CROMARTY 36

Boat: CROMARTY 36

More: CROMARTY 36 Specifications

News:

British Virgin Islands 30th Annual Spring Regatta Overall


Author: Alastair Abrehart

The 30th annual BVI Spring Regatta concluded as the most successful ever with a total of 98 races run for 13 classes in the three day event.

The multi-course course, multi-start format using separate start and finish lines on the spinnaker course enabled the race committee to run 12 races for the spinnaker beach cats; 11 races for the big boats, Melges, Racer/Cruiser I and Racing I; 9 races for Racer Cruiser II and the non-spinnaker beach cats and 8 eight races for Racing II. Bob Phillips, regatta chairman and ISAF race officer was delighted at the success of the format: "We achieved what we set out to achieve - three days of non-stop racing and plenty of it. It's been such a successful format that I've heard that visiting yachtsmen from the States competing here are already thinking of using at regattas such as the
Detroit NOOD and Block Island Race Week."

Adam Gosling owner of Yes! a Sydney 60 from the UK and winner of the big boat division: "I think it was great, I think it's the first time I've ever done 11 races in a regatta let alone over three days. At a regatta like Cowes Week you do 7 races in 7 days and we did more than that in a long weekend so it was fabulous. Great fun and really exciting racing."

Mick Schlans, owner of Blade Runner, a national championship-winning Express 37 from San Francisco was equally impressed: "The problem that so many regattas have is that they can't get many races off and people sit out and wait a long time but this was excellent being able to immediately return to the starting area and then restart. I thought that this was the nicest regatta format that I've ever been involved in.

"When I go out to race a race I want to race all the time I'm out there and I think that there is nothing more depressing than wait an hour and a half or two hours for your second or even first start. So I thought that the race committee did a superb job."

Blade Runner (2,2,3,2,1,8,1,1) sailed an excellent regatta topping out Racing II, the division packed with highly competitive Caribbean-based boats such as Antigua's Lost Horizon II (3,8,1,1,7,1,5, 2) which was second, Rushin' Rowlette, Magnificent 7 and J-24 Jersey Devil. Another visiting yacht Mumm 30 Twisted Lizard (1,5,2,6,2,3,2,8), returning for the second time, was third.

Commenting on his success skipper/owner Mike Schlens said: "I don't think that there was any specific key it's just that on our boat everything was coordinated very well and I think that it speaks very well for the racing format and for the venue because I think it shows how fair the venue is if an outside boat can come in and still be competitive. My real concern in coming down here is that I thought we would have no ability to be competitive and we would be just chasing
boats around the marks but I think that your venue was so superb that it made a lot of fun for us."

The big boats back since their hiatus last year saw close racing between Maxi Sagamore (1,1,6,3,2,3,2,1,2,5,1), Swan 60 Sotto Voce (4,2, 1,2,3,1,1,2,6,1,3) and Yes! (2,3,2,1,1,2,3,3,1,2,2). As they went into the last day Sotto Voce was leading Yes! with a tie-break, Sagamore was still in with a chance. The second race of the day gave Sotto Voce an unwelcome sixth place and Yes! which never dropped below third place for the day took the 11 race series with 22 points. However Sagamore took the honours for the second leg of the second Caribbean Big Boat Series and continues to lead the series as the fleet awaits the final leg at Antigua Sailing Week.

"We had a really good crew that worked very well together and on these short courses it's all about crew work. Whilst we haven't all sailed together as a team before we just gelled very quickly,"
commented Adam Gosling.

BVI boat Pipe Dream (1,1,2,3,1,1,1,1,2) skippered by Peter Haycraft dominated Racer Cruiser II with six bullets out of nine races, once gain showing that a good well-practiced crew pays dividends. The
USVI's Tempest (4,3,1,4,7,2,4,3,1) took second while another BVI boat Cold Beer 3 (11,2,3,2,2,3,2,4,4) was third. Visiting Swan from Holland Hinano also mopped up Racer Cruiser I with 8 wins in 11 races as did John Holmberg sailing Claims Paid in the spinnaker beach cat division
with 10 wins out of a possible 13.

Chris Rosenberg sailing Seaborne Airlines (2,2,2,1,2,4,1,4,3,4,4) saw himself relegated to a rarely seen third place in the Melges 24 fleet. Puerto Rican Efrain Lugo in his first season sailing Orion (1,1,1,3,1, 5,3,2,1,6,3) in the Melges class managed to pip the BVI's Airgasm (3,3,4,2,5,1,5,1,2,2,1) and Seaborne Airlines by two points in a closely fought regatta - despite depositing his entire crew into the water on the second day when the extreme hiking became too much for Orion's lifelines.

Racing I came down to a nail-biting tie-breaker between visiting Swan 56 from the UK Noonmark VI (2,2,3,1,1,5,1,3,1,4,1) and Caccia alla Volpe (4,5,1,2,1,1,2,1,3,1,3) from Antigua with 24 points each. Having tied on firsts, seconds, thirds, fourths and fifths it all came down to who beat who in the last race; Mike Gilburt skipper of Noonmark VI beat Carlo Falcone with a first and took the title. Mermaid II (1,1,2,5,3,3,4,2,4,2,2) looking strong as it came into this regatta was third but did manage to beat its old owner Tom Hill sailing his Farr 40 Titan (3,3,4,4,4,2,3,4,2,3,4).

