Welcome to the August edition of the NorthWest newsletter.
Here, you will read about RYA activities in the NW, and find out more about latest initiatives from RYA HQ. The newsletter is being sent by e mail to clubs and centres in the NW. You can forward the e mail news to your fellow committee members at your club, or even to all your membership thus giving them all the chance to get the latest news fast. Print a copy to put on your notice board to let others see the news, or cut and paste stories onto your club website. You can also be added to the circulation group to receive your own personal copy.
If you would like to be added to the distribution list, just contact the Regional Secretary at
jgraham.knox “at” virgin.net
This month’s highlights include;
* Dates for your Diary
* Olympics roundup- GBR are Top of the World!
* Junior Racing- Elliot takes Topper Worlds.. and Nationals!
* Regional Development- new Instructor Course dates
* Regional Development- latest OnBoard news
* Coaching- Race Coaching course dates
* Dinghy Racing- NW sailors retain GP14 Worlds title and Firefly Nationals
* Yachting- Round Anglesey
* Environment- The Green Blue Annual Conference
* Junior Racing- Zone Championships open for entries
* Powerboat Racing- NW final victories for West Kirby pair
* RYA Publications- new books in August
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Volvo Keelboat training weekend, WPNSA, 26-28 August
Team 15 Interclub, Manley, 6 September
24 Hour Race, West Lancs YC, 13/14 September
Mirror Nationwide, Hollingworth Lake, 13/14 September
GP14 Northerns, Royal Windermere, 20/21 September
OLYMPICS
Six medals for GBR- Top of the World Again!
On a thrilling final day of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Regatta, Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson won Star class gold, leaving Britain’s sailors with their best Olympic medal haul for 100 years.
Sydney 2000 Finn gold medallist Percy and Simpson, making his Olympic debut, went into the last race two points behind Swedes Freddie Loof and Anders Ekstrom, but with one eye also on Brazilians Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada in third.
In a nail-biting encounter, Percy and Simpson executed a tactically perfect race, the Swedes being forced to gybe on the first downwind run and the Brits edging their noses ahead, a position they refused to relinquish for the rest of the race.
At times, Scheidt and Prada, who had taken the race to the rest of the fleet and built a big lead on the first lap, appeared to threaten the gold, meaning Percy and Simpson not only had to stay ahead of the Swedes but also finish in the top six.
But, as the Brazilians fell down the fleet, it became a straight head-to-head between Great Britain and Sweden and, in a scintillating sprint to the finish line, Percy and Simpson surfed over the line in fifth place, with the Swedes just 11 seconds behind in 10th for the gold to go to the Brits.
Speaking immediately after the race, Percy, who also beat Loof to gold in Sydney, said: “It was unbelievable, so special. We felt good this morning, I knew we weren’t going to bottle it and we didn’t. It’s been a killer four years and I am so glad it’s behind me.”
Simpson added: “This week and this year have been so hard and there are no words to describe how happy we are. For the last year, everything has been focussed on this week, we’ve worked so hard and it is just amazing. We’ve pulled it back from the brink and it’s all come good for us.”
Loof and Ekstrom had to settle for bronze despite finishing on the same overall points – 53 - as Scheidt and Prada, the Brazilians snatching silver by finishing higher up the fleet in the medal race than the Swedes.
Percy and Simpson’s is Britain’s sixth sailing medal of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with Ben Ainslie (Finn) and Yngling trio Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson winning gold on Sunday, Paul Goodison taking the top Laser prize on Tuesday, Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield clinching 470 men’s silver on Monday and windsurfer Bryony Shaw claiming bronze.
This even surpasses the Brits’ generous medal total at the past two Games in Athens and Sydney, where Britain won five medals apiece. The sailors’ feat in Qingdao mirrors the achievements of the British sailing team at the 1908 London Games.
It also means for the third successive Olympics, Britain finishes the regatta as the world’s top performing sailing nation.
RYA Olympic Manager Stephen Park was a happy man. “It’s absolutely fantastic, I’m over the moon with the medals and the gold for the Stars is the icing on the cake.
“It’s a huge relief that we’ve actually managed to deliver against our target. I’m really pleased that Great Britain is having a fantastic Olympic Games and we’re playing our part in that.”
Park had particular praise for Star crew Andrew Simpson: “He’s a brilliant sailor, I’m really over the moon for him particularly as he has spent the best part of his life as the understudy and playing second fiddle to Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy, two of the best sailors of their generation.
