Weymouth
Sailing
Club

The fourth and final race of the Rear Admiral’s Cup was sailed on Sunday 7^th September.  Teams from three local clubs – Royal Dorset, Castle Cove and Weymouth Sailing Club – took part.   Royal Dorset’s team of Mojo, Snow Goose and Merrywake II emerged as the overall winners with Weymouth second. Considering the appalling summer we have had, the weather was not bad and competitors enjoyed a good westerly breeze of up to 22 knots and, blessing from heaven, no rain.  Mojo proved just how fast a J/120 can go on two close spinnaker reaches, pulling out an unassailable lead by the time the teams arrived at Arish Mell, via Shambles.  After that there was a hard slog home via Ringstead and the Noise Range buoy (G), with Mojo and Snow Goose securing first and second places. It was a great day, but not without incident.  Mistress, sailing for Castle Cove, shredded her spinnaker and Scoline proved that Dynema ropes are not all they are cracked up to be – her spinnaker guy parted in spectacular fashion.  Nothing too serious though and all boats finished the race safely. The teams have greatly enjoyed this first Rear Admiral’s Cup and wish to thank John Croydon for dreaming up the idea and donating the trophy.  Soon it will be time to think about next year’s team and to plot our revenge on the Dorset.

Photo: Weymouth crews relax on the deck after sailing.    Results: Rear Admiral Cup 2008

Improvement works have started in the Longshed.   The galley store is being repositioned into a more convenient spot which will release space for tenders to be stored by the front door.  A fixed Bar is being constructed and work is being done to the electrics and plumbing.  The lighting is being upgraded.   There are plans to do more improvement work in Spring 2009 to the yard and the bank in the area behind the Longshed .

The Longshed will continue its role as an area for storage but it will be easier to convert it for social use.  With two large championships scheduled for 2009 (National Squib Championship and J92/105 Nationals) and the build up of interest in sailing caused by the Olympics, the Club will need to make the best use of the space that it has.

Improvement works in the Longshed have been started.  The galley store is being relocated to a more convenient spot allowing tenders to use the area close to the front doors.   A fixed bar is being constructed with plumbing and electrics being installed.  The lighting is also being upgraded.  Improvement works are planned for Spring 2009 to the yard and bank area behind the Longshed.

The Longshed will continue to be used for storage but it will be easier to convert for social use when the Clubroom is overcrowded.  With two large championships (National Squibs and J92/105 Nationals) planned for 2009 and the increase in interest leading up to the Olympics, the Club will need to find all the space that it can.

Arthur Savage Insurance have agreed to become a Day Sponsor for the National Squib Championships being hosted by Weymouth Sailing Club 27 June - 3 July 2009. 

Savages, based at 2 - 3 High West Street, Dorchester, are an independant professional insurance advisors who have been in business for 70 years since 1936.  Savages advertise great value Boat Insurance and Yacht Insurance on their website www.arthursavage.co.uk   Barry Shereston, Managing Director, was recently introduced to the Club at a Cocktail Party.  He and his wife Carly have since become regular Club members and are keen to support the Club. 

Other companies already backing the Championship are Dean and Reddyhoff Portland Marina, Dream Cottages, Batt Sails, Hyde Sails, and O'Three.

Interest in the event is very strong in all the Squib fleets around the country.  The large turn-out will cause a lot of interest in the sailing world and be the ideal opportunity for a sponsor to get involved.  Please get in touch if you would like more details.   www.Squibs09.org.uk 

Crowds gathered on Weymouth Beach to watch the handover of the Olympic flame to London on Sunday 24 August.  The celebrations in Weymouth which included dragon racing and a flag relay, were shown across the globe as part of the television broadcast of the closing ceremony.  Sue Barker is shown on the large screen with a WSC Feva on the beach. 

Yachts from all the Weymouth Clubs sailed into the Bay dressed overall to add colour to the day. 

It is always good to see the familiar green Contessa 28 'Feanor' on her mooring knowing that she has made it safely back to her Weymouth base.  Jeremy Parkinson headed off to the Baltic on May 10th.  He was asked by the Royal Cruising Club to update their pilotage of Germany, Poland and Denmark.  Six weeks of north easterlies blowing Force 5 - 7 meant that Jeremy was two-weeks behind schedule by the time he reached Kiel and he had to cut short his planned visits to Polish ports.  He continued to encounter storms on the way back and his return was delayed by a week.  Jeremy said that "They were the most difficult conditions that I have encountered".

Weymouth Sailing Club members who joined Jeremy during this summer's trip were Charlie and Sally Parkes, Richard Norris, Peter Soole, Douglas Meikle, Mike Jennings and Joan Whyte.

Any other WSC members travelling this summer - send us an update of your sailing adventures. 

 Seven Squibs from WSC spent a hectic eight days racing in the Solent at Skandia Cowes Week.  Despite heavy winds and some damage to the boats they brought back a substantial trawl of trophies to Weymouth.  Penny and Mike Fenwick came second overall in Ghost Rider and won three daily prizes, Saskia V with Mark Bugler and Rima Bascombe came third overall and won the Wednesday race and Deo McDine in Posh Totty was the best lady helm.  WSC won the team trophy with a team of Ghost Rider and Saskia V.

The Royal Victoria Yacht Club showed the visitors their usual generous hospitality and hosted the class dinner and the final class prizegiving. 

The Squib fleet got considerable publicity during the week with a full page article in the Saturday Financial Times referring to the affordability of Squibs, and a further article in the Sunday Telegraph with a colour photograph showing both Ghost Rider and Saskia V. 

For full details of Skandia Cowes Week results link to: http://www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk

The National Squib Championships Weymouth 2009 are pleased to welcome Dream Cottages as a sponsor to the event.   With over 200 crew expected to take part in the Championships during 27 June - 3 July 2009  and a lot of accommodation being required, it is a natural partnership.

Other companies already backing the Championship are Dean and Reddyhoff Portland Marina, Batt Sails and Hyde Sails.

Interest in the event is very strong in all the Squib fleets around the country.  The large turn-out will cause a lot of interest in the sailing world and be the ideal opportunity for a sponsor to get involved.  Please get in touch if you would like more details.   www.Squibs09.org.uk 

This weekend WSC hosted a Dufour rally. 5 yachts took part in the two races, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. On Saturday Malcolm Terry OD started the Dufours in good time before the Jubilee Cup and on Sunday Iain Jones started them after the Shambles Race. In each case they self timed themselves across a line at Destroyer buoys, so as not to interfere with Club racing.

30 sailors enjoyed the rally dinner in the Club on Saturday night..

23 boats raced in the The Jubilee Cup race in hot sunshine on Saturday 26 July afternoon.  The light winds favoured Squibs who took the first 6 places.  First home was Jim Chalmers in Last Gasp, second was Saskia VI with Mark Bugler and third was Posh Totty with Alan McDine.  The first dinghy in 7th position was Wayfarer Jiffy with Jim Wilkinson at the helm.  First keelboat back was RWH with Kevin Connor in 9th position.  All participation boats made a donation of £1 to the RNLI.