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The Official Magazine of the U.K. Sprint 15 Association autumn2012www.sprint15.com

2012 NATIONALS Action from Brightlingsea & Instow UK BOAT PRODUCTION Factory Floor Field Trip 2012 TT SERIES Circuit News CHANNEL CROSSING MY FIRST NATIONALS TIPS TRAINING NEWS HISTORY LESSON COMMENTS IN THIS ISSUE

YOUR CHAIRMAN WRITES...... 3 from the ED 2012 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS As I write this, the curtain has just come down on yet another memorable summer season, concluded only yesterday with a superb Sport Naonals at Instow 26 turnout of 32 boats at Graam. Excepng Carsington which had a low turnout, due I suspect to a poor wind forecast, this means that Naonals at Brightlingsea 20-21 the summer series averaged 25 boats at each event. Impressive stuff. Indeed, there are quite a few classes who would be pleased if those WINDSPORT SUMMER 2012 TT SERIES sorts of numbers turned out for their Naonals! Talking of which, our wonderful 82 boat turnout at Brightlingsea has Seasalter TT 4-5 put us in the top ten for 2012 Naonals’ aendances across all U.K. classes, not just . In the class alone, we were first and third respecvley for Naonals and Sport Naonals, split by Marconi TT 16-17 the 18’s in second with 51 boats. This is surely testament to the appete there sll is for a brilliant lile boat and an enthusiasc class Stewartby TT 31 fraternity. It is all the more poignant that the enthusiasm is being maintained in these challenging economic mes when we are all NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS being careful with the pennies. Which leads me nicely to the maer of subs, details of which are in 2012 AGM Report 18 this issue. In short, aer 22 years at the same level, they’re going up. There, I’ve said it. Not too painful, was it? Even less painful, when you consider that the increase equates to not much more than a couple Membership Subscripons 19 of skinny laees at Starbuck’s. When you factor in inflaon the actual increase is less than the cost of one skinny lae! Which is beer TRAINING, TIPS & REGULAR FEATURES value? I do hope that you’ll think the answer to that is a ‘no brainer’ and amend your standing order as requested. It’s you, the members Netley Teach-in 6 that make the class what it is and, right now, we need you. Without your support, it’s prey certain I’ll be out of this unpaid post as this Undercover Invesgaon 10-11 parcular publicaon will probably cease to be affordable in its present guise. So, please, please keep me in a job. In those immortal words - “You know it makes sense.” 2012 Naonals Cartoon Fun with Phil 25 Which leads me nicely to this issue’s contributors, both regular and new. I’ve had so much stuff, this issue could easily have run to Tips from Phipps 27 around 60 pages. Unfortunately the constraints of me and cost prevent such luxury. Consequently, I’ve had to be a bit selecve, More 2012 Naonals Cartoon Fun & Capon Compeon 34 concentrang on those arcles that are more date sensive than others to get a good balance. So, if you’ve sent me a contribuon that’s not in here, my apologies for not including it this me around. Baen the Hatches 35 But, rest assured, it hasn’t been forgoen and will appear in the Spring 2013 issue. In the meanme, a big “thank you” from me for all FEATURES your support and keep the arcles coming. Hopefully I’ll see some of you out and about this winter. For the An Eight Nurofen Trip 7-9 moment may I wish you good whether in compeon or for pleasure. Class Struggle 12-15 George Love : 1825 : “-by-Wire” Cover Photo : My First (Naonal) Race 22 Robert England fends off a chasing pack at The Sport Naonals by Mike Bentley Mascot Mania 23

WHO TO COMPLAIN TO: Form D15’s Naonals Field Trip 24

Chairman Nick Dewhirst [email protected] 01227 282625 Nore Race 2012 Excursion 28-30

Secretary Keith Bartlett [email protected] 01243 778087 Top Helms & Champions 32 Howard Treasurer [email protected] 07973 388553 Hawkes The Great North Run 33

Events Erling [email protected] 01938 856012 Secretary Holmberg

Northern Rep. Ed Tuite Dalton [email protected] 01788 816116

Southern Rep. Erling [email protected] 01938 865012 Holmberg

Magazine Editor George Love [email protected] 01773 747731

Technical Rep. Bob Carter [email protected] 01438 354367 & Publicity Events Calendar 36

Sprint 15 Class Logo Design by Paul Smith ------Magazine Text Proofing by Carol Smith

Webmaster Martin Searle [email protected] Magazine Logo by George Love------Website: www.sprint15.com autumn2012www.sprint15.com02 YOUR CHAIRMAN Writes......

Following our 80 plus attendance at this available, we don’t have to worry about trusting kids with year’s Nationals, we can claim to be the leading cat our own gleaming gelcoated cats. class. In terms of championships, this makes us the Second, at the top, the feedback I get both in the UK and biggest cat class and one of the top ten dinghy classes from abroad is that the new cat event at the Olympic overall. Regatta promises to be a bigger success than the sailing We all know the reason – infectious enthusiasm. I establishment may anticipate. caught the cat bug from Jim Jeffery a quarter of a Here in the UK, past performance suggested that the century ago and have passed it on to so many of you only interest in the new elite boat would be from a couple that all sorts of good things get done by lots of people of Olympic contenders and the few professionals that the without asking the Chairman’s permission or being RYA supports would have to go abroad to get serious approved at committee meetings. competition – but it looks like there may be a dozen Normally people are ‘volunteered’ to join within a year, so there may even be a UK circuit our committee, but so enthusiastic is our jointly with the feeder Spitfire class. membership that when Keith said he Abroad, I hear that ISAF has was thinking of retiring – no hurry, reserved the first 100 for Olympic sometime in the next year - David teams, but Nacra has taken orders Groom jumped at the opportunity before for another 100. Even unlikely places I even had time to target a single are signing up, as I hear from Israel. suitable victim. Apart from sailing the sexiest boat in However, with leadership comes the Olympics, the other attraction is responsibility. While I would be the first sailing it with a member of the to say that I hope none of us ever grow opposite sex. The Mixed up, act our age and practice new roles Event will join Tennis and Badminton as couch potatoes, we did collectively as the only three sports where sexual behave irresponsibly on the first day segregation will not be practiced at the of racing. highest level of sport. Black flags were a novelty for us as Our class was the training ground for enthusiasm coupled with low winds the front half of our last Olympic duo. and following tide caused such mass Young Howden got more cat racing in infringements that the ROD had to larger numbers earlier in his career than call us back repeatedly. anyone else. There is a shortage of There is no problem with that. It happens in big fleets. It female helms so lend us your daughters. is what happened at other marks around the course, Third, talking of Israel and reminding ourselves that our which let us down – mass rule infringements as many sport is not just for youngsters, plans are afoot for an barged in on port at the windward and more rafted international regatta only for seniors. It will be by up ten abreast at the next two marks – mostly without invitation as capacity is limited to Tel Aviv cat sailors giving room or doing their turns afterwards. willing to sail with a foreigner for a couple of weekends in Sorry guys we let ourselves down and ROD quite rightly April. warned the fleet that the race committee would be taking The local cat fleet is mainly weekend sailors aged 40-70 the initiative in protesting our errant cats for the rest of whose boats range from to Carbon. the events. The idea is to pair up visitors with locals for a weekend On behalf of the fleet I was given a serious dressing club racing at the beginning, spend five days as tourists down from an international judge and told that we have and then for the pairs to compete in a regatta that got ourselves a reputation as numpties. My reply was includes a long distance race to Lebanon the next that is the price of encouraging newcomers – which so weekend. many other fleets have forgotten. The club’s facilities include a guest accommodation At the end we thanked ROD with a 100 strong chorus of block right on the beach next door. The event is likely to “Sorry Sir, we won’t do it again”. Please live up to that be in April outside the Israeli Passover holidays. They promise of sportsmanship. have 100 cats and initial polling suggests that 20-30 may be willing hosts. If interested, email me as I am the one As the leading cat fleet, we also have a role to play in organising the invitations. promoting our branch of the sport, so here are three See: developments where we can contribute. http://www.weekend.co.il/mishorh/merkaz_yami/english/ index.html First, at the bottom, UKCRA organised a very successful and Catamaran Youth Championship at Marconi with 11 https://plus.google.com/photos/ teams on borrowed Dart 16s a fortnight ago. The RYA 109472076363697040515/albums/5800003341 had given UKCRA six ancient ones on which our Brian (Phipps) trained the first youth squad. These have been refurbished and will be maintained by our Peter (Richardson). We are in the market for more if anyone knows of suitably neglected cats that could benefit from Peter’s skills and UKCRA’s funds. Britain needs more young cats. If you are breeding some and would like half the UKCRA fleet at your club for a season, call me. With plastic bumper cars like them Nick Dewhirst autumn2012www.sprint15.com03 Seasalter TT

Race 2 – This saw the winds build to F4/5 from S/SSW A cool and overcast Saturday morning soon after the start and Dutch pulled away from the line saw the arrival of 11 travellers joining 11 home boats hotly pursued by Snell. The main fleet kept tight with ready for action on 21st & 22nd April. Holmberg being closely followed by Turnbull (1259) and Race 1 - With light winds from the W forecast to fill, but Holmes leading the pack. During the 2nd lap it is clear from variable direction, a square course was set. The some tactical decisions were thought out and the beat main body of the fleet chose to await the gun on port near was evenly divided between starboard and port tacks with the outer, northern, end of the line. However a group led Ackroyd making the best gain from 14th to 8th. Dutch, by Dutch (1938) made their way along the line on Snell, Holmberg and Turnbull had established a clear starboard – ready for an inshore tack to get a good angle lead from the others and lap 3 saw the leaders sort into for the first mark. Unfortunately, for them, seconds before their final positions with Dutch leading Snell and Turnbull the start the wind shifted to SW and, at the gun, the port overtaking Holmberg for 3rd place. But it was no easy win boats were away straight towards the first mark, stranding for Dutch as Snell wind shadowed him on the run. Hurst the starboard boats headed and in dirty wind. (565) had his best ever result at SSC coming 6th just Over the first lap newcomer, Roger Ackroyd (1715, ahead of Goldstone (2004) - having stayed in 6-8th Witham SC), found himself clear ahead of Holmberg position the entire race. (2007) with Snell (1982) and Dowling (1599) shadowing each other. The main body of the fleet was in close Race 3 – The Sunday morning was heavily overcast with competition but clear air let the four leaders pull clear. little wind prior to the start but forecast to fill. Over the second lap Dowling lost ground, to let Snell join Three seconds before the gun Dutch drifted over the line the two leaders, and found Dewhirst (2006) catching up and, as the fleet sailed off, he did penalty turns but did close behind. The middle pack was splitting up and Craft not return over the line – sailing away as OCS and out of (1267) was just ahead of Hollis (191), Dutch (1938) and the race. Snell led from the start followed by Holmberg, Holmes(1978) all looking for room to tack from starboard. Craft and Goldstone. The fleet rapidly became spread out As the fleet came to the last legs of the third lap, Snell and, as the previous day, the beat options provided the managed to pass Ackroyd and Holmberg, only to go too real tactical choices. Close behind Holmberg after the first far out on the inshore leg. Holmberg pinched higher and lap Craft made the second lap count moving up to 2nd found a good line to the next mark taking the lead over place and Snell, Craft and Holmberg seemed set to win Snell and Ackroyd. Dutch overhauled Dowling and Craft drawing out a lead of nearly two minutes over the fleet by hotly pursued by Dewhirst and Holmes – with only 7 lap 3. seconds between the four. Then, taking a close in tack, Finishing the first lap in 8th, Ackroyd repeated his Holmes managed to get to windward of the others and previous day’s charge on lap 2 and passed Goldstone pull clear into 4th and maintain it through the next mark and Holmes to get into 4th place - leaving them in close where Craft managed to call starboard on Dutch to round action with Holmes passing Goldstone on the 3rd lap. in 5th. As the first boats started the final lap the winds filled from On the last lap Holmberg extended his lead on the run, to SSW. Snell was finishing to take 1st place in the lee of finish 1st, leaving Snell and Ackroyd. Ackroyd was the sea wall as the fleet suddenly started to close up. leading at the turn onto short leg to the line but tacked too Craft was leading Holmberg by 100 metres but Ackroyd early, Snell came further inshore and gained a better had the better wind gain. Craft came through to take 2nd angle to the line, pulling away to take 2nd over Ackroyd but Ackroyd passed Holmberg on the final run in to take 3rd. Holmes and Craft followed and then Dutch was 3rd place. caught out on a wind shift, struggling to make the line with 3 tacks – letting Dowling through on the line for 6th. Below: Race Start Opposite:RO’s view of mid-fleet beat

autumn2012www.sprint15.com04 by Steve Willis Race 4 - With a new course set the winds had lightened again for the start of the last race. The start saw the fleet splitting into beating and reaching groups heading for the first mark with the reaching boats tacking to head back into the mark on starboard. Unfortunately Hollis, pinching, was lead boat of the pack to the mark and did not make enough allowance for the ebb tide flow ending up stalled head to wind against the course side of the mark. A group of five following boats was caught in irons just as the The Results – With a first and two seconds to count, starboard tack group arrived. The resulting melee Stuart Snell took first prize with Erling Holmberg taking changed the order with several boats having to stand off. 2nd. With one discard, Kevin Dutch’s OCS meant that Dutch, Snell, Holmberg, Turnbull and Dewhirst got clear despite two first places his Race 1 7th place dropped him as a F6 squall heralded the arrival of a steady F5 WSW/ to 3rd place overall. SW wind. With things speeding up and a good reach in Stuart Snell sailed Shearwaters at TT events at Seasalter the bay, the windward leg was reached with virtually the more than 30 years ago and this was his first Sprint 15 entire fleet in contention. The ensuing close action was TT at the club – a worthy winner and a great comeback to fast and furious. Unfortunately for Snell, he made for the the club. line not the rounding mark and went inside the mark, not Special mention must also go to Roger Ackroyd (1715) realising for several hundred metres before returning to coming 4th at his first Sprint 15 meeting having only correct the error - leaving the others to get clear ahead. attended the ‘beginners’ training weekend in March. The mistake initially cost Snell dearly, dropping him to Someone to watch out for – it must be all the tricky wind 18th as the fleet order settled he started to overhaul practice he gets amongst the tree lined shores where he boats steadily and regained 8th place by the end of the normally sails (and skill!). second lap. As the leaders finished the third lap and turned to beat or We were especially pleased to see Katy and Brian Phipps close reach to the first mark, the wind shifted again to due with the Windsport International support trailer. Katy south giving them an ideal reach to the mark; but virtually spent Saturday at SSC and they both popped in during stalling the main fleet on the southerly leg. Having the evening social. Thanks to you both for all your struggled around to the line the wind then shifted back to support and help. SW and dropped to F4. Dutch now clear ahead. Holmberg was being chased by Dewhirst and, with Advertisement enough speed, managed to get to windward and pass Holmberg by blocking his wind. But it was to be short ! lived. Turnbull was keeping up several hundred metres behind but Snell was closing the gap quickly. Meanwhile in the mid-fleet, Burrows (1871) was pulling away from two boat tussles between Dowling and Hollis and Craft and Ackroyd being chased by Holmes and Mills. The sudden arrival of a hailstorm as Dutch came to the finishing line then made us consider what else could come our way if not locusts. In the last lap Holmberg managed to retake Dewhirst for 2nd place with Snell rapidly gaining to take a very creditable 4th. Burrows, Turnbull, Ackroyd and Hollis fought to the line finishing in that order.

