Preliminary Results 

1    3821      Steve Goacher         Phil Evans                             6.0
2    3905      David McKee           Chris Hewkin                          8.0
3    3917      Mike Hart                Richard Rigg                         10.0
4    3630      Paul Brotherton       Bill Masterman                      12.0
5    3923      Charles Apthorp      Alan Green                           15.0
6    3760      Jeremy Davy           Tim Harper                           17.0
7    3883      Alan Bax                Jamie                                   18.0
8    3716      Justin Waples         Iain Stowe                            19.0
9    3851      Ian Linder              Kevin Sweetman                    23.0
10  3734      Howard Green        Ian Preston                           27.0

59 boats entered. 3 races sailed in ideal conditions force 3-4 on Saturday. One race sailed in force 2 on Sunday after a wet and windless morning.

Full list and report to follow.

TNT post north ff traveller series 2008
Heat 1 @ Dovestone Sailing Club
19 and 20 April 2008

Saturday morning dawned with a howling wind, grey skies and temperatures hovering around 5 degrees C.  Early checks revealed that Dovestone reservoir’s unique microclimate had turned a forecast 20mph easterly into a heady mix of white caps and spray with Force 9 gusts. The fact that the RIB pontoon had broken up in the night confirmed the severity of the weather conditions. But nothing daunts out TNTsailors….

With visitors to the Open signing in, DSC ff Fleet Captain David McKee set about arranging the launch and mooring of competitors’ boats in the choppy waters.  Matters took a dramatic turn when Peter Hogg’s ‘almost new’ ff encountered jib trouble and was turned turtle under jib alone before being blown dangerously close to the shore.  It took an heroic attempt with all hands available to bring the boat back under control. 

Given the worsening weather conditions, Race Officer Mal Hartland cancelled the first race and called an early lunch in the hope of sailing in the afternoon – when the winds were expected to abate… 

The second race of the day was also cancelled and only by 3p.m. was it deemed fit to sail when the wind had dropped to Force 4/5 with occasional Force 6 gusts.  12 boats launched but as the wind picked up again, only 7 decided to give it a go.

The fleet headed for the top of the reservoir on the first beat with DSC’s Chris Massey taking an early lead.  Two more boats retired from the race during the first lap with the strong wind proving extremely shifty at the far end of the course.  Scott Train from Thornton Steward was unlucky to have to retire during the 3rd lap with a broken halyard.  After four laps averaging just 12 minutes each, Chris Massey (DSC) maintained his early lead to come home the victor, Chris Swallow (Burton SC) came second, Richard Hope (Draycote Water SC) third and Andy McKee (DSC) fourth. 

There was an excellent dinner in the clubhouse on Saturday evening followed by the famous  ‘National Ice Cube Curling Championships”.  After a keenly fought battle, with the visiting team Chaos Crew showing strongly in the early stages but peaked too early, the ice-cold edible trophies were won by The Galley Slaves (Tom Goddard, Michael Thackray and Aaron Knowles).

A ferocious gale continued to blow throughout Saturday night but Sunday dawned bright(ish) and blustery, winds 16mph easterly, temperature hovering around 7 degrees C.  Perfect ff racing conditions….

17 ff’s launched for the first race at 10.30 a.m..  An excellent turnout with nearly half the fleet from visiting clubs, Burton, Grafham Water, Thornton Steward and Draycote Water.  Two back to back races were planned using a course which involved two screaming reaches and a couple of tricky beats.   With many more ff’s on the water compared to Saturday, DSC member Chris Massey (sailing with crew Russ Clarke in his fathers ‘Sweet Chariot’) reported that there were ‘a lot more boat-on-boat tactics’ and the enthusiastic ongoing debate between ff helms and crews could be heard easily from the shore!

The weather held for the duration of the two races, with some deterioration over the afternoon as a low mist and light drizzle set in, but this didn’t affect the superb quality of the racing.  DSC ff Fleet Captain and crew Sally McKee had excellent starts to both Sunday races and were never seriously challenged for first place, although as Chris M pointed out, there was only 1 point in it!  The two planned races were completed with only one early retirement and, after much hauling of ff’s up the slipway of a brimful reservoir, everyone repaired to the clubhouse for a welcome hot lunch and trophy presentation.