Bruce Merced sailing his Prindle 19 Rush had a somewhat conclusive victory in the non-spinnaker beach cat division with 9 straight bullets.

Over on the non-spinnaker course a 'David and Goliath-esque' battle in Bareboat II saw Island Fling a Bavaria 37 bullet its three races leaving favourite and Olympic sailor Shirley in its wake sailing a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42.2 Nature's Little Secrets (2,4,4). Peter Ratcliffe sailing Red Stripe Vega ((3,3,2) a Dufour 41, was second.

"Boat preparation and a good core crew with excellent communication were important," said skipper of Island Fling, Andrew Thompson, "Nick Crossley who used to call the shots on Farr 40 Dignity in the UK was our tactician and we got the shifts right. Our tacking was fast and we lost very little speed out of the tacks, which was important when we needed to cross someone."

Carnival (2,7,2) won Bareboat II despite taking Chinook Wind amidships in a port/starboard incident on the second day while Andiamo (6,2,3) was second and Candis Lyn (8,1,4) was third. O De Feu (1,17, 1), although it bulleted the three races, lost the title by inadvertently not meeting class requirements; it was disqualified in race two which negated its two other wins.

Modified J-24 Cold Beer (7,1,1) sailed by Rudy Thompson was uncharitably beaten by his son Chris on No- See-Um (2,2,2) to top honours in the Jib & Main division - a consistent 3 seconds beat his
father's seventh and two firsts. BVI boat Second Nature (3,4,3) skippered by Bill Bailey was third.

Jerry Ficks sailing Keep It Simple 3 had little trouble in taking Cruising with three firsts leaving his archrival Ron Noonan second place on Wildflower. Missi Lee (3,4,3) was third.

BVI trimaran Triple Jack (1,1,2) skippered by Richard Wooldridge also had little trouble in securing the Multihull division.

Awards:

The 2001 BVI Spring Regatta was sponsored by The Moorings, Heineken, Mount Gay Rum, Road Town Wholesale (1975) Ltd, Shell, Bitter End Yacht Club, the BVI Tourist Board, AT&T Caribbean, Village Cay Marina Tortola Yacht Services, Island Marine Outfitters, Prospect Reef Resort and Caribbean Connections.

More Information:

• www.bvispringregatta.org
  

See also: CRESCENT for sale

CREEKMORE 9.2

Boat: CREEKMORE 9.2

More: CREEKMORE 9.2 Specifications

News:

RS200/RS800 Open at Grafham Water Sailing Club Overall


Author: Pete Vincent

RS200s:

The GUL RS200 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 26 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.

Saturday's racing was held in a good force 4 from the NW with short bursts of stronger wind. There had been some gentle ribbing on the shore as to how some of the RS400 sailors making guest appearances were going to get on. It was with horror that most of the fleet saw Pete Vincent/Trudie Danbury hold a good lead at mark one. They need not have worried, the RS Association Secretary briefs race officers on courses, briefs competitors and generally should know what is going on; he of course set off for the wrong mark taking most of the fleet with him, ending up beating back for mark 2 and rounding it last. Once Tom and Jo Hewitson had stopped giggling at these antics they sailed fast to win the race with Malcolm/Poppy Morley second and Cliff Milliner/Becky Wheatcroft third. Race 2 probably had the strongest breeze of the weekend which clearly suited the fat lumps, Crain Burlton/James Stewart pulled out a good lead with Jon Lewis/Paula and Pete Vincent constantly swapping places well clear in second/third. Burlton went to the finish line a lap to early allowing Lewis to close right up on him. Lewis had a real speed advantage downwind and only some frantic luffing gave Burlton a 5ft winning margin from Lewis with Vincent third and the Hewitsons 4th.

Burlton was doing well in race 3 only to discover that even with their pork a 200 does not go well to windward with the spinnaker up as the kite got stuck. Lewis then seemed to have the race under control but it was not a day to lead, a windy gybe into the leeward mark was only saved by a hand stand on the centreboard. Having recovered they realised they had missed the mark and had to unwind themselves. The Hewitsons, boat again vibrating with giggling, jumped into the lead to win from Lewis, the fast finishing team of Paul/Caroline Fisk and Vincent.

There was plenty to talk about that evening and even though there were very tired bodies the 200's enjoyed themselves in style.

Sunday dawned with white tops on the waves but come the start of the first race the wind was down to force 3-4. The Vincent/Danbury hangover team stormed into a good lead but found the lighter wind runs not to their liking. The Fisk's were able to sail lower and soon gained the lead to win
from Burlton, Hewitsons and Vincent. In Race 5 Burlton and up all night Stewart had a classic leeward end start and had a good lead by mark 2; the Fisk's again had better speed on the runs but Burlton hung on to win from the Fisks. Other boats were finding the more moderate wind much more to their liking, Steve and Katie Restall from Downs were third, Cliff Milliner fourth and Ian Pickard/Sammy Byron fifth.

