ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB SPONSORED BY December 2020 www.royalsolent.org ChristmasChristmas TimesTimes WEATHERING THE STORM! WELCOME to the inaugural issue of the Royal Solent Times. In these difficult and ever-changing times we thought it more important than ever to stay in touch with our members; to review what we DID manage to achieve after the first lockdown and, more importantly, look forward to what we CAN bring you during the winter months ahead and into next season. It is the time to adapt, to reach out to our members near and far, especially those who for whatever reason have been unable to visit the Club. With this in mind the usual annual Spring magazine that has served us so well in the past was far too distant to meet the needs of the membership in these times. Something more immediate, more relevant, was needed to inform and stay connected with our members. And so, WELCOME to the first of, what we hope will be, a regular newspaper, packed with up to date stories of what has been happening at the Royal Solent and exciting news of what to look forward to over the Christmas period and the months to follow in the run up to spring. Miles Peckham, Rear Commodore House SAILING ROUNDUP: Rear Commodore Sailing, Katie Davies reports on an unusual sailing season. LOCKDOWN COMMUNITY: Club members supporting the West Wight. THOM D’ARCY RETURNS: The completion of a singlehanded 4 year, 37,000 mile circumnavigation in a 28ft boat. GOLF AND SHOOTING: Off the water activities are on the up. WHAT’S ON AT THE RSYC: Winter programme enclosed. A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR MEMBERS

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Royal Solent Yacht Club Newspaper for press.indd 1 10/11/2020 14:52 ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS TIMES 2020 ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS TIMES 2020 Thankfully, the bad days were few and far between. Having said that I will always remember being knocked down by a breaking wave WE’RE HERE FOR A triumphant off Australia, having to squeeze into the cockpit locker waist deep in water with the boat half sunk to plug a hole whilst in the middle of OUR MEMBERS return Thom crosses his outward the South Atlantic and suffering track in February 2019. After 4 years away, Royal Solent member Thom engine failure a hundred metres off D’Arcy returns to Yarmouth after his single the breakwater of La Coruña, a lee handed 37,223 mile circumnavigation. A fleet of RSYC and YSC Yachts and members were there shore in 25 knots of wind. to meet him at the Needles. All of these certainly contributed to me returning with far fewer hairs on

my head than when I left! Virtual Quiz. Anne Kyle, Commodore RSYC. There are too many highlights to mention here, but my encounters with wildlife particularly stand out; from swimming with humpback Left: Thom waves to escorting craft. whales in Tonga; alongside 3m Photo by Keith Allso. Bingo night. There are some winners! Right: Reunited with his family. wide manta rays in Fiji; to gliding beside 9m long whale sharks in Normally, I would be writing an There is no doubt that we have had a Saint Helena. It was very humbling article for the annual magazine successful sailing season, we may not to be a temporary visitor in their reflecting on the year past. However, have been able to hold the Taittinger Book Club. underwater world. there is nothing “normal” about this Regatta but we managed some are still smiling. Many of you have restrictions in the make-up of crews, appreciated the welcome you have still got out on the water by taking I will never forget the welcome as year. We – the Flag Officers and events - Folkboat Week, the Royal received from the duty officers and to the Club Lasers. We had a record I returned to back in Committee Members – spend our Artillery Regatta and some excellent this we will continue to do in busy fleet out this year and I am fully August. I may have sailed to 19 time thinking “outside the box” in club racing. This has been down, not times. confident we will see the same this countries and 80 islands, incredible terms of how to run the Club, how only to the sailors themselves, but the The last few miles. Thom D’Arcy returns in Fathom after his single handed circumnavigation. Photo by Keith Allso. coming spring. places such as the uninhabited to keep our Members interested and race officers and volunteers led by As you are all aware, during lockdown, When I set sail from Yarmouth