This was the first event of the 2008 TNT post north travellers series. The results are posted in the travellers section of the BIFFA web site and will be updated after each event. Remember you only need 3 results from the 8 events to qualify and the top 15 helms from the 2006 national rankings are not eligible.

The next event of the series is :  Llangorse SC on 17th/18th May

Prizes as follows:

Open Fleet

1st David and Sally McKee  DSC
2nd Chris Massey and Russ Clark DSC
3rd Chris Swallow and Matt Pallatt Burton SC 
4th Richard Hope and Scott Smith Draycote Water SC

Silver Fleet
Scott Train and Graham Lamond  Thornton Stewart SC

Classic Fleet (Sail no under 2700)
Andy McKee and Maf Smith   DSC/Holy Loch SC

Vintage Fleet (Sail no under 2000)
Guy Kippen and Emily McKee  DSC
First DSC Boat in First Race
Chris Massey and Russ Clark  DSC

Inland Championship - April 12 - 13. Click here for results

Sixty boats entered the Inland Championship. The weekend began prior to the championship with a training day in Force 5-6 winds which produced some excellent video teaching material with some stunning views of keels! The teaching from Mike Hart was excellent and the participants felt they had learned a lot. Greg Wells gave an interesting talk on the use of the Tacktick Compass and the new Race Master, a fantastic piece of equipment.

The Championship proper began in winds of about Force 5 on the first day. The first race was led from start to finish by Mike Hart and Richard Rigg. Barry and Sue Parkin were second and the McKees third. In the second race Jeremy Davy led at the windward mark.  Steve Goacher and Phil Evans were 5th at the same point but passed the leaders to win with Greg Wells third. The third race saw Greg Wells first at the windward mark with Simon Kneller and Paul Brotherton in close contention. The group remained close but Steve Goacher and Phil Evans overtook them on the last beat by going left to win the race and become the overnight leader.

Sunday produced sunshine and much lighter breezes than forecast. Mike Hart established a commanding lead in race 4 only to lose it when the wind dropped and shifted allowing David and Sally McKee to win with Alan Bax and Steve Butcher second. It took some time for the Race Officer, Pete Sherwin, to set a course for the fifth race because of the shifting wind. Greg Wells was the eventual winner from Charles Apthorp and Paul Brotherton but Goacher and Evans’ two wins on Saturday gave them sufficient to win the Championship by one point.

For the rest of the fleet the racing was very close. The first rounding of the windward mark was an exciting occasion not without its trials and tribulations. On Sunday, particularly, the wind varied in strength and direction, giving rise to some close-fought battles at every part of the fleet.

Sponsorship from Butcombe Brewery added a little flavour to Saturday evening and our sponsors ( Force 4, Gill, Goacher Sails and Pinnell & Bax) were generous in supporting a prize draw.

