a shortlist of three compiled through a vote on Facebook.
An ASSF spokesperson previously said entries had come from "a broad field, including professional graphic designers, adults and children as young as five".
Nicknamed Bart, Simpson won Olympic gold at Beijing 2008 and silver at London 2012.
He died after becoming trapped under an AC72 catamaran when it nosedived, capsized and broke into pieces while training with Artemis Racing.
The foundation was set up in his name by his widow Leah, sister Amanda, and fellow sailors Sir Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy, with the aim of supporting youth sailing.
More than 250 sailing clubs have so far entered Bart's Bash, which is expected to attract some 10,000 sailors to the water on 21 September.
Friday, 24 January 2014
Youngsters shown the sailing ropes
When the opportunity to practice and train ahead of the racing season is presented to the young sailors of Derbyshire, they certainly commit themselves with vigour.
Despite the cold weather, there is no lack of enthusiasm for getting in their boats and working hard to develop and perfect their skills, at all levels and ages.
The next training session is being held in the north of the county at Combs Sailing Club on Saturday, March 9 and will be led by coach Richard Rawson of Peak Dinghy Spares.
He will be helping the sailors to work on key aspects of their chosen sport and leading them through a series of activities that will be challenging their fitness and capabilities.
Rawson raced in several DYS series some years ago and is an RYA trained instructor, so he is well qualified and experienced to help teach today’s competitors.
Carsington Sailing Club hosted the first training session of pre-season which was extremely well attended and well received by the sailors.
The light wind conditions were perfect for helping the sailors to learn to extend their concentration, so that they can maximise their boat speed and make the most of what little wind there can often be.
When the sailors are faced with weather conditions at the lower end of the thermometer, they put on insulating clothes under specialist sailing dry suits that keep them very cosy.
They also pull on thick gloves and a variety of warm headwear. Often the sailors return to shore after hours afloat and report that they were too hot as they had to work so hard, but their beaming smiles show how much fun they still had.
DYS Training Co-ordinator, volunteer Des Luxton, said: “ many of the sailors are eager to get out onto the racing circuit and start competing at events, their calendars and diaries for this year are already full of commitments for the season.”
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Scottish-based sailing charity able2sail launches its 3 LightHouse Challenge
A team of challengers are gearing up for a 700-plus mile sail and cycle in aid of one of Scotland's charities for the disabled.
The 3 LightHouse Challenge has been launched by able2sail. It will start from The Lighthouse in Glasgow on Friday 23 May 2014.
Six volunteers will endeavour to cycle and sail more than 1,141km of Scotland's most dramatic landscapes and sailing waters.
In six days the team aim to cycle to Oban, set sail on able2sail, the charity's own yacht for the sail and cycle round the Outer Hebrides, before returning to Oban and cycling back to Glasgow.
The 3 Lighthouse Challenge is a key fundraiser for the charity, which last year took more than 130 clients, friends and carers out sailing on the Clyde and the waters of Argyll.
All the opportunities able2sail provides to the disabled community are free of charge by a committed group of volunteers.
Charity chairman Gerry Campbell said: 'Sailing truly enables people to be free of their disabilities. With us they are part of the team and the crew, irrespective of their disability or sailing experience.'
How will the challenge work?
For the sailing legs, the team of six will be joined by one of the charity's expert skippers and members of crew.
Throughout the land parts of the challenge, a small support team will provide safety cover, help with punctures etc and of course provide the much needed snacks and warm cups of tea.
A yacht delivery team will take able2sail from her home port at Kip Marina to Oban for the start of the sailing aspects of this fundraising adventure.
Find out more about the 3 Lighthouse Challenge and how to sponsor the team at www.able2sail.org.uk
Sunday, 19 January 2014
Harbour wheelyboat helps give disabled their sea legs
LIFE on the water is second nature to some.
But for people living with disabilities, the practicalities of boat trips aren’t so easy – or so you might think.
That all changed with the launch of a wheelchair-accessible boat, providing new opportunities for everyone to explore the rich and varied marine life in Chichester Harbour.
The John Q Davis RM Wheelyboat launched in June last year, giving disabled people independent access to the water.
“We have had a hugely encouraging first year,” said boat skipper Ian McCoy.
“It has been better than I thought. We’ve taken out more than 500 people.”
The project was a joint venture between Thorney Island’s Army Welfare Service, Thorney Island Sailing Club and the Wheelyboat Trust, a charity based in Petworth.
Ian McCoy is a support officer at Thorney Island Army Welfare Service.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for army personnel and their families and others to get out on to Chichester Harbour,” he said.
“The expression on their faces that they can do something is amazing. They really enjoy it.
“The whole thing was devised to get families to experience the water.”
Ian said some families who lived on
Thorney Island weren’t aware Chichester Harbour was an area of outstanding natural beauty – until they saw it.
“We take the groups out and do seal-spotting,” he said. “They are amazed when they see them. It’s just a different way for people to see the area.”
The Wheelyboat benefits the island’s army families, injured and disabled service personnel, disabled schoolchildren and adults, and is supporting Thorney Island Sailing Club and the community.
“We take out groups from Help For Heroes’ Tedworth House Recovery Centre,” said Ian.
The centre helps servicemen and women who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses, running activities which help them to do what they enjoy most.
Jack, one of the participants from the centre, said it was ‘the best activity’ they had ever done.
“It’s great to drive the JQD,” he said.
In June, 90 Scouts from Hayling Island were taken out on to the water and Thorney Island Sailing Club, which provides the boat’s mooring for free, used JQD as a support vessel for its junior sailing week when the boat was involved in two rescues.
Ian said he was trying to encourage fishing trips, but day trips, harbour tours and nature excursions were also available.
“We can finish off with a picnic at East Head, or go to the pub in Itchenor. That’s popular.”
