Contents GP Open .............................................................. 2 Laser Open ........................................................... 4 Topper Open ........................................................ 6 Jubilee Tea and Sail – 2nd June .......................... 8 Dave Edwards in 1977 ......................................... 7 Upcoming Events ................................................ 9 Join NBCSC on Facebook......... Disclaimer: Please note disclaimer that the club cannot be held responsible for any comments etc made via facebook or any other social media. Boats for sale or wanted, Parts and sails for sale or wanted Send your details to: [email protected] - 1 - Doddington Post – May 2012 - NANTWICH & BORDER COUNTIES SAILING CLUB GP14 Midland Bell – Event Three – Nantwich & Border Counties Sailing Club. A Cold Northerly Breeze. On Sunday 15th April, the GP14 Midland circuit travelled to its most northerly venue in Cheshire, as a return to winter channelled its way south over the most of the UK. The cool breeze varied in strength from a Beaufort 1 to 3, and in direction by 90 degrees throughout the day. 16 boats were on the water as the OD got the fleet started for race 1, five locals joining the eleven visiting crews, making a particularly strong fleet. All lining up on the start Sam Watson [helm] & Andy Hunter [crew] in boat 13554 (picture right) First to show their colours in the first race were Matt Thursfield & Sarah Froggatt who popped their kite up and made their break for freedom down the run as the chasing pack took their wind. They were able to hold the lead for half the race until Sam Blocksidge & Connie Hicklin got lucky (again), flying downwind in a wayward gust. However once they had the lead, they took the race away from their competitors showing great speed, building a substantial lead over their pursuers. Matt & Sarah were also able to put some distance between them and Simon Potts, crewed by Pete Grey who took third. Race 2 was held in the same swinging northerly breeze, but with different protagonists at the front. Some slightly pushy sailing got Justin Jones & Chris Anderson to the front of the fleet after a very congested windward mark. There were plenty of places to be gained and lost as gusts filled in from either side of the bandstand, submerged between marks 3& 4 on the eastern side of the lake. Graham Flynn, crewed by Adam Froggatt pushed their way through to the sharp end of the fleet using their unnerving skill, although they were unable to capture Justin & Chris who took the gun. Third again was taken by the Potts/Grey combo. With such mixed results from the first two races, there were a plethora of potential victors going into the last battle. Unfortunately for some, it became an error strewn race, starboard roundings becoming port, pied pipers leading followers to the wrong leeward mark. This led to a large number of retirees from the race, although none were really going to challenge the dominant performance from the Flynn/Froggatt boat. They watched from an envious distance as their closest rivals fell by the wayside leaving their way open to take the regatta. Some 30 boat lengths behind were the consistent partnership of Potts and Grey, ahead of Rich Bennett & Rich Beech. So a range of sailors at the front of the fleet was the order of the day, although it was great racing right down to the bronze sailors. Graham Flynn & Adam Froggatt were deserving winners on a challenging day on the water, ahead of Sam Blocksidge & Connie Hickiln, their race victory pipping them to second ahead of Simon Potts & Pete Grey. - 2 - Doddington Post – May 2012 - NANTWICH & BORDER COUNTIES SAILING CLUB Gail & John Thomas Nantwich club members their 1st Meeting having a good sail and a even better capsize (Picture above) 1st Nantwich boat was Sam Watson & Andy Hunter. Peter Goodwin commodore presenting trophy and prizes (Picture above) - 3 - Doddington Post – May 2012 - NANTWICH & BORDER COUNTIES SAILING CLUB N&BCSC Laser Open 2012 They say that Oyster catchers live by the sea and don’t nest inland. But they do. I arrive early at Doddington Lake for our Laser Open meeting and find these 2 performing a courtship dance on the end of the jetty. It appears that they have decided again to nest on the gravel covered flat roof to the club house. They can often be seen and definitely heard flying around the lake and in the adjacent fields. Down to business, open up the club house, switch on the power and more importantly get the kettle on and toast made. Max, our OOD arrives and begins his work ready to