“But finally, he’s come out and he’s managed to add a little bit something to Iain Percy’s game and it’s fantastic that he’s managed to come away with a gold medal.”
Still to come; Paralympics Games, which includes Cheshire’s Niki Birrell in the Skud class.
JUNIOR RACING
Elliot Hanson wins Topper Worlds…. And Nationals!
Northwest sailor Elliot Hanson sailed to Topper World Championship glory at Tralee Bay, County Kerry, Ireland in late July. Elliot, 14, is an RYA Junior Squad sailor, and sails at Redesmere. Elliot has been untouchable in the Topper this season winning every class event he has competed in since March, including the Topper Inland Championships in May.
And he extended that record at the Worlds, as an awesome series of six wins and three seconds from his 12 races saw him take gold. But fellow Brit Richard Cumpsty pushed him very hard with a bunch of first places, and Hanson had to pull ahead of Cumpsty on the final day to take the title.
A record entry of 176 competitors took part in this very successful 2008 Gul Topper World Championships. On the first day in light breezes, three races were completed with Richard Cumpsty and Nathan Ackroyd winning the first races. Elliot Hanson claimed two firsts in the second and third races with Lorenzo Chiavarini taking a win in the second race and Richard Cumpsty a further win in the third race.
The second day of qualification was sunny with a fresh South Westerly breeze that produced excellent racing conditions. The battle at the top remained close with Elliot Hanson and Richard Cumpsty claiming two wins each. Lorenzo Chiavarini kept in touch with a second and third. With twelve round-robin races sailed, the competitors were split into Gold and Silver fleets.
After no wind on Wednesday, Gold and Silver fleet racing started on Thursday in a breeze freshening through the day. The Gold fleet completed thee races with Richard Cumpsty closing the gap on Elliot Hanson with two firsts, while Elliot took two seconds. By the end of Thursday Elliot and Richard were on equal points at the top of the leader board.
On Friday, the South Westerly breeze was light for the first race but freshened for the second race before easing during the final race. In the Gold fleet Elliot Hanson took two firsts whilst Richard Cumpsty had to settle for a second and third. Lorenzo Chiavarini claimed a win in the final race. So the Gul Topper World Champion for 2008 is Elliot Hanson, with Richard Cumpsty second. Scotland’s Lorenzo Chiavarini took fifth.
In the Silver Fleet the overall standings were Thomas Weekes first, James Bennett second and Jack Evans from Chanonry third.
Elliot then completed the double, taking the Topper Nationals at Paignton in the first week of August. Felicity Foulds was second and Lorenzo Chiavarini third. The Nationals attracted 309 Toppers, a record fleet for the class.
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Instructor Courses: Windsurfing
* RYA Windsurf Racing Instructor endorsement @ Lakes Leisure, Windermere 30th /31st August Contact: Kathy Jackson on 01539 447183
* RYA Advanced Windsurf Instructor Course @ Wirral Sailing Centre Aug 30th – Sept 3rd Contact: Ali or Scott on 01260 297172
The Last Windsurf Conversion course to be run in the NW for converting Instructors who held the Level 2 Instructor award or higher will be run at:
* Windsurf Conversion Course @ Scotsmans Flash Water Activity Centre, Wigan Saturday October 25th
For a place please contact sally.kilpatrick@rya.org.uk
Instructor Courses: Dinghy
* RYA Dinghy Instructors course @ Ullswater YC - Oct 24th – 26th & Nov 1st / 2nd - Contact: Dave Clarke on 07887 558918 or OneDBClarke@aol.com
* RYA Senior Dinghy Instructors course @ Hodge Howe, Windermere - Oct 25th/26th & Nov 1st / 2nd - Contact: Sally Kilpatrick on sally.kilpatrick@rya.org.uk
If anyone needs any other RYA Instructor courses / Endorsements please contact me so that I can know the demand and organize courses accordingly
Any Club or Centre wishing to run an Instructor course in any discipline please contact me to check that it is ok and supply dates / venue and details of the Coach or Trainer running the course.
OnBoard – Latest News
* The Cumbria Partnership is going well with regular OnBoard clubs now set up at Bassenthwaite SC, Derwent Water Marina and Lakes Leisure Windermere. Low Wood Watersports (Windermere) have just signed up to be the 4th sailing partner in Cumbria.