The boat was named by Valerie Davis, in memory of her late husband and former Chichester harbour master, Lt Col John Quintin Davis, Royal Marines, who died suddenly while out sailing with Valerie in August, 2010.
“My husband’s vision was that the Chichester Harbour is for the enjoyment of everyone and this allows it to be enjoyed,” said Valerie, speaking at the launch of the new boat last year.
Andy Beadsley, director of the Wheelyboat Trust, said: “The funding for the boat was kick-started by the John Davis memorial fund.
“Valerie has been a keen supporter of the project. She knew it would’ve been a project John would have loved to support.
“Ian contacted me in 2011 to see if we had a model for an accessible boat for use in
Chichester Harbour. It’s really been one of our flagship projects.”
The boat was the 150th Wheelyboat supplied by The Wheelyboat Trust since it began charity work in 1985.
To help meet JQD’s running costs, the Wheelboat Trust is asking anyone who is passionate about Chichester Harbour to become a Friend of JQD.
The annual membership fee will continue provision for disabled people, their families and friends with access to Chichester Harbour.
For more information or to make a booking, visit www.jqdwheelyboat.co.uk
Saturday, 18 January 2014
Dart Sailability reflects on a successful year
DART Sailability, the Dartmouth-based charity that helps disabled people take to the water, is reflecting on a successful year.
Principal and senior instructor Mark Farries said: “We had some of our best weather for five years so everyone enjoyed good sailing.
“I would like to thank all the volunteers on the shore, the pontoon and the water who have given up so much time and always done so with a smile.”
Sailing takes place at Noss Marina twice a week between May and September and 101 disabled sailors took part last season.
Two schools, Oakland Park in Dawlish and Bidwell Brook in Dartington, have continued to bring disabled students aged 14 to 18 years.
The Dart Harbour Authority awarded Sailability the Dart Harbour Senior Award for exceptional and inspiring work with young people on the river, saying: “The organisation meets the needs of so many disadvantaged people in such a fun way.”
Chairman Robert Boyd said: “We greatly appreciate their kind donation of £500.”
Other activities during the year included racing the group’s 23ft yacht Sonar of Dart in the RDYC Wednesday evening series and the Dartmouth Regatta.
Sailing with different, mixed-ability crews, they acquitted themselves very well, finishing fourth overall in the keelboat series in the regatta.
During the regatta, the group hosted a visit from Geoff Holt and his catamaran which can carry disabled sailors including several in wheelchairs. A number of members went out for a high-speed trip in the bay which was much enjoyed.
Barry Cooper and a team from Dart Sailability took part in the Eddystone charity race and raised £1,077 for the group.
Another team provided safety boat cover for the Totnes Longbow canoe races and a generous donation was received from Totnes Rotary Club in gratitude.
Mr Boyd said: “As a disabled sailor and the group’s chairman I would like to thank everyone for making Dart Sailability such a delightful organisation to be a member of. It provides support, friendship, recreational and competitive sailing which improves the condition of our lives.
“We are indebted to all our volunteers, sponsors and fundraisers who make this possible.”
All the boats are currently out of the water undergoing their annual refit, which is being undertaken by the group’s volunteers.
The sailing season will start again in May.
Friday, 17 January 2014
Princess Anne gives a Churchouse sailing boat her seal of approval
A SAILING boat built in north Hampshire has received a royal seal of approval.
The Princess Royal, president of the Royal Yacht Association (RYA) and patron of RYA Sailability, did the honours at the Churchouse Boats stand at the London Boat Show last week.
The Drascombe Longboat, called Penny Wake, will be an addition to the growing number of boats used by Rutland Sailability, at Rutland Sailing Club, in Leicestershire.
The vessel has been built to include various modifications to the standard Drascombe Longboat, to make it easier for disabled people to use.
Churchouse Boats is run by husband and wife team Simon and Sharon Harwood, at Apsley Sawmill, in Hurstbourne Priors, near Whit-church.
Delighted that the princess accep-ted the invitation to name the boat on behalf of Rutland Sailability, Simon said: “She said the boat looked lovely and was surprised that we have a small team of three producing such wonderful boats.”
The London Boat Show certainly proved to be fruitful as the firm secured a deal to build a new boat, along with numerous spares and accessories.
“It’s a great show worth going to as there is always competition out there from other boat builders, and so we are able to show off our product, which has been built to a high standard, for all to see.
“Going to the show also opened up an opportunity for us to work with other Sailability groups and network with potential suppliers.”
Simon added: “Our business continues to grow through building new boats, brokerage sales, refurbishments and spares, which are sold not just in the UK, but also worldwide.”
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
A Teenage Girl Grows Older and Wiser While Sailing Solo Around the World
Dutch teenager Laura Dekker set out at fourteen on a solo sailing trip around the globe. Her journey covered 27,000 nautical miles and lasted 519 days, and she currently holds the unofficial record for youngest person to accomplish such a feat.
Dekker’s incredibly impressive adventure mostly through footage she took herself while sailing apart from friends, family and strangers alike. We get to watch as this confident and capable young woman deals with inclement weather, impending madness caused by doldrums, and a constantly developing desire for a life other than the one she left behind in Holland. By the time she crosses the equator, dancing alone in a party hat and offering pancakes to Neptune, you’ll find yourself loving her spirit and personality nearly as much as she loves the sea.
“Freedom is when you’re not attached to anything.”
Dekker’s larger journey of life began off New Zealand where she was born on a boat to parents who themselves had set out to sail the world. They made a home on land a few years later, but the saltwater bug was already coursing through Laura’s little veins. When her parents split up she chose to stay with the one who shared an affection for sailing, but life with her father also shaped her into an independent and self-sustaining child. That drive helped her win a ten-month-long court battle with the Dutch government who wanted to stop her plans to sail the world solo, even going so far as attempting to take custody away from her dad.
