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Congratulations to this years winner of the Paper Boat Race which took place on Boxing Day. Despite many starters, there were only a select few boats that made it to the other end of the lake, and only one which made it all the way across, this was Jon Summers.
Yesterday was the last race of our season, despite quite challenging conditions, there were four 'lunatics' who took to the water.
The wind varied throughout the race, from very strong to easing off and then back strong, which did mean a few swims for Phil! But this did not stop him taking 1st place, followed by Benedict and Rory Whybrow (Tasar) in 2nd and Chris Copper (Laser Radial) 3rd.
Here's to next season - Next years Programme and Open Events schedule to follow.
RULES FOR THE MAKING AND RACING OF THE PAPER BOATS
Design Rules
Racing Rules
1st - Robin Goff (D-Zero)
2nd - Phil Isaac (Phantom)
3rd - Martin Gibson (Laser)
1st Cadet - Grace Cherry (Topper)
1st - Robin Goff (D-Zero)
2nd - Martin Gibson (Laser)
3rd - Phil Isaac (Phantom)
1st Cadet - Grace Cherry (Topper)
1st - Robin Goff (D-Zero)
2nd - Martin Gibson (Laser)
3rd - Phil Isaac (Phantom)
1st Cadet - Grace Cherry (Topper)
Grace Cherry
Stuart Turner (Laser)
The Regatta this year not only saw Stuart upside down, but his Rudder going in the opposite direction to his boat and sinking into the depths of the sea!
1st - Pursuit Race - Martin Gibson (Laser)
Cordelia Twigge
For her consent support and help at the club, stepping in to cover rescue boat and OOD at short notice, the outstanding calmness showed in a very testing day at the Regatta this year.
Carol Gell
For supporting Phil throughout his time as Commodore, keeping him in check and organised.
Jubilee Cup
Anna Marriott
The Annual Laying Supper was once again a huge success and enjoyed by many members. Here are some photos from the evening.
1st - Robin Goff (D Zero)
2nd - James & Anthony Willcocks (Fireball)
3rd - Martin Gibson (Laser)
After being rescheduled due to lack of wind this year’s Autumn Trophy took place on 18th Oct. Although the north-east breeze provided a reasonable wind offshore conditions along the shore were very variable and shifty. Race Officer Stuart Butter set a large course with the beat back to the start line from a seaward mark off Wains Hill.
Twins James and Anthony Willcocks (Fireball) showed the fleet a clean pair of heals from the start leading from start to finish ahead of parents Andy and Andrea (Fireball), Richard White (Phantom) and Robin Goff (D Zero). Phil Isaac capsized at the first gybe and spent the race recovering. Conditions proved too trying for Stuart Turner and Trevor Baker (Scorpion) and Tony and Scarlet Cherry (Tasar) who both retired after race 1. Goff took the race on handicap with the Willcocks 2nd and Grace Cherry (Topper) 3rd.
Race 2 started at high water leading to different tactics. The Willcocks twins led again from the start together with Paul Sheldon (Laser) with Goff steadily pulling back through the fleet from an indifferent start. By the beginning of the second beat the inshore tide was ebbing and the leading boats headed shoreward to tack up the coast in slacker water. Whether by inspiration or luck Martin Gibson (Laser) stayed out in the stronger, cleaner wind passing both Phantoms and finishing just behind Andy and Andrea’s Fireball. Gibson took 1st place on handicap with Goff 2nd and the Willcocks 3rd.
By race 3 the tide was ebbing strongly and staying out wasn’t an option. After their third good start of the day James and Antony again led with Phil Isaac and Robin Goff in hot pursuit. The slower handicap boats struggled against the tide in the fickle conditions, gradually falling further behind. Willcocks took 1st place on handicap with Goff 2nd and Isaac 3rd.
With 3 different race winners the overall result was a close run thing. Willcocks and Goff both tied with 3 points, both having a 1st and a 2nd place, leaving the result to be decided by who did best in the last race. Prizes were presented by Vice Commodore Ian Hotchkiss while competitors enjoyed a curry and liquid refreshment.