autumn2012www.sprint15.com05 Netley Teach-in by Kay Bowen

plenty of cat related chat in the bar, and between us all we took advantage of the expertise of Brian Phipps and Dave Lloyd as well as our own professor Nick. On the water on day one, Andy was several boat lengths if not marks ahead of the rest of us, but by the end of day two everyone was giving him a run for his money and even I won a couple of races – a feat so beyond my expectations that my screams of joy were heard on Hayling Island. We experimented with our weight and our travellers, many of us now much more clued up on why and when to do something with the traveller, likewise with the downhaul, a piece of string I had so far ignored as one piece of string too many. The mild weather conditions and gentle breezes meant that mistakes were not going to cost us dear, so we all took the chance to make plenty of them. Start line technique was focused on, getting the timing right improved dramatically for everyone. Watch out Shanklin as Gavin and Alan are going great guns – although Gavin’s best efforts were thwarted by my close On the kind of summer’s morning encounters with his rudders. Roger sailed one of the RYA training 16s for the Sunday and, unconvinced, is still that you could only dream of in March I found myself in in the market for a 15. So he is one to watch if you sail ‘Netley Heaven’ - sunshine, a chance to brush up the inland further north than Netley once he finds a decent sailing skills not used since October, test out the birthday vessel to match his seamanship. present dry suit, a sea breeze of F2-3 and Nick Dewhirst. The presence of the great king cat sailor himself made Thank you, Nick, for travelling down to do the teach-in for me know I was in heaven and not in some cheap us. Everyone learnt a huge amount and enjoyed the substitute purgatory. Fellow Netley sailor Andy joined sailing and the laid back atmosphere. Thanks also to Nick and I, along with 3 ‘travellers’ - Clive from Oxford David (from Bournemouth) and my ship’s boy Rob for and Alan and Gavin from Shanklin. On the Sunday we driving Nick around in his RIB. I hope to see you all on were delighted to add to our ranks Roger from the water again soon. Lincolnshire, especially welcome on the water as Clive’s injury on Saturday had depleted our mass start line experience by 20%. Nick’s aims in running the teach-in seem to be to increase the confidence of the most hapless of the Sprint 15 fleet up to a level where we could take part in club racing or a traveller event with some knowledge of the rules and some control over our boats. He achieved these aims magnificently, by the means of running many mini races over a square course. Not content to challenge our sailing ability to make it round a course, he challenged our navigational skills further by losing a buoy and not telling us exactly which ones we were heading for in which order, to the extent that anyone of us happening to be leading the fleet spent most of our time looking backwards and shouting at the person coming second ‘ Do you know where we are going?’ for at least the first race of each day. Further navigational talent was tested when we wound up for the Saturday and found that the tide had vanished, leaving us to plod across the mud and come back later to recover the safety boat, marooned off the slipway. Oops. Close encounters were minimal. In fact it was only my boat which seemed to be in love with Gavin’s rudders, kissing them gently or not so gently once a day, giving my ship’s boy, Rob, an hour alone with some epoxy on Saturday night to get me waterborne again the next day.

Still, Rob got off lightly being the host, ordering and collecting the Chinese takeaway for the evening whilst the rest of us took part in a long distance cat race along the Solent to Hayling Island. The race took place on the carpet of the bar, although one of the 18 sailors in the bar commented that he could have sailed to Hayling Island quicker than it took us to play the game. A teach- in taking place the same weekend meant that there was

autumn2012www.sprint15.com06 An Eight Nurofen Trip by Liam Thom

Shanklin

It was really my idea - but Erling thought of it before I was Several members of the club had come down to the born. When he first thought about crossing the Channel beach to see us off from Shanklin at 8.30 am. With the in a small craft there were no Sprint 15s and navigation breeze blocked by the cliffs, the sea was flat as a was by sextant and compass. More importantly, he had millpond. This was going to be easy. We eased our way not met anybody stupid enough to go with him. But I am out of the Bay and passed Dunnose Point where the wind sure it was my idea. picked up to a five and the sea state was choppy. The I joined Shanklin Sailing Club as a novice at the end of little boats were flying along and we made excellent the 2009 season. The web site had something about it progress past Ventnor and out into the big sea. We being a friendly club and I believed it. As with joining the clocked 18 knots with the tide on the GPS and were army, new recruits are emotionally crushed and reduced looking like getting to Alderney for lunchtime. As the bows to a homogenised being, onto which the indoctrination dug into the waves, we furled our and settled down to and education can be forced. The weak are encouraged a more sustainable speed. so they can be used as cannon fodder. The foolish are The Isle of Wight grew smaller and fainter and eventually spotted and groomed for important missions. Others fall disappeared, along with Dorset. We were on our own by the wayside and are abandoned. apart from a few white sails on the horizon. Slowly, the new recruits were trained up and were Windguru was inch-perfect in its prediction of the wind allowed to undertake longer voyages. The vitriolic stream dropping to a three mid morning. We were still making of instructions slowly gave way to discussions of tactics. good progress but without the effort. We stopped for We thought we were being trained to race. elevenses somewhere north of the first shipping channel. In April, Christine Roman, Paul Grattage and I sailed our With less wind, we stayed in formation with the few boats around the Isle of Wight, clockwise from Shanklin. yachts that were going roughly the same way. The north It was the easiest trip imaginable: force 4 with the tide shipping lane was completely empty and we pushed on, with us much of the way. We were on the from unhindered into the open water. The Needles to Cowes with very little effort. In no way Once the GPS was showing our required heading as due did it prepare us for going across the English Channel, south, we pointed our boats straight for Alderney, trusting but it did whet the appetite for further adventure. the gadget that it would sort out the navigation for us and The selection process lasting 50 years was now offset the eastward tide. The wind had increased to a complete. Erling had found somebody with the following four and had turned more to its prevailing direction - the attributes: extreme gullibility, relative imperviousness to forecast had again been spot on. With land still beyond cold, ability to program GPS equipment, ownership of a sight we were noticing that Erling's boat was much faster VHF radio and licence and a boat with an equipment than mine. He was having to slow up and eventually failure ratio of less that 20%. I was the chosen furled his to make things even. My boat was taking on apprentice. water. I was trying to trapeze as our course became a Erling and I wanted to make the crossing to Alderney fetch but there was no point as the catamaran was not whenever the time was right. The distance is 70 nautical raising a hull. Erling was leaning out and having to work miles from Shanklin so is just over the distance around much harder than me but I was holding him up. the Island - and technically easier because it is only one After six hours, appeared over our port bows. A point of sail. We needed to wait until the summer for the smaller landmass soon began to differentiate itself from water to warm up and the days to lengthen; we also the sky; the GPS was pointing straight at it. This was our needed a clear window of force 3 - 5 without beating into target. the wind. The southern shipping lane had a bit of traffic but nothing Windguru gave the perfect conditions for Saturday the that came near enough to make us alter our course. 28th July with a north-westerly force 4 backing to a south- What was all the fuss about? westerly later in the day. The gadgets were charged, the My boat was quite low in the water and Alderney took bed and breakfast was booked and the boats were forever to form shape. Slowly it developed features; fettled. I had new 4mm rigging and put plastic hosepipes houses could be differentiated from fields, and Burhou at the top of the shrouds to stop the rigging chafing itself. became a different island from Alderney. We were willing We tightened the forestays right up so the mast wouldn't the island nearer but the Jagular was not making much shake itself in the waves. I taped a radar reflector to the progress and Erling was getting colder by the second. top of my mast. Spare clothes were stuffed into dry bags The gadgets were set for the mouth of the harbour and and the cocktail cabinets were filled with Eccles cakes we followed them as they led us to a place I had never and bananas. For such an important voyage, I raised a been and Erling last visited when I was in nappies. small Red Ensign on the shroud. autumn2012www.sprint15.com07 An Eight Nurofen Trip

“Erling was determined to go island to island on a starboard tack!” The wind was a little stronger than had been forecast when we planned the trip but it was dead behind us all the way. We inched out of the flat water of the harbour and pointed 45 degrees to port to generate some apparent wind. We were off. But shortly afterwards the sea got larger and we chickened out and sought the sanctuary of a dead run.

Landfall in Alderney on a beautiful curving white beach

Alderney grew smaller as slowly as it had grown the day before and it was still behind us hours later as we crossed the first shipping lane. This time the quiet country road had turned into a motorway. Ships were We had to sail close hauled for the last half mile with a coming at us in sixes and eights; we had to look four couple of knots of tide pushing us to the east but we had miles ahead and try and judge which ship we would go in judged it perfectly. We overtook a French yacht, dodged front of. We also had the attention of La Douane - a grey, the standing waves by the unfinished breakwater and naval type ship who followed us at our side for mile after sailed into the most beautiful, sunny bay with aquamarine mile. We spotted a car ship on our port side on collision water and a curving white beach. I tacked twice but course a few miles away and hardened up and ducked Erling was determined to go island-to-island on a behind his stern and rode through the wash. Still the starboard tack. French customs were beside us - two hundred yards We had made it. A nine and a quarter hour, often boring, away with binoculars pointing at our boats and probably journey was concluded with the elation of what we had focusing on the dry bags tied onto the toe-straps. We achieved. were expecting a RIB to launch at any minute. I wasn't We dragged the boats up the beach with the help of bothered about the boat being searched but I didn't want some locals and set off to buy a bilge pump in the island's to be taken to France without a passport. But perhaps chandlers. We pumped out the hulls and headed for the they had worked out the logistics of arresting two cat pub for some warm food. sailors and having to impound two boats and realised I had booked the bed and breakfast at Alderney Angling they should let the Ensign-flying “Ros- Beefs” go on their in the Town but Fiona Harding, who runs the way. establishment, was surprised that we actually made it having had a cancellation from some fishermen for the Monday because of the weather forecast. The accommodation was perfect for what we needed. They have three rooms above their fishing tackle shop and are used to accommodating people with wet clothes. With no dog to walk, Erling had to make do with me as a walking companion and we set out for a look around the island. The town's main streets are all cobbled with well looked after private shops and places to eat; like most market towns used to be before supermarkets pasteurised everything. The roads have not been ruined by too many cars and the little French vehicles that everybody seems to have are driven considerately. Our walk led us to back to the harbour and another public house. The next morning, our hosts, Mark and Fiona, were fascinated to see what boats we had arrived on so they gave us a lift down to the beach. They said the boats were actually smaller than they imagined. They must have thought us either heroes or idiots. They helped us drag the boats down to the water which had retreated in the night and we set off.

autumn2012www.sprint15.com08 ....contd.