Going into the final race the event was wide open, Burlton and Hewitson both had a DNF and had to count the final race; The Fisk's looked favourite as they had five good results. In true style all the leading contenders were well in the hunt at the first mark but this was to be a nervous race as the wind had become much more patchy. Lewis, having had a disaster of Sunday, got his act together and gained the lead at the halfway point to win; behind places changed regularly but the Fisk's seemed to be heading for overall victory with second place. Unfortunately they had gone too early at the leeward end at the start and were OCS. Burlton gained second with Hewitson third and Chris/Rachael Jenkins fourth. Burlton and Hewitson were now tied on 12 points, both having won two races but Burlton gained overall victory at his first GUL RS200 Racing Circuit event on count back of second places.

Grafham had done a superb job of running the event; if the next GUL RS Racing Circuit event at East Lothian YC on May 5/6 produces finishes as close as Northampton and Grafham then we are going to run out of nervous energy.

RS800s:

The GUL RS800 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water
at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 21 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the
second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.

Saturday racing was held in a good force 4 with bursts of stronger wind which produced superb sailing whilst testing boat handling skills to the full. In Race 1 the new 800 team of Steve Irish and Martin Gotrel looked as if they had been sailing RS800's for years as they pulled out a big lead. Unfortunately counting was not their strong point as they started a lap too many, canny West Country sailors Mike and Anne Way knew what was going on though and reached off to the finishing area to win the race with Tim and Jo Johnson second and Buzz Keck/Charlie Merchant third.

Buzz and Charlie really enjoyed the fresher wind for race 2 to win with Steve and Martin grateful for a pathfinder to lead the way in second; these two were well clear of Lee Sydenham/Anne Vaudry and Paddy Gamble/Lou Carter who pulled through the fleet to claim third and fourth. Race 3 was really decided just after the first windward mark, Sydenham in second gybed immediately and disappeared in the type of gust that takes you straight to the leeward mark you dream about. The Sydenham/Vaudrey team had such a big margin they could even survive trawling the kite on the final reach. Buzz won the fight for second from the Johnson's and Irish.

Most of the fleet were grateful for the more moderate conditions on Sunday after such hard sailing on Saturday and the Pete Vincent led rum assault course on Saturday night. The change in conditions allowed some of the teams that had moved into 800's over the winter to show their form and promise.

In a force 3-4 for race 4 Sydenham led but then fell into a hole at the third windward mark, Irish grabbed his chance to win the race from the Ways and Sydenham with Mike Speller/Rob Burridge fourth. Race 5 saw some big shifts on the first beat but the Irish/Gotrel team took this in their stride to win with the Johnson's second, Speller third and another Plymouth team, Dan Fellows/Clare Dudley, fourth. Behind places 6 to 15 gave the Race Officer a nightmare by all trying to finish at the same time.

Going into the final race there were four possible winners. Steve Irish and Lee Sydenham had the better results but both were carrying a disaster, Buzz had not been able to find Saturdays form but was the most consistent whilst the Ways also had four good results but a DNF. Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith from the growing 800 fleet at Eastbourne enjoyed the conditions to record a good win. Behind Irish seemed to have everything under control in second place until the penultimate run when they trawled the kite allowing Sydenham and Spod Olive through. Then a real disaster struck, the kite trawl had damaged the spinnaker halyard block on the mast and they were unable to hoist the kite for the final short run to the finish. Mike Speller got through and the finish line could not come quick enough as the pair limped across in fifth as a whole pack of boats threatened to swallow them up. This left Irish and Sydenham tied on 13 points with Irish claiming a deserved victory on the basis of winning one more race than Sydenham.

With many new faces to the 800 fleet showing so well over the weekend we can guarantee that the GUL RS800 Racing Circuit is going to see plenty of action packed racing and more tight finishes this season.

Author: Pete Vincent

RS200s:

The GUL RS200 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 26 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.

Saturday's racing was held in a good force 4 from the NW with short bursts of stronger wind. There had been some gentle ribbing on the shore as to how some of the RS400 sailors making guest appearances were going to get on. It was with horror that most of the fleet saw Pete Vincent/Trudie Danbury hold a good lead at mark one. They need not have worried, the RS Association Secretary briefs race officers on courses, briefs competitors and generally should know what is going on; he of course set off for the wrong mark taking most of the fleet with him, ending up beating back for mark 2 and rounding it last. Once Tom and Jo Hewitson had stopped giggling at these antics they sailed fast to win the race with Malcolm/Poppy Morley second and Cliff Milliner/Becky Wheatcroft third. Race 2 probably had the strongest breeze of the weekend which clearly suited the fat lumps, Crain Burlton/James Stewart pulled out a good lead with Jon Lewis/Paula and Pete Vincent constantly swapping places well clear in second/third. Burlton went to the finish line a lap to early allowing Lewis to close right up on him. Lewis had a real speed advantage downwind and only some frantic luffing gave Burlton a 5ft winning margin from Lewis with Vincent third and the Hewitsons 4th.

