RS 600 Nationals at Royal Torbay

The RS600’s made their way to Royal Torbay Yacht Club for the first weekend in September for their National Championships.

Although the wind didn’t quite live up to the scary forecasts nobody told the residual swell which left for a highly challenging first day. Thankfully the wind filled in for the remainder of the event. Noteworthy was the windy Monday where competitors got to enjoy 20-25knots and 2.5m swells and all sailors left the water with grins like Cheshire cats.

7th overall and 1st in the silver fleet went to Burghfield sailor Mark Cooper.

Full results...

Asymmetric and Admirals Club development sessions on 11th September

In the morning, James Tanner will be running the second of three training sessions publicised through the asymmetric fleet. Starting with theory this intermediate session will build on apparent wind and boat trim techniques building up to plenty of on the water practice including roll tacks and gybes. Session runs from 10.15 – 12.30 and is open to all asymmetric sailors.

Caroline Martin has then kindly agreed to run another development session for Admirals Club in the afternoon. The development days have been well attended this year and there is some flexibility to focus on any topics attendees may particularly want help with, depending on conditions on the day. As usual, be rigged and ready to sail at 13:30 - No need to book, nothing to pay - open to all.

For more AC news, remember to check our dedicated AC News page

Fleet Trophy Day & Masters

With the end of the Summer series last week and the Start of the Autumn series on the 19th, next week Sunday (12th Sept) sees the annual Fleet Trophy day and Masters.

This is one of the club special events and is a one-off Fleet Handicap race series (as per normal Sunday racing) but all held on one day. There will be three races, the first starting from 11am with two back to back in the afternoon. Of the three races two results to count.
The qualification age to enter for the masters is fifty years old or over.

Don't forget that over lunch will be the Abandoned boat Auction so it is going to be a busy day!

Topper coaching on Sunday afternoons is back

We are pleased to confirm that Topper coaching on Sunday afternoons will be restarting thanks to Matt Goodbourn who will lead the coaching with the help and support of a number of parents and other volunteers. The current plan is for the following dates (with further dates to be decided as the group develops):

Sunday 12th, 19th, 26th September and Sunday 3rd October. Meet at 1:30pm at the play area by the side of the club house, rigged and ready.

Matt is an ex Topper sailor and keen Laser sailor and has delivered coaching for Toppers at the club previously. His objectives for the coaching will be:

a) boat handling – getting to grips with sailing the Topper including all the basic manoeuvres and sail setting etc. and how to start and make the boat go quicker

b) basic racing – the fundamental rules, getting around a course and start lines (with a view that those who wish to can take part in the club racing once they feel confident)

c) Having fun!

For more information e-mail:

RS 200 Burghfield Team Retain the 'Top Club Trophy' at the Nationals

Six Burghfield boats made the long trip to North Berwick on the Firth of Forth in the last week of August for the RS200 National Championships.Although the weather, particularly the wind was very changeable, Chris Catt and Ally Martin starred finishing 5th overall, and with Chris Martin and Katherine Lovering and Ian Martin and Kate MacGregor ensured that Burghfield retained the “top Club Trophy”.

Full report

A new National Champion at the club

Congratulations to long term club member Chris Robinson who last weekend became Comet National Champion at Cardiff YC. Chris, an avid supporter and active racer in the class for many years really worked hard this year to win a very close fought battle for the championship in very varied conditions against a fleet of 27 other competitors. He finally only claimed the title on count back at what was a incredibly competitive event.

Well done Chris!

Full Y&Y report

Burghfield at the RS500 Worlds

The RS 500 class held its first World Championships this year in Bruinisse, Netherlands, and had boats enter from as far afield as Hong Kong!
It was little surprise then that of the 22 teams entered for the event, two were from Burghfield as the boat is gaining supporters at the club. Even better though, were the results, with James Tanner and Lucinda Blain managing to hold off a strong challenge from Class Chairman Michiel Geerling to take 5th overall. Not bad for a first worlds attempt! Richard and Sue Morley, also club members kept the numbers even by achieving an excellent 11th place overall.

Full Y&Y report

Optimist Half Term Sailing Course October 2010

Once again we're planning to run an Optimist sailing course over the autumn half term. It's a great way to brush up on the skills you learnt and may encourage children to take part in the winter training being planned, either at Burghfield or at other clubs. This will be the fifthyear that we have run this successful course using qualified RYA coaches and demand as ever will be high so don't delay register today!

For more detail about the training we are planning Click Here

Laser Nationals

Just two sailors from Burghfield competed at this year's Laser Nationals at Mounts Bay SC last week. Dan Bullock in the 4.7 fleet and his father, Ian, in the Standard fleet.

The week was a feast or famine affair with days 1, 4 and 5 being all but lost to a lack of wind or visibility but days 2, 3 and 6 being full-on with winds between 15 and 30 knots in some unpredictable seas.