Bewl Valley hosted their Flying Fifteen Open meeting over the weekend of the 29^th/30^th March. Ten club boats and eleven visitors including three crews from the SNCH Club in Belgium, took part in the four-race event.
The first race started in testing conditions with 30 knots of breeze. Colin Nutt and Chris Hough from Grafham made the best of the first beat and led around the windward mark hotly pursued by Pip Hudson from Broxbourne and Alan Bax from Hayling Island. A three way battle ensued with places changing throughout. At the finish Pip Hudson and Peter Nash crossed the line first with Colin Nutt and Chris Hough managing to hold off Alan Bax and Mark Darling to take second and third places respectively.
The second race started in steadily increasing breeze. Robert Hogben and Glyn Morgan from Bewl picked the left side of the beat and rounded the windward mark first ahead of Alan Bax. These two boats opened up a reasonable gap from Pip Hudson and Veronica Falet having their own battle but trying to keep in touch with the boats in front. By the second lap the wind had increased over 50 knots (highest gust 52.2 knots) leaving a trail of boats blown flat all over the race track. Robert and Glyn got blown flat half way up the second beat which allowed Alan Bax through to take the lead. This two boat battle continued until the last lap when Robert and Glyn broached again trying to drop their spinnaker. By the time they had retrieved the situation, Veronica and Ben Falet and Pip Hudson sailing with Peter Nash had caught up and overtaken them. At the end Alan Bax crossed the line first,Veronica second and Pip Hudson third.
The racing on Sunday started with an hour’s less sleep for everyone and much lighter conditions to contend with. The Race Officer Adam Page had to postpone until he could set a line and windward mark, however, once set everyone got away cleanly. Alan Bax showed his mastery of the lighter conditions and hit the windward mark first followed by Robert Hogben and Glyn Morgan. Despite having not set foot in a Flying Fifteen for eight years, Veronica Falet showed just how good a sailor she still is by working her way through the pack and with lightning quick upwind speed overhauled Robert before setting about catching Alan. Despite getting close to Alan the gap proved enough and he went on to win his second race of the regatta with Veronica and Ben second, Robert and Glyn third.
The last race of the regatta started in 10 knots of breeze. Colin Nutt and Chris Hough picked the shifts as if they still sailed at Bewl to lead around the windward mark from Robert and Glyn. The small gap these two boats had at the windward mark was enough to give them clear breeze down the run and they sailed away from the pack. The other contenders for the overall title were buried in the pack trying to work their way through. With the gap growing from the rest of the fleet a private race ensued between Colin and Robert. Colin defended well to come out on top and win the last race with Robert just behind in second.
Laurette and Christian Van De Zande from SNEH in Belgium won the Classic Trophy. Richard Kingsnorth and Mike Blacklee from Bewl took the Silver Trophy, and the overall winners were Alan Bax and Mark Darling from Hayling Island.

Easter Sunday dawned with fairly heavy snow showers and not surprisingly only 16 intrepid yachtsmen took their snow filled boat covers off their flying fifteens at Grafham for the annual Easter Salver contest.

An excellent effort was made by two visiting teams who  made the journey despite the conditions - Justin Waples (3716) sailing with Iain Stowe and Chris Swallow (3772) sailing with Matt Pallet. A special mention should go to Matt who sailed both races in the artic, snowy conditions in…a shorty wetsuit! Race 1 went to Justin and Iain as did race 2. The racing was fast and furious with excellent Olympic courses being set (thanks RO Alistair!) and reaches that were extremely challenging under spinnaker.

Day 2 Easter Monday: Again, snow was falling and I must confess I began to wonder whether a day in front of a log fire in the local boozer was not a better use of my time and resources. However, everyone else seemed pretty keen so I pretended I was ‘really up for it’. No-one was taken in.

Race 1 and Race 2 went to Kneller/Lucas with again, some very close racing and, to add to the excitement, a protest to finish off with!

The final results were:

Kneller/Lucas
Waples/Stowe
Cave/Painter
Palmer/Wadeley
Swallow/Pallet
Gatton/Ledger
Clarke/Scott
Rant+1
Smith +1

We must have had some of the best yacht racing the UK had to offer over the weekend (quite possibly the only racing !) great effort and well done to all including Charlie and Becs Stowe who braved the conditions to run the racing for us on the Monday. Look forward to another Easter Salver next year to start the season.
Simon Kneller
FF 3842 AeroFoil

For more pictures see - http://www.flickr.com/photos/davas/sets/72157604229320688/ 

Saturday was bright and sunny with a pleasant breeze for the briefing at 11am. Race Officer Mike Coulson, started promptly, and the first race was sailed in an easing breeze. Alan Bax/Stephen Butcher led around the top mark, from Stephen Hine/Rick Bowers, Biffa President Justin Waples/Ian Stowe, Charles Apthorp/Dave Ricards and Gary Phillips/Philip Tinsley. After 2 super reaches, Waples passed Hine and the top 4 stayed like that for the rest of the race as the breeze died away further. Adam & Emma Mangen slipped by Phillips to be top Datchet boat, Phillips having to be content with top silver.
The breeze eased even further before the second start, and the fleet crept around the course. Apthorp soon slid into the lead, just ahead of consistent Bax, with Winter Warm Up winner Ian Linder/Kevin Sweetman in third and Datchet stalwart Richard Hughes/Alex Cass in fourth. These four slipped away from the pack around 2 slow laps. Race officer Mike Coulson had no option but to cancel any further racing and the fleet of 14 retired to watch the second half of England v Ireland, which cheered up the English fans.
Going into the second day, there is all to play for - Alan Bax with 3 pts leads from Apthorp on 5, Waples with 8 and Linder with 9. The main pack is as ever very tight, with Peter Hogg with 13 pts in 5th, down to Adam Mangen with 21 in 12th. Top silver and top Datchet boat was Richard Hughes.
 