manage the actual racing etc. Prospective sailors start to turn up, younger ones first eager to rise to the challenge, with a mixture of locals and visitors. They seem to be more interested in unloading and rigging their boats than my offer of free tea and toast. Obviously, they have not learnt about the more important things in life. A sudden rush and everyone seems to be arriving causing mild panic at registration but at least the tea and toast are being consumed. Max gives his briefing at the front of the club house and suddenly we are getting close to the 11.00 o’clock start but there are always someone running back into the club house to retrieve their forgotten gloves or other important item. Jostling for a good start before the gun goes and we are under way. 16 dinghy’s altogether with all but 3 using full sails Rounding Buoy 1 after the first lap. It soon becomes obvious that the Nantwich sailors are not going to beat everyone by knowing the water better but being able to understand the conditions and make best use of them and your boat is what sailing is about. The first race is finished and its now up to the galley staff to feed everyone. “Cordon Bleau” is shouted followed by “Yes Chef”. Funny, I thought we were having Chilli, Chicken Korma or baked potato with fillings etc. Biggest worries are unfounded in that there is sufficient for everyone and everyone seems happy as they munch on. The second race starts with the wind changing every minute even requiring a last minute adjustment to the start line. The wind changes again and drops leaving buoy no 3 up near to the trees a difficulty for all. Why is it in these conditions some sailors can pick up a wind when you sit there and just watch? A clash of boats is heard at Buoy 2 but the incident must have been solved on the water as no protests are registered. After this race, Ian Jones is leading with two 1st with Craig Williamson 2nd followed by Robert Holmes. - 4 - Doddington Post – May 2012 - NANTWICH & BORDER COUNTIES SAILING CLUB Chaos as the third race starts and a recall brings them all back. The restart is under Black Flag meaning instant disqualification if you cross the start line within the last minute before the start and guess what!. Four Nantwich sailors are pushed across the line and try to plead innocence. Max is having none of it and drags them off the water. Wendy Jones 180031 passes 2 competitors round the Buoy The wind picks up for this last race and although 1st place is assured for Ian Jones, second place is won by Robert Holmes by coming 2nd with Craig Williamson dropping to 3rd. 1st Lady was won by Wendy Jones and 1st Nantwich was won by Richard Goodwin even though he failed the last race. Luke McCluskey Won the 1st Junior prize and can be seen here with chocolates probably for his mum!! “End of the day” and it’s time to pack up and go home leaving the lake to the birds, geese and swans. Everyone seemed to enjoy the event which is the most important result and my thanks go to Max (OOD), Simon (Safety Boat) Gail (galley) and all the other helpers on the day Trevor Carman - Laser Sailing Captain - 5 - Doddington Post – May 2012 - NANTWICH & BORDER COUNTIES SAILING CLUB Topper Open 2012 Yet again as pa to the Slow Fleet Captain, (that’s a step up from dogsbody I believe), it fell to me to again organise this year’s Topper Open. In itself this isn’t really that difficult a thing to do. All I need to do is: 1. Agree with the Topper Association the date that suits them, as we are part of the North West Topper circuit, and hopefully loads of children and stressed, anxious, competitive parents will turn up on the day. 2. Advertise the event to local clubs and our own club members. 3. Buy the prizes. 4. Turn up on the morning with signing on sheets, milk, bread and butter for free toast. Thanks to the Vice-Commodore for donning his pinny to make the toast and tea and coffee for everyone. What I can’t foresee: 1. The weather 2. How many will turn up. As it turned out on the day we had 24 competitors in total, from Redesmere, Burwain, Bolton, Leigh and Lowton, Budworth and of course NBCSC. Remember I said I couldn’t foresee the weather, maybe I should have said the wind or more appropriate for the day the lack of it! Rob Richards, the OOD for the day, delayed the start of the first race in the hope that some wind would arrive, which it briefly did, just long enough for him to set the course and get them racing. It wasn’t long after the start that Rob took the decision to abandon “The Best Pumper Wins” race and have an early lunch and hope for some wind after lunch.