After a 30 minute postponement due to squall passing through race officer of the day Howard East got this year’s John Ashley Trophy underway. A large course in the Channel had been set with a short first beat to the Bandstand mark followed by a very long one to the Clevedon Buoy and a run to the Avon buoy before returning via the end of the pier to the start line. Although the wind ashore didn’t seem that strong offshore it was, and with large waves conditions were demanding. Jon Somers and his son Diggory sensibly decided this was too much for their Miracle and retired early in the race. In the meantime Phil Isaac (Phantom) and Martin Gibson (Laser) battled it out to the Clevedon
buoy with Isaac finding the Phantom over-powered just rounding behind Laser. However, he quickly overtook Gibson on the run and pulled further ahead on the following reaches. The following Lasers of Chris Cooper, Paul Sheldon and Martin White also struggled and there were several capsizes. Despite pulling ahead on the reaches of the second lap Isaac was unable to beat the Laser on handicap. Fortunately there was a capable beach party to retrieve the dinghies and the 2 safety RIBs in the large waves on the slip and there was no damage to any boats, just a few bruised and tired sailors.
For the first time in several years Clevedon Sailing Club’s Town Plate was held on the scheduled day rather than being postponed for too little or too much wind. The race is traditionally a ‘pursuit’ format where slower handicap boats start first with faster boats starting progressively after. If all boats are sailed equally well they should all finish together.
First boats away were Grace Cherry (Topper) followed by Jon and Diggory Summers (Miracle) who, in the dropping wind strength, struggled against the flooding tide. The next flight of boats suffered much the same fate and were quickly caught by Martin Gibson (Laser) who close tacked up the shore in less tide. However, Gibson took the whole of the
following lap to overtake Dave and Jess Herbert (420), Sarah Hotchkiss (Solo) and Richard White and Kelly Hewlett (Firefly).
Meanwhile both Benedict Wybrow and Tony Cherry, and Anthony Rees and Kevin Watts (Tasars) floundered in the lighter variable wind and were quickly overhauled by Phil Isaac (Phantom) who steadily closed the gap on the boats ahead and Gibson who was now the leading boat. Isaac eventually caught Gibson on the last leg a few minutes before the end of the race to take first place.
The Town Plate was originally provided by Clevedon Town Council and prizes were presented in the clubhouse after the race by Chairman of the Council, Graham Watkins.
1st - Phil Isaac
2nd - Martin Gibson
3rd - Richard White and Kelly Hewlett
1st Cadet - Grace Cherry
Nine boats turned out for this year’s Channel Race. Competitors choose their own start time aiming to round the half way mark, Denny Isle off Portishead, at high tide. Although light winds were predicted the race was held in fairly steady force 3 to 4 breeze from the North East. First away, almost 2 hours before HW was Martin White and Tony Cherry (Vision) followed after by the Firefly of Richard White and his daughter Kelly. They were soon joined by the faster Phantom of Phil Isaac and the Taser of Ian and Sarah Hotchkiss.
After long beat against the wind the Firefly was first to round the Isle about 30 mins
earlier than anticipated. Isaac and Paul Hield (Contender) overhauled slower boats starting before them round the Isle next. Stuart and Jack Butter (Lark) were last to start and last to round just behind visitors Mike Burke and Lou (Kestrel) from Sutton Bingham SC
The return leg was a long run enabling the faster boats to surf down the waves. Despite 2 capsizes conditions suited the Laser of Martin Gibson who completed the course in 2 hours 30mins, slightly slower than Isaac at 2 hours 24mins and Hield at 2 hours 28mins. The slowest boat took 3 hours 6mins to complete the course.
(corrected to handicaps)
1st - Martin Gibson
2nd - Richard and Kelly White
3rd (joint) - Stuart Turner and Trevor Baker
3rd (joint) - Phil Isaac
The Sailing Committee has great pleasure in inviting all sailing club members and guests to attend a talk on RACE RULES by renowned ISAF rules specialist JON NAPIER.