She set sail in August of 2010 intent on setting the age record, but while other teens focused on speed, Laura was more interested in seeing and experiencing the world around her. She made multiple stops along the way, and we see her time split between the solitary life aboard the Guppy and her brief, social excursions at various ports or with fellow sailors. Her initial jubilance is tempered by ravioli disasters and clumsiness as she learns to film while going about her business on a rocking boat, but even as her spirit sinks and nerves settle in at the beginning of the 2200 -mile stretch across the Atlantic ocean, she stays remarkably focused and controlled.
There are tense moments as storms approach, water gets in where it shouldn’t, and Laura works to navigate a deadly, reef-filled strait at night in the rain, but the film is filled with vitality, charm, and a sense of humor. Animated maps show the legs of the trip with watercolors and personalized little touches highlighting her dog Spot, where she was when she turned 15, and more add a human touch. A scene counting the days trapped by dead winds in the Indian ocean features Laura joking that “bobbing on the waves for days” is enough to drive someone crazy, and it’s followed by her introducing a bird that had taken up residence on the boat. “I’m only speaking English to him,” she says straight-faced, “because he probably doesn’t understand Dutch.”
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Jubilee Sailing Trust - Be Inspired: Meet Jess
The Jubilee Sailing Trust is a Southampton based charity that promotes the integration of able-bodied and disabled men and woman through the medium of tall ship sailing.
The JST owns an operates the only two tall ships on the planet that have been specifically designed to cater for people of all abilities. They are called Lord Nelson and Tenacious
Lord Nelson is currently embarked on her maiden circumnavigation. This staggering 50,000 mile voyage is made even more incredible by the crew, people like Jess, who come on board and become part of the adventure
Jess Mellish is a 16 year-old from New Zealand who was sponsored to travel with JST through the special needs unit at Te Puke High School. Jess has condition called Septo-optic Dysplasia, which caused the loss of her sight. On her voyage in New Zealand she climbed the mast in an incredible display of bravery. Lord Nelson is a 55-metre square rigged vessel that was purpose built in 1986 and has, along with her sister ship, Tenacious, had 40,000 customers. Of those, 15,000 have been disabled and 5,000 have been wheelchair users.
Thursday, 9 January 2014
Sailor well on his way round the world !!
On November 11 last year 53-year-old Andrew Halcrow slipped quietly and unannounced out of port in his 30-foot yacht Elsi, on the start of a single-handed, 40,000-mile Falmouth to Falmouth west about circumnavigation.
Andrew is no stranger to long distance sailing. The Shetland islander, a blacksmith by trade, has already sailed part the way around the world with his brother in a five-year long adventure beginning in 1988. However, he had a burning desire to sail single-handed around the world.
In 2006 he set sail on a single-handed round the world voyage but 300 miles off the south Australian coast he suffered a burst appendix. He contacted his wife who alerted Shetland Coastguard, who in turn passed the information to their colleagues at Falmouth.
An Australian aircraft located him just four hours after the initial alert. In a rescue operation co-ordinated by Falmouth Coastguard he was airlifted to hospital in Albany. His yacht was left to drift. Months later, relatively unscathed Elsi had drifted ashore in Australia. Andrew made arrangements to have his craft returned to Shetland on a freighter.
At the time, Andrew insisted he had no intention of ever embarking on a similar journey again. After refitting Elsi he decided to have another attempt at his round the world voyage.
This week, Andrew was sailing down the eastern coast of south America. He expects to be back in Falmouth in December. Elsi is averaging between 80 and 110 miles every day. His route is from Falmouth down through the North and South Atlantic, then round Cape Horn, up the west coast of South America, across the South Pacific in the SE trades to the Torres Straits, across the Indian Ocean, round the Cape of Good Hope and back up to Falmouth.
Before sailing from Falmouth Andrew said: “If I don’t do it now, I am never going to do it. I dinna want to be sitting in an old folks’ home, being 90 years old and thinking I really should have done it.”
Readers can follow Andrew’s progress at www.elsiarrub.co.uk
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Hundreds of sailing clubs sign up for Bart's Bash ( World Record !! )
A total of 129 sailing clubs have already signed up for a Guinness World Record attempt in memory of Olympic and America's Cup sailor Andrew Simpson.
And interest continues to grow for 'Bart's Bash', which aims to get thousands of sailors racing at hundreds of locations across the world simultaneously on 21 September 2014 at 11am (BST).
The original plan was for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASSF) event to be 'the largest dinghy sailing race in the world ever' but after organisers were inundated by requests from yacht clubs wishing to take part, the event has been expanded to encompass yachts and multihulls.
Event spokesman Jez Payne said: 'ASSF Bart's Bash is now set to be a world first event - embracing the concept of sailors racing each other from clubs across the country, racing across continents and racing across the categories of boats; from dinghies to yachts to multihulls.
'We will be investigating the Guinness Records for the largest yachting events, the UK Round the Island hits 30,000 sailors, we will have to re-set the target probably above 50,000, five times the original goal.'
Loch Tummel Sailing Club in the Scottish Highlands was the 100th club to sign up to the event, just five days after it was launched on 17 December.
A spokesman for the club said 'Loch Tummel SC is very proud to be involved with the ASSF Bart's Bash and we look forward to getting as many boats out on our beautiful loch as possible.
'We will have participants ranging from the young sailors in their Oppies to their grandparents in their Flying Fifteens and Yeomans taking part and are really looking forward to doing our bit to break the record.'
Double Olympic medallist Andrew Simpson, who was nicknamed 'Bart', tragically died aged 36 in May 2013 while training for the 34th Americas Cup.
