Dinghy Racing: June 2nd

150 sailors aged between 9 and 65+ competed in a two-day regatta at Helford River Sailing Club (HRSC) last weekend (14/15 July). Enjoying force 4 westerly winds, and with only one downpour, the event was part of the RYA Sail for Gold initiative which celebrates and supports the Team GBR sailors who are about to start their 2012 campaign.

Saturday’s racing involved three windward/leeward course races and one regatta course race for a fleet of Hunter 707 yachts and a Portsmouth Yardstick handicap fleet. Hunter 707 winner was Phil Samuel in Red Snapper, with Phil Badger in Wildebeest second and Ed Bolitho in Miss Moneypenny third. Winner of the handicap fleet was Chris Symes in Valkarie, with Andy Dennis in Orijin second and Miles Kirkby in Supergroove third.

On Sunday, there was a five-race series for two classes of dinghy – A handicap fleet and an RS Feva fleet – which formed part of the RYA OnBoard Cornwall Travellers Series. The competitors were joined by young sailors from St Mawes Sailing Club, Rock Sailing Club and Helford River Children’s Sailing Trust who learned to sail with RYA OnBoard, the scheme that introduces children of all backgrounds and abilities to sailing and windsurfing.

Elliot Wilkinson and Tristan Calverey from St Mawes Sailing Club won the Feva fleet, with Matt Chaplain and Laura Vinton from Rock Sailing Club in second place and Freddie and William Barnes from St Mawes in third. In the handicap fleet, Bob and Jack Warren from Restronguet Sailing Club were the winners, with Phil Samuel second and Adam Mason third.

In the third race, young Optimist sailors Sam Philpott & Finlay Walsh-Newton came through to finish first and second, and claimed the under-18s prize for the handicap fleet.

Phil Samuel was a medal winner on both days, taking gold on Saturday and silver on Sunday sailing his Laser. Claire Sharp was the first lady helm.

After Sunday’s racing, HRSC  laid on a cream tea for competitors, before the prize giving which involved an Olympic-style podium constructed by local carpenter/joiners Ollie Chamberlain and Ed Bolitho. Both men competed on both days of the regatta, even risking a bronze medal placing in Ed’s 707 Miss Moneypenny on Saturday, so they successfully put their craftsmanship to the test!

Mark Belshaw, RYA Regional Club Coach and OnBoard Development Officer, said: “HRSC has put a lot of effort in to make this a memorable event – a lot of people have worked very hard to make things work – especially the dinghy and yacht captains Beccy Kestin and Chris Symes. The event was really well supported and we had a great couple of days’ racing, with an Olympic theme to celebrate the 2012 games and support our team GBR sailors.”

RYA OnBoard is a grass roots programme which introduces sailing and windsurfing to young people aged 8 to 18, through schools, youth groups and training centres. For more information visit the OnBoard website www.ruob.co.uk.

To find out more about Sail for Gold programme visit www.rya.org.uk/sailforgold

Feva Class medal winners

Young […]

Summer Evening Series Thursday 21st August WSW 3-5 Average Lap UVGT

Beating a Laser

With Culdrose recording the odd 20kt westerly gust it was time to freshen up outside the HRSC clubhouse for this week’s average lap racing.  Beccy Kestin’s exemplary race preparation allowed her time to clean the 4.7’s sails with a couple of perfectly executed dipettes leaving her the psychological edge to take on all comers.  Roger Philpott and his father Tony – looked as though they might challenge – but were underdressed for the occasion and retired before the start.

Not so Sam Philpott who sportingly coaxed & cajoled a lovely orange bottomed 4.7 around the entire course twice without incident – until that is, his father offered a tow at the end of the race and sunk him.  Chris Hosken and young Barney Hill looked and did threaten – barely restraining their Laser II to less than 45 degrees to the vertical, finishing just 4 fine seconds behind Beccy’s Laser.

