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May 2004

The Newsletter of Spinnaker Club, Ringwood

www.spinnakerclub.co.uk

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Sunday race officers needed
Some Sunday races scheduled in 2004 are still lacking Race Officers. Please contact Paul Irons or Brenda Jackson if you feel you can help. Training and assistance available as necessary. Ed.

N12's at Spinnaker

The Spinnaker National Twelve Open is on 15 May.

Enthusiasm and activity within the National Twelve class continues to grow both at the Club and on the Open Circuit.

We are delighted that Felix Newall-Smith has seen the light and purchased N3000 and that we can now expect to see this boat sailing regularly at the Club. The boat is a Pipedream design, which is ideally suited to the lake and after receiving a bit of TLC and tweaking, is likely to prove hard to beat.

Simon and Thomas Walworth have acquired Passion Pudding 3470, a modification of the Final Chapter design and particularly suited to carrying heavier crews. They are looking forward to trying the boat in conditions requiring less than survival techniques such as experienced in the first few weeks of ownership when they have been fully exploiting the benefits of the self draining double bottom hull and easy access (from the water) transom!

Two Spinnaker boats travelled to Burghfield for a National Twelve coaching day in March. Unfortunately the 30-knot winds did not lend themselves to any sailing on the day, so time was well-spent tweaking settings and enjoying a good pub lunch with like-minded individuals.

The first Gill Series event of the year was held at Bristol Corinthian YC at the end of March over a weekend noted for the scarcity of isobars on the weather charts. 39 boats attended, 10 more than last year, which bodes well for this excellent series that attracted over 100 entries last year. The winner, Jimmy Millar, was sailing a Crusader ‘88 built in 1989 within a fleet containing the newest boats in the class and current and former national champions. Tina Mackie from Starcross was also a race winner in a boat built in 1986.

Remember that our own N12 Open Meeting is on Saturday, 15 May. We are expecting around 30 boats with a 100% Club turnout. See you there. Start at 11.00.

Call me for more N12 information: 01202 876548. David Wilkins

DW is soon to become N12 National Class Association head honcho, so any Spinnaker members considering moving to a N12 are in a privileged position for the best insider info! Ed

Work Party 21.02.04

Every year, before the nesting season starts, we are allowed to carry out some clearing and thinning. This not only keeps the Club looking neat and tidy but also improves the flow of wind over the water and reduces the wind shadows.

This year, thanks to the A4 size reminder sent out in the renewal notice and the efforts of various members, in particular Eric Blythe, there was a fantastic turnout with at least 60 people helping through the course of the day.

The cold, sunny and exceptionally windy morning encouraged everyone to work hard and soon the four work parties had cleared huge areas, producing some spectacular piles of wood and undergrowth. The bonfires proved difficult to light in the keen northerly wind but with some persuasion were eventually got going. By the end of the afternoon the site was left looking neat tidy and well shorn.

I am sure that everyone will appreciate the benefits of the work through the coming season. Next year an even bigger turnout will allow an even more ambitious clearance!

Thank you to everyone who turned up to support their Club. My particular thanks go to Sally Campbell for all her hard work in the galley making a wonderful soup and preparing the rest of the lunch. I would also like to thank Ian Campbell for his advice support and sharing his prodigious local knowledge. Hywel Morris

Spinnaker Dinner and Dance

Friday, 19 November 2004 is THE date for your Spinnaker diary!

The Spinnaker Dinner and Dance is to be held at a local Ringwood venue with food and live music to suit all ages and tastes. Naturally at this early stage some arrangements are still to be finalised.

Firm details will be announced. Watch this space or contact me: 01725 514604 Simon Walworth