All proceeds from Bart's Bash will go to the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, a charity set up in his memory to encourage youngsters into sailing.
How to take part
Greater details about Bart's Bash will be announced on 1 February.
For a full list of participating clubs visit www.bartsbash.co.uk
To sign your club up, email tim@bartsbash.co.uk
Monday, 30 December 2013
Largest Dinghy Gathering Ever - World record attempt
The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, founded by Sir Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy and family members to encourage youngsters into sailing, is planning a monster sized attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for 'The Largest Dinghy Sailing Race' in the World Ever, which they are calling 'Bart's Bash'!
The idea is to have a mass participation club race simultaneously across Britain. Pretty much every club in the country has a race on Sunday morning, with all kinds of boats taking part, the goal is to get everyone participating together to create one big race. The goal is to get over 200 clubs taking part, with over 10,000 sailors on the water, they will become new Guinness World Record Holders for dinghy racing in Andrew 'Bart' Simpson's name.
Jez Payne from 'The Bart Project' commented 'It is one of those ideas that has huge potential to be a major, major event that absolutely honours the core of what Andrew was about'.
British sailors who are the 'right person to sign their club up' are invited to email tim@bartsbash.co.uk. An event briefing for clubs & competitors is going to be launched on the first of February and there will be further dates for the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions.
'Bart's Bash' will be on Sunday 21st September, 2014, so there's plenty of time to plan.
To get more details, go to the website: http://www.bartsbash.co.uk/
Thursday, 26 December 2013
Brave Teenager Is Sailing To Hobart For The First Time - Without Her Wheelchair
While the conditions will be challenging, the 16-member crew of the 16-metre Lyons 54 faceboat Sailors with disABILITIES should be up for the challenge, having previously survived and won the 1998 race, the toughest yet.
On board the boat in her first Hobart is Grace Kennedy, 19, who has spina bifida and is normally in a wheelchair. She left it behind this morning as she climbed about the boat, skippered by Kirk Watson, who is legally blind and competing in his 9th race.
Sailors with disABILITIES (SWD) was founded by David Pescud to help disabled and disadvantaged young people and they’ve competed in
16 Rolex Sydney to Hobart races.
faceboat Sailors with disABILITIES is already showing its ability as one of the first 20 boats out Sydney Heads and currently leads its division.
SWD is still ‘seeking sponsorship for the boat’, which costs just $25, tax deductible, and donors will have their photo on the hull of the yacht for 12 months.
Business Insider will continue to monitor and report the progress of faceboat Sailors with disABILITIES as she races to Hobart.
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Portsmouth host special Christmas race today !!
Portsmouth Sailing Club are holding a one-of-its-kind event as they host a boat race on Christmas Day in aid of the RNLI.
Today, the sailing club have been granted special permission to race from the entrance of the harbour as Christmas Day is the only day when the Royal Navy do not use this entrance nor is it used for commercial shipping.
One of the boats involved in the Christmas Credit: Portsmouth Sailing Club
The event has previously attracted high profile participants such as Sir Robin Knox-Johnston among other willing competitors.
The event is open to all types of boats there is expected to be lots of fancy dress.
Saturday, 7 December 2013
From oars and lakes to rudders and seas
Australia’s Sarah Cook is no stranger to international competition and racing on the water in pursuit of Olympic dreams.
Cook, who spent ten years in the Australian Rowing Team, has swapped 2,000 metre dashes in a boat of eight to sailing up and downwind in the Women’s Two Person Dinghy, the 470.
The tall 28-year-old recently celebrated her one year sailing anniversary but her physique immediately caught the eye of one Australian sailing hero who saw a match made in heaven, 'I met Elise Rechichi, my helm, back in London at a sushi train of all places at the London airport when we were leaving the Olympics,' commented Cook.
'I’d just competed in the women’s eight for Australia and met Elise randomly. It just so happened that she was a after a new crew and apparently when I stood up she said it was love at first sight. For her having a tall crew is the most important thing and there I was.'
Rechichi had a fresh slate with Cook who entered the sport for the first time in an Olympic event, 'I’d never sailed, I literally did a learn to sail course last September and got into the 470 for the first time in October. It’s been a very steep learning curve. It was nine months in the boat by the time we got to the Worlds in La Rochelle. We learnt a lot in those nine months but we were really happy with how our international season ended up.'
Cook knows what it takes to become an Olympian. Ten years of hard work and dedication resulted in her representing Australia at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games.
Both Olympic sports require certain physical and mental aspects and Cook has enjoyed the transition, 'It’s so different to compare the two sports,' she said. 'I’ve literally transformed myself I feel from one kind of athlete that you have to be for rowing to a sport that’s so highly technical and tactical. There’s just so much to know not only on your tasks and what you’re doing in the boat but then in terms of strategy and fleet racing on top of that.'
Rio 2016 is firmly in sight for Cook but she doesn’t plan on making any more changes for Tokyo 2020, 'I’m definitely going to stick with the sailing,' she added. 'I’m loving the sport and I think a big part of that is having a change and learning something new. It’s such a great opportunity for me to have the challenge of transforming the kind of athlete I am from a rower which is one end of the spectrum to a sailor at the other.'
At ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne Cook is competing with 2013 ISAF Youth Worlds 420 gold medallist Carrie Smith after Rechichi pulled out on medical grounds.
The duo got off to a wonderful start, taking the lead on the opening day but have slipped to fourth with only the Women’s 470 Medal Race to go.
Cook concluded, 'We only had one sail together before this regatta and Carrie has come from 420s so it’s a big challenge for us to connect as a team but for her to learn to sail the 470 as well.
'She’s doing an amazing job. We’ve had some good races and some not so good races but all in all we’re enjoying this week.'