Burlton was doing well in race 3 only to discover that even with their pork a 200 does not go well to windward with the spinnaker up as the kite got stuck. Lewis then seemed to have the race under control but it was not a day to lead, a windy gybe into the leeward mark was only saved by a hand stand on the centreboard. Having recovered they realised they had missed the mark and had to unwind themselves. The Hewitsons, boat again vibrating with giggling, jumped into the lead to win from Lewis, the fast finishing team of Paul/Caroline Fisk and Vincent.

There was plenty to talk about that evening and even though there were very tired bodies the 200's enjoyed themselves in style.

Sunday dawned with white tops on the waves but come the start of the first race the wind was down to force 3-4. The Vincent/Danbury hangover team stormed into a good lead but found the lighter wind runs not to their liking. The Fisk's were able to sail lower and soon gained the lead to win
from Burlton, Hewitsons and Vincent. In Race 5 Burlton and up all night Stewart had a classic leeward end start and had a good lead by mark 2; the Fisk's again had better speed on the runs but Burlton hung on to win from the Fisks. Other boats were finding the more moderate wind much more to their liking, Steve and Katie Restall from Downs were third, Cliff Milliner fourth and Ian Pickard/Sammy Byron fifth.

Going into the final race the event was wide open, Burlton and Hewitson both had a DNF and had to count the final race; The Fisk's looked favourite as they had five good results. In true style all the leading contenders were well in the hunt at the first mark but this was to be a nervous race as the wind had become much more patchy. Lewis, having had a disaster of Sunday, got his act together and gained the lead at the halfway point to win; behind places changed regularly but the Fisk's seemed to be heading for overall victory with second place. Unfortunately they had gone too early at the leeward end at the start and were OCS. Burlton gained second with Hewitson third and Chris/Rachael Jenkins fourth. Burlton and Hewitson were now tied on 12 points, both having won two races but Burlton gained overall victory at his first GUL RS200 Racing Circuit event on count back of second places.

Grafham had done a superb job of running the event; if the next GUL RS Racing Circuit event at East Lothian YC on May 5/6 produces finishes as close as Northampton and Grafham then we are going to run out of nervous energy.

RS800s:

The GUL RS800 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water
at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 21 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the
second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.

Saturday racing was held in a good force 4 with bursts of stronger wind which produced superb sailing whilst testing boat handling skills to the full. In Race 1 the new 800 team of Steve Irish and Martin Gotrel looked as if they had been sailing RS800's for years as they pulled out a big lead. Unfortunately counting was not their strong point as they started a lap too many, canny West Country sailors Mike and Anne Way knew what was going on though and reached off to the finishing area to win the race with Tim and Jo Johnson second and Buzz Keck/Charlie Merchant third.

Buzz and Charlie really enjoyed the fresher wind for race 2 to win with Steve and Martin grateful for a pathfinder to lead the way in second; these two were well clear of Lee Sydenham/Anne Vaudry and Paddy Gamble/Lou Carter who pulled through the fleet to claim third and fourth. Race 3 was really decided just after the first windward mark, Sydenham in second gybed immediately and disappeared in the type of gust that takes you straight to the leeward mark you dream about. The Sydenham/Vaudrey team had such a big margin they could even survive trawling the kite on the final reach. Buzz won the fight for second from the Johnson's and Irish.

Most of the fleet were grateful for the more moderate conditions on Sunday after such hard sailing on Saturday and the Pete Vincent led rum assault course on Saturday night. The change in conditions allowed some of the teams that had moved into 800's over the winter to show their form and promise.

In a force 3-4 for race 4 Sydenham led but then fell into a hole at the third windward mark, Irish grabbed his chance to win the race from the Ways and Sydenham with Mike Speller/Rob Burridge fourth. Race 5 saw some big shifts on the first beat but the Irish/Gotrel team took this in their stride to win with the Johnson's second, Speller third and another Plymouth team, Dan Fellows/Clare Dudley, fourth. Behind places 6 to 15 gave the Race Officer a nightmare by all trying to finish at the same time.

Going into the final race there were four possible winners. Steve Irish and Lee Sydenham had the better results but both were carrying a disaster, Buzz had not been able to find Saturdays form but was the most consistent whilst the Ways also had four good results but a DNF. Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith from the growing 800 fleet at Eastbourne enjoyed the conditions to record a good win. Behind Irish seemed to have everything under control in second place until the penultimate run when they trawled the kite allowing Sydenham and Spod Olive through. Then a real disaster struck, the kite trawl had damaged the spinnaker halyard block on the mast and they were unable to hoist the kite for the final short run to the finish. Mike Speller got through and the finish line could not come quick enough as the pair limped across in fifth as a whole pack of boats threatened to swallow them up. This left Irish and Sydenham tied on 13 points with Irish claiming a deserved victory on the basis of winning one more race than Sydenham.

With many new faces to the 800 fleet showing so well over the weekend we can guarantee that the GUL RS800 Racing Circuit is going to see plenty of action packed racing and more tight finishes this season.