It was left to limbo dancers Andy Biggs and Roger McDonald to test the extent of their suppleness before an appreciative Blaze sailor.  Sat out in comfort on his high chair, Phil Philpott could take a relaxed view of the toil ongoing amongst 5 lasers beneath and latterly well behind him.  Nothing so unrefined as isometric exercises on the Blaze; no, Laser racers perspire, Blaze racers glow with pleasure. Well almost, because Phil probably needed near another minute ahead of McD to beat the laser’s handicap.

Results1st R McDonald, 2nd PJ Philpott, 3rd A Biggs

Captain Dinghies Andy Biggs thanks all those in support of the fleet on the day: Race Officer S. Brooks, Safety Boat 1, D. Church & D. Flunder 2, T. Marsland & Natalie, Photography D. Flunder.

McD Andy B & Beccy K tiptoe to the start

Sam Philpott crossed foils with Andy Biggs

Phil Philpott takes on Roger McDonald

Beating a laser – the hard way. How did it feel the following morning?

Andy giving & getting a proper beating

Could you clean the window please?

[Download PDF Version]

Saturday 21sth April W- NW estimated 4-5 Culdrose actual 5-6 RYA Average Lap Series – 2 triangular races

Phil Philpot – Laurels for the Solo performance

Ed Bolitho’s six-pack is unable to hold the RS in a huge Gust – trust there is no lasting damage Ed?

Under big skies the promise of big gusts had already diminished the fleet before setting of on its 6th spring outing. RS400 duellists, Roger McDonald & crew Beccy Kestin vs. talented young usurpers Ollie Berryman & Ed Bolitho set of at breakneck pace. Fortunately there’s still plenty of time for capsize and trawling practice pre RS400 early Autumn nationals. Ed’s six-pack enhanced hiking skill was unable to prevent an untimely dunking – the boom cracking his head forcing early retirement. No retirement for Phil Samuel’s conservatively powered Radial laser, snapping at the heels of the Solo and remaining RS. McD and Beccy threw out a drogue but rapid untangling & gathering of the laundry allowed them to enjoy a closer more social race.

The consummate skill & consistency of Phil Philpot in controlling a rig 45% larger than the longer and leaner Radial was to be decisive. Ultimately it was to the perfect match between helm and craft in Phil’s shorter and beamier Solo that Laurels were deserved and awarded. Adam – think Jockey – a few extra HRSC club puddings should do the trick.

Helm
Crew
Class
Name-No.
PY
Race 1
Lap Sec
Act Sec
Race 2
Lap Sec
Act Sec

Phil Philpott

Solo
4785
1150
1
582
670
1
574
660

Roger McDonald
Beccy Kestin
RS400
958
948
2
595
564
3
601
569

Phil Samuel

Radial
186886
1110
3
605
671
2
586
651

Ollie Berryman
Ed Bolitho
RS400
588
948
4
656
622
Rtrd

Captain Dinghies Beccy Kestin thanks all those supporting the fleet on the day.

Marshalls: Steve Kestin & Margaret Statham

Safety Cover: Jonathon & Katie Sykes assisted by Christian Griffin

Photography: Steve Kestin

Average lap race accounting whilst demanding of logistics and support is deemed fairest to PY dinghy competition. A great credit to all those behind the action for selflessly putting themselves forward for duty.

Margaret Statham watches McD & Beccy mastering a gust on the beat through the first gate

Nicely trimmed the Solo making light work of the gusts

The RS has to go very fast to keep up with the Solo

Individual survival within a scattered fleet was the order of the day

Not wishing to test his attire for water tightness Phil’s fancy turned to the radial.

Huge skies big clouds strong breezes

Class
Mainsail
Hull wt
LOA
Beam
2012 PN

Finn
10.6
145
4.5
1.5
1060

Solo
8.4
70
3.8
1.6
1150

Rooster
8.1
59
4.2
1.4
1050

Laser
7.1
59
4.2
1.4
1085

Radial
5.8
59
4.2
1.4
1110

Helford has yet to see Mark Belshaw’s lovingly restored ’73 wooden Taylor made Finn which achieved 1st place in light airs at the June 2011 Falmouth Classic Finn event. How would Phil Philpot’s Solo winning form on a breezy day compare with the Finns sail to weight ratio?