Dinghy Racing: May 1st

What a great 2015 year hosted by Team Captains Dinghies Andy and Karen Biggs. Writing this with 70 mph gusts outside we are reminded how generous the wind was with only one outright race cancellation. Andy gained huge support from the Committee for re-investment in 2016 dinghy racing.

Two RS Visions – think Wayfarer with easy righting / crew recovery, naturally aspirated with huge Spinnaker and a 1134 Handicap to die for. The perfect introduction to club racing.

A dual purpose Safety / Committee boat with a robust construction we think will tempt more Safety Boaters out in all weathers.

We need to get on the water a little earlier for three equipment acquaint sessions starting 3rd April to hone our Safety and Asymmetric skills before racing starts on 14th April.

Andy on [email protected] is keen to take out new and adult Members for refresher race training in the Visions on Tuesday evenings or as convenient. If any juniors’ parents are kicking their heels on the quay, we hope to offer similar temptation on Friday evenings. The Club’s stock of lovingly maintained Wayfarers is also available for adult sailing / training on Tuesday evenings. Contact Dave Sumner on 01326 240350 or [email protected].

We are actively exploring ways HRSC and HRCST can encourage the flow of adults and juniors into racing and hope there are opportunities with RNAS Culdrose. The Club, founded in 1948 by many ex-RN members, naturally should exploit their “special relationship”.

Saturday 18th June 14:00 – HRSC Dinghy Regatta: we have the return of the Junior Feva Travellers , Laser 4.7ers, and let’s see if we can lure RNAS Culdrose to the friendly melee. We are delighted and proud to have secured Commodore Grafham Water – Tom Smith, to RO the day. Tom will require the generous loan of a Committee boat capable of comfortably holding 4-6 volunteer spotters and recorders under cover.

Saturday 23rd July 18:00 – Susanna May Memorial Cup: the perennially popular event for the May family and friends to joust with HRSC Dinghies. Congratulations to Captain Reginald ‘Fido’ Vivian-May for his British Empire Medal awarded last September!

Saturday 17th or Sunday 18th September – Bart’s Bash: www.bartsbash.com it is appropriate in an Olympic year to honour Sir Ben Ainslie’s late friend Bart Simpson by sailing for Bart on 18th September.

I look forward to meeting old and new rivals alike on the river for an exciting programme of Club racing, regattas, and even the odd expedition or two.

Stephen Brooks – Captain Dinghies [email protected]

Spring Evening Thursday 18th June : Average Lap

Results

Race 1
Overall: 1st P Samuel, 2nd P Philpott, 3rd D Philpott,
Juniors: 1st R Hosking 2nd S Philpott

Race 2
Overall 1st P Samuel, 2nd R Hosking, 3rd P Philpott
Juniors 1st R Hosking, 2nd S Philpott

Captain Dinghies Andy Biggs thanks all those in support of the fleet on the day

Safety & Comittee Boat: A&K Biggs

Great sail today, even some planing at times. A few early season ‘technical hitches’ through the fleet!

So here is the results for today’s warm-up race.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

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Summer Weekend Series Sunday 13th September 2015: Trapezoid Ave Lap UGDC Wind ESE4-6

Culdrose on Sunday recorded over 20-30 mph average and gusting for an original 3pm race start. Captain Dinghies Andy Biggs had made the correct decision to delay matters until 5pm – just in time for a welcome soft rain to soothe salt-stung eyes in a somewhat milder 15-30mph.
Race Officers Steve & Beccy Kestin found what little shelter there was near Trebah for the start – pointing the fleet into a short steep swell for the first long leg to Gew. Andrew Hoskin deceived by the sheltered nature of the calm under the clubhouse, on reaching Trebah in his Laser 2 decided discretion was the better part of valour, and was the first to retire.
Proving peri octogenarians can surf with a sail, Dave Philpott impressively survived the roller coaster ride to Durgan where others did not, and after a magnificent first lap in the Solo finished on a high. Dave’s son Phil in the fastest boat of the day found he could survive the downwind sections – just – by perching precariously at the end of the scaffolding that counts as Gunwales on his Blaze and was home 5 minutes before everyone else.
Biggs & Brooks battled through the surf together on their full rigged lasers the entire race whooping more in relief as the exhausting beat turned to exhilarating reach up river. Other than a little faux pas on the gybe round Durgan, Biggsey had the edge over his rival, driving himself and craft to the limits, such that his boom broke on a +30mph pirouette through the narrows after race end.
Youth sailors Beks Hosking & Matt Broad in Laser Radials heroically made their way around the course – more than keeping up with the adults – Matt dividing Brooks and Biggs for a third.
Roger McDonald, Helford River Children’s Sailing Trust Deputy Chief Instructor had been out on the river earlier in the day on one of a pair of Trust Laser Visions put up for sale, testing for the first time its qualities in a stiff breeze, and at the same time instructing a mature nephew crewing on his first sail. Deciding his charge could cope with more instruction McD returned to the club in a Wayfarer. Heading the field behind the Blaze, a failure in the Wayfarer’s running rigging on the first reach to Durgan denied the pair a podium position – but not an indifferent start, it could be said, to a Level 1 Dinghy qualification!

Results: 1st D Philpott, 2nd S Brooks, 3rd M Philpott

Captain Dinghies: Andy Biggs thanks all those in support of the fleet on the day
Committee: Steve & Beccy Kestin
Safety: Nick Glossop & Ben Johns
Following: Chris & Emma Broad

Dave Philpott winner of HRSC Sunday race photographed earlier in the week