Whew! What a week! Last week the club hosted the Merlin Rockets for their national championships. Sixty four boats registered to take part from far and wide. Indeed, such is the reputation of Tenby as a sailing venue that the event attracted sailors from Holland. Saturday was a busy day when the competitors arrived throughout the day, coping very well with the traffic restrictions. The traditional evening briefing was conducted by race officer Blake Shaw and vice-commodore, Mark Dashfield. Mark Dashfield welcomed the competitors to Tenby and hoped that they would have a great week. Blake Shaw advised the competitors of local conditions a salient points from the sailing instructions.

          Sunday's racing consisted of a short practice race and a full race. Then practice race went very well but almost immediately after the race had finished a major wind shift took place which caused the race management problems in laying a new course. Eventually the wind direction settled and the race took place much to the relief of the patient competitors.

          Monday's conditions were such that the race management cancelled racing for the day. The evening saw the competitors enjoy the sound of local Tyler Brown Blues Band.

          Tuesday's conditions were much more favourable which meant two races, back to back, could be completed to make up for the loss of the previous day's racing. The competitors were treated to Terry Evans' legendary Barbecue. Terry had to delegate his normal duties due his argument with an outboard motor the previous day. As expected finger jokes were the order of the day. Some members even asked whether the evening meal was a 'finger' buffet!

          Wednesday saw the wind turn northerly and increase in strength. The competitors met the challenge with only one case of structural damage apparently down to human error. The safety crew and race management were impressed by the skill of both helm and crew in these conditions. Thursday saw similar condition to the previous day with the fleet again surviving as was the case on Friday. Thursday evening the competitors and members were entertained by local band Elephant Gerald - all agreed that the evening was a "smash".

          Friday evening the prize-giving took place in the clubhouse. Commodore, Daniel Jackson, thanked all who had contributed to the success of the week. He congratulated the competitors on their sailing and the manner which they conducted themselves both on and off the water. An impressive array of trophies and prizes was presented by Madame Commodore, Tracey Jackson. The final 1-2-3 is as follows:

          In his address, winning helm William Warren praised the club for its race management and hospitality. He paid tribute to all who had contributed to the success of the week and intimated that the Merlins would like to return as soon as possible.

          The success of any major event is reliant on the time and goodwill of several members and friends. To name all would be impractical - however a huge thank you to the Galley crew, Bar crew, Safety crew, Beachmasters and the Race committee.

Redwing National Championships 2006

          Yet another successful week! Last week the club hosted the Redwings for their National Championships. The usual contingency from Looe arrived to do battle with the Tenby contingency and a few from north Devon and Thornbury. By Saturday evening all had arrived for the usual briefing chaired by vice-commodore and race officer, Blake Shaw. After the briefing the competitors and supporters were treated to a steak dinner prepared by the fair hand of Terry Evans ably accompanied by Karin Morris, Julia Dashfield, Jane Brace and Helen Williams. Sunday saw two races back to back which was very demanding considering the conditions. The first race was won by our very own Mike Stace and Deanna Morton which delighted the home club. The second race was won by Roger Hocking and Domonic Lozynski from Looe. Monday's racing was a close affair with the eventual winners being Des Hocking and Colin Crabb from Looe. Tuesday was a rest day when sailors and friends took the opportunity to attend the funeral of Renée Griffiths, beloved wife of John Griffiths, himself a Redwing sailor. The club extends its condolences to John.

          Wednesday was a busy day which included a race, junior sail training, the legendary Terry Evans Barbecue and a jam evening. The race was again a very close affair with only six inches separating the winners Ben and John Crabb from Looe and our own Mike Stace and Deanna Morton. The evening's Barbecue was enjoyed by all competitors and the usual band of sail trainees who turned out in their droves. Many thanks to Blake Shaw, Mark Dashfield and Angelo Fecci for their efforts in the sail training. Thursday saw the first win for regular participant Cecil Duvalle and his crew, Francis Marshall, both from Looe. Cecil has participated in the Redwing nationals for several years since emigrating from the States. His popular win was celebrated in style with the evening being capped by Cecil on the keyboard leading a boisterous sing-along. Friday saw anther close finish with the Looe boys, Ben and John Crabb taking the honours.

The overall 1-2-3-4 was as follows:

          Proceedings in Friday's prize-giving were started by rear-commodore Terry Evans who thanked all who had made the week so successful and praised all the competitors for their etiquette both on and off the water. He also thanked all the members and friends who had given of their time to make the week such a success. The president of the Redwing Association, Colin Crabb, assisted by Helen Williams, coordinated the allocation of trophies which were handed out by Madame rear-commodore, Nicole Evans. In his address, Colin Crabb thanked all who had contributed to the success of the week. He praised the race management, the safety crew, the galley and the bar staff. All agreed that Tenby can put on a great show! In his address he made note of a few facts which contributed to furthering of the camaraderie in the Redwing fraternity. He made reference to John Griffiths who bravely decided to have a go in Melody, Blake Shaw's beloved pride and joy. John managed to start most of the races with the distinction of five different crews, a record unsurpassed in Redwing history. John's escapades will be the talking point for several years, especially by his crews. Colin also praised the galley crew, co-ordinated by Terry Evans, bemoaning the fact that they will all return to Looe several pounds heavier! He hoped that the next championships, held next year in the Isles of Scilly, would be at least as good as this year's in Tenby.

          A special thank you to Tommy D'Ortez who gave up the opportunity to sail in the championships in order to man a safety boat for the week. Thanks Tom!