Sunday saw a complete change, very wet with a very strong northerly blowing a steady 25-30 mph, with challenging gusts up to 45! With 14 Fifteens, 24 Contenders and 12 Finns the start area was very busy. Once away, the usual suspects where at the front, then there was a big bang aboard the overnight leaders’ boat, and Alan Bax had to retire – broken jib halyard. Justin Waples went on to win, followed by Ian Linder and Charles Apthorp. The other Hayling sailors were revelling in the strong breeze, with Gill Browning/Simon Wetherill 4th, Peter Slater/Adrian Simpson 5th, and Stephen Hine 7th.
Second race saw Charles dominate from the start, winning by a handsome margin in increasingly gusty conditions, several mid fleet boats showing their keels off in the stronger gusts! Justin Waples was 2nd, and Alan Bax bounced back with third. There was all to play for in the last race – overall Charles led, with Justin and Alan just behind. Retirements were coming thick and fast – gear and human failure in equal measure! It became a two horse race when Charles had to retire – jib halyard too. Alan could tie on points if he won, which he duly did, with Justin second – they were only separated on count back. Charles had done enough for 3rd, and the Winter Warm Up winner Ian Linder was 4th. Top Datchet boat was Mark Firth and Tony Mumford, Silver winners Gary Phillips and Philip Tinsley, also from Datchet.
Many thanks to Mike Coulson and his hard working race team, and to results maestro Peter Short. Prizes where presented by Club Commodore Tom Gradon.

British crews chase early leader in Australian Nationals

Whilst the rest of the British Fifteen fleet are recovering from the Christmas and New Year excesses, or relaxing after a cold Grafham Grand Prix two British crews are contesting the Australian Nationals at the Geraldton Yacht Club in Western Australia.  After an initial invitation race sailed in winds of 25 knots gusting to a reported 33 which saw half the fleet stay ashore the championships got under way the next day in near perfect conditions with winds of 10 to 12 knots.  Grant Alderson after missing out on the World Championships proved to be the man to beat and capitalising on his win in the high winds the day before started his campaign with two straight bullets; the British crews both sailing brand new Ovington built fifteens on their outing scored a credible 3rd & 4th and 7th & 12th. Ian Cleaver from Loch Earn sailing club having the better pair of results lying in 3rd place over night with James Flower lying still in touch in 8th after the first day.  Day two was sailed in very tricky conditions and a minimal breeze of about 6 knots which died to almost zero shortly after the Grant Alderson took his third win of the Championship.  Such were the conditions that only another 8 boats crossed the line our British crews amongst them, with Flower scoring a creditable 6th , though with Ian Cleaver being deemed OCS at the start.  The PRO called a break for lunch and the wind duly built to a respectable 15 knots for the start of race four, although this breeze proved to be fickle and dropping to a lowly 5 knots by the end of the race our pair turned in another respectable set of results with Cleaver 4th and Flower 5th.  Although Grant Alderson, clearly having the bit between his teeth and charging hard finished 3rd giving us a new race winner, Keith Swinton, he retains the lead in the championship by virtue of his polished and consistent performance.  We await the day three results and hope our pair can build on their early good showing, but is there any hope that Grant can be caught or will he run away with the championship.

2007 TNT POST NORTH TRAVELLER SERIES - FINAL REPORT

The Traveller Series has proved to be a great success.  Envisioned as a means to promote greater activity within the participating clubs and generate further interest in travelling and visiting other events, the programme incorporated the five existing open meetings at Dovestone, Bala, Burton, Notts County and Carsington.  Qualification for the series was participation in two events. This meant that boats from the participating clubs needed to enter their own meeting and one away trip would be sufficient.  From the first open meeting at Dovestone it was clear that attendance and interest was up and this grew during the year. The final event at Carsington drew 26 competitors, 20 of which were visitors.  In all 65 boats took part and it was most encouraging to see that sailors from other clubs have also taken on board this series with visitors from clubs around the country from as far north as Derwent Reservoir and South Windermere and as far south as Bewl Valley.