Somewhere between the shipping lanes I tried the bilge pump on the leaky starboard hull but more water came in the hatch than I could pump out. We abandoned that game and headed for Blighty. Then Erling's jib halyard snapped. He managed to gather the sail in front of his beam and make a mini spinnaker out of it but got bored with that after a while and furled it up as best he could. The two boats were more or less even with my extra weight being pulled along by more sail area. As we lost sight of Normandy the waves became larger and larger. Whereas on the outward journey we were sailing through chop, we were now surfing with some decent sized seas. All we could see of each other was the top halves of the sails even though we never went more than a 100 yards from each other. I was sat at the back of the boat holding onto the rudder connecter steering straight up and straight down the waves. Pointing up to get apparent wind and speed would have been fatal (possibly literally). We knew we were on a real voyage now. The westward shipping channel was as packed as the first with tankers, ferries and car transporters all lined up to keep us even more on our toes. We had to go miles out of our way to find a safe gap and it was made harder by the ships going at different speeds and on diverging courses. I was glad to have a grown-up with me. Erling leads the way out of the flat water of My boat was getting slower and slower with the extra weight of a few gallons of water and Erling had his Alderney harbour to start the return trip of the traveller in to slow him to my speed. At one point a wave pushed him into a gybe and he came very close to intrepid “Ros-beefs”. turning the boat over. This was just about the only real incident of the trip but it could easily have got very Liam flies the Red Ensign. complicated if he had not sailed it as he did. We pushed on and the waves got bigger. I lost sight of Erling's sail numbers as we were at either side of a big wave. This was becoming a bit of a roller-coaster ride but the boats stayed on a pretty straight course. The rest-stop for food on the Saturday was not conceivable on the Sunday, we could just grab the occasional gulp of drink and bite of food to wash down the pain killers. Water was being blasted at us continuously and was gushing through the trampoline. It was well into the afternoon before the Dorset downs became more than just glimpses and the Isle of Wight emerged out of the distance. As Alderney had done the day before, a grey shape gave way to a pattern of different colours, the reds of Compton Bay, the chalk of Freshwater Bay and the Needles, the wooded downs and the grassy fields below. As we came past Ventnor we were joined by the Strevens on their Cheetah Marine catamaran which launched itself over the rolling waves and cheered us on our way. This was our safety boat that we were going to summon if it all went pear-shaped but thankfully they were not needed. It was so good to see friendly faces again after crossing the sort of water that the makers of my boat probably did not intend for it when they made it in 1980. Round the corner into Sandown Bay, the water was flat and the wind was almost turned off. Erling and I were greeted by a Union Jack being waved on the beach and half the sailing club cheering and ready to take our boats up the slope. Nine and a half hours it had taken, beach to beach, 15 minutes longer than the outward journey. We had travelled 150 nautical miles in a weekend. autumn2012www.sprint15.com09 (Aempted) Undercover Report

We knew our man was in deep cover, but where? The latest The S15 Nationals were but a few days away and there was dirt to sketchy reports indicated that the depths of the Gallic be dug. The options for the controllers were limited in the extreme. countryside were a likely location. He reckoned he was on the Was our man’s raw apprentice ready for the job? Had his brief verge of a major bust and wouldn’t be back until the job was internship of a week’s work experience with the main man given done Was this just another ‘royal scam’? All attempts at contact him the covert skills so crucial to success in the field? Burning had drawn a complete blank. The sat. phone was dead. A questions indeed. But the facts were plain. He was the only locator drone returned to base with some nice pictures of trees resource available. Time would tell. The only option was to keep and bushes but not a lot else. The situation was dire. the faith and get him down to Essex. ignored in the interest of science and reduce them to less than five. FIVE! At Brightlingsea the undercover operation went smoothly HELP! forward. Part way through the field work There was only one possible solution and this year, one very amusing moment for the instigator of the project threw a it was totally unfair. The categories would me was watching men in yellow jackets spanner in the works with a chance have to stand but one of them offered with clipboards about the dinghy park on remark which gave a clue that he itself as a plausible escape route from my the first morning of the Nationals expected names of owners and sail indecision. Natural selection allowed the demanding to see the contents of numbers to be included in the results. following: contestants’ trailers and, in particular, In the true spirit of sociological • Those related to names of people their tool boxes. Anxious sailors hurrying research, though, this remit was • Those related to the word “Dart” or the to get their boats prepared for the first day labelled as completely impracticable word “Cat” of racing were queried by officials not and buried in the fog of administration • Miscellaneous (very handy cop-out) about how their boats measured up to the and an off-the-cuff presentation of • Cool class rules but rather how prepared they results at a later stage. There was one other category which might be to make repairs. A little worrying, Data analysis was probably not, on itself contained just three boat names perhaps, for those who don’t usually reflection, the strongest facet of the and there were just three prizes. It was a attend such large events but very operation and when it became clear no-brainer. entertaining when it came to the prize during the prize-giving that the results As the moment arrived for the results to giving ceremony where it wasn’t just the would be required in a couple of be announced the names of the boats in sailing experts who were featured. minutes’ time, this intrepid inveSTIGator the first four categories were scanned and For anyone who has recently acquired a dug his record of the raw information announced with apologies to the best Sprint 15 (and there seem to be some) from his back pocket and had a think ones as they weren’t getting a prize one item on the agenda is: ‘What to do about how to decide on a winner. because there weren’t any for them. about a name?’ It could be that the boat Fortunately the list of nearly thirty boat Finally the three “winners” came forward already has one and it’s a good one but if names was still there and at least partly in good humour to receive their valuable the name is not the boat’s best point, readable. Mental acrobatics which had awards and this investigator fortunately should it be changed? If the boat does taken place in my mind over three days survived to dodge fate for another day not have one, what would suit the craft and seriously distracted my and retain anonimity. (It’s not often that and its rider most? Having decided that performance during the championship my coercion device with its own special “Wave Wars” was not what I would like to had resolved no answer to a deep rack in my own toolbox remains unused have on my bow I took the plunge and practical problem. The names were during such clandestine activities.) For changed it a little more quickly than was supposed to organise themselves into those who might be interested, the boat perhaps wise. I later decided to shorten natural categories and all one had to do names are displayed below in their graphics which were often over- was simply choose the best in each allocated categories. No other rationale or interpreted regarding my age and abilities class. No such luck was to be had and apology is offered for the random nature – no more clues on that one! the results were clearly going to be of this work and no discussion will be In view of this, being asked to undertake expected in short order, before all.The entered into regarding its accuracy with clandestine research into the names of other fact that I was about to be the exception of the following: boats competing at the competition was summarily unmasked seemed to pale The list read out on the day was definitely right up my street. (After all and as you all into insignificance. Control would not be incomplete. It did not contain the name of know only too well, it’s what I do best.) happy to say the least and there was the the boat which won the Whilst men in yellow tunics created a bound to be an enquiry. I’d have to deal championships and neither did it refer to suitable diversion I crept around the boat with that bit of heat later. I had the boat with probably the best name park, notebook in hand, trying not to be obviously, but incorrectly, become over overall. Sorry. noticed whilst copying down significant confident in my abilities after only a data. Competitors were all far too polite week in the job! For now, there was a and busy to make much comment to me. more immediate fire to extinguish. The Just how I like it. What they might have Chairman had spent thousands of said to each other, though, is probably a pounds on prizes for unsuspecting different thing altogether. Anyway, real entrants in his “cover” toolbox and damning evidence was collected from competition and the real research was the sides of quite a number of hulls ready left with three plastic toy kites to give to for data analysis and some astounding grown, tired and possibly angry Below: results which would be revealed much competitors identified in the outcome. later in the proceedings. Funny looks from Keith Newnam’s triple set - Panic-stricken, I tried to re-shuffle the perhaps ‘3’ is a good name aer all! friends and clever comments were categories but it seemed impossible to

autumn2012www.sprint15.com10 by our (apprence) Undercover InveSTIGator

Boats with human-like names weren’t straight); “Unbelievable” (Yes); also an accompanying Union Flag sticker (personification) “Escapology” (There is no escape, James) to make it look more respectable). “Peter” (Sorry, couldn’t resist including The Cool Wall Afterthought this one); “Catbert” (What?); “’Opies “ Rush” ( W h y ? ) ; “ Clear Air One of my favourites, seen in Sydney Cat” (Nice one Ian Hope – couldn’t Turbulence” (Brilliant – no idea why); Harbour a long time ago on a big, work it out until you pointed out the “” (Slow down a bit, expensive, racing yacht is “BONDI apostrophe. Best in group.); “Singing Kevin); “Off My Trolley” (Me too, but this is TRAM” which in colloquial ’Strine’ is in the Ray” (Hmmm); “Freddie” (Nice clever); “Tigershark” (As ever) usually preceded by “Shot through like big letters, can easily see when the The Other Three a...” (or simply: gone!) On reflection, owner is in trouble); “Pretty Kitty” (No comment); “Two’s though, a more conservative offering “Barbarella” (Refers to a cat but a bit Complement” (Accurate spelling, but would be “Forty-Two” with fond obscure, probably previously belonged please...); “Eau Pair” (Previous owner’s lack memories of the work of Douglas Adams. to someone of a certain age); of taste is no excuse – for goodness’ sake, “Trebor” (Hmmm, owner probably left- George, either change it or rub it off!). Each handed and an expert at -writing) one was a winner of a prize for having a Obviously related to the word “Cat” really naff boat-name. or the word “Dart” Extras (forgot these or decided to add “Dart Vader” (Yep – also seen on a them anyway) at this year’s Carsington Cat “Grumps” (Championship winner and “warm Event, complete with the face); and cuddly”); “Gobbolino” (Unforgiveable “Dartful Dodger” (Definitely the right omission from the results, thought it was idea – name’s not bad, either); cooly rude then remembered “The Witches “D’Artagnan” (Good one); “Cat Cat”. Very aptly named, rolls off the tongue Face” (‘Old hcat – nice picture, and should be very, very faithful); “3” (Seen And the winner of the ‘Bent Burgee though); “Cat-a-Tonic” (Very clever upside down on an overloaded Berlingo and best in group) towing a giant caravan. Not really a true Award - who else? Miscellaneous (as in: “Oh no! Too name but then neither was “Peter”); half a (No wonder the camera’s got double many groups!”) “Jagular” (Once more upside down on a vision!) “Howzit” (Bright and cheerful, really vehicle, presumably still draining the should have had a prize but there you remnants of The English Channel. If it’s are...); “If Only” (Umm... know the upside-down, it’s from Shanklin); now back feeling); “Loose Cannon” (Most on its boat, but not during the event, accurately named); “All That Jazz” (All “Catrix” (This was removed in its original what jazz?); “The Usual form “Gericatrix” as it was so un-cool. Mistakes” (Previous owner obviously People kept forgetting to pronounce the ‘c’ very creative because the words so that now forms the first letter and there is

...... Some say that he’s the only one who can really cut mustard when the chips are down and that he thinks anyone who likes onomatopoeia is just ‘cuckoo’...... All we know is he’s our Undercover InveSTIGator! autumn2012www.sprint15.com11 Class Struggle

The second installment of Nick Dewhirst’s history of the Dart 15 Class. It’s 1986, the first official commiee has just been formed and it looks like it’s make or break me for the fledgling Class Associaon......

Once he could see that we were going to be successful J.J. felt it was the right time to give up. Misguidedly, Jim wanted to try his hand at yottin’.

autumn2012www.sprint15.com12 by Nick Dewhirst

The Spring 1989 Newsletter related a little parable about Cinderella that was relevant to the issue. In a way one can see why this view point developed. Coming out of an era of equipment wars, Dart discipline was the opposite extreme. Not only Messrs. Fraser and Stevens, but also our very own Gerry bear the scars. Indeed Britain's Olympic hero now builds his own One-Design Tornados, called Hurricanes, which according to my dictionary, is perhaps more appropriate as Tornados apparently only appear on land. The creation of large One- Design fleet racing w a s obviously a more popular solution. However not everyone wants to race with a crew all the time. Theoretically the Dart 18 is also a single-handed racer on a par with the A-Class Unicorn, but in practice, when the wind gets up both more often than not stay ashore. The attempt to hold Dart 18 Single-handed Championships has now been dropped. Since the builder foresaw the 18 in this role, there was clearly a conflict of interest. That is the most likely explanation why the Spark was not kilted out well in the first place, and why One-Design fans like us have sadly had to make a series of additions to a basically excellent design. Slowly the Spark has gained street cred. Each stage has mirrored another step forward in the career of one Peter Ewing, once an enterprising travelling salesman for a well known drinks company.

Opposite: Relaxing Summer Sailing- Sun, Spark & Sunday Times - what more could a single-hander want?

Right: Dart 15 ski boat in acon- Pentewan?

autumn2012www.sprint15.com13 Class Struggle

Jan Mulder had tried imaginatively to sell the Spark, and I saw his version of the Spark in the Dutch boat show at the R.A.I. in Amsterdam, fully equipped with Sprint kit years before Panthercraft incorporated it. No wonder we had such a handicap at Texel, I learnt after entering the event the first time.

“it is most unusual for a dead product to be revived successfully!” autumn2012www.sprint15.com14 What a .....contd.

In France Lucien Gomez worked with somewhat more success, but faces fierce competition from the home-grown cheapie, plastic New Cat. Germany is however the saddest case for the Spark. It was the biggest market. It did have an enthusiastic class association. All that has gone. Now the dominates the market.

They get rewarded with bigger sales. We get rewarded with bigger competition. Certainly we could never even think of a project such as this on our own and surely they would find our unpaid enthusiasm far more persuasive than any talent they could provide, however highly paid the great Ewing might be. It did not take long before we had a spanking new trailer with two Sparkling new Fifteens on board to do with as we pleased for a whole season. Our thoughts were to use the boats to trail around the open meeting circuit, or rather what little of it we attended in the South East as well as offering demo days. During the 1987 season we were whistling in the wind. In those days we tagged on to the end of other catamaran open meetings, but we soon realised that we could send in race reports of our own to Yachts and . Sue Pelling, Clubs and Classes editor set out the rules. We act like journalistic hacks and she plays the editor. Typed, double spaced lines, 200-300 words and only positive vibes please - those were the guidelines from her. Ours were - lots of names, everyone had a good time and don't mention how few we were. The final installment of As we got more experienced so she changed less and following her this fascinang example of "A Sterling win for Moss", we have even learnt how to serialisaon of our make the titles corny enough, like "Roger the Dodger", "The Price is Right" and "Conqueror Cemm". If early Class history will we could Tussle up half a dozen genuine Fifteen sailors a couple be published in the more likely looking punters on demo boats mike make it some real next issue of competition. ‘Newsprint’ - Ed.

autumn2012www.sprint15.com15 Marconi TT

st th club house which ensured those who came boat out of action. So this gave 1 place to Over the weekend of 30 to watch were not disappointed! Kevin Dutch, 2nd Stuart Snell, 3rd Kevin June and 1st July, 23 Sprint 15’s signed RACE 1: With a heavy port hand line bias Kirby, and 4th Nick Dewhirst. on at Marconi Sailing Club for the third the fleet was understandably a little shy. RACE 2: The fleet again started on port tack TT of the year combined with The This allowed Stuart Snell to charge in at the but this time Kevin Dutch got away with Southern Area Championship. mark and was quickly away along with Kevin Snell, Ball, Kirby and Robert Finch chasing The weather forecast for the weekend Dutch and David Ball followed by the rest of hard. Throughout the fleet there was some was for sunny and bright with strong the ‘windward hull flying’ fleet! At the excellent sailing in what was becoming very SW winds but easing during Sunday, windward mark it was a fast reach across difficult conditions with increasing capsizes. which it did…just! the river to the gybe mark then a long broad Fenella Miller was one such casualty. But for The format was for 3 races back to back reach to a penultimate mark before a fetch those who know Fen and even though she on Saturday followed by the ever back across the river to the last mark and didn’t participate further in the worsening popular figure of eight long distance the beat back to the start line. There were conditions having got ashore, she had race round Northey and Osea islands various place changes throughout the race dusted herself down and was preparing on Sunday. with the fleet remaining fairly tight and some herself for Sunday in the true spirit of Sprint Taking into consideration the wind spectacular sailing. David Ball sailed a fine 15 sailors. Kevin Dutch took the gun with direction/strength and a falling tide, our race pulling away from Kevin Dutch to take Snell 2nd, Ball 3rd, Kirby 4th and Robert race officer for the weekend, Lee the gun only to graciously retire having had Finch 5th. Harrison, set an oblong course off of the an earlier port and starboard incident with Nick Miller which, unfortunately, put Nick’s