in very different to the one I left in 2016 whilst Fathom sails on unattended coral atolls of the Tuamotu’s in the entertained. Therefore, the idea of a our Rear Commodore Sailing, Katie a team of our members worked in We continue to evolve with our in- May 2016, I was unsure how far I with the Brexit Referendum taking into the blackness rolling beam to South Pacific. Royal Solent Christmas Times really Davies. The winter series started well the community – helping with food house entertainment. Nick Measor’s would go but knew without doubt place whilst I was away and now the beam took some getting used to. appealed to me. – even I have taken to the water and deliveries, delivering prescriptions hugely successful online quiz is a I visited isolated villages in and many other acts of kindness. regular feature along with our themed that I was ready for an adventure. challenges of a global pandemic. We are certainly sailing through dug out the thermals and oilskins! The 38 days at sea from Panama to Madagascar and iconic landmarks The community of Yarmouth is very food evenings, newly-formed Book Cutting land ties and giving up an It’s not just a strange time for me as I stormy waters but, to date, we are We hope this can start again at the the Marquesas in French Polynesia such as the Opera House in Sydney important to us and, once more our Club and Bingo nights and further income had not been easy and I attempt the transition to land life and holding our own. In fact more than beginning of December. with nothing but the odd dolphin for Harbour, but nothing beats the team have sprung into action. virtual entertainment. remember feeling a mix of excitement to find a job, it’s an unusual time for company, yet with a limitless sense of holding our own – the visitors we Winter is with us and the skies are sight of the Needles appearing on Our Treasurer tells me that, despite and apprehension as I drifted down everyone. freedom, was completely unique. I have welcomed over the summer darker and, despite a further closure, To the future, none of us know when the horizon after such a long time the closures and restricted trading, we the Western Solent, wondering what When I look back on the voyage, I tried to embrace the solitude of these months have sent some incredible we are still very positive about the life will return to normal but we are away. are holding up and this is thanks to I was getting myself into and when I realise that it can be separated into long ocean passages and realised messages – ours was the first club to future. It is a difficult course to steer learning to live with the situation. the support of the Members. Times would be back in home waters. two quite distinct parts. it was possible to be alone, but not Thank you to the Commodore and get sailing, the first club to open whilst – ensuring that the Club re-opens The Club has therefore become an and operates within the rules and even more important part of our undoubtedly will get tougher (winter I write this now onboard Fathom, The first, which makes up less than lonely. flag officers of the Club for helping above all being safe and welcoming – regulations. We are fortunate in lives – somewhere we can visit, get is always a low trading period) but moored in Yarmouth Harbour 20 percent of the total time, is that organise the flotilla and to all the something of which our membership The second part was a complete having a clubhouse large enough to fed, see each other, and feel safe. We with the continued support from you, once again. When I look out of the on passage. The weeks alone at sea; members that came out to wave me can be proud. One member even contrast; the times spent with others; maintain social distancing and at the will continue with the restaurant we will weather this storm. companionway towards the quay having to switch into the mindset in. referred to the Royal Solent recently the camaraderie with fellow sailors as same time create an atmosphere by environment as I think it will be some Christmas is around the corner and the hustle and bustle of harbour of being self-sufficient; to accept my as their “port in the storm of 2020.” we explored new landfalls together; It was a special day and a perfect way of themed dinners and lunches. time before we will be able to shed and for many of you it will be a very life, it is almost like time has stood still boat and I are just a tiny insignificant However, at the time of writing, the group adventures; buddy boating way