Tenby Sailing Club Race & Social Event Report

          After the gales on Friday it was another disappointingly light wind day on Sunday. As race time approached the boats made their very slow way to the starting area, some under paddle power. Race officer Mike Stace set a small triangular course with an up wind start, although how he managed that is a mystery. First away was the Osprey of Ted Lewis & Matt Goldwait hotly pursued by the RS 500 of Edward Dashfield & Emily Kirby and the Osprey of Paul & Anthea Evenden. Behind them the other Ospreys of Paul Redford & Ned and Alistair & Alastair were doing battle with the Phantom of Nick Berridge, the RS Vareo of Danny Owen and the two Mirrors of Alex Macdonald and Sian May. After the first upwind leg the fleet turned onto a tight reach to the jibe and then back on a much broader reach to the start. After three slow laps and on corrected time Edward & Emily took the win followed by Ted & Matt and then Nick. Alex in his Mirror managed to compete well finishing ahead of some of the much faster boats on corrected time.

          The wind was slightly stronger for the second leeward windward race. Another competitive start saw the fleet split; some went out to sea and others in towards the north beach. At the windward mark Ted & Matt were first followed by Paul & Anthea then Ed & Emily. Paul & Anthea took the lead on the second beat and kept it to the end .On corrected time first were Paul & Anthea, second Nick, third Ted & Matt.

Alistair

          The Saturday adult training run by Mark Dashfield takes place as usual tomorrow commencing at 3 p.m. These are proving very popular including Toppers, Fevas and an RS Vareo. I understand that the demand to participate is increasing - trainees should contact their trainer prior to the Saturday session. New trainees should contact Mark Dashfield on 844918 or Terry Evans on 844256.

          As mentioned last week a full report on the Firefly National Championships follows. Chris Guy, the Firefly Class chairman, sent the following report of the week's sailing:

          Ben and Jenny Vines were crowned champions at the Craftinsure Firefly Nationals at Tenby on Friday after a close battle with another longstanding racing partnership, Rob and Mel Sherrington. Sailing F2144 Featherlite and representing Imperial Poona YC (the most successful sailing club represented at the champs after West Kirby, Restronguet and West Oxfordshire), the husband and wife team won the title in a nail-biting fashion after racing was cancelled in a force 7 on the last day of the champs.

          The Vines and the Sherringtons, the latter sailing F3617 Iris, a more modern Rondar boat, battled it out throughout the week. After leading the championships midweek after a win on Tuesday and a second in the epic Gore Challenge cup, Rob and Mel Sherrington were caught up in points by the Vines who scored a pair of wins on Thursday, a 2-race day using Trapezoid courses. Although the Sherringtons, from Ringwood in Hampshire, discarded a 10th place, one place better than the Vines (also from Hampshire) the racing rules stipulate that a tie is broken on 'countback' i.e. the result from the last race where both boats met.

          The two race wins on Thursday sealed the championships for Featherlite, although the result could not be confirmed until racing had been cancelled on Friday. Firefly chairman Chris Guy took out a rib with the Tenby S.C. rescue team to check out the conditions for himself and admitted that with a squally force 5-7, frequent showers dropping visibility to less than a mile and 4-5 foot seas, safe and fair racing would be impossible. In a fine example of why this is a great town to hold a nationals, even the harbour master had volunteered the use of his bigger boat as a gate launch.

          It is the first win for the Vines team who have been chasing the title for many years and sailing Fireflies since infancy. Both the top 2 helms team raced Fireflies at university and Rob and Mel have also sailed the boat in World Team racing championships. John Greenland and Ruth Verrier Jones finished third after a steady string of results in a series that was more hotly contested than any recent series. Race wins were seen all the way down to seventeenth in the overall standings and the Vines were the only boat to score a first place more than once. Tenby Sailing club put on an excellent championship, starting with a short practice race in sunshine and a force 4. Throughout the week the wind was offshore which gave rise to shifty conditions though only one race had light winds. On Monday the race committee were forced to abandon plans for a line start as a strong crosswind tide piled boats down to the port end. Firefly nationals traditionally rely on gate starts, with a line set for the shorter races. Only one trophy wasn't awarded, the Tomato Boats trophy due to be sailed for on Friday when racing was cancelled.