* We are in final stages of employing an OnBoard Officer at West Kirby Sailing Club to start up the Merseyside / Cheshire Partnership, we hope to have the person starting in post mid September. Further details will be out when all is finalized.
* Adam McGovern held the second OnBoard regatta of the year at Salford Quays. The day was attended by 23 kids from a variety of OnBoard clubs. We arrived on a sunny but windless day, which tested the kids concentration however ever a great day was had by all.
The day was split into two with a team event in the morning and individual event it the afternoon. The team event was won by ‘Team Jumbles and ginger’ who took the event in a close final race. The individual event was won by Cameron from Salford in the Pico class and Gary & Eleanor from Salford in the double handed class.
This is Salford’s first OnBoard victory taking full advantage of sailing on home waters
Sally Kilpatrick
RYA Development Officer NorthWest
E-mail: sally.kilpatrick “at” rya.org.uk
COACHING
Level 2 Racing Coach courses
Does your Club have enthusiastic Good Club racers, who would like to get involved in your club Junior race training?
The RYA can set up a Level 2 Racing coach course at your club – The course is run over a weekend, and covers what is needed to run a quality, fun, race training session. If you would like one to run at your club either during the Autumn or in the Spring to kick start the training within your club, then please contact Chris Blackburn to arrange this – mob 07909 994637 or e mail chris.blackburn ”at”rya.org.uk.
The cost of the course is £35 per candidate.
Courses arranged so far are as follows;
27/28 September Kielder Water (spaces available)
04/05 October Rutland (spaces)
18/19 October Northampton (spaces)
DINGHY RACING
NW sailors retain GP 14 World Championship
North West GP 14 sailors dominated this event on 2nd to 8th August, with 5 boats in the top 6 places of the 107 boat fleet. Most of them were past World or National Champions of the Class. In the 8 race series, it was the holders of the title, Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe (from Burwain SC and Royal Windermere YC) who were again crowned champions with an impressive 4 firsts and 2 seconds, and not needing to sail the last race (there were 2 discards). They were also able to take the Trophy for the leading boat with helm and crew total ages under 45 years!
A score line of 3 firsts, 2 seconds and a third would, in many events, have been sufficient to win, but Neil Marsden and Derek Hill, from Blackpool & Fleetwood YC, had to take runner-up spot. It marked a return to the Class for Neil and Derek after many years’ absence. Counting 2 seconds, Ian Platt and Matt Johnson from Bolton SC had an outstanding week to finish in third place, ahead of elder brother Neil (with Jane Alexander) who finished fifth. Matt Mee (Fireball World Champion), with Sam Brearey, from Hollingworth Lake SC finished in sixth place. And to complete the record, Richard Estaugh and Simon Potts, many times past champions in the Class, took fourth place.
West Kirby sailors triumph too at Firefly Nationals
Paul and Laura Kameen won the 2008 Firefly National Championship at Torquay and, in addition, the Tolly Cobbold Team Trophy for the best 4 results from a single club. So congratulations go to Paul and Laura, Leo Dixon and Lucy Armstrong, Tom Hebbert and Jo Bailey and Matt and Sophie Shepherd.
YACHTING
Round Anglesey
Liverpool YC yachts gave excellent performances in an exciting Round Anglesey race on Saturday August 2nd, which was also the final race in the LYC Wirral Implant long series. Neil Thomas in his Prima 38 Mighty Max 2 set a new monohull course record of 9hrs 16.59 mins. beating the previous record by some 15 minutes. Jeanette and Dave Hardy in their H boat Hocus Pocus successfully defended their overall IRC handicap trophy beating Mighty Max by 30 minutes on corrected time. Overall LYC yachts took the first 3 places in IRC class 1 and first and third in IRC class 2.
The fleets started into a steady 15 knots South Westerly, in a race to remember for many competitors. Hocus Pocus took an interesting line going North of the Swelly rock and gained an early lead. But Keith Mander in his Sigma 38 Mistral came a cropper on the rocks. After a few minutes balancing on the keel, he freed the stricken yacht and resumed the race.
There was a lumpy ride across the Bar but once clear, it became an enjoyable reach to South Stack. The wind proved too strong for some boats to use a spinnaker across Holyhead Bay and caused some of the larger yachts to broach. Once round Carmel Head there were fluky winds gusting off the cliffs to contend with, and gusts of over 30 knots were recorded around Point Lynas. In Puffin Sound, the smaller yachts were tossed around like rag dolls. The beat back up the Strait was quite demanding even more so for those that encountered a foul tide.