Clockwise from top left: Winner : Kevin Kirby Robert Finch Fast action through the moorings David Ball Close racing downwind Paul Craft

autumn2012www.sprint15.com16 by Kevin Kirby

RACE 3: By now the wind was gusting Jon Finch was not so lucky. A moment of rudder blade and bar as! well as force 6 making a beat the ‘safest’ point indecision in a big gust and with the rudder tearing his trampoline. This allowed the of sailing. The fleet was away cleanly blades now in the horizontal position, he went closing pack to take full advantage. Nick again on port tack. Dutch was soon off straight up the mud bank. He was Dewhirst sailing without both his glasses into the lead, but not without his nevertheless luckier than some. David Ball and a boat to follow took in an extra mark scares as the pictures of Kevin “goin’ whilst pushing for a win went down the just to be sure before going on to win south’” will testify. And yes he did mineshaft so hard that his bows stuck in the followed by Paul Craft who sailed a great survive, although many didn’t. With the mud before flipping in to a full pitch pole. This race pipping Kirby, Robert Finch and Snell tide dropping and probably not much became the order of the day with many such to take a well deserved second place. 13 more than the depth of a rudder blade capsizes. Normally boats come ashore with boats finished the race and that in itself available at the gybe mark, it became mud just at the top of mast not on both bows was an achievement. Gary Burrows even more critical to arrive close to the too. By now this eventful race looked to be sailed a determined race for a fine 6th mark and gybe quickly. won by Dutch when, just as he was starting place. the penultimate beat went aground, breaking a

Left : Stuart Snell

Right : Nick Dewhirst

Below : Kevin Dutch takes a long hard look at the mine

Sponsors of the Sprint 15 TT series

SUNDAY RACE 4: The wind had eased a borrowed boat. The wind was very gusty had taken out the previous day but didn’t little but was still a brisk Force 4/5 in at the top end of the island and Craft get a chance to open! bright and sunny conditions. With wind took a swim leaving Dutch to lead on The overall results were going to be very over the flooding tide, the first ¾ of a mile the run home followed by Ball, Kirby, close and it looked like Kevin Dutch had of the beat westwards towards Maldon Snell, Finch and Miller. The race was far won by 1 point but Kevin was one of the was going to be lumpy. With 22 boats set from over and the leading bunch two boats over at the start which meant it for battle and the tide trying to sweep changed places several times on the went to a tie between Kevin Kirby and them over the line, a bit of prudence was long run/reach down the north side of Stuart Snell both on 7 points. On count necessary. The fleet got away although Osea Island eventually with Kirby and back Kevin Kirby went on to win overall there was a recall which nobody Ball pulling clear. and become Southern Area Champion for responded to and it was Dutch, Ball, Craft, Kirby went on to take 1st place followed 2012. The following places were: 2nd Snell and Kirby who made the early by Ball, Snell, Dutch, Finch, Miller with Stuart Snell (7pts), 3rd Nick Dewhirst running. By the time the fleet reached the Jenny Ball taking 6th place. Nick Hillman (12pts), 4th David Ball (13pts), 5th Robert top of Northey Island, Dutch lead from had a more relaxed sail than the day Finch (13 pts), 6th Paul Craft (16pts). Craft and Kirby closely followed by Robert before and hopefully had time to enjoy a Finch, Ball, Snell and Nick Miller in a sandwich and a flask of coffee that he

autumn2012www.sprint15.com17 2012 AGM Report

Once again, your Association breaks In his absence, folk said all sorts of nice The Sport Nationals 2013 will take place new ground by holding its AGM on 19 things about our magazine and its editor at Yaverland on the IOW in a joint event August 2012, a day later than planned that they wouldn’t have said if he was with Shanklin and be held from 17-19th and, for good measure, on the hard present – a rapturous round of applause May. standing outside Brightlingsea SC. kind of summed things up for George Both the 2011-2012 Winter and 2012 Standing for all was also the order of the (Magman) Love- keep up the good work! Summer Travellers series have had very day and yours truly was the only one Martin (Webmaster) Searle received good attendances - viz there were 240 allowed a seat to enable some kind of another spontaneous burst of applause tickets for the Windsport donated record of the proceedings to be made. to indicate the members’ appreciation of in 2011 and a mega 390 tickets The meeting got underway at 7.35pm Martin’s work in keeping the Sprint 15 in this year’s draw. Thanks again to with almost a full committee present, the website at the forefront of sailing media Windsport for supporting our events. exception being your magazine editor, and way in front of our rivals. All reports were accepted and all who was somewhere down-under Erling (Events) Holmberg confirmed Committee members were re-elected for seeing how the Aussies do it. Pentewan SC (roar of approval) as the another year. According to my scribbled notes, we venue for next year’s Nationals, starting Nick then invited Brian Phipps to update dived straight into the messy issue of Sunday 25th August 2013. For our 2014 members on the progress with bringing subs which suggests that your event, Erling again confirmed the Sprint 15 production back to Chairman, for once, had little to problems of finding venues that are Brightlingsea and on the reasons for the say!!!!!!!!!!! prepared to take us during August. There committee’s proposed rule changes. Your Treasurer confirmed the message were 3 primary options on the table: The hull plug is now back in the UK and that he had given last year that the 1. Return to Netley. Sprint 15 production is planned for the Association is losing about £1200 per 2. National Sailing Academy at end of 2012.In an attempt to simplify and year and that it was not prudent to allow Weymouth. standardize production with the Dart 18, this to continue. The committee was 3. Hunstanton SC Where Association (built alongside of the 15) it is proposed proposing an increase in subs to £20 for member Mick Ford is Commodore. to remove the inner cocktail cabinet and those paying by Standing Order and to A possible 4th option, of a return to replace it with a mesh bag held in place £30 for the minority who pay by cheque. Thorpe Bay, still lacks the support of the by a self sealing hatch cover. A saving in All this was proposed to come into effect TBYC committee, so is a non-runner for production time will help keep costs down from 1st Jan 2013. For the record, no 2014. and the weight saving ( circa 2kg in total) one could remember the last time that As expected, there were plenty of views helps compensate for the increased the subs had been increased. A from members on these options. weight of the revised front beam. unanimous vote was passed. (Please However, everyone was unanimous that It is now uneconomic (£8K for the die and see notes on the following page on what we needed our TBYC members to push a minimum of ½ tonne of Aluminium you need to do to change your Standing hard with their Committee to actively extruded) to produce a unique size of Order). support a Sprint 15 Nationals for some front beam just for the 15. Adoption of the Nick (The Chairman) Dewhirst was then date in the future. A strong turn out for slightly larger section 18 front beam allowed a few words to the effect that any future TT’s at TBYC would be a meets the criteria of simplifying the attendance of some 82 boats at this good indicator of Association members’ production and keeping costs down. New event sent a strong message on the support for a Nationals there. UK produced hulls will therefore have health of our class to all and sundry. larger front sockets to accept the new There then followed, in amazingly quick Nick summarised the pros and cons of beam. By use of a sleeve, new hulls will succession, the various reports from the 3 choices: still be compatible with existing beams, your committee members. Hunstanton- an unknown venue for us for those, few cases, where new hulls are Yours truly, (Membership Man) who has for a National event. Suggestion that we required. trouble both speaking and writing at the should hold a TT there to gain more on Neither of these changes is expected to same time, made things easy by saying the ground information. show any beneficial performance precisely the same as last year with Netley- great bunch of people; camping advantage to new boats. something like 280-300 ish paid up on site; 6 hours of sailable water per Technology has now moved on since our members and making a plea for folks to day; excellent spectator viewing; great boat was designed, and foam filled use the Standing Order option for trolley dollies. rudder blades are now stronger, don’t fill paying their subs. A replacement Weymouth- extremely professional, but up with water and, based on a 9-month membership secretary will be sought with possibly the sense of fun missing; trial by Stuart Snell, there is no over the next few months, as I wish to no tides, no waves, so unrestricted performance advantage. stand down once the changes to the sailing all day; no camping, so its B&B or These proposed changes were subs SO’s have been sorted out. hotels meaning a drive to venue each unanimously accepted and the meeting Howard (The Money) Hawkes was day. To attract more classes they are closed at 8.15 pm. happy now that the subs will be prepared to offer very competitive event increased enabling our healthy bank rates. Please act upon the instructions on balance of some £15-19K to be On a show of hands, it was Weymouth the following page to keep your maintained and put to good use, if the 13 votes and Netley 30 plus- so we are membership of the best Class need arises. Southampton Water bound for 2014. Association in the U.K. - autumn2012www.sprint15.com18 you know it’s still a great deal! by Keith Bartle 2013 SUBS INCREASE Some 90% of Association members pay their annual subs Please also add your unique SP-15 number, as this is the by Standing Order (SO). Some very long standing only way that we can identify you. Some of your banks do members still pay their SO’s via our original Bank, Lloyds not transfer over name details with the payment. If you TSB, who, sadly, are not very user friendly these days. don’t know your SP-15 number, it has been printed on the So we want ALL members to renew their SO’s with address label on the envelope which brought you this Santander. You will need the following info to update your magazine. Failing that, drop me an email, and I will look SO’s- most of you will be able to do this on line via your through the database for you. Contact me at: own bank. ([email protected])

Beneficiary : UK Sprint 15 Association PLEASE, PLEASE – Bank : Santander DON’T PUT OFF DOING THIS CHANGE IN Sort code : 72 00 03 SUBS - DO IT NOW. Account no : 59523285 Amount : £20 per annum Use the same renewal date If you still want to pay by cheque, (£30) you can do so, as you have at present- the subs run for a full 12 months, but there is now a £10 premium for this, so it really is not calendar year. worth investigating the SO option.

A bit of history on the subs issue by Bob Carter On the Subs it was £6 when I first joined in 1988. Nick So a long answer but the current charges have been acted on the committee in many roles including editor, held for 16 years BUT we could also say that the last treasurer, membership secretary, etc time that the most cost effective membership cost was It went up to £9 in 1991 lower than £10 was 1991 so that is 22 years. It went to £12 in 1992 when George Wood was treasurer Pretty good, eh? Willie Pitcairn became treasurer in 1993. The fees were put down to £10 by cheque or cash (no Cheers SOs) in 1995 when Tim Dieu De Bellefontaine was Bob standing in for Willie. By 1997 Peter Ansbro had become treasurer and created A P.S. from Ed. According to the money gurus, £10 in 1991 is now the current membership prices (£10 by standing order equivalent to £17.90. So the subs are only increasing by £2.10 in real terms in today’s money and a miserly £1.18 in 1991 terms. It really is and £15 by cash). the best £20 you’ll ever spend - honest! Announcements Sprint 15 Mainsail raffle winner Change of Class Association Roger Ackroyd of Whitham Sailing Club won a new Secretary mainsail for his Sprint 15 at the Sprint 15 National It’s time to move on Championships in Brightlingsea Sailing Club. The sail I took over the secretary role for your was donated by Windsport Catparts to promote Sprint 15 Association sometime in the Autumn of sailing. The class give each entrant a raffle ticket for 2007, following an approach from Bob Carter, to each Sprint 15 open meeting they attend throughout the which I could not say “No”. Since then, I have kind of year and the prize is drawn from the hat at the Nationals. learnt how to use an Access database; how to prise subs This year there were 356 raffle tickets in the draw and money out of S15 sailors; and to stay awake during AGM’s so that Roger's ticket was I could produce some sort of record of the proceedings. Its been pulled out of the hat great fun, but its time to move on, as my attendance at events by Brian Phipps of has dropped since we started spending more time in France and I Windsport. Last year feel that you deserve a more active secretary. So David Groom has volunteered for the post and he will take over the reins from there were 253 raffle the New Year. Between now and then, we will both be active in tickets given out and getting you all to change your standing orders for the increased it shows how much subs. Sprint 15 sailing has I guess one of the enduring memories of my time as your increased over just Secretary is receiving a call from a member complaining that he a year. Roger bought hadn’t received the latest magazine. It turned out that he had his Sprint 15 quite moved house (and not given the new address), changed his E recently and is a new mail address and he hadn’t paid his subs. That kind of sums up member of the fleet. the role. You need to be a mind reader! Good luck, David – I’m T h e s a i l w a s sure you’ll do a great job presented to Roger Keith Barlett by Brian Phipps. On behalf of all the members, a big thank you to Keith for his sterling work for the good of us all over the last few years. Personally, it’s been a pleasure indeed - Ed.