to finish my voyage on the our masks and mingle. different affair but let us look at the and nothing has changed since that dot within the immensity of the open we are about to go into a second The quality of food is better than between islands; being a part of River Yar, surrounded by friends positive side, we live in a very special day I left. ocean; that there is no one to help if lockdown period. Hopefully it will be ever, with some memorable meals We are already planning the sailing a floating community; lifelong and family at the very place I learnt place and are so much better off than things go wrong. short lived, but during November we and there are more exciting evenings season ahead, we may well start racing Have I really been away over four friendships forged over sundowners to sail in my Optimist dinghy all others. The Club will do its upmost will still be here for our members with planned. The staff have to work earlier next year as this past season years and sailed 37,223 miles around Lying in my bunk on a dark stormy and music jam sessions beneath those years ago. The question I’m in making your Christmas special. A virtual quizzes and talks, plus a weekly hard with table service etc. but their demonstrated everyone was keen to the world? Beyond a quick glance it’s night, thousands of miles from land, the palm trees. So many amazing often asked, and can’t answer yet, is: very Happy Christmas to you all. ‘What now?’... curry take-away. welcome is as genuine as ever – I can get out on the water. Those classes clear the country I have returned to is trying to catch a few minutes of sleep memories. assure you that, under the masks they initially unable to sail because of Anne Kyle, Commodore

2 3 ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS TIMES 2020 ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS TIMES 2020 You’re my Superstars IN MEMORIAM A selection of testimonials: Re: Helpline - thank you what a brilliant Colin Campbell initiative. You are Stars! Did I say Stars? CLUB AIDS LOCAL No you are Super Stars! Club member and former managing Gill Davis director of the historical Yarmouth I’m writing to say how good it was to hear boat yard, Harold Hayles, Colin from the RSYC throughout lockdown and COMMUNITY beyond. I’ve been marooned in Surrey Campbell, died in July aged 83. since March. The RSYC newsletters were Colin was born in Sidcup Kent, great for keeping in touch. And what wonderful work Miles’s crew did delivering and entered into National Service prescriptions etc. I felt very proud. with the Royal Air Force aged 18. Elizabeth Watson Discharged two years later, Colin We had a delicious lunch yesterday served worked at Selfridges (London) on the balcony. The staff were so attentive and pleasant. The beef was beautifully Rear Commodore House Miles Peckham’s’ team of volunteers. in their Architecture and Design cooked and presented. Thank you all for From left to right: Catherine Holmes, Brenda Fishwick, Anthony Davies, Miles Peckham Department and, thereafter, at making a ‘horrid situation better. Matt Courtney. Heal’s (London). He was quickly Susie Craven-Smith street or just missing altogether! Many Wessex in recognition of his efforts recruited to hold senior managerial We talked to Abby and Vicky about the positions at Interiors International (Meredew), Arkana, and Burgess, precautions the club was taking and of us grew up on the West Wight but to keep the West Wight healthy, said: decided it was probably the safest place still found roads and addresses we “All of a sudden, what it would have retailing fine furniture. With a passion for Yarmouth that never waned, to choose for our first meal out since never knew existed. taken me a week to do had become Colin settled there and became Managing Director of Harold Hayles March. We were very impressed by the (Yarmouth) Ltd in 1972. He was a past Mayor of Yarmouth (IoW), a arrangements, had a lovely meal and After a while most of us became one day’s delivery. Yarmouth Harbour Commissioner and a Deputy Launching Authority most important felt safe. It was such an familiar with the regular customers “Prescription numbers were going uplifting experience for us. at the Yarmouth Lifeboat Station, Colin was also a keen sportsman and were able to speed up meaning through the roof as patients were Tony and Sally Thatcher (swimming, water polo, and yacht racing). He is survived by his wife, son, that each driver would be able to concerned about how they were We want to