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Blind sailor leading the way in SydHob
A blind skipper in this year's Sydney to Hobart doesn't consider his condition a problem, with plenty of eyes to help him.
Kirk Watson, who suffers from the degenerative disease Retinitis Pigmentosa, will be the leader aboard Sailors with disABILITIES in this month's race.
"Kirk's leadership is inspirational, this will be an empowering journey for him and the whole crew," said Malcolm Turnbull, the Federal Communications Minister and patron of the group.
Watson started offshore racing in his early 20 when his vision was already being affected by the disease Retinitis Pigmentosa.
He can see when the sun is bright but has no effective vision and is legally blind.
Soon to embark on his ninth Sydney to Hobart, 40-year-old Watson stressed his impaired vision was no obstacle to him sailing and and didn't represent a hazard to him or his crew.
"There's always a few other people on the boat, so if there's something I need to see they let me know," Watson told AAP.
He will stick primarily to his established role as a mainsail trimmer in addition to the extra decision making entailed by being the skipper.
"I'll still be trimming the sail. Just because you're the skipper doesn't mean you steer the boat," Watson said.
"I can steer a boat, I have steered a boat.
"It comes down more to the fact there are far better steerers than me (on the boat), so I'm happy for them to steer the boat."
He emphasised sailing was a sport that didn't just rely on vision and that feel was also an important aspect.
"Sailing isn't all about being able to see a sail, there's so much more to it than that," Watson said.
"There's also the technical side of trimming, and you've got your overall strategy.
"How are you going to sail against your opposition? There's a lot of in the head stuff you do as well."
Watson has sailed in the Sydney to Hobart on eight previous occasions, finishing five times.
Showcasing the abilities of sailors suffering from a range of disabilities, the SWD program has a proud history in the race, contesting most years since its 1994 debut.
In 2013, it has gone back to the 54-foot boat in which it won the PHS division of the Sydney to Hobart in 2007, after contesting more recent races in a TP52.
Friday, 29 November 2013
Lottery grant expands fleet
A grant from the Big Lottery Fund has boosted the fleet that enables disabled people to go sailing at Lackford Lakes.
The grant has allowed West Anglia, Suffolk and Haverhill (WASH) Sailability to spend £7,978 on a specially adapted sailing boat and ancillary equipment, bringing its fleet to five vessels.
The new boat, named Erica after the club’s first chairman Eric Bratt, was handed over at the club’s annual meeting on Saturday.
Alan Turvey, from Wash Sailability, said: “The boats are specially designed with safety in mind, are very stable even in windy conditions and are suitable for both adults and children.”
Sailability clubs worldwide offer sailing facilities and training to people with any form of disability, whether they want to sit in a boat or sail it themselves.
WASH began in 2009 with a request from the Haverhill Association of Voluntary Organisations to Lackford-based St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing Association. For details call 01284 769101 or visit WASH’s website
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
LEICESTERSHIRE SAILING INSTRUCTOR WINS BBC UNSUNG HERO AWARD
Nearly 50 years of volunteering has been rewarded after 71-year-old Colin Magee of Burbage, Leicestershire won the title of BBC East Midlands Today Sports Unsung Hero 2013. Colin has got thousands of young people into sailing, breaking down the idea that it’s only a sport for the well off.
Colin was given the award at a surprise presentation on Tuesday morning and was reduced to tears. “I am absolutely overwhelmed. It is just something I do. I get people on the water. It is something I can share. And if I can get just one young person off the streets and away from trouble than I have done something.”
He is the driving force behind the Leicestershire and Rutland Youth Sailing Team, running courses for schools and youth groups and entering teams into Regattas.
Colin is also a key figure in fund raising activities, making sure there are boats available for use and suitable sailing clothing. He charges no membership fee and offers free instruction. When he’s not on the water, he’s maintaining boats to the highest possible standard.
The award organiser, Mark Shardlow of BBC East Midlands, said: “Colin is a fantastic example of someone who has given time and effort to help others play sport. He has clearly had a major impact on sport in the East Midlands. The judging panel were particularly impressed that he’s recruited so many volunteers to act as coaches, judges and committee members to ensure the club has a legacy.”
Graham Chilvers, from Hinckley and Bosworth District Counil, nominated Colin. He said: “In Colin’s eyes everyone can have fun sailing. He has a singular ability to motivate and inspire. He is a very special man.”
Colin now moves on to the national final. The results will be revealed at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award on Sunday 15th December live on BBC One.
Monday, 14 October 2013
Sailing taster day for 100 disabled people
A SAILING school owner has described a taster day which gave 100 disabled people the opportunity to get on the water as a ‘fulfilling and humbling experience.’
Even before the open day at Mylor Sailing School began on Saturday, owner Tracey Boyne said she was “overwhelmed” by the demand for places across the five workshops.
Now she is even more determined to take her project to the next stage and secure enough funding to set up a social enterprise which will make the pleasure of learning to sail a reality for disabled people across the county.
“The idea for this open day was to find out the demand for a disabled sailing school,” said Miss Boyne, from the sailing school near Falmouth.
“You can’t apply for funding until you can prove demand and we have been completely overwhelmed.”
One of the main attractions was the chance to be taught by John Robertson, who has represented Team GB at three Paralympic games.
The volunteers and instructors, including Mr Robertson, took out three large sailing dinghies and three powerboats in each of the taster workshops.
During the open day, staff gathered information to see how many of them wanted to learn to sail on a regular basis in the future.
“It was a really great response,” said Miss Boyne. “The day went smoothly, but it was just not what I expected, to get that many people there and for so many people wanting to do it.
“It was very fulfilling. I was pretty choked up watching them all go out on the water, and to hear some of them coming back saying how it was the best thing they had ever done.
“I also had some tear jerking emails after the day saying they can’t wait for the club to get going. It was very humbling.”