          Among the other top crews, Stuart and Jane Hudson walked away with a plethora of goodies courtesy of Craftinsure in the many special category prizes that are awarded at the Firefly Nationals. As well as a finishing over four minutes ahead of the fleet in the Gore Trophy, they also took the Veterans and the Geriatric trophy. Andy Cornah and Katie Fairclough scooped both silver fleet trophies, they and four other boats won new mainsheets from Marlow Ropes. Henri Lloyd, Musto and Rooster Sailing all kindly assisted with prizes.

          Jo McEwen, helming with her husband Jamie, won the Deben trophy for female helms, beating Amy Morris and Tash Hughes. Dan Vincent, sailing with his daughter Ella, was awarded a new jib by Hyde Sails for winning best improver – he came 18 places higher than last year, and will have to win in 2011 to repeat the feat! There were strong performances from the younger teams, with Matt and Sophie Shepherd coming 17th, winning a race and winning the under-21 trophy. From Itchenor Sailing club and sailing the famous 'Bloodhound', newcomers George Yeoman and Claire Laskor came a creditable 12th overall.

          The fleet who is known for its hard work off the water didn't disappoint either, with Commodore Terry announcing to cheers on Friday night that the bar takings for the week had exceeded other recent Championship classes, including of course arch-rivals the Lark class!

          There was a good crop of Duckhams awards for gross under-and-overachievements (on and off the water) this year. The dress, complete with wig, spectacles and a set of comedy false teeth was worn for a variety of misdemeanours, including the more traditional students decorating their tent (and boat the next day) after a particularly busy night out, a longstanding and experienced helm succeeding in ignoring the Buddies system. To find out who won the alternative competition, a full range of photos, a full report and an interview with the winning team, Firefly Association members will be eagerly awaiting their next Bulletin Magazine.

          Check the website www.fireflysailing.org.uk for more news on the up and coming events.

          As the above report suggests Tenby put on a great event.

          Prior to the prize-giving, commodore Terry Evans thanked the sailors for their contribution to a great week. He thanked the class for choosing Tenby and looked forward to their next visit. Chris Guy then thanked all at Tenby Sailing Club for a great week both on and off the water. Prizes were presented by madame-commodore Nicole Evans after which the winning helm, Ben Vines, thanked the race-management and all at Tenby for a fantastic week.

          The following letter was mailed to all members by commodore, Terry Evans:

"Dear member,

          Wow! What a week. The Fireflies certainly had a week to remember - they unanimously agreed that Tenby had put on a great event. This could not have happened without the help and time given by a large number of people. May I, on behalf of all at Tenby Sailing Club, thank everyone who contributed to the success of the week. As a thank you, I cordially invite all who helped to join me at the club next Saturday, August 28th at 7.30 p.m. to partake in some tasty food and a "lemonade" or two. I hope you can make it. Again, a huge thank you for all your efforts!

Terry Evans (Commodore)"

          This invitation is open to all members – see you tomorrow.

          The acoustic jam evening was a resounding success with several musicians of all abilities and styles participating. A large audience appreciated some superb numbers. Many thanks to Nick Thomas and Terry Evans for coordinating the event. The next acoustic session will be on Monday, September 20th. Don't miss it!

          The next "electric" jam evening will take place on Monday, September 13th. To celebrate the last of the summer jam session there will be a barbecue laid on for the ravenous. It should be a great evening!

          Yes, that time of year is rapidly approaching. A pre-season practice session will take place this evening – members please note.

          Nick Bolwell will be catering for the ravenous this evening as well as preparing the tasty grub for tomorrow's commodore's reception.

          The commodore, Terry Evans, invites members and friends to the annual Dinner Dance and Prize Giving which will take place on Friday, November 19th. On Saturday, November 20th the Annual General meeting will take place at the club. Even at this relatively early stage it would be useful if you could inform Terry if you intend to participate. You can contact Terry on 844256.

          Information on club activities etc. can be found on the club's website.

          This is a very friendly and welcoming club, which endeavours to involve all members in a variety of activities. If anyone would like to join us, now is an ideal time especially with the discount which is still on offer. Contact any member who will be delighted to furnish you with further details.

          GP14