Author: Pete Vincent

RS200s:

The GUL RS200 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 26 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.

Saturday's racing was held in a good force 4 from the NW with short bursts of stronger wind. There had been some gentle ribbing on the shore as to how some of the RS400 sailors making guest appearances were going to get on. It was with horror that most of the fleet saw Pete Vincent/Trudie Danbury hold a good lead at mark one. They need not have worried, the RS Association Secretary briefs race officers on courses, briefs competitors and generally should know what is going on; he of course set off for the wrong mark taking most of the fleet with him, ending up beating back for mark 2 and rounding it last. Once Tom and Jo Hewitson had stopped giggling at these antics they sailed fast to win the race with Malcolm/Poppy Morley second and Cliff Milliner/Becky Wheatcroft third. Race 2 probably had the strongest breeze of the weekend which clearly suited the fat lumps, Crain Burlton/James Stewart pulled out a good lead with Jon Lewis/Paula and Pete Vincent constantly swapping places well clear in second/third. Burlton went to the finish line a lap to early allowing Lewis to close right up on him. Lewis had a real speed advantage downwind and only some frantic luffing gave Burlton a 5ft winning margin from Lewis with Vincent third and the Hewitsons 4th.

Burlton was doing well in race 3 only to discover that even with their pork a 200 does not go well to windward with the spinnaker up as the kite got stuck. Lewis then seemed to have the race under control but it was not a day to lead, a windy gybe into the leeward mark was only saved by a hand stand on the centreboard. Having recovered they realised they had missed the mark and had to unwind themselves. The Hewitsons, boat again vibrating with giggling, jumped into the lead to win from Lewis, the fast finishing team of Paul/Caroline Fisk and Vincent.

There was plenty to talk about that evening and even though there were very tired bodies the 200's enjoyed themselves in style.

Sunday dawned with white tops on the waves but come the start of the first race the wind was down to force 3-4. The Vincent/Danbury hangover team stormed into a good lead but found the lighter wind runs not to their liking. The Fisk's were able to sail lower and soon gained the lead to win
from Burlton, Hewitsons and Vincent. In Race 5 Burlton and up all night Stewart had a classic leeward end start and had a good lead by mark 2; the Fisk's again had better speed on the runs but Burlton hung on to win from the Fisks. Other boats were finding the more moderate wind much more to their liking, Steve and Katie Restall from Downs were third, Cliff Milliner fourth and Ian Pickard/Sammy Byron fifth.

Going into the final race the event was wide open, Burlton and Hewitson both had a DNF and had to count the final race; The Fisk's looked favourite as they had five good results. In true style all the leading contenders were well in the hunt at the first mark but this was to be a nervous race as the wind had become much more patchy. Lewis, having had a disaster of Sunday, got his act together and gained the lead at the halfway point to win; behind places changed regularly but the Fisk's seemed to be heading for overall victory with second place. Unfortunately they had gone too early at the leeward end at the start and were OCS. Burlton gained second with Hewitson third and Chris/Rachael Jenkins fourth. Burlton and Hewitson were now tied on 12 points, both having won two races but Burlton gained overall victory at his first GUL RS200 Racing Circuit event on count back of second places.

Grafham had done a superb job of running the event; if the next GUL RS Racing Circuit event at East Lothian YC on May 5/6 produces finishes as close as Northampton and Grafham then we are going to run out of nervous energy.

RS800s:

The GUL RS800 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water
at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 21 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the
second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.

Saturday racing was held in a good force 4 with bursts of stronger wind which produced superb sailing whilst testing boat handling skills to the full. In Race 1 the new 800 team of Steve Irish and Martin Gotrel looked as if they had been sailing RS800's for years as they pulled out a big lead. Unfortunately counting was not their strong point as they started a lap too many, canny West Country sailors Mike and Anne Way knew what was going on though and reached off to the finishing area to win the race with Tim and Jo Johnson second and Buzz Keck/Charlie Merchant third.

Buzz and Charlie really enjoyed the fresher wind for race 2 to win with Steve and Martin grateful for a pathfinder to lead the way in second; these two were well clear of Lee Sydenham/Anne Vaudry and Paddy Gamble/Lou Carter who pulled through the fleet to claim third and fourth. Race 3 was really decided just after the first windward mark, Sydenham in second gybed immediately and disappeared in the type of gust that takes you straight to the leeward mark you dream about. The Sydenham/Vaudrey team had such a big margin they could even survive trawling the kite on the final reach. Buzz won the fight for second from the Johnson's and Irish.

Most of the fleet were grateful for the more moderate conditions on Sunday after such hard sailing on Saturday and the Pete Vincent led rum assault course on Saturday night. The change in conditions allowed some of the teams that had moved into 800's over the winter to show their form and promise.

In a force 3-4 for race 4 Sydenham led but then fell into a hole at the third windward mark, Irish grabbed his chance to win the race from the Ways and Sydenham with Mike Speller/Rob Burridge fourth. Race 5 saw some big shifts on the first beat but the Irish/Gotrel team took this in their stride to win with the Johnson's second, Speller third and another Plymouth team, Dan Fellows/Clare Dudley, fourth. Behind places 6 to 15 gave the Race Officer a nightmare by all trying to finish at the same time.