autumn2012www.sprint15.com19 2012 Naonals at Brightlingsea

If UK Cat Sailing had a spiritual home it might possibly be Brightlingsea Sailing Club in Essex. Home to the late Olympic Gold Medallist Reg White MBE, the walls of the club house are adorned with the list of his achievement and of other notable champions. Brightlingsea will also be the origin of future Sprint 15 with White Formula taking over construction again. So it was to Brightlingsea that 83 Sprint 15s made pilgrimage for the 2012 National Championship. Whilst the forecast promised copious amounts of sunshine and searing heat, wind looked less of a guarantee. Quite reliably though a stable F1 to F2 came in ready for the practice race which saw Simon Farthing leading Paul Grattage and Howard Hawkes around the windward mark before the race committee brought everyone back to the start line in what was becoming a dying breeze. The weekend would be in part noted by an eager fleet straining at the leash to get off the start line. The black flag became a familiar friend as Race 1 finally got away. Paul Grattage demonstrated the same speed he showed in the practice race by taking an early advantage out to A packed the left side of the course with Thomas Sandall in close start line with attendance. By the downwind leg Marconi’s David Ball 82 entries was moving in to contention alongside the flying Christine Roman. At the finish it was Grattage who would take well deserved line honours from Sandal, Sverdloff and Hawkes. Further down the fleet rules were being tested at the gybe mark with 20 boats mid order all coming in looking for the best rounding with centimetres between them. Reigning Champion Kevin Dutch swiftly returned to the Committee Boat to apologise for trying to Brightlingsea’s board it. Top Four Race 2 and the wind was swinging and dying. The heat was increasing and a number of competitors took Champion advantage of the shallow waters to stand next to their boats whilst the race officer prepared for race two. With Stuart Snell tide taking competitors up to the line a number of general recalls eventually saw the fleet break free up the Thomas Sandal first beat. This time it was the masters in the fleet who showed everyone how it was done with former champion Paul Grattage Stuart Snell and light airs specialist Robert England fighting for the top spot. Thomas Sandal again stamped Simon Farthing his credentials on a title challenge with a great first beat to get in to the top five at mark one. Further down the fleet a good start for Steve Roberts saw him soar up the fleet chasing down son Paul whom it turned out along with eight others had been too quick out of the blocks and was handed an OCS. There was a fantastic entry of 16 boats from Thorpe Bay and in the second race a third of the top twenty finishers originated from either Thorpe Bay, Brightlingsea or Marconi, showing that perhaps the only way is Essex! At the gun, masterful England held Snell at bay from Neil Parkhurst, Sandal and once again Christine Roman from Shanklin. A beautiful day of sunny sailing was finished with complimentary Pimms and nibbles from class manufacturer (and late night repairer of boats) Brian Phipps and a tasty club BBQ with time for Chairman Nick Dewhirst to regale the fleet with tales from 15 history.

Sponsors of the Sprint 15 National Championships 2012 at Brightlingsea

autumn2012www.sprint15.com20 by Simon Farthing

Day 2 and a postponement ensued to allow the wind to arrive. When it did, it came in as a promising 3. The Ladies Champion first start split opinion with a few boats tacking off early Jenny Ball on the committee boat with the wind apparently clocking around, whilst others continued on starboard hoping to catch them on the way back. Once again it was Grattage who took the early running from the right with Kevin Dutch chasing him hard. Marconi sailors were having a ball with David Ball and Jenny Ball making places on the run and ultimately claiming 3rd and 4th behind the leading pair. Grattage now had two bullets and a potential grip on the championship whilst Most Improved Snell added in a fifth keeping his low points tally ticking over. Race 4 and a cracking second result for Tina Roman Beaver’s Neil Parkhurst saw him claim victory from Jenny and David Ball followed by Sandal with Grattage finding himself OCS after having lead the fleet around. So the day ended with a trip around the factory to see the new boats, an AGM and a fine meal from the galley ladies of Brightlingsea. With a number of protests hanging over into day three no one was entirely sure what had to be done to claim Youth Champion the title. Kevin Dutch knew his chances of retaining the Jacob Aldridge would depend on him finding his best form and others failing to do so. Thomas Sandal and Stuart Snell both needed to find the top spot whilst Grattage needed to keep his form going. The breeze was creeping up to a force 4 and with the tide holding the fleet back the Sprint 15's exploded out of the line. A tight squeeze at the leeward Dutch flew up the left hand side after a perfect start marks chased by Snell. Behind Frank Sandells was closely chasing the pair of them with Martyn Ellis and Kevin Kirby and Keith Ball in hot pursuit. Dutch took the bullet by a comfortable margin from Sandal and then Snell. It was anyone’s to play for as Grattage had recovered from the teens to come in 6th, just ahead of Kirby. With slightly less breeze but enough to keep a hull flying the leaders again chose the pin and headed for the lay line. Snell and Dutch continued their fight whilst in close attendance was Paul Roberts who bravely pushed the line without fear of the black flag that had dented Balls title chances. Behind, Thomas Sandal was holding off Grafham’s Jacob Aldridge. Simon Farthing and Samuel Rowell were centimetres behind Trolley dolly heaven? fighting out for a top six spot. On the last lap the middle of the course started to favour and the front eight boats closed on each other but built the gap to the pack behind. Snell was Final Standings Heavyweights : covering Dutch well to protect his first. Sandal Individual Results : 1st S. Farthing (Brightlingsea) sneeked past Roberts. Aldridge held on for fifth, from 1st S. Snell (Brightlingsea) 17pts 2nd N. Dewhirst (Whitstable) Rowell and Farthing. Further back Peter Richardson 2nd T. Sandal (Grafham) 19pts 3rd H. Hawkes(Thorpe Bay) came home fast from nowhere as the airs became 3rd P. Grattage (Shanklin) 27pts Most Improved : lighter claiming an excellent 8th. 4th S. Farthing (Brightlingsea) 51pts 1st C. Roman ( Shanklini) Ashore and some quick calculations suggested it could 5th P. Roberts (Dee) 53pts 2nd J. Aldridge(Grafham) be Sandal, Grattage or Snell that had claimed the 6th M. Aldridge (Grafham) 53pts 3rd G. Stephen (Queen Mary) prize, but who? Ultimately it proved to be Snell by two 7th S. Rowell (Felixstowe Ferry) 55pts Teams Standings : points from Sandal getting his name on the 8th K.. Dutch (Seasalter) 56pts 1st Grafham (132pts) Brightlingsea wall of fame. Grattage claimed bronze 9th K. Newnham (Shanklin) 56pts 2nd Shanklin (150pts) after a great championship ahead of Simon Farthing 10thJ. Ball (Marconi) 57pts 3rd Marconi (197pts) and then Paul Roberts with Mark Aldridge taking 6th. 11th K. Kirby (Marconi) 58pts 4th Brightlingsea (253pts) Team Glory went to Grafham, the Ladies 12thK. Ball (Grafham) 60pts 5th Thorpe Bay (299pts) Championship to Jenny Ball. The youth prize to Jacob Two-up : 1st S. & H. Giles (Shanklin) 6th Seasalter (502pts) Aldridge, the Heavyweight Championship to Farthing Ladies Trophy : J. Ball (Marconi) 7th Dee (516pts) from Chairman Dewhirst, the Masters categories to Youth Trophy : J. Aldridge (Grafham) 8th Beaver (535pts) Snell and Kirby, two up to Simon and Henry Giles and Over 50s : 9th Stewartby (538pts) most improved to Christine Roman. 1st K. Kirby (Marconi) 10th Queen Mary(553pts) All in all stunning weather, patient management from 2nd M. Ellis (Thorpe Bay) 11th Oxford (713pts) the Brighlingsea team who provided a great venue and 3rd F. Sandells (Grafham) 12th Draycote (904pts) top racing. Over 60s : Pro-Am Winners: 1st S. Snell (Grafham) P. Roberts + M. Ellis All photographs courtesy of 2nd K. Newnham (Shanklin) Alan & Mary Howie-Wood 3rd G. Howlett (Shanklin) autumn2012www.sprint15.com21 My First (Naonal) Race by Jon Salter

how to go faster I was exhausted and and I crossed the line in last place. I beat It was with some decided to call it a day. I didn’t get much myself up all night and surely bored a few trepidation that I entered the Sprint sleep as my head was spinning. people at the dinner in the evening! 15 Nationals at Brightlingsea for the first Day Three. I arrived at the club early and time having never raced a boat before. because of the delay to racing I decided My first thoughts were – “Should I really to go for a walk round the boat park and be doing this? Will I be frowned upon by chat with the other combatants. What a experienced racers? Who does this old great bunch of people is the Sprint 15 fool think he is entering the National fraternity! The atmosphere was buzzing Championships without any experience and I really felt part of the action. That whatsoever?” My concerns, however, was the moment I decided I was going to were soon proven unfounded as replies Pentewan next year. on the forum were all positive and Race five. I was still starting at the pin on welcoming. So enter I did and what a a port tack and changing to starboard just great experience it was. before the line. Things didn’t go too good Having entered I thought – “What should I so I decided that I might change tactics do first? I know, reading the rules might on the last race. The race went fairly well be a good idea.” (Something maybe a few but I was beginning to realize it was more others might consider). Having gone about experience than anything else. It through the rules making a note of the was time on the water that made good basics like port tack gives way to sailors and it was time I started club starboard, windward to leeward and give racing. I crossed the finish line fifth from clear water, I decided to get my boat up to last. scratch. So, with a quick clean and a Race six and it was time to change repair to the rudders I was ready to go. tactics. I started from committee boat end “Oh my God what have I done?” – I on a starboard tack staying well back out thought. To say I was nervous would be of the way. The race went much the same an understatement. as the others but I was beginning to feel Day One. After the briefing and frequent more at ease and making less mistakes. I visits to the toilet, I found myself on the found that getting more organized just before the turns made a big difference water with a fleet of 82 Sprint 15s. What a Day Two. I had a long chat with my and I was definitely more confident sailing frightening but glorious sight. “Come on”, I Pro/Am partner Keith Newnham. Now it closer to others. I finished the last race in told myself. “You can do this. After all you was time to put all that advice into about 70th position. know how to sail and you can handle your practice. I had moved the shrouds up There followed a slow relaxing sail back to boat.” At the start line I’d already decided one hole letting the mast come forward. shore until, that is, I reached the creek to stay out of the way. Watching everyone As for the downhaul and batten mouth and the sight of 83 Sprint 15s at gathering at the committee boat end I tensioners, I will have to purchase those high tide trying to beach in what can only decided to hang around the pin. At the one at a later date. be described as an impossibly tight minute warning I was on a port tack Race three and I found myself in irons squeeze turned relaxation into stress. To heading for the line when I suddenly just before the start line - not a good me it looked like a recipe for disaster. I realized my mistake. There on my place to be but things did get better. don’t know how we all managed to get starboard bow bearing down on me was Instead of worrying about people going ashore without any damage to boat or the whole fleet. With a quick flash back of past me I concentrated more on my own person but we did. I guess most of you the rules and an even quicker change of sailing and it started to work. I crossed are used to sailing in a fleet this size but tack I found myself crossing the line in a the finish line with ten boats behind me - to me it was a great relief when I finally pretty good position. “Hey!” - I thought – my best result. Now I was ready for race had the boat safely back on its trolley. “all I need to do now is stay in this position four and really enjoying myself. Still I had completed my first Nationals and my and I’ll do .” Well, I sat there getting trying to emulate that first start I had on first race event. I was extremely happy but more and more frustrated as boat after the first day. Starting at the pin, I once there was more to come. At the prize boat came past me seemingly doing again found myself in irons. Those of giving I realized that although it was all exactly the same as I was doing. How you in the vicinity may have heard the about winning - (and that’s a good thing) - were they going faster than me? Should I odd profanity! This was not what I had for a lot of people it was just about having sit further forward? Should I sheet in or planned. After finally crossing the start fun. And I have to say, I was having a lot out? Is the traveller in the correct position? line in last place, I had a lot of work to of fun. To top it all off I was presented Do I need a new sail? Apart from the new do. By the fourth mark on the first lap I with two invaluable books and awarded sail I tried everything to no avail. I’m not had managed to pass two boats and I the Paul Smith Memorial Trophy for sure where I finished but it was near the decided to try something different. I Perseverance. What a beautiful trophy back. That was the practice lap and the went for a starboard tack and was once and a great honour especially after first and second races were a similar tale again caught in irons. I just couldn’t hearing what a great guy Paul was. but I was beginning to feel more believe it. I felt like all eyes were on me The next day it was time to reflect on the comfortable especially as, so far, I hadn’t and I was making a complete fool of last few days. I had achieved what I set crashed into anyone and I wasn’t last over myself. I just couldn’t get round and out to do and that was to complete the the finish line. ended up going on the port tack by event safely without damage and to have On the sail back to shore I had a big grin which time I was in last position again. I a good time. As a bonus, I think I learned on my face. I had survived Day One but I was not happy with myself but managed more in those few days about sailing than had a question. “What can I do to go once again to pass the two in front of I had from the whole of last year. With that faster?” A question to which everyone had me. Unfortunately for me, on the run in mind, I’d like to thank all the sailors for an answer - from downhaul to batten from buoy two, I was unable to keep my their camaraderie and welcome with a tension to mast rake, when to sheet in or position, all three of us desperately special mention to Nick Dewhirst, Keith out, when to let the traveller in or out. After trying not to be last over the line. I tried Newnham, Gordon Deuce and Andy spending nearly seven hours on the water everything I could think of and some I Berisford for all the advice and and the next three hours trying to find out couldn’t but it just made matters worse encouragement.

