Newsletter 10 09 25

It was a hectic week-end just gone. A fresh south easterly breeze greeted sailors for the IC Open and the GP Open plus tidal racing for members.

IC & GP Open Events plus Dinghy Tidal Handicap Racing 6&7/9/25

The ICs had the best of it on Saturday but only just. The first race was started in 22 Kts, but eased back later to under 20 Kts but the wave pattern wasn't to the ICs liking. 

Of the seven competitors entered two were gambling on lighter conditions as they were carrying injuries that prevented canoe sailing in anything energetic ! This wasn't the weather for testing a new canoe - that was another one out of the picture. Four left - all visitors. Three with experience and one novice IC sailor. He gave it his best shot but after three capsizes in quick session and a shackle disintegrating holding a stay, enough was enough.

It would be just two races to determine that Sam Barker from Castle Cove SC, Weymouth won the open. James Hoffman from Grafham Water SC came second - an amazing result as this was his first time out sailing a new rules IC.

Alistair Warren from Aldeburgh YC, Suffolk (he used to race ICs at Dee SC some 20 years ago) came 3rd. He had an OCS in the first race which deprived him of second overall.

Sam Barker IC Open Winner

James Hoffman 2nd IC Open

Alistair Warren 3rd IC Open

Only two races decided the GP Open on Sunday held in even more challenging conditions; the wind had more easterly in it and the wind speed was up another notch or two from Saturday.

Mark Platt and Chris Jonson from Bolton SC won with two firsts from Keiron Inman and Paul Jenkins (WKSC).

Jean-Louis Simons and Hollie Marston came 3rd in JLSs newly acquired GP from Ireland (would you look at that !).

Again the conditions were such that two races were enough for the competitors from the scheduled three.

Five dinghies competed in the Tidal Dinghy handicap racing on Sunday. The first race was won by andy Bell in his z Laser from Steve Jardine also in a Laser. Liz Pottef 3rd (Contender).

The second race Liz won from Steve Jardine  and Pete Jones 3rd.

No tidal class boats raced though Jonathan Atkinson and Lee Matthews cruised their Falcons around the estuary.

(More pictures from IC and GP Open will be on the website)

Tuesday evenings Solo, Laser and Illusion racing was another energetic affair! 

In the Solos, Steve Ferrington had two wins, Martin Hartley had two seconds and John Dixon had two thirds. 

In the Lasers, Jonathan Behan had two wins, Tom Green two seconds and Gavin Roberts two thirds.

In the Laser Radials, Glyn Purnell two wins, Ioannis Koutsokeras two seconds and Stuart Dawson two thirds.

Stop it all if you this must be a joke !
No Illusions recorded. I bet the whole thing is an Illusion !

Tidal Cruise

For those of you with telepathy you will be receiving a clear picture in my mind of Mondays Tidal Cruise.

The challenging conditions of the weekend gave way to a lovely day, perfect for a cruise on the calm Dee Estuary.

You will see see in my minds eye picture, two stars clearing the northerly moorings in a light breeze with a clear blue sky, the Welsh hills in the background and the coastline running towards the Grest Orme in the far west.

The Stars were skippered by Nick Leadingham and John Dowler.

Tony Martson

Sailing Secretary