Papercourt
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YOUTH SAILING Clare Michelmore
Hello. I am now the youth rep for PSC, so if anyone has any questions, suggestions, requests or news then please email me or come and talk to me.
It’s said that “variety is the spice of life” but when it came to weather conditions at the national youth championships held in Pwllheli (Wales) sailors could have probably done with a little less.
On Monday, racing was postponed due to lack of wind. Nevertheless, once the wind did fill in, the race team managed to run three races for all classes.
The first radial race of the event was won by PSC’s own Aaron Smith. Julia Beck also made a great start with a 14th. Unfortunately, in the last race of the day, PSC’s luck changed and both of them were black flagged.
In the 29er fleet, Becky Diamond and Fiona Hampshire started as they meant to go on: with a 4th and two 5ths.
On Tuesday, the fleets were challenged by the reverse condition and racing was cancelled due to too much wind! Apparently, there were four-foot waves and ‘while the committee boats could anchor it was virtually impossible for the race teams to be able to do anything on them’.
Wednesday’s conditions reverted back to their preliminary difficulty: no wind. Sailors waited ashore and were eventually rewarded for their patience as, by 2pm, some classes were starting to launch. Both fleets containing PSC related sailors got two races in. Congratulations to Catherine Whitehill who claimed a 23rd in the last race of the day.
A pleasant contrast to the weather theme arrived on Thursday. Initially, it was good enough to start Race 7 on the time printed in the race instructions! This was the first day where laser radial racing was split into gold and silver fleets with Mary Fenton Jones and Aaron Smith in gold and Catherine Whitehill and Julia Beck in silver. Although the wind was light, four races were sailed and PSC managed to collect some good results. Well done to Fiona Hampshire and Becky Diamond who achieved a 1st followed by a 2nd in the last two races, Mary Fenton Jones (an 11th) and to Julia Beck who also scored a 1st.
Thursday also brought a royal visitor: HRH Princess Anne. This caused a whirl of media and security attention, including a BBC van who decided that the most strategic and sensible location to park would be on the sandy beach where it got stuck in the sand and had to be helped out!
On the last day, the sailors woke up to no wind and thick fog, but it improved enough to launch. Both the radials and 29ers had only one race.
As for news from the shore, I am reliably informed that all youths were in bed by 9.30pm every night without fail and absolutely no alcohol was consumed at this event. However, my news seeking antenna has detected rumours of human-table-football competitions…
Well done to everyone who took part, you did Papercourt proud.
Radial results
Gold fleet
Helm Total R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
1 James GRANT 61.0 4.0 3.0 7.0 (13.0) 2.0 6.0 (26.0) 5.0 1.0 7.0
2 Oscar MCVEIGH 54.0 (OCS 46.0) 2.0 5.0 1.0 9.0 1.0 12.0 7.0 2.0 (15.0)
3 John CURRIE 83.0 1.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 14.0 (24.0) 8.0 10.0 8.0 (30.0)
23 Aaron SMITH 138.0 1.0 (OCS 46.0) BFD 46.0 30.0 13.0 2.0 10.0 (26.0) 7.0 5.0
37 Mary FENTON-JONES 119.0 26.0 20.0 20.0 (29.0) 14.0 10.0 (35.0) 25.0 11.0 35.0
Silver fleet
Helm Total R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
9 Julia BECK 163.0 14.0 18.0 (BFD 46.0) 24.0 33.0 28.0 (15.0) 1.0 7.0 14.0
34 Catherine WHITEHILL 182.0 35.0 (36.0) 29.0 35.0 24.0 23.0 (38.0) 33.0 29.0 27.0
29er results
Helm Crew Total R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11
1 James PETERS Edward FITZGERALD 20.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 (5.0) 1.0 (3.0) 2.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0
2 Frances PETERS Claire LASKO 28.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 (4.0) (4.0) 1.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 4.0
3 Bleddyn MON TOM HUMPHREYS 44.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 1.0 3.0 1.0 4.0 3.0 (11.0) 5.0 (6.0)
4 BECKY DIAMOND Fiona HAMPSHIRE 48.0 4.0 5.0 5.0 (7.0) (7.0) 2.0 5.0 7.0 1.0 2.0 3.0
RACING RESULTS Nigel West
It’s taken a copy of months but I’m finally comfortable with the results system, just in time for Dick returning from holiday at the end of May!
The results in this issue are:
Completed Winter Series 08 – we were missing a race in the last newsletter, all up to date now.
