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Editor’s
comments
It’s official – dinghy sailing is an
all-year-round sport.
Not
so long ago few people would have contemplated going afloat outside April
to October. With superb ‘technical’ kit to wear and frequent winter
sunshine, there’s now really very little excuse! As this CentreBoard
testifies, Spinnaker has been pretty much humming since the last issue.
In his departing words to the AGM our former Commodore told us how much he
had appreciated the office for the opportunity to do the two things he
enjoys most in life: sailing and talking about sailing. Well done, and
well said, Ian!
Steve Cockerill is another talker. From January to April he has given 25
of his ‘Whisperer’ talks, unfolding his tireless enthusiasm at clubs
from Scotland to the Channel Islands.
Alexander Palace is all talk too. People talking about dinghy sailing with
passion and dedication.
And it’s not just sailing. Our Lake is used – unknown to many – for
all kinds of activities. One winter’s day I encountered a tiny, curious
outboard motor propelled craft skimming across the water. It was a
prototype of one hull of a multihull being entered at the Weymouth Speed
Trials by a team of Southampton University naval architects.
Working alongside the 20 or so highly experienced organisers and support
crew to the UKTRA Finals was one of the most exciting, active and
rewarding weekends of my sailing life. I agree wholeheartedly with Paul
Mathews, starting officer on board Rose Cottage bobbing about in the 25
knot winds, when he said “…to witness the boat handling skills
demonstrated by everyone there was the thrill of a lifetime.” Spectating
at a team racing championship at somewhere like Spinnaker or West Kirby,
with the action so close to hand, must be akin to centre-court viewing at
Wimbledon, though without the need to wait for the paint to dry. It’s
wonderful to know that such a high proportion of those experts have their
roots at Spinnaker.
Boat in the garage, just need to do a bit more varnishing here, touch up
those scratches there – forget it – she’s a floater – it can wait
– no more excuses – mañana – it’s time to get on the water! Ed. |
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TopClub
UK
Experienced helms/crews wanted urgently!
Crewsaver
Top Club Championship at Grafham Water, 18/19 September 2004.
Spinnaker
Club has put in a reservation for this competition to find the best out of
80 UK sailing clubs. There will be fast, medium and slow handicap racing
on 3 separate courses. Each Club is meant to put one boat into each of the
3 handicaps, though the organisers do offer the opportunity for clubs on
restricted waters to enter 2 boats in one category. For specific details
visit www.topclub.org.uk.
Meanwhile, please advise immediately if you are interested in
participating under the Spinnaker banner – we have to confirm our entry
before the end of May! Ed |
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Wembley
Firefly Open
The
annual Welsh Harp Firefly Open in October was well attended as always with
a healthy mix of visitors, locals and students. The first race was started
in a gusty 15-20 knots wind. Alex Davey and prop forward Andrew Hyatt
found the conditions to their liking and rounded the first windward mark
in the lead. During the race Nigel Wakefield and Emily Saunderson passed
to take and retain the lead. However, Ian Sanderson and Ruth Verrier-Jones
were never far behind and finished 2nd.
Sanderson/Verrier-Jones lead the second race from start to finish from
Davey/Hyatt and Webber/Morley in third.
The third race was the 'show down' with any of three boats, Davey,
Wakefield or Sanderson, still being able to win the event with a race win.
On the first beat Wakefield/Saunderson and Sanderson/Verrier-Jones looked
to have broken away after good starts but a large right shift on the
narrow lake dumped them back to 5th and 6th amongst the chasing pack.
During the latter part of the beat Wakefield scraped through to third and
Sanderson fifth. During the ensuing laps Wakefield/Saunderson eventually
picked their way through to take the lead from Martin/Birch and
Webber/Morley in third.
Many thanks to Welsh Harp for organising a great event.
Overall Results:
Pos Helm Crew Club Pts 1st Nigel Wakefield Emily Saunderson Spinnaker 2
2nd Ian Sanderson Ruth Verrier-Jones Royal Lymington 3 3rd Alex Davey
Andrew Hyatt London Corinthian 5 4th Ian Martin Verity Birch University of
London 6 5th Chris Webber Al Morley University of London 6 Nigel
Wakefield |