thank you all for making our daughter, grandchildren and sisters, who, along with his many friends and evening so pleasant and safe. We had finish their round in an hour or so going to obtain their medicines. A work colleagues, will greatly miss him. a delicious meal and it was great to be each day. magical call from Miles at the RSYC back. You have all done, and are doing, a grand job to keep things together, for We found that some of the more changed everything. “He said: ‘Not which we are most grateful. only will we deliver for you but we will Peter Garratt Geoff and Ann Greatorex elderly customers would be keen to Rear Commodore Sailing Katie Davies’s team of volunteers. From left to right: Vicky Tribe, Matt Courtney, Katie Davies, have a chat when we arrived and we organise your deliveries, just put the A stalwart of the Club, Peter Garratt, May I take this opportunity to say how Alice Hall and Sarah Finch. prescriptions in boxes and we will do brilliantly the club have reacted to the had to refuse numerous well- meant died in September after a long Covid crisis from the community outreach A conversation overheard by chance It sounds a simple task but we soon To sort the prescriptions a back- offers of tea or coffee from those the rest’.” illness, aged 71. He was born in to the courses and quizzes and of course who struggled to understand the “The area delivered to was vast, from Stanmore, Middlesex, the younger getting the informal racing going well by a member was the catalyst for the discovered that it was considerably room team including Nicky and Dug before any other Clubs. Clubs’ largest community aid project more complex than it seemed. Henderson and Katie and Agatha social distancing rules! There were through to Newtown and son of George and Queenie Garratt Didi Nicholson in our history. Davies spent hours each day sourcing occasions when we could not ignore Brook. The Club crew would call at who helped develop a community Medications don’t all arrive at the spirit on their estate at the end of We visited the club for a drink on Friday We discovered that Tim Gibbs, our postcodes and labelling prescriptions pleas for help with things such as 11am and 5pm daily and the green evening and would like to say thank you pharmacy at the same time but via the Second World War. He learned dedicated Yarmouth pharmacist, was to ensure that drivers had a logical clearing blocked loos and unpacking bins full of prescriptions would be to all those involved. The commodore a number of deliveries through the from this and took this community made us feel so welcome despite having regularly delivering between 100- route to follow on the road. shopping. delivered by all their amazing team. day resulting in prescriptions being focus throughout his life. Peter to deal with all the restrictions. We were 150 prescriptions per week after the The delivery teams met to collect We were of course gloved and masked “This went on until the end of June. I so impressed with the efficient way the prepared throughout the day. This read engineering at Loughborough shop was closed often meaning that their product in the Club car park with many pairs of gloves being kindly cannot thank everyone at the RSYC club has dealt with the restrictions yet meant we would need to collect them University and joined British Rail everyone involved was so friendly leading he was working until 9pm-10pm. and, being in lockdown, this little bit donated by Yarmouth RNLI and a enough for what they did over a three- for distribution twice a day. as a Civil Engineer on Track and to a safe but relaxing environment. This was before lockdown enforced of socially distanced contact five days large amount of facemasks donated month period. I would have sunk like David and Barbara Jobson Signalling. He retired three times but was brought back twice to help restricted entry to the shop preventing Our team of volunteer drivers a week became something we looked by John Caulcutt. In addition to those a stone without you.” Absolutely riveting talk about Yarmouth! solve seemingly intractable technical and legal problems on the railways many customers from collecting their pictured (with the exception of Phil forward to. of us delivering medications, there Fascinating, as one knows bits of history, Another example of Club members including resolving the problematic Eurostar link from St Pancras to span but now realise not much! Such a great prescriptions. and Caryl Thomas), could not swing It was soon