Completed Spring Series 08
All other results are the current summer series up to Sat 26 April.
I have had a few problems with the Summer series and have a couple of pleas to make this job a bit easier.
Please enter your helm ID. There is a book of helm IDs next to the signing on sheet. Without a helm ID, I can’t add your race results. Please also write your name as clearly as possible – if I have a query I can contact you. Regrettably results have had to be left out as no helm ID has been entered and I haven’t been able to work out the name
PROs – please make sure you send me (or Dick) the signing on sheet as well as the results as I need these to work out the restricted series results (such as Bryan Willis, etc.). I’ve not had the results for a couple of races and had to use the results from the club noticeboard, which means these results have not been included in the restricted series results. There is a supply of stamped, addressed envelopes on top of the cupboard above the results computer.
As I’ve not had the sign on sheets for a couple of races, if you entered a restricted series on Sun 20 or Sat 26 April please let me know your name and helm ID, preferably by email, and I’ll correct the series results.
STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! ....
Wednesday evenings: availability of RYA Instructor
To provide a measure of informal assistance on a Wednesday evening, the club intends to arrange for a RYA Instructor to be present at the club: someone to offer help on rigging, and sailing techniques .
This support may suit those who have completed a Level 2 beginners course, those of limited experience, anyone returning to the water after a winter of no sailing and who would appreciate some advice, before the warmer weather.
Please note: this is not an organised course; it is intended to complement the existing training provided at the club, and is offered in good faith (to club members only) from 6.30 pm until dusk.
It is anticipated that it will run from the commencement of Wednesday evening sailing (16 April) through to the start of the School Summer holiday period, at which point it will be reviewed.
It is not expected that this Instructor will ‘teach’ a group; rather he/she will assist one or two individuals at a time, and we ask that individuals do not seek to secure the attention of the Instructor for the whole evening.
If you would like some help, approach the OOD and/or the Bosun, either of whom should be able to point you towards the correct person.
Feedback on the value of this arrangement would be appreciated as part of the review process, and can be given to any of the Club Instructors or to Peter Lytton.
LADIES’ SAILING Anne Robinson
Hello ladies!
I must confess that, on two occasions in those windy weeks of April, I sailed over the start line only to head promptly back to the pontoon! There is a limit to one’s level of endurance (even with a 4.7 sail) and mine had certainly been reached.
The one consolation was that one of our most experienced sailors admitted that he had struggled too, so my surrender to the wind was justified.
On a more positive note, the strong winds have now subsided to give way to blue skies and sunshine with a fair breeze – just in time for the season of Ladies’ Sailing.
By the time you receive this issue, we will have had the first Ladies’ Evening with, hopefully, a good turnout. The next one is planned for Monday 23 June; do come along and have a sail. Club boats are available and we can pair you up with an experienced sailor.
Lady sailors
Dates for your diary!
Monday 23 June
Monday 14 July
Monday 18 August
SAILABILITY Janis Buckley
Hello again everyone: Our new season had a very busy start on 25 April: 18 visitors to our first session! At our second session, on 2 May, we were pleased to welcome some familiar faces and some new volunteers. We still need more help if we are to reach out to new people, so please think about signing up as a volunteer…or just give me a call.
The dates for the remaining sessions are shown on page 49. These are all Friday afternoons. Our sessions start at 1.30pm and end at 4.30pm with a break for tea and a chat at 3pm. Evening sessions will take place from 5pm to 6.30pm if we have enough volunteers.
We have been busy for the last few months getting everything ready for the 2008 season. We now have two hoists which are safely stored. We have purchased extra buoyancy aids and a new horseshoe lifebelt. Our Safety Boat Officer, Barry Bennett, is doing an excellent job in making sure we are all safe on the water as well as on land!
In particular, we have been testing an interesting rescue and recovery device called a ‘Jason’s Cradle’ (see photo opposite). On the coldest day in April, with snow on the ground, both Richard Whitehill and Peter Burt were kind enough to brave the icy waters of Papercourt for us. I have the photos to prove how committed our committee is! We all enjoyed Sylvia Hayden’s excellent lunch afterwards. Thank you, Sylvia!
We have also moved boats that are no longer suitable for our use. These are two ‘Sunbirds’ which are still berthed at Papercourt for a short while. If anyone knows of a good home for them, would you please let me know? The boats are purpose built and still in good condition.