Jon is the Competitions Manager and In-House Counsel at the International Sailing Federation and a highly respected expert on the ISAF racing rules. He regularly attends events worldwide. His talk will begin with ‘the basics’, which he then develops and illustrates with various common scenarios. His style is entertaining and informal and questions can be asked at any time.
Jon is a lawyer by profession specialising in Sports Resolution and Arbitration. His expertise and clarity on racing is both compelling and understandable and will appeal to everyone from regular and occasional racers, cadets and ‘experts’.
Please note: The bar will be open from 7.00 pm but is likely to be closed at 7.30 pm in order not to disturb the presentation. Please arrive in time to get a drink and settle down for what is likely to be a very enjoyable and informative event!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!
The Sailing Committee
Clevedon Sailing Club’s 2015 season opened last weekend with the Easter Bonnet held on Sunday. Only 6 boats turned out on the day, probably due the gale warning forecast the previous evening. Competitors were not disappointed and the 3 races were held in strong south westerly winds. Race 1 saw Stuart Turner in the Laser Radial not far behind the faster Phantom of Phil Isaac and D-Zero of Robin Goff beating them both on handicap. Both Isaac and Goff capsized at the gybe mark in race 2 and after difficulties righting the boats decided to join the Vision of Martin and Monty White ashore. Turner went on to win with Gibson, who had also capsized, just behind him. Only the 3 Laser Radials of Turner, Baker and Gibson were left for race 3 with Gibson leading from start to finish.
1st - Stuart Turner (Laser Radial)
2nd - Martin Gibson (Laser Radial)
3rd - Trevor Baker (Laser Radial)
Phil Issac (Phantom)
Deterred by the strong winds only 7 boats launched for this year’s Autumn Trophy open meeting. However the forecasted gale never appeared and those that did take part had exciting sailing with a course set with 2 good reaching legs. Robin Goff sailing his D Zero for the first time took the lead from the start of the first race but was overtaken by the Tasar of Martin Gibson and Tony Cherry when he got into ‘irons’ at the sea mark. Gibson and Cherry held the lead until the end of the race.
Race 2 saw several boats finding the high winds and big waves not to their liking and going ashore. Gibson and Cherry again led to the finish but the D Zero proved to as fast off wind and was never far behind. The Visions of Trevor Baker crewed by Mike Mclaughlin and Benedict Wybrow crewed by another novice didn’t find conditions too difficult with their heavy hulls and Ben Mclaughlin showed great determination sailing one of the club’s Toppers.
By race 3 the wind had increased slightly and everyone was tired so OOD Anthony Rees decided to limit it to1 lap. After taking the lead from the start Gibson and Cherry capsized at the first mark leaving Goff little competition for the rest of the race.
1st R Goff (D Zero)
2nd M Gibson and A Cherry (Tasar)
3rd B Mclaughlin (Topper)
After several windless days Clevedon S.C. were concerned that there would be sufficient wind to run this year’s Town Plate Open event rescheduled from earlier in the season when there was too much wind. However, Saturday dawned with a very light breeze and the race started after a 30 minute delay as a handicap rather than the traditional pursuit type race. Race officer Stuart Butter set a small figure of eight course in the bay.
Richard White sailing his newly acquired RS 400 with his daughter Kelly took the lead from the start closely followed by Martin Gibson in his Laser. His decision to fly his spinnaker on the 3rd leg cost him dearly in the strong tide and Gibson took the lead at the 2nd sea mark until overtaken by the faster Phantom of Phil Isaac near the end of the first lap.
By the time the leading boats rounded the sea mark for the 2nd time Gibson had been overhauled by the Lark of Alex Knight crewed by Lorna Graham and again by the RS 400. The wind died at this point leaving Gibson struggling to avoid going under the pier whilst the Lasers of Robin Goff and Chris Cooper managed to go straight to the next mark. This left Isaac clear ahead with the Lark and the RS400 battling out behind with Goff following and Gibson playing catch up. Slower handicap boats were unable to make ground over the tide and most retired.
1st Phil Isaac (Phantom)
2nd Robin Goff (Laser)
3rd Alex Knight and Lorna Graham (Lark)