discovered that “Google was a team of volunteers helping in helping to keep spirits up during presentation! I hope the Zooms continue into action until the prescriptions had the pharmacy answering phones and the Kings Cross lines. Peter eventually made full retirement to Yarmouth as very nice for us off islanders to join. We Following brief discussions, your maps” is not ideal when searching for lockdown was the series of very been sorted into boxes for each ‘route’ dealing with customer enquiries. and his beloved gafferFurstin . Ever active he participated fully in the life of have really enjoyed this talk and Susie’s Club approached Tim to ask if he individual houses and fortunately we popular quizzes ably written and run the Club. In 2016 he made a Transatlantic crossing as part of The Arc and about being Lord Lieutenant. around the West Wight which would This team included Fiona Scott, by Nick and Melinda Measor with Liz Garratt needed help and our offer was swiftly found www.explorer.geowessex.com, a joined the Nelsonian Tot Club in Antigua. On return he joined the Island accepted. be covered twice each day. wonderful website which individually Mo Kearns, Francesca Grade, around 35 regular participants taking May we, as members who have been branch immediately. He participated cheerfully in Yarmouth community in Lockdown and continue to be so for Under the management of Miles Our steward, Matt Courtney, actually names and numbers every dwelling in Jonathan Whitehead, Teresa Fox part via Zoom. life and was a volunteer driver and telephone line respondent for the Earl some weeks, take this opportunity to Peckham and Katie Davies, our Rear walked the Yarmouth route, including each postcode on a clear roadmap. and Sue Clement. Susie Hawkes also These events are great fun so please Mountbatten Hospice. The date of his death (September 15) coincided congratulate the Commodore, the Flag helped out at Harveys, sourcing and Officers, Committee Members, Club Commodores, a team of volunteers, and Port La Salle, twice Even with this tool many of us spent join in and have a go. There is a with both the anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the date of the death Members and Staff for not only keeping both members and furloughed staff, each day and also offered elderly, what felt like hours searching for some delivering shopping to Yarmouth chance for a little social interaction of his hero civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. the Club affairs in good order but also infirm, or isolating members, a residents unable to help themselves. online before the quiz begins. for their outstanding contribution to the was quickly assembled to process and elusive properties the first time we had Sadly, the following members also died during the year. welfare of the local community. We thank deliver prescriptions to those unable delivery service from the local shops to visit them. You wouldn’t believe The contribution from the whole Mr Nicholas Filbee, Mr Nick Hamilton, Mr Malcolm Rodwell and Mrs you all. or unwilling, due to Covid 19, to as well. A valiant effort. how many house names are hidden team was exceptional and Tim, who Anthony Davies Malcolm and Helen Peplow Peggy Busby. collect them. by foliage, simply not visible from the was recently visited by The Earl of

4 5 ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS TIMES 2020 ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS TIMES 2020 The Wight Choice Our green and pleasant island encompasses a fertile farming tomatoes and mushrooms to cheese and ice cream. In these landscape and 57 miles of fishable coastline. With its southerly challenging times, supporting our local businesses is more location, the benefits from a mild climate and important than ever, and with our Wight Night dinner on Saturday record breaking levels of sunshine, which create perfect growing 9th January 2021 we aim to showcase delicious island grown conditions for a wide variety of high quality produce all year produce in a sumptuous 5 course dinner at the Club. We hope that round. Many of the Island’s growers and artisans are award this will be the first of many Wight Nights and we hope you can winning and nationally renowned for their produce - from join us to enjoy the fruits of your island. WIGHT NIGHT MENU Saturday 9th January 2021, 6:30pm for 7pm £45 per head* Wight Salads Nursery, Hale Common, PO30 3AR Farm Macketts Lane, Tel: 01983 866907 Mermaid Salt Vodka Cocktail (available