S pr in g www.gp14.org GP14 Class International Association 20 11 New GP design unveiled at the worlds in Sri Lanka Editor’s letter Contents One of the most important themes of this issue is training. The Features importance of getting newcomers into the sport cannot be over- emphasised in these days when there is so much competition for 4 President’s piece Return to Abersoch everyone’s time and money. With any luck the recession will make Ian Dobson on expectation people think twice about flying off abroad and more interested in a 6 Welcome to Gill Beddow 13 versus reality at the Nationals local low-cost hobby which will teach them and their children a 8 From the forum new skill while providing an instant social life. View from astern Phil Green on the Nationals Phil Hodgkins, a young sailor from ??, has recently been elected to Racing 16 from the other end of the fleet the Association Committee with responsibility for training and you 11 Championship round-up can read about his plans for training days organised for those clubs Book review who would like them. The RYA is also very interested in training and Hugh Brazier tells how Goldilocks Overseas reports 32 has recently expanded their remit to getting adults onto the water, learned the racing rules rather than concentrating on youngsters with their OnBoard 18 News from Ireland scheme. You can read about their latest initiative, Activate your 21 The Australian trapeze Fleet, and how it can help you. I have seen first-hand how a good training scheme, pulling in Area reports newcomers, helping them to build their skills and – most 24 North West Region importantly – to become involved in the work of helping others in the club, can build up a club from only having a few half-hearted 26 North East Area GP sailors in ageing boats to a large, young and competitive fleet in 27 Scottish Area the space of a few years. So I make no apologies for writing an article comparing how training in my own club is run and 28 Midland Bell GP14 Youth Champions Pete Mitchell and Andrew Hunter, comparing it for interest with another club with a great reputation 30 London and Southeast Nantwich and Borders SC for training – South Staffs. I didn’t know at the time that South Staffs would win the the Club of the Year Award – they must be Technical doing something right! I’m not suggesting that these are the only two clubs doing well – there are many, but I thought that the 36 Boat development detailed information I could collect might be interesting to give other clubs ideas. Both clubs, it must be said, are already very Cruising corner lucky, in that they are able to limit the number of Classes sailing on 40 All the news for 2010 their waters. Finally, for the book review this time, Alan Henderson, who works for the RYA in Scotland and also as a freelance journalist and photographer, compares three books on coaching. You can also read about the plans for this year’s racing and cruising and there is a feature on wind and tide at Abersoch. Plus, of course, all the news from the Areas. There will again only be two issue of Mainsail this year. I’ve had one complaint that we no longer offer our members three issues a year, and there are no doubt other members who regret this too, but you will find all the information you need to know this summer on the website: www.GP14.org or by ringing Sue in the office from The views expressed in this magazine are those of the conttributors and not necessarily those of the Committee. cover: Tuesday to Friday. Simon Potts and Luke Shaw at the Published by the GP14 Class International Association Welsh Championship in Llandudno Have a great season. PO Box 614, Wigan WN1 9GP photo: Gareth Roberts T +44 (0)1257 251 222 F +44 (0)1257 251 444 E [email protected] design: Tamasin Cole, www.harperandcole.co.uk 2 Liz Hall, Mainsail Editor 3 020 8731 8083 P re si de M Graham receiving n G t’s A his award from p Princess Anne ie ce Annual General Meeting 2011 President’s piece The 61st Annual General Meeting of GP14 Class Mainsail. The amended item will read: First of all, many congratulations to South Staffs International Association will be held at South who have won the prestigious RYA Club of the ‘The Committee of the Association shall consider Caernarvon Yacht Club, Abersoch, North Wales, Year Award. They have long been one of the best annually Fees and Subscriptions and shall make on Monday 1st August 2011 at 1900hrs clubs in the country for our Class, producing a recommendations in this respect which core of dedicated and enthusiastic GP14 sailors, recommendations after due publicity shall, Agenda keen to support the Class by holding excellent without any prior notice, form the motion for events at home and by travelling to events 1 To receive apologies for absence consideration at the subsequent Annual General elsewhere in considerable numbers. Meeting.’ 2 To receive the Minutes of the 60th Annual Congratulations also to Graham Knox, one of only General Meeting c) Venue of Annual General Meeting three people nationwide to be selected in 2010 maximize our position as an International Classic 3 To receive the Hon. Secretary’s Report Article 12 for a top RYA Award. The Association has been Class with the associated benefits for our class. fortunate to have had his services as President, 4 To receive the Hon. Treasurer’s It is proposed to insert ‘UK’. The amended item Our thanks are due to all those who worked so Secretary and Treasurer and he is still very annual report and accounts* will read: hard to make the World Championship happen, involved in everything that goes on in the Class, arranging for transportation of three containers of 5 To elect the officers: ‘An Annual General Meeting shall be held every as well as in the running of his club Hollingworth boats, one from Northern Ireland and two from President year. Unless the Committee otherwise determines, Lake. For the last nine years he has been the UK. A magnificent effort by Lawrence Balham, Vice Presidents, including Branch Presidents it shall be held at the venue appointed for the UK Honorary Secretary of the RYA North West Peter Jacques and Jon Close who together made Hon Secretary Annual National Championship….’ Executive and, in addition to the considerable the shipping arrangements and organised Hon Treasurer amount of work this involves, has also handled d) Notification of alteration of constitution containerisation (by no means an easy or many national and regional Government 6 To elect five duly nominated members to the straightforward task) using dedication and Article 14 consultations requiring considerable time, effort Committee expertise to negotiate the cheapest price and the and patience. It is proposed to change 1st March to 1st May, to best possible loading facilities. John Wagstaff 7 To elect a non-racing representative to the add ‘posted on the website’ and ‘by post or Last but by no means least, congratulations to Ian delivered another sterling performance by Committee email’. The amended item will read: Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe of Burwain SC and providing the racking previously used for the 8 To elect the accountants Royal Windermere Yacht Club who have once transportation of GP’s from the UK to South Africa. ‘Alteration of Constitution – Any alteration of these again been crowned GP14 World Champions for This racking arrived at Ellesmere Port in perfect 9 To receive the following proposals to amend articles shall be passed at an Annual General the third consecutive time, equalling the condition, and proved invaluable in making the the constitution: Meeting by a majority of two-thirds at least of consecutive record of the late but great mega- loading of the 16 UK boats as straightforward as those members present and voting. Notice of a) Price control removal star of GP14 racing Richard Estaugh; however, possible - all 16 loaded in three and a half hours. motion of any alteration of these articles shall be they have still some way to go to beat Richard’s Thanks again to Lawrence, John, Jon and Peter Article 2 (b) given in writing to the Secretary not later than 1st grand total of six World Championship wins. for an outstanding effort and a job well done. May prior to any Annual General Meeting and It is proposed to delete the words ‘the maximum Congratulations also to the other prize winners notice thereof shall be posted on the website and The clock has started ticking for the start of the cost and’. The amended article will read: and all those who took part in what proved to be given in writing by the Secretary to each member next GP14 World Championship, which will be a truly multinational championship, with ‘From time to time to determine (subject to any by post or email at least fourteen days before held in Looe, Cornwall, in August 2012; see the competitors from Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, necessary approval by the owner of the copyright) such meeting.’ championship reports and website for further Ireland, USA, Sweden, Belgium, Australia and the the specification of the hull, sail plan weight, information. 10 Any other business competent to the UK - one of the most cosmopolitan entry lists ever, spars, rigging and fittings of the Boat.’ meeting and another encouraging sign of the continuing In the UK and Ireland, the respective b) Notice of change of subscription appeal of the GP14.