Miss Boyne’s next step is to apply for funding to meet her target of getting the new school, the Mylor Sailability Group, up and running by March.
“Sport England has just opened up new streams of funding for disabled support,” she said. “We are going to apply for those.”
“We have already been offered funding from the West Cornwall Youth Trust (WCYT) and Cornwall Sports Partnership (CSP).
“But the big funding from Sport England will take a bit longer.”
Miss Boyne stresses that a project like this is not possible without help.
On the open day she had 15 volunteers , support from CSP’s Steve Hillman, WCYT’s Nick Fletcher and Roger Graffy, owner of Mylor Yacht Harbour, whose help was “never ending.”
“And John Robertson has just been such a great inspiration for disabled people,” she said.
People as far afield as Penzance and Bodmin came to Mylor on Saturday.
Apart from Stithians Lake, there is nowhere else in Cornwall which offers disabled sailing instruction.
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Volvo Ocean Race: All-female crew 'not proving a point'
Sam Davies, the woman leading the first all-female crew to take part in the Volvo Ocean Race in 12 years, says they have nothing to prove ahead of their departure for 12 months of training.
Team SCA leave for a year's worth of training in Lanzarote ahead of the round-the-world sailing race.
"I don't think we're out there to prove a point," Davies, leader of the seven-strong team, told BBC South Today.
One of Davies's grandfathers was a submarine commander, while the other was a powerboat racer pilot
When she was 23, she attempted the Jules Verne round-the-world race with an all-female crew but lost her mast near Cape Horn
She finished fourth in the Vendee Globe in 2009, completing the journey in 94 days, four hours and 39 minutes
"For those of us out there it's just a race and we're there on equal grounds."
She continued: "We just want to do the best we can. Once we are racing we don't even think about being an all-girl racing team - we just want to try and get on the podium.
"As an all-female crew it's an opportunity to go out and perform.
"Volvo Ocean Race have made the rules better for us so as an all-female crew we can take more crew members and that will make the racing a little bit fairer, because physically it's very hard.
"So we should be able to go out there and sail the boat as well as a male crew."
The race begins in Alicante on 4 October 2014 and Davies will be joined by Abby Ehler, Stacey Jackson, Annie Lush, Liz Wardley, Carolijn Brouwer and Sophie Ciszek.
Davies, who has competed in two Vendee Globe races, is aware just how big a challenge it is for her and her team-mates, and admits the next year of training in Lanzarote will be crucial to their chances of success.
"This next 12 months will be a big learning curve," said Davies. "All the boats are identical so it means it's the sailor and the crew that makes the difference. Every hour counts when we prepare for this.
"Individually, we have a lot of experience but as a crew we don't so we have a lot of work to do to learn how to sail this boat.
"We are based in Lanzarote because it's the perfect place to train. The wind is always around 25 knots, so it is tough conditions pretty much all of the time but perfect for training.
"It's on an island, so within five minutes we are out in the ocean. The climate helps, we don't stop for training and having the wind and the water a little bit warmer means we can train for longer."
Having competed in two Vendee Globes, Davies is used to isolation while sailing so admits it will be nice to return to being part of a team.
"For me it's quite different," she said. "It's really nice. I started in all-female crew so it's nice to get back to that. It's not so much a psychological or mental challenge, but more a physical one. It's great to be back with some amazing sailors, Olympic medallists and we are learning so much together."
Davies will be leaving behind her two-year-old son, but says the chance to compete in the nine-month race, which is held every three years, was too big an opportunity to turn down.
"It is a big commitment," she admitted. "But it's such a big opportunity to do the Volvo Ocean Race so leaving home and missing the family is a sacrifice that is part of this opportunity and we are lucky enough to have great support around us.
Monday, 7 October 2013
Lord Nelson takes part in international fleet review
Lord Nelson, owned by Southampton-based charity, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, represented the nation’s tall ship fleet at the Royal Australian Navy International Fleet Review in Sydney Harbour yesterday.
The invitation to take part in this weekend’s centenary celebrations for the Royal Australian Navy, attended by HRH Prince Harry, was the catalyst for the ship’s current 50,000-mile, two-year global voyage.
Lord Nelson is one of only two ships in the world that are built to be fully accessible and is sailed by physically disabled and able bodied crew members as equals. The 55-metre square rigger is undertaking the first ever circumnavigation by such a vessel, the Norton Rose Fulbright Sail the World Challenge, which aims to promote inclusion and equality in each of the 30 ports of call.
'This is a truly exciting initiative which brings together people from all walks of life and all physical abilities to sail side by side across the world’s oceans on this extraordinary ship,' said Norton Rose Fulbright , Australia’s Managing Partner, Wayne Spanner.
So far more than 500 people from 25 countries, approximately half of whom are physically disabled and include 54 wheelchair users, have taken part in the journey, which set off from Southampton, UK, in October 2012, riding the wave of the success of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Lord Nelson is carrying one of the London 2012 Paralympic torches and a number of international Paralympians, including Sydney 2000 Gold Medallist, Michael McLean, have sailed on board Lord Nelson.
Among those on board for the voyage arriving in Sydney this week was a contingent of Australian Defence Force personnel, as well as representatives of Help For Heroes, the UK charity which works to rehabilitate injured service personnel.
Lord Nelson will take part in the International Tall Ships race from Sydney Harbour to Auckland, departing on 10 October, and will undertake four voyages in New Zealand waters before she sets sail on 15 December to cross the Southern Ocean and round the infamous Cape Horn.
There are just a few spaces remaining on the voyage from Sydney to Auckland for those wishing to be part of the crew sailing into New Zealand waters with Lord Nelson for the first time. Berths are available for both able bodied and physically disabled people for the voyages in New Zealand. A ‘buddy’ system on board pairs able bodied and disabled crew to offer mutual help and support during the passage. The lower age limit is 16 and there is no upper age limit.