separately) Hale Common, Newport PO30 3AS www.thetomatostall.co.uk Tel: 01983 868655 Isle of Wight Distillery www.iwmushrooms.co.uk Gourmet Oyster Mushrooms & Caramelised Onion Marmalade with Garlic on Sour Dough Crostini Isle of Wight Mushrooms, The Garlic Farm, The Island Bakers Atherfield Prawn Salad with Piccolo Tomatoes & a Chilli Cherry Dressing Hill, Smallbrook Lane, PO33 1PX J&B Fisheries, The Tomato Stall, Wild Island dressing Ryde PO33 4BE Tel: 01983 613653 Tel: 01983 811084 www.isleofwightdistillery.com Slow cooked Pork Belly with a Smallbrook Steamer Cider Sauce, www.rosemaryvineyard.co.uk Braised Red Cabbage & Roasted Root Vegetables Brownrigg’s Farmshop & Butchery, Rosemary Vineyard Cider Apple Panna Cotta with Black Cherry Ice Cream & Apple Crisps Newport Rd, , PO38 3LY Classics ice cream Tel: 01983 840191 www.brownriggfarmmeats.co.uk Tel: 01983 400450 Selection of Island Cheeses & Chutneys Road, PO36 0NZ www.theislandbakers.com Tel: 01983 402736 Isle of Wight Cheese Company, The Green Barn Dairy Goat Farm, The Garlic Farm chutneys www.isleofwightcheese.co.uk Island Roasted Coffee & Assorted Chocalicious Chocolates The I.O.W Espresso Co, The Rabbit Hole Chocolate Shop CHOCALICIOUS CHOCOLATES AVAILABLE AT J&B FISHERIES * Non-discountable 55 School Green Rd,Freshwater PO40 9AS Facebook RabbitholeIOW Avenue Rd, Freshwater PO40 9UT Tel: 01983 752269 www.jandbfisheries.co.uk

6 7 ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS TIMES 2020 ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS TIMES 2020 Top gun Graham is bang on target SUN SHINES ON DINGHY WEEK! ended with a damp last pair of stands Squad 2: Fabulous weather during Dinghy losing one morning of Pico racing as heavy squalls blew through. The Tom Carlstedt-Duke Week provided a backdrop for our during the week. The competition winner of the highest guest prize was Richard Rivlin first regatta of this rather different was strong and extremely Geoffrey Hall from Seaview. Geoffrey Hall year. Everyone from competitors competitive and as a race officer very Graham lifted the trophy with 75 Catherine Holmes to race officers was excited and exciting to watch. points (out of 100), second was extremely pleased that we actually All the sailors seemed to have fun, Roger Sixsmith on 65 and third Andy Squad 3: managed to run the event. judging from the banter and noisy Hallett, 64. Martyn Collinson The 35 or so sailors were split into chatter emanating from the water. Sunny conditions for the competitors at the Brian Crawford bubbles of six. Tom Symes expertly Important lessons were learnt, RESULTS: For those interested in joining us Roger Sixsmith Royal Solent Dinghy Week in August. next year, the plan will be to organise devised a colour coded system not least that the race officer is not Laser Radial: 1 Harry Hall, 2 Alex RSYC Clay Shooting competitors at . William Mills shoots in March and September, and and with the help of ribbons, wrist always right, and it is imperative to Special thanks go to Tom Symes, Gallimore, 3 Laurie Holdsworth. Graham Benton was top shot to maintain social distancing, so it any members, and guests, would be bands, and designated zones in the tell them if you have a grievance! Mark Hall, Nick and Melinda Laser 4.7: 1 Oli Maltby, 2 Patrick when the Club’s Clay Shooting was possible to compete for the Club very welcome. dinghy park, social distancing was Although there was no social this Measor, David Fox and David Tate, 3 Fay Murray-Smith. competition finally took place in trophy. We had 12 people sign-up maintained. Pico:1 Henry Olmi, 2 Archie Tom Carlstedt-Duke year, I think it was a great week Porter as well to our sponsors - September. for the day, allowing us to have three A combination of Laser radials, and much of this was down to the The Delphie Lakeman Trust and Perkins, 3 Joe Collins. Although shoots are planned for the squads of four people, shooting at Laser 4.7s and Picos had perfect help received from the numerous Squad 1: Harwoods - whose continued Katie Davies Spring and Autumn each year, the staggered start times. conditions for their 10 races, only volunteers. Andy Hallett support definitely adds to the event. Rear Commodore Sailing one organised for Spring had to be This meant that the first squad off Charlie Anderson cancelled because of the lockdown. started in a blustery wind which Miles Norris Graham Benton (left) was top gun and Bowcombe View Shooting Ground dissipated through the morning, Graham Benton winner of the Club Trophy