autumn2012www.sprint15.com22 Mascot Mania by AnonyMouse

I am a small rubber mouse, one of the failed to get round leading to a pile up The finish, surprisingly, caused few assorted mascots such as cameras, my assisted by some boats on starboard problems but please, when you have little ponies, ducks and others of that ilk attempting to sail head to wind straight at finished, do not sail back across the attached to bridle wires in the Sprint 15 the mark. line and do try to heave to away from fleet. From there we get a very good Come on troops, boats don’t sail directly the line leaving room for others. view of proceedings on the water and I into the wind and a long line of boats on Sail back to shore equally pleasant to would offer the following comments on starboard approaching and exiting a mark that on the way out and the fleet was the first day of the Nationals. They are means no wind for those coming in on port very well behaved when it sought to intended as constructive criticism that I and no room to tack when you get there. recover the boats given congestion think I have a right to make as I am Unbelievably the situation was further and deep slippy mud containing sharp attached to a 15’s bow and I am therefore worsened by some of those few who did shells at the end of the slipway, the very anti-collision. obey the rules doing penalty turn right by length of the slipway, the problems Fleet well behaved at launching and Club mark rather than keeping well clear. retrieving trolleys from some way up it volunteers very helpful so we all got Blasted (drifted) down the first reach to the and the steep slope on the way back away ok and in one piece. Lovely sail second mark and saw many boats ahead to the dinghy park. out of the estuary in nice sunny weather failing to account for the tide meaning they Following morning the OOD lectured but not much wind. were swept away therefore having to run all the naughty boys (and girls) and Hove to near Committee boat and back to the mark against the tide very firmly advised regarding black flag identified that the tide was running across slowly on port. This would not have been procedure and penalties, his concern the start line from the off course side. an issue if they left room near the regarding the blatant lack of rule Could not see the small black course mark to accommodate the observance and his intended marks being laid out to sea and few boats coming actions. These involved having a wondered why BSC do not use the lovely in on RIB on each mark to take notes of big bright orange ones they had attached the goings on and him then to one or more of their RIBs. Also protesting those that did not play wondered why so many fair. I have to say that I have boats heave to on attended many Nationals and port as opposed Opens and have never seen a to starboard, fleet spoken to in this manner which I think is a but it was deserved given the f a r s a f e r lack of evidence of rule alternative. observance and multiple Starting sequence collisions the day before. commenced and Honestly folks, thank God noticed RIB with it was not as real bright orange marks damage to boats or attached to rear was people could and “helpfully” positioned at probably would have the far end of the line been done and near to the actual mark Mr.Lloyd and Mr. and thought this could Tuckwell in particular cause confusion. Two would have been minutes to go and it was most displeased obvious to me that a leading to higher general recall was coming insurance premiums as the fleet was far too near for us all. I suspect the line with most helms even Mr. Phipps would have perhaps not realising tide from been displeased given the time and behind pushes you over the starboard effort his on the spot post collision even if you are head to wind. or gybing near the repairs require and the sleepless Eventually the fleet got away mark calling for water having nights that result. after a number of general recalls sailed low to account for the tide but Really, let’s see all you helms following the OOD’s use of the they did not all do so. Result unnecessary (including mine who hit a mark on the black handkerchief, the BSC version of a congestion and yet more bumping and second day, sulked and retired) do black flag. On each attempted start bashing. better next time and how about a few various boats were obviously keen to Down the run doing the ‘Ainslie’ (gybing on articles in the Association Magazine on take samples off the Committee boat’s the shifts and waves) and felt sorry for one basic rules and good practice for paintwork and see how bouncy the mark competitor who was so surprised that, as racing in a large fleet. The good at the other end of the line was. Also a my helm called starboard, he dived over the standards for which the Sprint 15 is fair degree of Sprint on Sprint bumping front beam into the sea rather than gybe. renowned - its common sense, good and rear ending which does make me Large raft of 15’s ahead at the next mark manners and camaraderie - need to be nervous. and unbelievably saw more competitors maintained. Getting near the first mark it was obvious piling into the back rather than sailing If not, be warned, if the bumper boats troubles ahead as lots of boats were around it. Also saw some coming in on mentality persists I and my fellow approaching the mark on port having starboard demanding rights. What do they mascots will have to act more like rats over stood it or were failing to head high expect the 26 boats rafted up on port near especially as, unbelievably, no awards enough to account for the tide when or even in one case attached to the mark to were given for best mascot at the prize coming in on starboard. This led to late do? Splintering/bumping noises and yet giving! maneuvers right on the mark, literally in more shouts and interesting language from My name is Mouse - some cases, and the low wind and chop helms was just inevitable. meant boats took ages to tack or even Anony Mouse!-

autumn2012www.sprint15.com23 Form D15’s Naonal’s Field Trip by David Groom

As part of our annual school camp at otherwise be known weaknesses such Brightlingsea, Form D15 were invited to as the joint along keel lines. have a look around the White Formula We then looked at a piece of kit that was Factory. so old and basic it came as no surprise We were told to be ready for 5:45p.m., that it was actually based on mid-1970’s where to meet and the Class creeps met cow milking technology. In fact Teacher Teacher Mr. Phipps on time. However Phipps explained it was a unique piece Dart 18 deck most of the Class was missing as they of West Country High Technology that and other were late back from sports was used to accurately mate the hulls to moulds. Was it notwithstanding the lecture we had all the decks. This involved using air sensible to leave had just that morning from the Chairman pressure to manipulate the sides of the a sharp blade of the Board of Governors Oliver hull to exactly match the profile of the near a horde of Ollerenshaw-Davis re rules and rule decks allowing them to be glued S15 sailors? observance. The naughty boys were securely and neatly. The “high tech” subsequently brought to the factory late emphasis then continued when we were by Headmaster Dewhirst all still wearing shown a series of hardboard templates games kit and, we found out later, used to identify where all holes needed unbelievably having not packed all their to be drilled and backing plates installed. kit away properly beforehand. We then went on to view more Cornish At the factory, Mr. Paul Turner welcomed high tech that looked like a couple of us and gave a lengthy health and safety giant combs hinged together. This was briefing saying basically don’t touch apparently the world famous Dart batten anything and the exit is that way. making machine but I am afraid I did not Headmaster Phipps said photographs understand how it worked despite the were only allowed on the basis that they clear and lengthy explanations given. were not used to help set up a The role of the mysterious multiple The JPS production line of similar boats bungees was particularly unclear as was liveried Sprint elsewhere. Once bitten twice shy comes the finishing off carried out by the 15 plug as to mind. Headmaster in person which included recently We were then taken to look at the newly the use of a jig saw. returned from arrived D15 plug which had been on a We finished off by talking over the South Africa long holiday in South Africa and had proposed changes to the manufacture of been brought back to the UK by that 15 hulls in terms of the use of bigger famous old boy Ian Fraser. It was (Dart 18) front beams with the extra resplendent in a black and gold striped weight compensated for by having no (JPS) colour scheme but we were cocktail cabinets (but retaining the hole advised that the standard colour for all in the deck and the lid and then having a new boats would be white with a black sack inside. It was stressed that these waterline. Other colours would however changes will not be performance perhaps be available for extra cost!! But enhancing. graphics were suggested as a better way What came over is how labour intensive of personalizing boats. It was explained the making of the hulls is and the huge that moulds would be taken off the plug amount of work that has gone into once it had been thoroughly refurbished bringing production back to the UK whilst The famous and that new boats should be available making sure they will all be the same as mid-70’s towards the end of the year. each other and the same as those made West country We then went to look at the 18 hull over the last 20 plus years despite all the cow milking, moulds and various other moulds for 18 inevitable changes in supplier and cider making decks, beam caps and rudders and Mr. materials that have and will occur. and Sprint 15 Turner explained how he uses them to We thanked our guide for a truly hull to deck make components having painted on gel fascinating and informative tour and joining piece and then hand laid the fiberglass and went back to our main school camp base of apparatus resin all to exact tolerances and weights. in time to attend the postponed It was amazing how precise this all was, assembly (AGM). how much knowledge and experience David Groom (one of the swats as I was involved and how great attention had left games early that day) was spent on dealing with what would The equally famous and, inexplicable to me, batten making machine

Paul Turner explains the intricacies of laying up Sprint 15 hulls given the shape of the Confused looking Sprint 15 skegs and the overall weight sailors looking at the Dart 18 restrictions which apply mould

autumn2012www.sprint15.com24 2012 Nationals Cartoon Fun with Phil Breeze

Phil gives us his personal take on a Nationals where the black flag was unfurled on many an occasion resulting in overtime for the protest committee

autumn2012www.sprint15.com25 2012 Sport Naonals by Thom Flaxman

29 Sprint 15 catamarans from 10 different clubs around the country crowded the sandy beach at Instow over the weekend of 12-14th May providing a great spectacle for onlookers from both sides of the estuary as they competed in 6 races for the 2012 Sport Nationals title. Race 1 on Saturday, in a force 2 northerly breeze saw local helm Pete Ewing benefit from a useful wind shift and squeeze into first place in a very close finish. Race 2, over a similar course, was again very close racing but this time none of the 13 local boats could stop Liam Thom from Shanklin Sailing Club from getting to the line first. Race Officer Gordon Smith did well to fit in Race 3 on Saturday with the wind backing to north westerly and freshening to allow faster racing but also the first capsize. Kevin Dutch from Seasalter Sailing Club won the last race of the day. Sunday morning found the estuary bathed in sunshine again but no breeze at first. Race 4 saw the fleet split at the start with those choosing the North Shore gaining advantage in the light airs. The winner was Steve Sawford of Rutland Sailing Club who overhauled the early leader, Paul Grattidge of Shanklin. By Race 5, the wind had freshened to a perfect Race Start force 4 giving exciting reaching and allowing the Kevin Dutch : 2012 Sport Champion course to be extended to five laps. There was close racing with only seconds separating the Steve Sawford leading group of 6 or 7 boats at the finish. Charles Watson Charles Watson (Halifax Sailing Club) Robert England (Carsington), Kevin Dutch (Seasalter) and Mark Aldridge (Grafham Sailing Club) and North Devon’s Keith Heason swapping places. Watson sailed out the eventual winner. The weather for the final Race 6 on Monday morning improved after a damp start with a steady Westerly force 3-4 giving fair conditions on the course set seaward for the 6 rounds. A win by Kevin Dutch (Seasalter Sailing Club) secured his overall title of Sport 15 National Champion 2012. At the prize giving ceremony ashore, The Jimmy Johnson Memorial Trophy, a new trophy for the best veteran was unveiled and presented by Mrs Alex Johnson to Robert England. Steve Sawford and Charles Watson were confirmed as 2nd and Clockwise: 3rd overall with Pete Ewing the best North Devon Determined Dave Warren Yacht Club sailor and Dave Warren (North Devon Upwind action Yacht Club) securing the prize for the most Pete Ewing holds off Mark determined sailor! Aldridge The Pro-Am title was won by Robert England & Simon Fleet (NDYC)

Pro -Am Champions Robert England & Simon Fleet

All photos by Mike BentleyPhotography [email protected]

Sponsors of the Sprint 15 Sport National Championships 2012 North Devon Yacht Club

autumn2012www.sprint15.com26 Tips from Phipps by Brian Phipps Your Personal

“End of Season Performance Windsport Review” OK - so the 2012 summer racing season is coming to an end, Sprint 15 Cat Action you have attended a number of open meeting events, possibly the nationals or a cat open. Now is the time to evaluate your successes and your disappointments, congratulate yourself on making the effort to travel, plan for the future then decide if you are going to do something about it. • Need a new Sprint 15?? One thing is for certain, if you execute your 2013 sailing programme exactly the same as this year’s programme, it is § Talk with Windsport more than likely you will arrive at the end of 2013 with the same result, possibly even a bit further down the fleet if the • Need some cat advice?? competition has found ways to improve. So what is to be done? Does it matter? Can you make a § Talk with Windsport difference? The answer is yes, yes and yes! • Need replacement parts?? How it’s done: Sit down in a comfy chair, beer/wine or similar in hand and carefully review your season’s sailing with § Talk with Windsport pen in other hand. Step One: Write down the events you attended, Make • Need coaching support?? some notes on how you performed at each event, where you felt you did well and where you lost it and may be why?. Sit back § Talk with Windsport and see if there is a pattern to your performance and, if so, start thinking about what you need to do to make a positive • Need a boat repair?? improvement. Talk with Windsport Step Two: Make some notes on your boat, bits you need to § repair / service / replace. Boats and equipment do wear out! We would all like a new boat and for some that may be the best / biggest or only gain, but blaming your tools is nearer the end of Just want to chat about cats!! the list than the front. Windsport does that too …. Step Three: Practicalities, we all have a percentage of constraints - financial, time, age!, weight!, ability. Your final plan Supplying you with parts is needs to be within the realities of your life style. Remember you are looking for an improvement in performance with an improved only a small part of our job.... set of results at the end of 2013 that reflects your effort, they say Contact :- no gain without pain but pain is not always physical. Windsport International If it helps use the dart board target effect where you write the various skills around the outside and then give them marks out Tel: 01326 376191 of 10, with ‘0’ being the centre and the best, ‘9’ means room for massive improvement and where you will make your biggest Fax: 01326 376192 gains. For example, you can be specific. Take a topic like Email:[email protected] “Light wind sailing 2 under 5 knots”. Now around the outside of the Dart board write various aspects, downwind sailing Website:www.catparts.windsport.co.uk technique, light wind gybing, pre launch set up, light wind Home page:www.windsport.co.uk tacking, upwind sailing, etc. Next, give each heading marks out of 10, the higher the mark the bigger the gain if you are prepared to work on it. Working on what you are strongest at delivers the least return!

The truth and the facts The more you practice the luckier you get. That is quite different from the more you race the better your results. Practice is where you learn and try things, racing is where you put those things into practise.