Going into the final race there were four possible winners. Steve Irish and Lee Sydenham had the better results but both were carrying a disaster, Buzz had not been able to find Saturdays form but was the most consistent whilst the Ways also had four good results but a DNF. Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith from the growing 800 fleet at Eastbourne enjoyed the conditions to record a good win. Behind Irish seemed to have everything under control in second place until the penultimate run when they trawled the kite allowing Sydenham and Spod Olive through. Then a real disaster struck, the kite trawl had damaged the spinnaker halyard block on the mast and they were unable to hoist the kite for the final short run to the finish. Mike Speller got through and the finish line could not come quick enough as the pair limped across in fifth as a whole pack of boats threatened to swallow them up. This left Irish and Sydenham tied on 13 points with Irish claiming a deserved victory on the basis of winning one more race than Sydenham.

With many new faces to the 800 fleet showing so well over the weekend we can guarantee that the GUL RS800 Racing Circuit is going to see plenty of action packed racing and more tight finishes this season.

Author: Pete Vincent

RS200s:

The GUL RS200 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 26 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.

Saturday's racing was held in a good force 4 from the NW with short bursts of stronger wind. There had been some gentle ribbing on the shore as to how some of the RS400 sailors making guest appearances were going to get on. It was with horror that most of the fleet saw Pete Vincent/Trudie Danbury hold a good lead at mark one. They need not have worried, the RS Association Secretary briefs race officers on courses, briefs competitors and generally should know what is going on; he of course set off for the wrong mark taking most of the fleet with him, ending up beating back for mark 2 and rounding it last. Once Tom and Jo Hewitson had stopped giggling at these antics they sailed fast to win the race with Malcolm/Poppy Morley second and Cliff Milliner/Becky Wheatcroft third. Race 2 probably had the strongest breeze of the weekend which clearly suited the fat lumps, Crain Burlton/James Stewart pulled out a good lead with Jon Lewis/Paula and Pete Vincent constantly swapping places well clear in second/third. Burlton went to the finish line a lap to early allowing Lewis to close right up on him. Lewis had a real speed advantage downwind and only some frantic luffing gave Burlton a 5ft winning margin from Lewis with Vincent third and the Hewitsons 4th.

Burlton was doing well in race 3 only to discover that even with their pork a 200 does not go well to windward with the spinnaker up as the kite got stuck. Lewis then seemed to have the race under control but it was not a day to lead, a windy gybe into the leeward mark was only saved by a hand stand on the centreboard. Having recovered they realised they had missed the mark and had to unwind themselves. The Hewitsons, boat again vibrating with giggling, jumped into the lead to win from Lewis, the fast finishing team of Paul/Caroline Fisk and Vincent.

There was plenty to talk about that evening and even though there were very tired bodies the 200's enjoyed themselves in style.

Sunday dawned with white tops on the waves but come the start of the first race the wind was down to force 3-4. The Vincent/Danbury hangover team stormed into a good lead but found the lighter wind runs not to their liking. The Fisk's were able to sail lower and soon gained the lead to win
from Burlton, Hewitsons and Vincent. In Race 5 Burlton and up all night Stewart had a classic leeward end start and had a good lead by mark 2; the Fisk's again had better speed on the runs but Burlton hung on to win from the Fisks. Other boats were finding the more moderate wind much more to their liking, Steve and Katie Restall from Downs were third, Cliff Milliner fourth and Ian Pickard/Sammy Byron fifth.

Going into the final race the event was wide open, Burlton and Hewitson both had a DNF and had to count the final race; The Fisk's looked favourite as they had five good results. In true style all the leading contenders were well in the hunt at the first mark but this was to be a nervous race as the wind had become much more patchy. Lewis, having had a disaster of Sunday, got his act together and gained the lead at the halfway point to win; behind places changed regularly but the Fisk's seemed to be heading for overall victory with second place. Unfortunately they had gone too early at the leeward end at the start and were OCS. Burlton gained second with Hewitson third and Chris/Rachael Jenkins fourth. Burlton and Hewitson were now tied on 12 points, both having won two races but Burlton gained overall victory at his first GUL RS200 Racing Circuit event on count back of second places.

Grafham had done a superb job of running the event; if the next GUL RS Racing Circuit event at East Lothian YC on May 5/6 produces finishes as close as Northampton and Grafham then we are going to run out of nervous energy.

RS800s:

The GUL RS800 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water
at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 21 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the
second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.

Saturday racing was held in a good force 4 with bursts of stronger wind which produced superb sailing whilst testing boat handling skills to the full. In Race 1 the new 800 team of Steve Irish and Martin Gotrel looked as if they had been sailing RS800's for years as they pulled out a big lead. Unfortunately counting was not their strong point as they started a lap too many, canny West Country sailors Mike and Anne Way knew what was going on though and reached off to the finishing area to win the race with Tim and Jo Johnson second and Buzz Keck/Charlie Merchant third.

