New Quay Yacht Club

Dinghy Sailing 2007

South Staffs weekend

South staffs Sailing Club have been visiting NQYC for 50 years! This year, the 23 boats from South Staffs were joined by 3 of our own – Lasers sailed by Ben Davies, Steve Berry, and Peter Master’s sailed club boat ‘Delilah’.

The sun shone, the dolphins played, and the winds were light. It was a very pleasant weekend for the Larks, GPs, Hornet Laser 4000 and the Fireflies. Mike Masters was OOD, assisted by Crawford, with Nigel Tottle on Jolly Roger. ‘Lucifer’, Tresaith Mariner’s safety boat, was crewed by Stuart Forsythe and Paul Austin; NQYC’s own safety boat, ‘Viking’, was also present, crewed by Jennifer & Dave Masters.

August Series – 5th, 25th August ( 12 th strong Northerly wind; 19 th Tresaith Regatta, no events in NQ)

Six boats raced on 5 th August in breezy conditions. Steve Berry had a Laser battle with Chris Seal, with Steve emerging the winner; Crawford McLeary and Kathy Hayes in the Laser 2000 were third. There was a large turn out for 25 August – 10 boats, 3 Lasers, 2 Laser 2000s, 2 Picos and a Mirror. Chris Seal won the event, Nick James came second, and Crawford and Kathy came third.

Bank Holiday Series

The first event was held at Easter, six boats entered. The ‘Easter Egg Trophy’ was won by Lawrence Clarke and Gordon Evans in ‘Delilah’. The ‘Austin Tankard’, the award for the winner of the first race of the season, was won by Crawford McLeary.

The event to follow was the May Day race and strong winds ensured exciting sailing. Steve Berry in the Laser won the ‘Pier Plaque’. The next May event was cancelled due to the Northerly 25 knot wind.

The final event sailed in a Northerly swell, the brisk wind meant exciting sailing for all, especially Nigel and Jennifer, the new combination in ‘Delilah’. The overall winner was Douglas Lloyd Haynes in the Topper – our new star! In second place came Nigel Howes and Jennifer Davies in ‘Delilah’, and third place was awarded to Crawford McLeary (this time in a Laser).

Penbryn Cup – 25 th August

The intention to sail to the Drowi waterfall was unfortunately spoilt by fog. Instead, an inshore course had to be used round our faithful triangle course. The winner was Roger Barnes in a Snipe (he was waiting for the strong wind and swell that suited his boat), Crawford McLeary and Kathy Hayes came second in the Laser 2000, and third place went to Nigel and Jennifer in ‘Delilah’.

Junior Racing

Race Training and Series. This was held on 17 th August for the under 16s and comprised a mixed fleet of dinghies, some children racing for the first time. This was run by Jennifer Davies and Steve Berry. Steve gave a racing chat in the Crows Nest before going out on the water to race round the green buoys. Over three races, Ben Jones was the overall winner in a Laser, Morgan Williams came second, and third was shared by Oliver Thomas in an Optimist and Philip Burt in a Topaz. Also taking part were Steffan Seal, India and Aaron Thomas, Tristan Seal, all in Picos, and Rory and Ieuan Edwards in a Topper, and Izzy Halewood & Tilly James in a Topaz.

Junior Racing (15 yrs and under)

At the request of many young sailors and their parents, race training and more sailing and training was arranged and run as a collaboration between NQYC and Cardigan Bay Watersports using club, Watersports and own boats.

Twenty-two young sailors competed in challenging conditions in a stiff breeze and swell. The number of dinghies, with their colourful sails, excited children and parents on the beach by Penpolion on that day holds great promise for the future.

The OOD was Gwen and safety cover was provided by Crawford, Jennifer, and Nick, ably assisted by Chris, Justyn, Huw, and the parents.

The winner was Douglas Lloyd Haynes sailing a Laser (with Radial rig), Morgan Williams came second in an Optimist, and Rees came third in a Topaz.

Training

Oppie training, RYA Stage 1, 2 and ‘tasters’ were fully subscribed, which shows lots of potential for the future. The weather was mostly kind, although one young sailor almost got carried away on a fresh breeze. The wind and swell picked up on the last day and sailing had to be abandoned, but most competitors returned for the Oppie supper organised by Brenda Grainger and helpers that evening.

Jennifer Davies was assisted by Rosemary and Colin Brangwin, Ken Singer, Mark, Steve, Chris, Ben, and Barbara Jones.

Beginner /Refresher sailors had a challenging, but fun, time especially the ladies who sailed in ‘Delilah’. Once all were safely on the beach, Crawford and Jennifer recovered ‘Delilah’ from where it was stranded in a ‘turtle’ position (no easy task!)

The Adult sail was a complete success with ten sailors taking part and smiles all round especially the crew of ‘Delilah’.

May Day Series

Seven dinghies entered the second event of the series in dull conditions but with a steady breeze, disappointing after the weeks of glorious weather when conditions were perfect. The same racing format as the Easter series was used and now ‘Jolly Roger’ is the designated committee boat. Racing looked unlikely on Monday 7 May with fog and no wind but the breeze arrived, freshened and eventually allowed some exciting sailing.

Results:
Race 5: 1 Steve Berry, Laser; 2 Crawford McLeary & Kathy Hayes, Laser 2000; 3 Andy, Laser.
Race 6: 1 Steve Berry, Laser; 2 Richard Steenburg, Pico; 3 Crawford McLeary & Kathy Hayes, Laser 2000.
Race 7: David Morgan, Laser; 2 Craford McLeary& Jennifer Davies, Laser 200; 3 Andy & Jo Howes, Pico.
Race 8: 1 Crawford McLeary & Jennifer Davies, Laser 2000; 2 David Morgan, Laser; 3 Andy & Jo Howes, Pico.

Easter Series

Glorious sunshine and a glassy sea are not the ideal conditions for dinghy racing but the New Quay breeze arrived on time for the 11am start of the Easter Bank Holiday Dinghy Series on Sunday morning 8 April. The same breeze arrived on Monday for the following two races in the series.

A short course and average lap scoring was used with five dinghies in Race 1 & 2 and six dinghies in Races 3 & 4., including Delilah and all three club Picos. Races 3 & 4 had added interest for competitors with 3 Laser 2000 and 3 Picos sailing.

Race 1 and the Austin Tankard for the first race of the season was won by Crawford McLeary, Laser and the Easter Egg Trophy for the series was won by Lawrence Clarke & Gordon Evans, ‘Delilah’ Laser 2000.

Results:
Race 1: 1Crawford McLeary, Laser; 2 Lawrence Clarke & Gordon Evans, ‘Delilah’ Laser 2000; 3 Richard Steenburg, Pico.
Race 2: 1 C McLeary, Laser; 2 Owen Jones Williams, RS Vareo; 3 R Steenburg, Pico.
Race 3: 1 C McLeary & Ian Jennings, Laser 2000; 2 Steve Wood & Sheila Morgan, ‘Ysbryd’ Laser 2000; 3 L Clarke & G Evans, Laser 2000.
Race 4: 1 C McLeary & Ian Jennings, Laser 2000; 2 S Wood & S Morgan,’Ysbryd’ Laser 2000; 3 Heather Summers, Pico.
Series results: 1 Lawrence Clarke & Gordon Evans, ‘Delilah’ Laser 2000; Joint 2 Crawford McLeary, Laser; Crawford McLeary & Ian Jennings, Laser 2000; Heather Summers, Pico; Richard Steenburg, Pico