In IRC Class1, Neil Thomas was the victor by just over two minutes after nine hours sailing, from Jim Cartwright in the First 34.7, Daydream Believer. Nick Ogden took third in his J122. In IRC Class 2, Jeanette and David Hardy took an emphatic victory by over half an hour, with Mark Rosenthal second in his Finnfire 33, and Dave Hughes third in his UFO 27. All competitors agreed it was a cracking day’s sail.
There was also good breeze for the third race in the Liverpool YC Fareastsails.com Evening series, which was held on Monday July 28th. Accompanying the race fleet was an equally strong cruising fleet led by Cruising Captain Jerry Turnbull. The course took the racing fleet upriver on a one tack beat to the Eastham channel before crossing over to the Garston Channel. Here there was a windward leeward sausage between G7 and G9 with two windward legs before again crossing over to the Eastham channel and home. During the race the wind filled in, giving excellent conditions. Alan and Sheila Burns’ Bavaria 34 Saloma took line and class 2 honours ahead of John D’Henin in his Starlight 30 Quilla. Richard Baldwin in his Superseal Tango won class 3 and was the overall handicap winner by 45 seconds.
ENVIRONMENT
The Green Blue’s annual conference date released
4th November - SS Great Britain, Bristol
To register yourinterest or reserve a place contact; info@thegreenblue.org.uk or call 02380 604100.
Funding Opportunities are still available – contact Jane Swan, Partnership Officer on jane.swan@thegreenblue.org.uk or call 02380 604100.
JUNIOR RACING
Entry open for 2008 RYA Zone Championships
Entry is now open for the 2008 RYA Zone Championships with around 1,000 of England’s top young sailors expected to sign up for what is considered one of the premier events in the annual Junior racing calendar.
The six English Zones will stage their Championships around the country on the weekend of 27-28 September and you can get your entries for the Championships in today by visiting www.ryaracingevents.org.uk.
The RYA Zone Championships traditionally mark the end of the Junior racing season and the start of a hard winter’s training. Meanwhile, for those sailors wishing to be selected to be part of the RYA Zone Squad training over the winter, the Zone Championships are a mandatory event.
Racing will take place in the Optimist, Topper, Mirror, Cadet and Bic Techno windsurfer classes while some areas will also offer racing for RS Feva, Laser 4.7 and the Hobie Dragoon classes.
The 2008 Zone Championships for North and West will be as follows:
The RYA North Zone Championships
Scaling Dam Sailing Club
Optimist, Topper and windsurfer classes. (Cadets and Mirrors should enter West Championships) (Laser 4.7s and Fevas should enter the South Zone Championships)
The RYA West Zone Championships
Blithfield Sailing Club
Optimist, Topper, Cadet, Mirror classes. (Windsurfers should enter North Championships) (Laser 4.7s and Fevas should enter the South Zone Championships)
The entry deadline for the six Zone Championships is Wednesday 17 September 2008 - no entries will be accepted after this date.
ALL sailors wishing to be considered for a National Junior Squad OR a Zone Squad place are also requested to complete an online application form. This can also be found at www.ryaracingevents.org.uk and following the links to Junior Squad applications.
YACHTING
Next Volvo Keelboat Training Weekends
Open Keelboat Race Training dates for 2008:
* 26-28 August, Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy
* 29-31 August, Plas Menai, Wales
POWERBOAT RACING
NW final of 2008 Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship
Young power boaters hit the water on 16 August to compete in the North West regional final of the National Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, with victories going to Henry Hughes and Sam Riley, both from West Kirby.
Both boys now go on to represent the North West in the National Final to be held at the Southampton Boat Show, Sunday 21 September, where they will pitch their skills against other youngsters from across the UK in the hope of being crowned 2008 Champions.
Racing for West Kirby Sailing Club, 10 year old Henry Hughes successfully defended his 2007 title as 8-12 age group regional champion. Clinching the top spot with a winning time of 1:44:45, Henry beat off close competition from 12 year old Robert Wray from the 3rd Frodsham Sea Scouts who took second in 1:45:04.