Buzz and Charlie really enjoyed the fresher wind for race 2 to win with Steve and Martin grateful for a pathfinder to lead the way in second; these two were well clear of Lee Sydenham/Anne Vaudry and Paddy Gamble/Lou Carter who pulled through the fleet to claim third and fourth. Race 3 was really decided just after the first windward mark, Sydenham in second gybed immediately and disappeared in the type of gust that takes you straight to the leeward mark you dream about. The Sydenham/Vaudrey team had such a big margin they could even survive trawling the kite on the final reach. Buzz won the fight for second from the Johnson's and Irish.

Most of the fleet were grateful for the more moderate conditions on Sunday after such hard sailing on Saturday and the Pete Vincent led rum assault course on Saturday night. The change in conditions allowed some of the teams that had moved into 800's over the winter to show their form and promise.

In a force 3-4 for race 4 Sydenham led but then fell into a hole at the third windward mark, Irish grabbed his chance to win the race from the Ways and Sydenham with Mike Speller/Rob Burridge fourth. Race 5 saw some big shifts on the first beat but the Irish/Gotrel team took this in their stride to win with the Johnson's second, Speller third and another Plymouth team, Dan Fellows/Clare Dudley, fourth. Behind places 6 to 15 gave the Race Officer a nightmare by all trying to finish at the same time.

Going into the final race there were four possible winners. Steve Irish and Lee Sydenham had the better results but both were carrying a disaster, Buzz had not been able to find Saturdays form but was the most consistent whilst the Ways also had four good results but a DNF. Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith from the growing 800 fleet at Eastbourne enjoyed the conditions to record a good win. Behind Irish seemed to have everything under control in second place until the penultimate run when they trawled the kite allowing Sydenham and Spod Olive through. Then a real disaster struck, the kite trawl had damaged the spinnaker halyard block on the mast and they were unable to hoist the kite for the final short run to the finish. Mike Speller got through and the finish line could not come quick enough as the pair limped across in fifth as a whole pack of boats threatened to swallow them up. This left Irish and Sydenham tied on 13 points with Irish claiming a deserved victory on the basis of winning one more race than Sydenham.

With many new faces to the 800 fleet showing so well over the weekend we can guarantee that the GUL RS800 Racing Circuit is going to see plenty of action packed racing and more tight finishes this season.

RS200 (6 races, 5 to count, 26 entries)

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts

1328Craig BurltonJames StewartBlithfield SC61DNF212122655Tom HewitsonJoRNCYC1413DNF3123626Paul FiskCaroline FiskBough Beech SC46312OCS164654Jonathan LewisPaula MiracleBurghfield SC5221181185450Pete VincentTrudie DanburyBristol CYC2134467246550Cliff MillinerBecky WheatcroftCotswold SC391164527

RS800 (6 races, 5 to count, 21 entries)

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts

1922Steve IrishMartin GotrelDraycote SC1724115132935Lee SydenhamAnne VaudryHISC431392133819Buzz KeckCharlie MerchantOxford SC312678194908Mike WayAnne WayMayflower SC1DNF52610245874Tim JohnsonJo JohnsonCVLSC2831129246853Mike SpellerRob BurridgeMinnis Bay / Weirwood99643426

More Information:

• YachtsandYachting.com RS200 Page
  
• YachtsandYachting.com RS800 Page
  
• Grafham Water Sailing Club
  

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CREEKMORE 45

Boat: CREEKMORE 45

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News:

Minorca Sailing Holidays has ordered the new RS700


Author: EditorMinorca Sailing Holidays, the best equipped sailing centres in the Mediterranean. Has ordered one of the latest RS 700’s from LDC Racing Sailboats for its sailing centre in Menorca.

The latest Asymmetric Single-Hander will add to the already extensive range of single handed craft at Minorca Sailing such as the; RS 300’s, RS 600’s, EPS, Finn, Vareo and the large fleet of 70 Lasers. It will also be an addition to the fleet of 80 Asymmetrics, which includes the Olympic 49er.

Due to the high demand of this impressive asymmetric single-hander. The new RS 700 will arrive at the sailing centre at the end of May 2001.

Minorca Sailing Holidays have also purchased 3 of the new Asymmetric Vareos which will arrive at the sailing centre for the start of the 2001 season The Vareo will accompany many other new boats for the 2001 season from the RS, Laser and Ovington range.

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• Minorca Sailing Holidays Website
  

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CREEKMORE 36

Boat: CREEKMORE 36

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News:

IMS Yachts converge from all corners of the Earth.


Author: Susannah Bourne It is a measure of the strength of an event to see how far people are prepared to travel in order to compete in it. The Rolex IMS Offshore World Championship, taking place this July in Valencia, is attracting competitors from the Americas - as well as from all over Europe.

Interest in IMS racing in South America is growing rapidly, and that is reflected in the five entries that are expected to make the journey to Spain from places like Buenos Aires and Punta del Este. Two boats are due to be shipped from Montevideo in May - Audaz, owned by winner of the South Atlantic racing circuit Mr A Mill, and San Gregorio, an IMS-optimised Mumm 36 owned by Gonzalez Ferrari.