In the end, Dan came 4th in the 4.7s having battled well all week against some heavier sailors. Ian finished with a good day which left him in 23rd overall. They came 2nd in the family (parent+child) competition.

Full Results: Standard | Radial Gold | Radial Silver | 4.7

Burghfield Bloodbath & Prizegiving

As a celebration and end to the Wednesday Evening series, the Bloodbath will take place next Wednesday-25th August.

Being a Lap Timed handicap race, the Bloodbath is a different type of race to the rest of the series and all competitors should note that everybody starts at 6.50pm on the same looonng line!

There is no personal handicap and each lap the competitors will need to go through the start/finish line. The race will be in the region of 45-60mins long.

Prizegiving for the series will take place as soon as possible after the race and there will be prizes awarded through the fleet so come and join in .... you never know... you might have won a prize!

Topper World Championships 22nd - 27th August

This time of year is busy for junior and youth sailors with many national and international events taking place. Following hot on the heals of the Topper National Championships is the Topper World Championships at Fraglia Vela Malcesine, Lake Garda, Italy.

Burghfield Junior sailor Lottie Harland will be competing and representing the club - good luck Lottie.

Topper National Championships 1st - 6th August

Seven of our Burghfield Topper junior and youth sailors took part in this years Topper National Championships in Pwllheli SC. The Topper class is much more than a junior class as it has no age limit and nearly half the fleet this year were sailing age 15 or over, with a strong showing of youth sailors and a few adults. After a three day qualifying series in light and shifty winds which left many sailors lying either better or worse than they had expected, the 326 strong fleet was split into Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets for the hard fought final three day Championship series which was sailed in stronger winds and an interesting swell. Final results for the Burghfield sailors were:

Gold Fleet:
- Josh Stone - sailed consistently all week for an excellent 9th against much more experienced competition
- Lottie Harland - a very credible 81st

Silver Fleet:
- Matt Stephens - a strong finish in 7th
- Katie Barraclough - 37th
- Adam Stone - 48th
- Thomas Goodbourn - 67th

Bronze Fleet
- Lucy Barraclough - a hard fought 4th

Well done to all in what were particularly difficult and testing conditions over the week.

Full results...

Burghfield Sailors Win RS Fevas at Hayling Island Sailing Club Youth Race Week

The 2010 HISC Youth Race saw a record number of 34 RS Feva’s attending including current National Champion Rob Baddeley & James Taylor plus newly crowned World Champ Owen Bowerman sailing with Sophie Ward from Ogston SC whilst World Champ crew Charlie Darling was helping her brother Tom in his first Feva event.

The week saw many new & temporary pairings but it was Rob & James who eventually held on to the lead from Owen & Sophie. Neither had an easy ride as Rob & Alice Masterman put together a very consistent series just ahead of South Zone sailors Anna Prescott & Jess Eales. Worlds race winner Suzi Peters sailing with Hector Nelson put in some great race wins to take 5th overall. In 6th was Burghfield Optimist sailor Josh Voller with crew Tom Stewart.

Laser 4.7 Europeans

Last week saw over 360 sailors from nearly 30 countries compete at the Laser 4.7 European Championships held in Hourtin, France on a large lake just 4 miles from the coast North West of Bordeaux.

Dan Bullock was the only sailor from Burghfield in a team of 24 GBR sailors selected from a qualification series held earlier in the year. Races were held in a shifty sea breeze leading to some inconsistent scoring throughout the fleet.

At the end of the 9 race event, Dan put together an excellent series including a 6th and a 7th to finish as the top British sailor in 22nd place in the under 16s and 78th overall.

Burghfield RS Fleet at Lake garda RS Eurocup 2010

Eleven Burghfield sailors travelled to the RS Eurocup event at Riva del Garda. It is a long way to go to sail against the same people that one meets at home events, but the scenery is stunning and the winds have a reputation of being great so it has to be done at least once in a sailing career. We were treated to a whole range of sailing conditions with lots of force 5/6 with bright sunshine making it well worth the effort.

More….

Other Burghfield Sailors currently away competing at their respective nationals include the Club's Topper Fleet in Pwllheli and the Jackson family at the Enterprise Nationals in East Lothian.

Hog Roast! Saturday 4th September

Extraordinary General Meating!

Saturday 4th September 2010 - Hog roast, bar & music

Starting at 6.30 pm (but there's nothing to stop you from making a day of it.....or even the whole weekend)

Tickets £10 (Juniors U16 £7.50) each for the hog roast meal (or vegetarian option)

All members welcome, bring your family and friends! Limited availability so please book in advance. Tickets from Pat or Alex in the office. Reserve by phone or email or Purchase at the bar.

Wednesday evening racing

An alternative view of Wednesday evening racing.... this time from outside the boat.. Thanks must go to all the other sailors who gave us that little bit extra room with the 2.5m boom sticking out the back of the boat!

Click image or link below:

Wednesday video