The final event at Carsington was a fitting climax with superb sailing on both days although Sunday morning was made exciting as a front passed through creating windy and gusty conditions with substantial rain. The afternoon cleared up and provided a superb last race.  At the last event it was possible for any one of five teams to win the overall series and the competition was therefore close.

There were many notable performances and of particular note was the performance of Paul McCarthy and Matt Pallat sailing their silver boat who eventually finished fourth overall but were in a challenging position throughout most of the series beating many modern boats.  Chris Swallow from Burton and Colin Pierce of Dovestone were the only competitors to attend all five meetings.

At the end of the series there were 17 qualifiers, nine boats had completed three events and five four events.

The series success was largely attributable to the support and profile provided by our sponsors at TNT Post North, whose representative Andy Goddard sailing with Colin Pierce, finished the series a close second.  The prizes including television sets, power drills and DAB digital radios were unrivalled.

The series will be run again in 2008, final details should be made available prior to Christmas.

The prize winners are as follows:

1st Classic  798  Ian Shaw & Jeremy Lane - Notts County / Carsington
1st Silver  3278  Paul McCarthy & Matt Pallat - Burton Sailing Club

Open

1st   3642  Richard Hope & Scott Smith - Draycote Water Sailing Club
2nd   3835  Andy Goddard & Colin Pierce - Dovestone Sailing Club
3rd   3790  Peter Kitchen & David Kitchen - Tees & Hartlepool Yacht Club

Once again the Flying Fifteen fleet joined with the Tempests for their Last Blast Event. This year’s Open also constituted the last round of the TNT Traveller series (the reporting and overall scoring of which is reported elsewhere).

The weather was forecasting an incoming front with strong winds and rain so Saturday afternoon’s three races were sailed in a slightly threatening atmosphere. In reality the wind built only slightly all afternoon from the light breeze on the first beat to give very pleasant sailing conditions with the occasional prolonged planeing gust on the reaching legs of the Olympic Course.

Dave McKee proved unchallengeable taking three firsts in his Classic .

The next day ran true to the forecast with the strong winds building overnight still from the south west to give challenging racing. Several boats (including Tempests) found it all too much either not starting or retiring. However on the last lap the wind suddenly shifted to the West as the front passed through –the rain gave way to sunshine and the gusting force 5 to 6 eased to a steady breeze. Peter Hogg /Andy Falmer took this race from Andy Goddard /Chris Pierire with Dave Mckee /Chris Hewkin taking third (as their discard).

The last race was sailed with the course all moved round to accommodate the wind shift. Dave Mckee was again on form to win the race and take the Event overall (and First Classic). Tony Lee notched up another second place (to give him fourth overall ) followed by Andy Goddard  (third overall) and then Peter Hogg in fourth place (to give him second overall).

Consistent performances all weekend gave Richard Hope/Scott Smith fifth and Chris Swallow/Wendy Sandoes sixth. Alan Castleton/Chris Chatterton were first Carsington Home Boat and Paul McCarthy/Matt Pallet took first Silver Fleet Boat.

A beautiful sunny day with little wind greeted the 9 visitors and ten home boats for the Speed Sails sponsored Draycote Water Flying Fifteen Open Meeting.

Two races were held on Saturday, in light and variable airs, with Greg Wells and Mark Darling exhibiting their skill with two firsts.  Jeremy Davy and Paul Busby doing well in the conditions with a 2nd and third.

The fleet enjoyed a barrel of beer on the slipway, good food and the World Cup Final on the large screen TV.

Sunday dawned windless, but a postponement until 12.30pm was a good call by OOD John Roache and a breeze of force 1-2 filled in.  Three races were held back to back with Wells and Darling continuing their dominance with two further wins.

Davy and Busby consolidated their second place, while Debbie Darling and Stephen Hine sailed consistently to secure 3rd overall.

Tim Tomlinson and Mark Greer of Middle Nene Sailing Club, won the Silver Fleet, Classic Fleet Millennium Fifteen Trophy (1st boat below 3000).  John Dinnie and Richard Chaplin won the first Vintage boat.

Congratulations to OOD team in testing conditions and a very grateful thank you to our sponsors Speed Sails.