At the larger end of the scale, Argentinian Alberto Roemmers is also expected to bring his Maxi yacht Alexia to compete, and she will almost certainly be one of the biggest boats present.

South African yacht designer Shaun Carkeek is excited at the prospect of seeing two of his latest designs hit the water. A 46-footer, currently being completed in Cape Town, is due to be shipped to Spain for the busy racing season, with double Olympic Champion Jose-Luis Doreste scheduled to take the wheel of this exciting new yacht, called Banco Spirito di Santo.

Tipped as the bright young sparks of IMS design, Carkeek and his partner Marcelino Botin have introduced a number of features that draw their influence from the America's Cup yachts.

"We have been working with Steve Calder of North Sails, who is also working closely with the Prada syndicate, and he has advised us on our sail plans for our new boats. Our rigs are quite high-aspect ratio, with 130% overlapping headsails."

In Italy, Andrea Vallicelli has designed a new 40-footer for the IMS season, while recently-announced America's Cup campaigner Vincenzo Onorato has commissioned Farr Yacht Design in the US to design his latest Mascalzone Latino, this time a 51-footer.

Another interesting project is that of the re-worked Exposure, a Tony Castro design of which the deck has been retained while a new hull by Judel/Vrolijk is being attached in its place, again drawing on some of the America's Cup influences that seem to be gaining popularity in the IMS world.

All in all, with at least 80 racing yachts predicted, the Rolex IMS Offshore World Championship is shaping up to be one of the most competitive events of the year.

The Rolex IMS Offshore World Championship takes place in Valencia, Spain, from 2-8 July 2001 and is co-organised by RCNV and YCCS.

More Information:

• YachtsandYachting.com IMS Page
  

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CREEKMORE 30-2 CB

Boat: CREEKMORE 30-2 CB

Builder:

Designer:

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News:

Flying Fifteen World Championships 2001 Race 3


Author: Patrick HarrisRace 3 was sailed in the strongest breeze to date with a South Westerly wind of 20 knots gusting 30. After one false start the fleet got away cleanly under a black flag. First to the weather mark was GBR3648 Mike Hart and Chris Gowers with a lead of 50 yards over defending world champions GBR 3721, Steve Goacher and Phil Evans, followed by South African Nationals champions Charles Apthorp and Andy Weatherspoon.

There followed two hectic reaches with broaches and capsizes and gear tested to the limits. The gybe mark was particularly difficult in the 8 foot seas. A run and a beat followed and at the shortened course finish the order was Hart then Goacher, Apthorp and Peter Gale of Australia fourth. The overall position is extremely open with the day's leaders Barry and Sue Parkin finishing in the late teens and Geoff and Tom Bayliss also finishing out of the first 10.

Provisional position across finish line for race 3

More Information:

• South African Flying Fifteen Web Page
  
• YachtsandYachting.com Flying Fifteen Page
  

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ALPA 42

Boat: ALPA 42

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News:

First Round of Gul RS300 2001 Racing Circuit at Northampton


Author: RS AssociationThe RS Association has held a Racing Circuit event at Northampton SC every year for the last six years and the weather gods have always graced the event with strong winds. This year was no different with the RS300 GUL Racing Circuit starting off in style at Northampton on Saturday March 31 with a force 5-6, sunshine, spectacular racing and capsizing on the opening day! The great MAFF god had also been kind by allowing the Club to re-open; it had been shut for three weeks due to Foot and Mouth.

RS300's can be a real challenge downwind in such strong wind and the spectators were treated to a master class of heavy wind sailing by Wil Gullivar who always seemed to be in total control to win all three races and was never led at a mark. Matt Critchley hung on bravely to Wil's slipstream
to record three second places. Behind Steve Middleton and Graham Sanderson did well to record useful results.

The shattered bodies were very grateful to see a gentle breeze on Sunday morning and warm sunshine although not too sure about warnings of a 7ft Pike. Racing took place in a very patchy force 2-3 and although Wil Gullivar still scored three first places he did not have it all his own way. Matt
Critchley and Steve Middleton led races, Middleton lost his glasses and had to retire. Richard Willows in particular gave Gullivar plenty to think about chasing him hard in race 4 and leading Race 5 for a good time before running into trouble at a gybe mark. At the end though nobody could stop the all conquering Gullivar.

Northampton did an excellent job of organising the event and laying good courses, food, entertainment; special mention should be made of Pete Vincent taking foot in mouth to a new art form at the prize giving.

Overall results

More Information:

• RS Class Association
  
• Northampton Sailing Club
  

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CREEKMORE 27

Boat: CREEKMORE 27

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News:

Hollowell Sailing Club will be reopening from 1 April.


Author: Ian HallHollowell will be reopening from 1 April, and that the Junior Open scheduled for 22 April will now be proceeding as planned. Cars etc. will have to be disinfected on entrance to the Club and dogs are expressly prohibited. Hollowell remains closed to walkers and fishermen.

More Information:

• Hollowell Sailing Club
  

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