No sailing experience is necessary as the permanent crew will give all the training and guidance needed to get the most out of the voyage, whether that is showing a crew member how to climb the rigging, steer the ship or haul on a rope to help set the sails. The ethos on board is to focus on what each person is capable of, rather than what they can’t do.
Lord Nelson is due to return to the UK in September 2014.
Monday, 30 September 2013
A woman who has never sailed before is taking on the world’s longest ocean race.
A story of a badly injured sailor during an around-the-world-race is enough to turn most people off the high seas, but not Anne Jobbins, 43, from Sutton, who was inspired to take on the challenge after hearing such a story.
Miss Jobbins normally works as a personal advisor at the Jobcentre in Sutton but on Monday she flew to Rio, in Brazil, to join her crew on a journey across the South Atlantic to Cape Town as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Asked why she decided to take on such a challenge Miss Jobbins said: "There was nothing to stop me really. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. I don’t like to say that’s the reason I’m doing it but that kind of experience does make you a different kind of person.
"I do look at things a bit differently. I’m not in it for the challenge, don’t get me wrong it is a challenge but I’m really in it for the experience. It’s going to be absolutely awesome.
"Before I started this I had never sailed before. I’d never been on a boat unless you count the ferry to France and I have only done that once.
"The training they give you it really intense. You live on the boat for the week you are training."
Miss Jobbins is not the only person from Sutton taking on the race, Fred Mundle, 67, from Carshalton Beeches is flying out to Rio on October 4 to join his crew.
Retired consultant, Mr Mundle, has sailed before but not on a scale like this.
He said: "On one of our training courses we had severe gale force winds of 10 or 11 so we are prepared for anything. You just don’t know what you are going to get."
Friday, 27 September 2013
Sir Keith Mills backs Sir Ben Ainslie
SIR KEITH MILLS is ready to set up a British America’s Cup team with Sir Ben Ainslie after Britain’s greatest sailor helped spark one of the biggest comebacks in sport.
With billionaire Larry Ellison, owner of Ainslie’s victorious Oracle Team USA, promising to reduce costs to attract more teams, Mills wants to realise Ainslie’s dream of bringing the Auld Mug home for the first time since the inaugural race 162 years ago.
“We could assemble an extraordinary, predominantly British team to go and win the cup,” said Mills, who played a leading role in organising the London Olympics.
Ainslie said: “The America’s Cup started in the UK in 1851, we’ve never had it back since, so it’s about time we changed that.”
Thursday, 26 September 2013
Team USA sails to historic victory
Yesterday in the San Francisco Bay, Oracle Team USA clinched the trophy in sailing’s greatest race, America’s Cup. The team narrowly knocked out Team New Zealand, who won four of the first five races. To regain its momentum, Oracle modified its boat, brought Sir Ben Ainslie aboard and proved its worth in dramatic fashion by winning eight races straight. In the final race, the team beat New Zealand by 44 seconds.
The teams competing in the Cup are highly international, comprising Brits, Kiwis, Aussies, Americans. Emirates Team New Zealand was backed by a Dubai-based airline. Ainslie, a four-time British Olympic champion, worked brilliantly with skipper James Spithill and strategist Tom Slingsby – both Aussies – to turn the team’s fortunes around in what some are calling the most dramatic comeback in the history of the sport.
“What a race it had everything,” Spithill told the BBC. “Man, these guys just showed so much heart.”
He continued, “On your own you're nothing, but a team like this can make you look great. We were facing the barrel of a gun at 8-1 and the guys didn't even flinch. Thanks to San Francisco, this is one hell of a day.”
Although the race ended with Oracle lifting the trophy – the Auld Mug – the Kiwis, led by skipper Dean Barker, put in a strong performance and clearly took the lead early on. Things began to change, however, when they began to have trouble dealing with strong winds.
“It's obviously very hard to fathom. We went out there to give it our absolute best shot,” Barker said. “We felt we didn't leave anything on the table. When you're sailing against a boat going that fast it's very hard to swallow. It’s very frustrating. The gains they've made are phenomenal.”
“I'm incredibly proud of our team and what they've achieved but I'm gutted we didn't get the last win we needed to take the Cup back to New Zealand.”
Oracle also won the America’s Cup in 2010, clinching the mug from the Swiss team Alinghi in this extremely upper-crust competition. The winner each year determines the format, venue and timing of the next Cup. The specifications for this year’s Cup, laid out by the winners in 2010, were unique.
Larry Ellison, billionaire Oracle co-founder who sponsors the team, and Oracle team captain Russell Coutts decided that the teams would use 72-foot catamarans with rigid wing sails. This change allowed the teams to reach speeds of more than 50 miles per hour. Some critics did not support this change, especially when Oracle’s catamaran capsized in the San Francisco Bay this May, killing two-time British Olympic medalist Andrew Simpson. Some referred to it as a “billionaire death match.” But the Cup is clearly about much more than money.
Ellison “is obviously financially involved, but that’s not as important to him as the risk that he took in staging this spectacle on San Francisco Bay, in these high-tech catamarans, where nobody thought it was going to take hold, and now it’s taken hold in a bigger way then I think he had dreamed,” said Julian Guthrie, a San Francisco journalist who wrote The Billionaire and the Mechanic.
“You're hitting near freeway speed – over 50 miles an hour,” San Francisco sailor Kimball Livingston told CBS. “These are the fastest boats ever built. We've never seen anything like this in any kind of sailing boat, much less the America's Cup.”
An additional change this year: the races were held closer to shore, allowing easier access to television studios eager to increase audience interest in the sport, which has waned over the years.