presented by Tom re-opened with revised operations and the last squad started in sun but Carlstedt-Duke. Ben coaches youth sailors Once again senior RYA coach, Ben well as learning the skills needed to starboard tacks, mark roundings improve their technique, without Kimbell, ran another successful sail this boat. etc. This event has run for the last the pressure of a full on racing week of Laser coaching in August, If last year was the year for Big five years, and its success is being environment. MAGIC MILES MAKES HIS MARK for our youth sailors. Wind sailing, this year was notable seen in the increased number As ever, the week couldn’t happen This year he was assisted by Max for a lack of wind. Land based of youth sailors participating, without the Club’s support. Miles Oldershaw was a clear Colin Smith was paired with David The individual competition was The strong individual performances Bradley and Helen Sceales as theory is all jolly useful, but not so very competitively, in the Club’s Particular thanks go to Adam winner as 13 club members took Jennings and Andrew Clarke while fought out by three golfers all of by Miles and David Jennings also assistant coaches. much fun, so the coaches came regular Wednesday evening and and Josh, those helping with RIB part in a golf day at Freshwater Bay the second game on the course was whom are members of both RSYC secured first and second places With Covid restrictions in place, up with some innovative ways of Sunday morning Laser racing, not support and crew; Commodore, GC. The day was run as an 18-hole led by David Lindsay, who played and FBGC. In third place was David for their respective groups in the numbers had to be limited to 10 keeping sailors on the water when to mention dinghy week and the Anne Kyle, who presented stableford competition for both with Rob Quain and Don Appleby. Lindsay with a very credible 37 team competition. Freddie Davies sailors a day. Nonetheless, with the wind didn’t blow. sunset series. some carefully chosen fun prizes individuals and teams, together The third match of Miles, Richard stableford points just one behind in the last group knocked an ‘easy’ groups of both sailors transitioning A highlight was getting the Laser training week is a perfect (courtesy of Harwood’s) and with nearest the pin, longest drive Price and Gareth Davies was followed David Jennings on 38 points while seven iron to four feet on the 14th into a Laser and a more advanced advanced group to ‘swim’ a introduction into the Laser class parents of all sailors taking part for and a prize for the team scoring the by a final group of four; Harry Hall Miles took top spot with 40 points. to snatch the nearest the pin prize group, 20 sailors aged between 13 triangular course (at slack tide for those transitioning from Pico’s, supporting the week. most gross three’s or better. from Richard Price. Miles smoked a and Paul Peplow with two of our It is notable that both David Jennings and 17 in a mix of 4.7 and Radial fortunately), as if they were a Oppies, and other junior classes, Nick Bradley Following a very warm and dry younger golfers, Dom Breen-Turner and Miles Oldershaw scored in the drive down 18 with a gentle fade to rigs thoroughly enjoyed the week as dinghy, to simulate a start, port and as well as for those looking to few months, the golf course was and Freddie Davies. 70’s gross, which is very impressive hold the fairway just short of the pit running fast which is always a indeed. claiming the longest drive (finishing challenge at Freshwater Bay, given on the fairway) from Freddie Davies. the many sloping fairways. Gareth Davies New Club RIB Our new South Boat 9m RIB, Marksman, is a great addition to the Club’s fleet and will enhance the Club’s capability and profile at major regattas throughout the season. Sourced at a very competitive price thanks to Richard Pierrepont, Marksman arrived shortly before lockdown, but has already proven herself in the short sailing season that we had. Powered by a 440Hp Yanmar engine through a Hamilton jet drive, she is considerably more manoeuvrable than her predecessor. Club Boatman, Adam Preece, has no doubt of the benefit she will bring to the Club in her role as a mark laying and launch vessel: “It has made

RSYC Golf competitors at Freshwater Bay the boatmen’s jobs on the water much easier and safer. The old boat was slower and less agile and with Golf Course. her larger engine and streamlined hull, the new RIB is saving the Club huge amounts on diesel.”