So, new boat? Replacement sail or equipment? Official supplier of genuine More coaching and practise? I do not know but you will when you carry out your own end of season review. And don’t class legal replacement parts leave it until the middle of next season to start doing something about it!

autumn2012www.sprint15.com27 Nore Race 2012 Excursion

With apologies to Erling and our hard working committee, June 30th called for a mammoth travel episode from South Shropshire to Thorpe Bay for just one race. Unfortunately the 2012 Nore Race clashed with the first day of the Marconi Summer TT and a long-standing agreement to take part in the former held firm. The event has been won by Sprint 15’s before in slow cat class, if not overall and the race is organised each year by Benfleet Yacht Club as well as being supported by several of the local clubs for launching and rescue facilities. Yachts, dinghies and all start from the same line with a short separation of five minutes between the big boys nearby and the tiddlers. The usual entry is Tilbury enquired as to around 160 vessels. The Nore Bank whether Fifteens go out in these is situated in the Thames Estuary to conditions and was depressed by the the north east of the mouth of the replacing nonchalant “Oh yes!” received in reply. River Medway and, as an anchorage, i t w i t h t h e o l d e r As further preparations, rigging and was the location of a famous naval technology. However, copious amounts riveting took place in the very pleasant mutiny in the late 1700’s. of pasta arrived a little while later after sunshine and surroundings of TBYC that Stage one – getting there – began on much perseverance had solved the day, two intrepid contenders with two 20- the Friday morning when departure was problem and then further travel was odd year old catamarans took solace in made to pick up boat number two from almost in the offing. The plan was to the previous evening’s Windguru report Oxford Sailing Club before taking a spot hitch the boats up to a faithful T4 VW which had indicated that there would be a of lunch. Since there was no prior Transporter van which had been loaded slight easing of wind speed for the experience of having doubled up on a with other goods destined for a parental duration of the race. This information trailer before, extra time was given to abode in the local environs of the race. was getting on for 24 hours old, however, lashing on the top boat only to discover Changing the number plate on the trailer taking into account the 12 hour delay on that, because the back of a fifteen is preceded the hitch-up prior to an the website. Nevertheless Nore Race heavier than the front, everything had to afterthought of a question: “Did you Pennants were attached to shrouds and be undone again to move both boats check the towing electrics, by the way?” all preparations were eagerly made in further forward to get a reasonable “Err – I think so . . .” was the none-too- hope that the race would proceed. As an nose-weight on the trailer. Add in an encouraging response. The proof of the afterthought, one of the cats received an attempt to tighten a trampoline, plus pudding and all that led to Voldermort extra mainsheet affixed to the mast ball to other re-thinking of lashings and (the van’s affectionate nickname) being act as a righting line “just in case”. padding and time imperceptibly leached in disgrace and the planet suffering a At about 11:40am shortly before the tide away. Finally, one member of the party little extra because two vehicles had to was due to recede to about a mile away, went home to start essential set out in the general direction of the contestants were informed that they adjustments to a replacement tiller Southend instead of the planned-for one could “go” and a gaggle of dinghies set extension whilst the other chap carried only. This wasn’t a bad idea after all, off towards the distant start line at the far on fumbling around with tidying up the given the tentative nature of strap-downs end of Southend Pier where there were details and bringing the boats along in on the upper boat and Voldermort some yachts that were also beginning to due course. Just an extra hour or so, doubled as a needed observation accumulate in earnest anticipation of nothing much. platform of the boats from the rear. Sure some fun to be had. Since the tide was Heading for the lunch rendezvous in enough a stop was made after about ten running out, the water wasn’t too rough in Cholsey saw some slippage on the part minutes in order to remove the incorrect the first instance, although it was a little of the top boat, the loss of one yoga number plate from the rear of the trailer. bumpy for one of the doughty pair in this block (padding) and following vehicles Later on the M25, another pause story. Prior to taking on this particular staying well back in case the creaking occurred to rescue a piece of padding challenge, a couple of short excursions in trailer dropped its load completely. from one side of the rear beams before it a newly acquired boat were a bit of a Without too many stops to tighten finally took flight on a little journey of its skimpy introduction for a newcomer to cat straps, the first mini stage of travel was own. Around about 8pm the convoy sailing. However, after working out how achieved and stomachs were getting deposited its trailer in the boat park at to tack the thing in a bit of a swell and pretty expectant at around 4pm. Sadly, Thorpe Bay Yacht Club. All things finally getting the downhaul at least half work converting a rubber universal joint seemed to have been possible, but not tight, progress was made up-tide towards to an old hinged one on a second-hand necessarily immediately. the line without too much concern being replacement tiller extension back at Stage two – the Race – was deeply in wasted on an uncooperative traveller base was not progressing quickly. question the next day as rumour spread cleat. The start was scheduled for Separating an old hinge from its that the dinghies were not going to be 1:30pm so there was still an opportunity corroded and broken tiller-end with allowed to sail due to the strength of the to digest the fact that the alternative pliers, junior hacksaw and chisel was wind. Forecast as F5-F6, readings were “short” course was in operation for not an easy job before discarding a reported as 22 to 30 knots throughout dinghies – just 14 miles to tootle round, dodgy-looking rubber universal joint and the morning. A Vago sailor from then.

autumn2012www.sprint15.com28 by Robert England

It looked as though the weather forecast and the 16 just overtaken in the flat back on board via the front beam had indeed put off some entrants as just water whilst rocketing towards the next proved as challenging as it has always a small group of dinghies took shelter in mark. Somewhere up ahead a couple been and time plus energy began to the lee of the pier-head. Shortly before of upturned yellow hulls spelt trouble for ebb away. Future visits to the gym were the start a few more turned up and one of the 16’s in front. contemplated whilst all sorts of started punching into the waves near About 35 minutes had elapsed and the alternative strategies were attempted to the line and generally bouncing around fourth leg was started after rounding raise the torso but to no avail. The jib in the well-known chop that often Mid Swatch SHM. This was the stuff of was furled to cut down the tendency of inhabits these waters. It was quite dreams – on the wire with the traveller the boat to bear away and leave its difficult to time the start from the far end most of the way out and the jib fairly master (!) floundering alone but the of the line, which seemed a good place well in. Dear old Catrix was giving her main downhaul was left on. This was to be in the strong SW wind and with a very best and the sailing was probably a mistake because the boat following tide which gave a broad-ish spectacular. With just three more legs remained keen to escape if it could. As reach to the first mark without taking to go the race would be over in very time passed and energy sapped further into account any apparent wind. Sound good time so it was the time to power it became clear that there were few signals could not be heard and the flags on to see if the 16’s in front could be other competitors around and certainly were a bit too far away to see but a puff caught. This should have been on the no sign of a rescue boat either. of smoke was noted and the stop watch cards because all the rest of the course Hindsight has since illuminated various started. But too late! The local boats in was downwind and no kites were being solutions to self-recovery that weren’t the know had already headed for the flown. These thoughts were a harbinger tried and the best of these would have hills across the line. First off was a of over-confidence, however, as the been to allow the boat to tow its rider to Hurricane 5.9 which rapidly receded, meat on the end of the stick thought he nearby undetected shallow water where followed by a Dart 18 (or was it a could get away with wiring on a it would have been easy to stand up Tornado?), two or three Dart 16’s, a scorching reach without the back foot in and climb aboard. Finally a two-up Dart 29er and various Vago/Vario things. An the toe loop. Trouble loomed with a 18 from Stone SC happened by and earlier sighted slight loss of footing leading to the inspected the craft that apparently had could not be spotted but it was toe down author hanging alongside the hull, still no-one aboard. Realising that there all the way with the foredecks awash on the wire. Catrix sneered at this was no chance for the bedraggled form most of the time and lots of spray incompetence and responded with a floundering alongside his boat one of everywhere. By the time that West slight dip of the leeward bow into the the crew of the 18 promptly dived off his Shoebury SHM, the first mark (near to briny, followed by a classic pitch-pole craft, swam over and (with a dolphin-like The Mulberries) had been reached, the with the mast slapping hard onto the manoeuvre) swept himself aboard in Dart 16’s and 29er were only just ahead surface of the water. order to pull the wimp out of the water but no overlap was gained. The team- Righting a fifteen is not too difficult, and safely onto the trampoline. What a mate apparently had gone for a tighter especially in a bit of a blow with some ! What a weakling! reach from the pier end of the line on helpful waves to get things started. this section in order to avoid hiking out, Once unhooked the hapless helm which is not a favourite past-time of his. uncleated the jib and the mainsheet, The reward for this extravagance was a righting the boat in short order but was The race pennant began to pitch-pole whilst trapezing on a beam unable to make the leap onto the reach in the steep waves that prevailed trampoline as all came disintegrate and provided a on the way to the first mark, although he right-side-up. did report overtaking everything around And so constant, noisy accompaniment to him prior to the catastrophe. Not bad stage three the rest of the sensory input for for a newbie! He certainly wasn’t the of the only one to suffer this inconvenience on adventure the sailors the first leg, by a long chalk. began. Meanwhile, closer to the action up front I t w a s it was time to cross to the south side of the estuary on the second leg and here the weight of the roto-moulded Dart 16’s with two crew each was a considerable advantage in the battle to slice through the chop. Another challenge was sighting mark number two, Grain Edge SHM, which might have been at the end of either a beat or of a fetch across to the other side of the estuary. A decision taken to pay off a little was not a good one as it turned out to be a beat after all with at least one, but in the event, three tacks. The pointing advantage over the 16’s was therefore given away to try and sail a direct course which didn’t exist. In short, three Dart 16’s were ahead at the second mark, but the 29er had been overhauled once the water became less somewhat troubled. Two of the 16’s were some upsetting that the distance ahead beyond the windward t w o f o l l o w i n g b o a t s mark, having screamed off on a reach a thoughtlessly creamed past short while earlier. Time for a bit of a without stopping to help their fellow breather whilst merely reaching allowed competitor up but no blame could be good ground to be made away from the attached to them for doing so. Getting

autumn2012www.sprint15.com29 Nore Race 2012 Excursion

Retirement was the only option extension had snapped, the top batten distant-most part of the course is not the thereafter but the ride back across the had broken and the batten pocket was best place to become marooned. Extra estuary with jib furled was still plenty of ripped it was time to reconsider options. concentration is required to stay safe in fun, with some steep waves to slide Luxury abounded in that a rescue craft such places as help is often stationed down and nice views along the Essex actually came to help but the near distant turning marks and can coast. Southend Pier was easily competences of its crew were already be busy. recognisable and after passing that, a considered a danger to life and limb by •A mobile phone in an Aquapac could course was laid towards the Mulberries the sailor expecting assistance so he save life and limb more effectively than which would be somewhere in the sent them away. Apparently throttle some money for refreshments, a car region of Thorpe Bay Yacht Club. The mishandling whilst lifting the top of the key and some trailer-box keys (which tide was running pretty low by this time, mast had thrown catamaran and punctured the Aquapac anyway). though, and breaking waves appeared occupant way past righting point on the •Knots tied in the traveller-line to make ahead in the shallow water. An about first attempt at recovery and the prop hauling it in easier can make freeing off turn brought the boat back to head had chewed one of the rudder blades the mainsail after righting more difficult, towards the pier once more but the during general manoeuvres as well. It leading to an eagerness of the boat to water was still shallow so the mainsail was “walk the beach time” to fetch the be on its way. Similarly it’s easy to let was dropped and quiet progress was trolley after breakers had been ridden off the down-haul whilst in the water made towards a distant beach under back to very shallow waters and between the beams if the cleat is at the bare poles with rudders almost fully up. thankfully no injury to flesh occurred. lowest point, rather than up near the After a while it was necessary to Two wrecked contestants repacked tack of the mainsail. One has to think of dismount, whereupon Catrix took off boats onto the trailer in the hours that doing it, though. again with reduced draft and pulled its followed before repairing to a handy •If Una-rig had been sailed, getting back captain forward like an eager dog going fish-and-chip shop in Leigh-on-Sea, on board over the rear beam would for a much-anticipated walk with a loop followed by a rewarding pint of “Doom have been relatively easy, so this would of the mainsheet used as a lead. Bar” at a local hostelry later on. This have been a safer option. However, Fortunately the clubhouse was now was clearly most appropriate supping hiking out is a pain in heavy conditions. directly downwind and hopes of an early for one of the party, at least, and the Climbing in over the rear beam is not a shower arose. All good safe option with even a furled things come to an end, jib in windy conditions though, and Catrix ground to because the unmanned boat a halt some 2/3 of the way may immediately bear away between the Yacht Club and and pull hard downwind the end of Southend Pier before one can climb aboard. (i.e. much closer to the pier •The old-fashioned “in the than to the Yacht Club). All beam” righting line could be that could be done was to pulled out, taken around a raid the stores before trapeze hook and threaded abandoning ship and walking back through the trapeze ring back to civilization across the to provide a way of hoisting firm sands. This took a one further out of the water while, as did walking back to or securing oneself to the the boat carrying a less-than- boat if it decides on an early lightweight trolley. Once the departure from station. wheels were fetched and Other such jury devices fitted, though, the trusty craft could work from between the leapt back to life and hulls and should not be ruled proceeded at a healthy pace, out of class considering the shoving its owner once more average age of “Fifteen” back from whence he had sailors. originated much earlier in the “A little late practice and familiarisation took place •Anyone considering afternoon. Then it was time inverting one boat onto for a shower. another for towing might find The other member of the shortly before the start” lashing the beams together a party had had an equally good way of securing the interesting race. After the first pitch- flavours of food and beer were very upper one. pole, one complete circuit of the course much appreciated. Some of the better •Since the towing vehicle has always was completed and it was only on the planning in amongst the more random had only one key and this now does not penultimate leg that the Thames chop expectations for the trip had allowed for work the remote locking or the alarm, it got the better of man and boat. By this a second night’s stay in the local area has been decided to get a new one. time the jib had been furled because a before returning to Oxfordshire and Thus the leak created in the Aquapac piece of string attaching the jib block to Shropshire on the Sunday. Would the proved to be the most expensive item of its new deck-eye had come undone (not explorers be returning for another try in the weekend at £138.40 for a new car even “had broken”) and during an the future? Probably, but with more key!! exciting ride down the face of a bigger account taken of expected weather The competitors were Andrew Flach than usual wave they tripped over once conditions and the benefit of experience (RAFSA) and Robert England (Nomad). more. This time the water was not quite hard won. Seven multihull dinghies out of fifteen so deep and part of the ensuing antics Afterthoughts entrants finished, led home by a involved the hulls being pole-vaulted •In the conditions, and considering the Hurricane 5.9, then some Dart 16’s and over the end of the mast which had nature of the event, the expedition could finally a couple of Dart 18’s. This and pivoted on the hard sand, just the right reasonably be considered to be previous years’ results can be distance below the surface of the water “hazardous”. downloaded from http:// to allow this to happen without major •Rescue facilities in such events can www.benfleetyachtclub.org/ breakage. As the recently renewed tiller easily be overcome by events and the NoreRace.html