News of our Sailors: Our Sailability star at the moment is Alex Hovden who took part in the Surrey Schools Sailing Association Regatta at PSC in March. He gained first place in the Junior Fleet. Well done Alex! He is also gearing himself up for the Access National Championships in France at the end of June. Good luck Alex, from all of us.
Name for the Crabber (page 49)
Thank you all for your entries and interest. Her original name was ‘Jacqueline Anne of Yealm’ so I think that her new name ‘LADYJAY’ suits her.
And finally...
I would like to thank all of you who support Sailability. I am sure you will join me in paying a special tribute here to Keith Hester who sadly died in March. He played such a great part in making Sailability at PSC the success it is today.
PS We are looking forward to a busy 2008; don’t forget to help us if you can.
Happy sailing everyone!
Sailability dates 2008
Put these in your diary now. They’re all Friday afternoons.
30* May
6, 20 June
4, 18 July
1, 15, 29* Aug
5,19 Sept
3 Oct
*Provisional extras
29er Sailing Fiona Hampshire
This update is the transcript of the PR release courtesy of Helly Hansen written by Emma Russell (HH Marketing Manager)
Only 16 years of age but Becky Diamond and Fiona Hampshire already have a long list of sailing achievements and now, in acknowledgement of their hard work, have the backing of a leading technical clothing manufacturer after becoming Helly Hansen Sponsored Sailors.
As well as attending school full time, Becky and Fiona manage to fit into a week, a physical training programme and additional sail training sessions. It is certainly a busy 2008 for Becky and Fiona as they have already competed in the 29er World Championships in Australia and the RYA Youth Nationals Championships where they were the 2nd female team to finish.
The girls are currently in training for the 29er European Championships in Holland in July followed by the 29er National Championships in Weymouth in August. They are certainly a team with energy and commitment.
“It’s always very exciting when we sign up young sports people like Becky and Fiona. Their ambition, drive and determination is infectious, and certainly meets all the criteria of a Helly Hansen Sponsored Athlete,” said Emma Russell, Helly Hansen Marketing Manager.
Kadets Kapers Sally Preston and Lucy Cave
Hey there! It's coming up to exam time of year, and I have two GCSE exams this term. Lucky Sally has NONE!
Anyway I'll be working hard, but I won't be able to go through the exams without some sailing!
Meanwhile, we found some more jokes for you, which we hope you enjoy.
Sailing Definitions With a Twist!
Bow: 1) Gesture from the helmsman as he crosses the finish line first. 2) Part of the boat that no one should have to work on. 3) Best part of the ship to ram another with.
Crew: Heavy, stationary objects used on the boat to dampen sudden movements of the boom.
Helmsman: 1) Nutter attached to the rudder through a steering mechanism known as the tiller. 2) One who might actually look at the course. 3) Crew member who might enjoy an uncontrollable gybe.
Points: Traditional units of measurement from the viewpoint of someone on board a vessel. They are: Straight ahead of you, right up there; Just a little to the right of the front; Right next to that thing up there; Between those two things; Right back there, look; Over that round thing; Off the right corner; Back over there; and Right behind us.
Sailing: Fine art of getting wet and becoming ill, while going nowhere slowly at great expense (equivalent to standing in a cold shower, fully clothed, throwing up, and tearing up £50 notes, while a bunch of other people watch you).
Sailing race: Two boats going in the same direction.
A sailor meets a pirate in a bar, and they take turns recounting their adventures at sea. Noting the pirate's peg-leg, hook and eye patch, the sailor asks "So, how did you end up with the peg-leg?"
The pirate replies, "We was caught in a monster storm off the cape and a giant wave swept me overboard. Just as they were pullin' me out, a school of sharks appeared and one of 'em bit me leg off."
"Blimey!" said the sailor. "What about the hook"?
"Ahhhh...," mused the pirate. "We were boardin' a trader ship, pistols blastin' and swords swingin' this way and that. In the fracas, me hand got chopped off."
"Zounds!" remarked the sailor. "And how came ye by the eye patch?”
"A seagull droppin' fell into me eye," answered the pirate.
"You lost your eye to a seagull dropping?" the sailor asked incredulously.
"Well...," said the pirate, "It was me first day with the hook."
The captain is always right.
Misinformed perhaps, sloppy, crude, bull headed, fickle, even stupid, but never wrong.
Q: Why didn't the sailors play cards?
A: The Captain was always standing on the deck!