Faster boats and slicker televised coverage could be a winning combination for the future of the event.
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Thursday, 19 September 2013
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Cold Weather Sailing Tips
Take more clothes to the club than you think you might need. Carrying them should warm you up for a start! If your sailing wardrobe is inadequate, raid the cupboards for an old fleece or two. And it may be time to get the credit card out
Basic principle: Never under-estimate the cold - it's far easier to strip a layer off if too hot than heat yourself up if you get chilled
If your boat lives ashore rather than on a mooring, dress warmly in civvies whilst you rig up, including extra layers, hat, gloves, etc. No harm in sneaking thermals under the jeans or putting a (dry) sailing waterproof on together with your coat
But if it is also chucking it down with rain, get the sailing gear on first
Rig with a sense of purpose, this is no time for faffing about. If someone fancies a chat, save it for the changing room. Move the boat out of the wind if practicable. Check the toe-stap strings and the like - this is hardly the day for gear-failure to induce a swim
Eat well before going afloat - this is not a time for low blood-sugar levels. And use the toilets too. Stripping-off to answer nature's call whilst out in the elements is not going to help keep you warm
I have a theory that your head is a good source of wind-information. But if it aches with cold, forget that. Put on at least a beanie hat and better yet a balaclava - or both!
Don't over-heat in the changing room, get sweaty then immediate freeze as you walk outdoors. Save putting on the last couple of layers until you have left the changing room, perhaps even until you go outside
Don't wade into the water to launch if you can avoid it. If you really have to go deep water paddling regularly, get yourself a drysuit. Making the crew do it to save yourself is unacceptable
Take an extra layer or two afloat - but store them somewhere dry - in an accessible tank or a dry-bag
Don't wear leather sailing gloves - they keep your hands wet, which sucks the heat out of you. There are several alternative materials
Do some gentle exercise to get the blood flowing
Don't launch too early
But once afloat, get busy. Don't sit there feeling miserable
If you must hang about (due to general recalls for example) heave too and get out of the wind as much as you can. Also, if possible, sail to somewhere sheltered but not too far away from the start
If you fingers get cold, suck them - you will be amazed
Do some more gentle warming up afloat around the time of the 5-minute gun
Do not be psyched out by the weather - embrace it and laugh; doing so will give you a real edge on the miserablists
Light airs and cold are the biggest challenge all that sitting still
If you come ashore feeling really cold, get warmed up, showered and changed before packing the boat up (but do take the sails down first)
Monday, 19 August 2013
A MUM has praised the yachtsman who taught her autistic son how to sail.
Carley Chamberlain, 26, was full of praise for Micky Early, 27, for his “time and patience” in helping her seven-year-old son David to develop.
Now, just months after starting sailing at the Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club, David has gained the confidence to get in a boat on his own.
Carley said David, who has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, began sailing at Easter.
She said the help he had received from Micky, who is the training principal at the yacht club, had made a real difference.
She said: “He did not socialise well so I started bringing him to the yacht club and he has been a completely different child ever since. He gets really into the sailing. He gets really focused on it.
“Micky has taught my son for the past few months how to sail which isn’t easy as he is autistic.”
“He has had the time and patience to give him one on one tuition for free. He has also done a lot for Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club as a volunteer,” added single mum Carley, from the King Oswy area of Hartlepool and who works as bar staff at the yacht club.
She was so impressed, she has nominated Micky in the coach of the year category of the Hartlepool Mail Sports Awards.
Micky, a member at the yacht club since he was ten, has loved helping David as well as dozens of other fledgling sailors.
He said: “David’s progression is outstanding every week. He has gone from being scared of sitting in a boat with lots of people to getting in a boat by himself. He pushes himself every week.”
Micky’s help has extended to all sections of the public. He’s held courses for students from High Tunstall, Dyke House, and Owton Manor Schools and said: “Hopefully, we are getting more primary schools in.”
And when told he’d been nominated for an award, he said: “It’s nice to be recognised but I don’t really think about awards. I just do what I do.”
Club commodore Barry Hughes said: “Micky is one of the best coaches on the North- East coast.”
He said Micky had organised a family open day at the club which had been a huge success and another one was planned on September 14.
Monday, 12 August 2013
Matt Bugg starting Rio Paralympic campaign
London 2012 Paralympic sailor Matt Bugg leaves for Europe today to start the first stage of his campaign to represent Australia at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, sailing in the International 2.4R class.
His first event will be the British open championships this coming weekend at Poole Yacht Club in Devon on the south coast of England which will host the 2.4mR open world championship in early September.
The Tasmanian, who finished a creditable seventh overall at the London Paralympics, will be joined at Poole by his coach, Richard Scarr, and two other Australian 2.4mR class sailors from Canberra, Mark Duram and Michael Leydon.
The Australians will then train with the British team before heading to Kinsale in Ireland for the IFDS Disabled Sailors World Championships from 22-30 August.
This will be the first major Paralympic event following London 2012 with 120 disabled sailors from 20 countries expected to attend the regatta.
'We expect that Matt will be sailing in a fleet of 45 2.4.mRs, the single-handed Paralympic keelboat, while other Australians will be competing in the Sonar and Scud classes,' coach Richard Scarr told ‘The Mercury’ before flying out from Hobart on Sunday.
Following the IFDS worlds, Bugg will return to Poole for the International 2.4mr Open championship for both disabled and fully able sailors. 'He will be facing 80 boats starting off the one line,' Scarr added.
'We have spent the past six months getting in some intense sailing on the Derwent, working on sail development, technical improvements to Matt’s boats and on race strategy, working with the other 2.4mR sailors from Canberra.
'Next year will see some more heavy race programs, including the first Paralympic qualifying regattas for Rio, to be sailed in Canada,' Scarr added.
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