In the senior class (13-16 age group) it was 16 year old Sam Riley, also from West Kirby Sailing Club, who claimed victory, putting in a winning time of 1:21:92, less than a second ahead of second place Ben Morris. Sam was delighted with his win saying: “I came fourth in last years’ regional final so I’m pretty shocked to have won this time round. This is the last year I can compete in the challenge and I can’t wait to get to Southampton Boat Show and compete in the final.”
Hosted by West Kirby Sailing Club in Liverpool’s Albert Dock, Event Organiser Paul Jenkins said: “Thankfully the forecast rain held off giving us great weather for the day. The course was a tricky one with limited space, putting more emphasis on control and handling rather than sheer speed. All the competitors did really well and competition was extremely close.
“Everyone taking part and the large crowd cheering the kids on had a great time. Both boys are thrilled with their wins and we will all be crossing our fingers for them at the finals.
The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship allows youngsters to demonstrate their skills as expert boat handlers and improve their skills in a safe, controlled environment. Each competitor needs to demonstrate skill and control in order to manoeuvre around a pre-set course in the quickest time. To ensure safety at all times each child is accompanied in the RIB by a competent adult/instructor.
With 16 regional finals taking place between May and September across the country competition is likely to be fierce at the National Final, where finalists will compete to win a Ribcraft 4.8m RIB, Honda BF50 outboard, Indespension trailer and ICOM VHF radio for use at his/her chosen club.
Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for event sponsor Honda said: “We are very proud and pleased to be associated with the RYA Youth RIB Challenge for another year because it allows us to create links with the wider community - giving a younger generation access to our products and helping them engage with interactive, team based, social activities. Furthermore, as a manufacturer which puts safety at the heart of everything we do, the RIB Challenge gives us a great opportunity to underline this commitment.”
Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda, Ribcraft, ICOM and Indespension Trailers.
For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, details on how to get involved and a list of regional finals scores visit the youth pages on RYA website.
RYA PUBLICATIONS
New in August
RYA Seamanship for Sea Anglers, Andrew Simpson, £13.99
RYA Start Racing, Jeremy Evans, £13.99
RYA Marina Guide 2008-09, RYA, £5.99
RYA books can be ordered at most marina shops, or online from the RYA site. Remember, all RYA members gain a 15% discount on RYA books. Order at www.rya.org.uk/shop or phone the order hotline on 0845 345 0372. RYA Vouchers can also be purchased on the site.
YOUR RYA REGION
Get your own newsletter
If you would like to be added to the circulation list, please send your e mail address to jgraham.knox “at” virgin.net.
The newsletter may also be viewed on the RYA NW website, at www.rya-northwest.org.uk .
RYA NW contacts
Chairman; David Williamson dwilliamson ”at”rya-online.net
Secretary; Graham Knox 01706 642311 jgraham.knox ”at”virgin.net
High Performance Manager for North and West; Chris Blackburn 07909 994637 chris.blackburn ”at”rya.org.uk
Regional Development Officer; Sally Kilpatrick 07747 534527 sally.kilpatrick ”at”rya.org.uk
OnBoard Development Officer; Adam McGovern Adam.McGovern “at” Rochdale.gov.uk
Chairman, Training Forum; Wendy Rigg 01270 820779 wriggcsf “at” btopenworld.com
Regional Race Management Adviser; Adrian Stoggall 01625 871579 stoggall “at” zetnet.co.uk
Regional Rules Adviser; Peter Johnson 0151 632 1805 mq22 “at” liv.ac.uk
Regional Windsurf Liaison Officer; Mike Roberts 0161 904 0212 mark “at” aroberts56.freeserve.co.uk
Sailability; Ian Shirra 07749 012414 ian “at” shirra.fsnet.co.uk
Communications; Alan Henderson 01292 281383 alanhe “at” tiscali.co.uk
Web addresses for further information;
RYA NW www.rya-northwest.org.uk OnBoard; www.ruob.co.uk
RYA HQ www.rya.org.uk or tel 0845 345 0400 Team 15; www.team15.org.uk
Disclaimer; this newsletter is published by RYA North West Region. Information is believed to be accurate at time of going to press, but comes from diverse sources. Neither RYA NW nor the editor can take responsibility for any errors or omissions. Opinions of contributors or interviewees are not necessarily those of RYA NW. Please check info about events etc before going.
RYA Hamble contact
General enquiries; 0845 345 0400 www.rya.org.uk