8 9 ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS TIMES 2020 ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB CHRISTMAS TIMES 2020

We are hopeful this will continue next year, they all looked like there were having a great time and it was a lovely Folkboat spectacle for those watching from the A BUSY SEASON! shore. socially Sunday Series winners: Class 1 and 2: Cloudy Bay distanced Lasers: Miles Norris The XODs have been competing on gathering Saturday afternoons for the George Cup and other stand-alone trophies. Numbers have been excellent, definitely better than a normal year and the competition has been ferocious. The George Cup was won, by James Meaning in Gleam. The XOD Fleet. Photo by Paul Brown. As well as our weekly club racing, we held various stand alone events. Sunset Series was a lovely week of evening racing from 17th – 20th August for classes 1,2 and 3, the Folkboats and all rigs of Laser. The sun Martin Le Gassicke, Folkboat Class Captain, presents his wife Helen with The Otter After the Covid restrictions were lifted, the Lasers kicked off the racing season. Photo by Paul Brown. shone and there was plenty of wind Trophy for their first place in the 2019 Sunset which made for a great week. Series in their Folkboat Cloud Cuckoo. Photo by Teresa Fox. At the beginning of this extraordinary When the one metre plus rule was Honours where taken by: sailing season we were firmly locked implemented the day boats soon Class 1 and 2: Cloudy Bay The Folkboat class held a socially down with not a single boat on the worked out a way that allowed them XODs: Gleam distanced gathering on 4th moorings, all the boatyards shut, and to race while following government Folkboats: Svane November in lieu of the 2019 the harbour closed to locals. guidelines. The moorings filled up and Laser Full Rig: Nick Bradley Folkboat Prizegiving, which was Laser Radial: Max Bradley originally postponed from March The RSYC sailing fraternity kept official club run racing began on 15th Laser 4.7: Henry Olmi due to the first lockdown and then themselves entertained with virtual July, well before most other south coast yacht clubs. again from 7th November due to the sailing, Zoom racing rule talks given Thanks to David Fox for all his hard second lockdown. by the international judge John There have been two Spence work and perseverance, we had a Thirty three Folkboats competed in the 2020 Folkboat Week. Photo by Paul Brown. Doerr and race officer workshops Willard WER series, both with lots fabulous Folkboat Week from 23rd – ably run by David and Teresa Fox. of competitive and fun racing. The 29th August. There were thirty-three was lovely to be able to welcome them However, behind the scenes the race winners are as follows: boats competing and they really did back and to fire the cannons from the management and sailing committees enjoy all the brilliant racing provided committee boat in their honour, for the were working hard to ensure all was Series 2: Class 1: Walk on By by the PRO, Jeremy Willcock, and first and last time this year. ready when sailing was permitted. Our newspaper sponsors Wight Marine & River Yar Boatyard off Cloudy Bay. his team. The final result came down Class 2: Toledo On Saturday 26th September, we had to the last race of the week, when the As soon as the restrictions were lifted Class 3: Gleam the annual Centenary Chase, a fun competitors had to battle to get out of and we were allowed out in our boats, Folkboats: Njord pursuit race, run by Nick Measor. It the harbour in a northerly before they informal member-run racing for the Lasers: Miles Norris was a nasty northerly which meant we were even able to compete the series; Lasers began. Nick and Melinda lost most of the gaffers and XODs but Series 3: however, those that made it out had a Measor and David and Teresa Fox all those who raced thoroughly enjoyed Class 1 and 2: Toledo great race. The week was won by Ed ran races on Wednesday evenings the course even if it was a bit wet! and Sunday mornings from mid Class 3: Arrow Donald in Madelaine, with Harry Hall, May helped by David Porter as RIB Folkboats: Njord an RSYC member, in Svane, coming As the year comes to a close, we hope support and Gareth and me as mark Lasers: Miles Norris second and Jen was third. Colin Eales soon to be able to resume racing on a sailing Mistress won the classic class. Sunday morning culminating in the layers. On Sundays, the XODs and Folkboats Many thanks go to our sponsor the Boxing Day Race. Please wear your have traditionally raced in their own The racing cruisers soon joined the Lymington Yacht Haven, for all their thermals, start time will be 10.30am series, however last year they were Lasers together with those day boats support. and all communication will be on VHF able to sail within one household or joined by the racing cruisers and channel 72, hope to see some of you As the season came to an end, we held those brave enough to race single this year for the first time the Lasers there! competed on Sunday mornings. the Royal Artillery YC regatta over the Harry Hall off Svane came second in Colin Eales, winner of the classic class in handed! Katie Davies, weekend of 5th and 6th September. It Folkboat Week, receiving his award from Folkboat Week. Miles Norris (right) and Alex Leonard. Rear Commodore Sailing Sally Kalis.

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