autumn2012www.sprint15.com30 Stewartby TT by Karl Pountney

A 9 strong home team joined 13 visitors for the Sprint 15 Summer TT held at Stewartby Water Sports Club on the 9th June. Holding a summer sailing event is always a gamble but there was bags of wind and broad smiles across the faces of the helms as they gathered in the clubhouse for bacon-butties and the briefing. Even before racing began drama came in the shape of a gust which cast Chris Clarke’s sail skyward like a giant attached only by the halyard. The rogue sail took the top of Mark Norman’s thumb off and led to Chris taking no further part in the regatta and Mark soldiering on with a bandaged hand. The 4 races planned were to take place on the smaller ‘club’ sailing area forcing boats to short-tack to the windward mark and milk every ounce out of the wind on the reaches. Early in Race 1, Steve Sawford, Kevin Dutch and Richard Philpott made the best of the conditions taking an early lead and managed to lap the back-markers by the start of lap 3. Erling Holmberg led the second pack around in the sometimes-gusty conditions. Plenty of spills throughout the fleet made for an exciting spectacle from the shore. After 7 laps it was Sawford, Dutch and Philpot respectively on the line for the top three places. Race 2 saw a repeat of the Sawford, Dutch one-two with Holmberg picking-up a well-deserved third place. Midfleet, home-competitors were picking up decent mid- fleet places with Robert Finch coming out on top from Simon Miles, Mark Norman and Jon Finch. Over lunch, Race Officer Tim Browning and Safety Boat Captain Ian Howard set about extending the course to include a fast 1000m broad-reaching leg across the lake and, with the wind continuing to hold, racing began in Top : Howard earnest. Hawkes tries a Once again, Sawford and Dutch continued to dominate the cheeky port racing from the front, with Philpott holding onto third place. start. Howard Hawkes posted 4th place (his best of the day), but Above : Howard as Race 3 drew to a close, conditions eased somewhat makes it pay with the remainder of the fleet sedately crossing the line. save for a Race 4 began in moderate conditions compared to the rest Flying (Kevin) of the day and the race officer made the decision to Dutch(man) shorten the overall course length. However the wind soon picked-up resulting in very fast laps indeed. At the end of the race, Philpott picked-up first place (Sawford and Dutch had sealed their first and second places of the event after 3 races) with local helm Robert Finch bagging second place. Local boats dominated the top 10 places with Simon Miles, Mark Norman and Jon Finch picking-up 4th, 5th, and 8th respectively. Above : Jon Finch After 4 races the event was won by Steve Sawford (Rutland) followed by Kevin Dutch (Seasalter), Richard Philpott (Colne YC). First Stewartby boat was Robert Finch Left : A gritty performance (5th). A special mention should be made of under 19 helms from Marcus Finch Marcus Finch (18th) and Harry Janes (20th) who stuck it out all day in spite of the conditions.

The brisk conditions produced a few interesting angles!

autumn2012www.sprint15.com31 Top Helms & Champions by Bob Carter Ray Gall wrote on the website to enquire how many Grand Slams have there been in our class, where a Grand Slam would comprise holding both Naonal Championships and both Summer TT and Winter TT trophies in the same year. So I did a lile analysis of the data and this is what it shows: Sprint 15 Champions by compeon and year : 1980-2012

National National Sprint TT Champion Winter Series Both Nats All 4 Champion Champion 1980 N Crooks - - - - - 1981 A Worby - - - - - 1982 P Oxley - - - - - 1983 A Worby - - - - - 1984 S Tellwright - - - - - 1985 J Jeffrey - - - - - 1986 G Lewin - - - - - 1987 C Lewns - - - - - 1988 R Hodgkison - - - - - 1989 L Moss/S Snell M Cemm - - - - 1990 R Hodgkison M Cemm - - - -

1991 J Postlethwaite M Cemm M Cemm - - -

1992 J Postlethwaite P Neal N Dewhirst - - -

1993 G Carter P Berry P Neal G Carter - -

1994 J Postlethwaite G Carter J Postlethwaite J Postlethwaite - -

1995 J Postlethwaite G Carter J Postlethwaite P Neal - -

1996 G Carter R Milton J Postlethwaite R Carter - -

1997 R Carter A Price R Carter T Rosoman - - Above : classic shots of George Carter in action. Will his record of 1998 G Carter R Carter G Carter J Postlethwaite - - achievements ever be equalled? 1999 G Carter R Milton R Carter G Carter - - 2000 G Carter G Carter R Carter G Carter G Carter - Below: 2001 G Carter G Carter S Hanby G Carter G Carter - John Postlethwaite 2002 G Carter G Carter S Hanby G Carter G Carter - Bob Carter Stuart Snell 2003 G Carter G Carter G Carter G Carter G Carter G Carter 2004 G Carter G Carter R Carter P Smith G Carter - 2005 G Carter G Carter R Carter R Carter G Carter - 2006 G Carter G Carter R Carter S Sawford G Carter - 2007 G Carter R Leather K Dutch S Sawford - - 2008 G Carter R Leather C Watson S Snell - - 2009 K Stoneham Brian Phipps C Watson S Snell - - Kyle 2010 S Snell Stoneham K Dutch P Slater - -

2011 K Dutch Paul Grattage E Holmberg S Snell - -

2012 - Kevin Dutch - - - - Sprint 15 Champions League Table Top Helms Nats Sprint/Sport Summer Winter So George Carter is the only helm to Nats TT TT have managed to hold the Grand Slam G Carter 13 9 2 6 and then only once in 2003. Of course J Postlethwaite 4 0 3 2 you have to do quite a lot of sailing to R Hodgkison 2 0 0 0 get a Grand Slam and many people R Carter 1 1 6 1 cannot get away so oen. If we extract S Snell 1 0 0 3 the top helms sorted first by the winners of most Naonals we get: K Dutch 1 1 0 0 K Stoneham 1 1 0 0

autumn2012www.sprint15.com32 The Great North Run by Paul Roberts

For those of you that were at this enough to do it in time, so I year’s Nationals in Brightlingsea, improvised and lied to the you will have been made aware computer as we all do! by our shy and retiring Chairman I also had support and motivation that I intended to compete in the closer to home in the form of a Bupa Great North Run 2012. You new pair of trainers courtesy of may not, however, be aware of Mum (thanks mum x), a nudge the circumstances that led me to out the door from my gorgeous attempt this ludicrous activity. fiancée stuffing her face with At the start of the year I began dolly mixtures and motivational cycling to work in a vain attempt advice from Dad such as- “It’s to improve my fitness and shed a easy. I could run 13 miles.” How few pounds, whilst I maintained could I possibly fail!? to my better half that the reason The day of the Great North Run for this was to be in shape for our Everyone can run I thought but, not came and went far too quickly but I Wedding in March. The real reason was of surprisingly, it was more difficult than I did my best to take it all in. As l stood in course, sailing. I had felt slightly out of had imagined. the starting area with almost 40,000 shape at Pwllheli despite finishing 7th but I So it became obvious that for the Great entrants, I don’t mind admitting that it was was slightly embarrassed at the North Run, I would need to be far more quite emotional. By the time the Red photographic evidence on display. Whilst serious in terms of training which would Arrows had completed their fly-by, the the photos that Pauline Love had taken require help and motivation from others. atmosphere was electric and everyone were fantastic, a closer inspection saw me There was lots of support from both the was eager to start. Throughout the entire gasping for breath. Further motivation organisers and the RNLI in the form of length of the course the support was came with the Newsprint Magazine as one fantastic and incredibly motivational. of these photos found its way onto the I managed to complete the 13 mile course front cover (nice one Ed!). in 1hr 53mins which I was pleased with Anyway during one of my rides into work, I and on the way I witnessed some was asked why I was doing it and for a amazing sights, including some Iconic joke I said ‘I was training for a Triathlon’. I Newcastle landmarks as well as Mr know - famous last words - but I decided it Blobby, a man strapped to a fridge and would give me a good goal to aim for, so I even a man in a Borat thong! That must entered my local Triathlon for the 22nd July. have been uncomfortable for 13 miles… So there I was at the start of the season ouch! feeling quite good about myself having Most importantly I managed to raise made a commitment to get fit, when the £1100.00 pounds for the RNLI for which I much beloved (and not easily fooled) got would like to thank everyone who her revenge as she was speaking to Sue sponsored me. The Sprint 15 sailors’ Moruzzi from the sailing club who’d said contributions came to a whopping she was doing the Bupa Great North Run £230.00 later matched by Barclays. The and offered me up to go along too. I support I received was amazing and the decided that if I was going to endure this money raised will help the RNLI to provide level of pain, I best do this for a worthwhile lifeboat support to fellow sailors and those cause. The obvious choice was the RNLI who need it when they are in trouble. So, and as I also work for Barclays, I have Thank You! taken advantage of their charity fund matching programme where they will match what I raise for the charity. The Triathlon comprised of a 750 metre swim, a 20 km bike ride polished off with a 5 km run. Bliss! The swim was an advice, fundraising help and training interesting part… I, like all of you, am used plans. I got an email from the organisers to following a course on a lake, but advising me that Asics offered an online rounding buoys without a boat seemed to training plan so I wasted no time and be a little bit strange. So to cut a long story registered there and then. Surprisingly short, despite being a little under prepared enough when I selected the date of the to say the least, I managed to finish the half marathon as my end goal, the triathlon in a respectable time of 1hr computer told me that I 55mins. I did, however, have one major wouldn’t be fit concern - the run. This was the bit I initially thought would be easy.

Paul in more familiar ‘running gear’

If you’ve done something amazing for a good cause, why not write and tell us about it - Ed..

autumn2012www.sprint15.com33 2012 Nationals Cartoon Fun with Phil Breeze

Caption Competition The winning caption for the picture of Charles Watson featured in the last issue is: “Charles demo’s the new Steve Davison Sprint 15 hull production process” and the winner is...... Steve Davison who, as promised, gets his name in lights - sorry, I mean light! (as times are tight we could only afford one-but it’s quite a nice one!)

autumn2012www.sprint15.com34 Thanks to all those who took part-Ed. Baen the Hatches by Ed.

No doubt there’s a few of us that, from time to time, have been Quite simply a piece of sail batten is attached to the hatch unfortunate to lose a hatch cover on the water. If this is a cover with a length of shockcord, knotted through a hole in the cocktail cabinet cover, the unit very quickly fills with water in centre of the batten at one end and screwed with a stainless anything but a light chop. The boat gets very heavy which is self tapper to the underside of the hatch cover at the other. not good if you’re racing at the time. Not only that, anything It’s important that the length of batten is at least a couple of stored inside gets pretty soggy including mid-event tiffin for a inches more than the diameter of the hatch to prevent it being back to back event. The contents of the cabinet can even be blown out in the wind or pulled out by the force of water if the washed out and lost forever if they don’t float. If the hatch boat is moving. The same idea can be used for the hull cover lost is a hull inspection cover, this is obviously inspection hatches. At least if a cover does come loose, potentially more serious as the whole hull can take on water. chances are the batten will retain it long enough for it to be So here’s a neat solution currently being trialled by Ray Gall recovered and put back in place. I know the last time I lost and me which is also a good use of sail batten offcuts which one it was several minutes before I realised during which I had I’m sure eveyone has kicking around somewhere. shipped a good deal of water!

Here’s another neat idea (left) courtesy of Breathe Easy Charles Watson for a breathable hatch cover when the boat is berthed. It uses a plant pot tray upturned and fitted with bungee and batten retainer so it keeps the rain out whilst letting air circulate inside the hull. it works well and they are cheap to make...... Unlike the breathable covers opposite that came with my boat when I bought it secondhand! Has anyone seen anything like these before? I certainly haven’t seen another set. I don’t use them very often if the boat has its full cover on, but they come in handy when the boat is left uncovered on its trailer for any length of time. I wonder if they’re still available but I bet they’re a few bob!

If you’ve got a tricky tip that you’d like to pass on to the wider world, why not write and tell us about it. If you can include a few pics. to go with the written bit, all the better. Ed.

autumn2012www.sprint15.com35 Sprint 15 Events Programme Events Secretary: Erling Holmberg 01983 865012

Winter TT 2012/13 Events Watch www.sprint15.com/events for details of events and updates.

Date Venue Contact Phone Sat 3 Nov Stewartby Water Sports Club, near Bedford (A421) [email protected] Sat 1 Dec Carsington Water Sailing Club, near Ashbourne www.sprint15.com Sat 5 Jan Draycote Water Sailing Club, near Rugby Peter Slater 01926 512129 Sat 16 Feb Queen Mary Sailing Club, near Staines Gordon Goldstone 01784 248634 Sun 24 Mar Graam Water Sailing Club, near St Neots Bob Carter 01438 354367 Winter Traveller Series is for all sailing formats. Five one-day events with three to count (or 2/3 or 2/2). First race at 11am unless otherwise stated

Summer 2012 Events – Advance Details

Date% Event% Venue% Contact% Phone%

6-7 April TT Marconi Sailing Club Fenalla Miller 01621 741671 Sport Yaverland Sailing & Boang Club I.O.W. 17-19 May Erling Holmberg 01983 865012 Naonals ( Fri., Sat., Sun.,) 22-23 June TT Seasalter Sailing Club Steve Willis 07980 416422

6-7 July TT Thorpe Bay Yacht Club Steve Healy 01702 587563 Pentewan Sailing Club, Cornwall (2,3,2 races/day respecvely) 25-27 Aug Naonals Erling Holmberg 01983 865012 (Sun., Mon., Tue.) Fun events on following Wed., Thu., Fri,

Naonal Championships at Pentewan is for PY916 format Sport Naonals at Yaverland is for PY883 format

The U.K.’s most popular single-handed catamaran - bar none! autumn2012www.sprint15.com36