New Years Day Sailing

Hope you have had a great Xmas
Our New Years Day plans are as follows

Arrive from 1030am
Bring along your spare Xmas food and a celebtratory drink if you want to.
First race 12.00
Second race a possibility for the really dedicated.
OOD AND AOOD - COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Vote Ben for BBC Sports Personality of the Year this Sunday!

Vote for BEN AINSLIE to win the 2008 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award this Sunday (14 December).

Triple Olympic gold medallist Ainslie is on the final shortlist of 10 in the running for the award and needs your votes to get him the recognition his historic 2008 exploits deserve.

Voting will take place by phone only during Sunday evening’s live BBC One broadcast. The number to call to vote for Ainslie will be revealed on the programme after 7pm, so make sure you tune in on the night and tell your friends to get dialling too!

There is no voting via the BBC Sport website or by text – calls on the night will cost 15p from a BT landline. Calls from mobile phones and other networks will cost more.


Picture: Credit Richard Langdon/Skandia Team GBR. Ben Ainslie on his way to a historic fifth Finn Gold Cup title, Port Phillip, Australia, January 2008

Frost bite series lives up to its name

With the cold weather comes frost and ice. The Tarn was so frozen this morning that Don had to clear a path for more than the ducks. Thankfully no one ended up in the water as it was very cold.

Good team work helped everyone get their boats out from the ice that had gathered round the jetty. There'll be a few sore bums tomorrow...

Laying up Supper with Monkeys Fist

A merry night had by all with plenty of food, singing and prizes. Thanks to all.

Snow and Sun

Early Sunday morning the Tarn was sprinkled with snow !

By the time the hardy ( or mad ! ) frostbiters took to the water the snow was all but gone and there was bright sunshine.

This was excellent for taking photos and walking around the Tarn, but it was bitter out on the water in the gusty wind blowing across the Tarn. 12 boats were out for the first race and 7 made it out again for the race after lunch and there was even the rare sight of a capsized Bill at one point !

John and Felix were OODs for the day, and kept the spectators interested and the competitors on their toes, while Don helped out whenever anyone needed the safety boat.

The frostbite series runs every Sunday up to the 14th December, with races at 12.00 and 2.00.
So come on down, either to sail or join the many, less hardy spectators watching from the side !

Don’t forget this week it is the AGM on Thursday night and the Laying Up Supper on Saturday night, see you there !

More Junior Successes

A number of Yeadon Juniors took part in the recent RYA Zone Championships and the RYA Squad selection trails for this coming winter’s training programme and I am very pleased to tell you that this year that the following have been selected for the various squads

Luke has been selected for the North Topper Zone Squad ( an area from Northampton and Rutland in the South, up to Derwent Reservoir and Tees and Hartlepool in the North )

Matthew and Benjamin, followed up last years selection for the Mirror Zone Squad with selection for the Zone Squad again, except this year RYA have consolidated the various areas and formed a National Mirror Zone Squad from all the areas

William joined us this year, to get involved in our Tuesday Night’s and to sail with our other Juniors, although he has done most of his sailing at Ripon with his family. He too has been selected for the Mirror Zone Squad, crewing another lad from Ripon, as also have his two sisters who aren’t members here.

This means they will all be sailing and training all over the winter period ( one weekend a month ), honing their skills and getting some great experience, and also for the Mirrors spending lots of time travelling to the deep south, despite half the squad and the chief coach being all northern based !

Anyway “ Well Done and Congratulations to you all ! ”
The rest of us will need to watch out next season !!!!!!!!!!!

MSDS End of Season Sale

Plenty of bargains to be had - please feel free to come along!


ADVERT FROM MIKE SAUL DINGHY SERVICES
The MSDS End of Season Sale is this Sunday 9th November in the Ripon Sailing Club clubhouse.
This is a great opportunity to get those Christmas presents for the sailors in your family or simply treat yourself to some new kit for the Frostbite Series or ready for next season.
Drysuits, wetsuits, rash vests, dinghy boots, gloves, fleeces, T-Shirts, buoyancy aids, spray tops, jackets etc from the major brands. There will be absolutely loads of stuff to browse through so why not get down there and see what bargains you can grab. More stuff than you can possibly imagine will be available at prices far less than other marine outlets so it's really worth making the effort to get down there and have a look around.
Don't miss out on this opportunity for a great bargain. If there are any specific requests or requirements, please contact Mike on the number below to ensure availability
For more information phone 01423 771821

Winter’s Here !

Cold northerly winds and rain welcomed the hardy sailors for the first of this winter’s frostbite series. Undeterred most completed the 2 races, despite checking the temperature of the water from time to time.

Was it keenness, or the chance for baked potatoes and parkin in the club at lunchtime ?

Rob and Sue, OODs for the day, set courses to keep everybody on their toes and the spectators interested, while Don kept a watching eye in case anyone needed the safety boat.

The frostbite series runs every Sunday up to the 14th December, with races at 12.00 and 2.00.
Come on down, either to sail or join the many, less hardy spectators watching from the side !

Monkeys Fist Shanty Band - YSC Laying Up Supper

Great news -

Monkeys Fist Shanty Band will be entertaining us at our Laying Up Supper.

With a special act for the younger members from 7.30pm prompt followed later in the evening for everyone from 9.30 ish - we have a fantastic evening in store.

If you haven't got your ticket yet be quick to approach a Committee member or e-mail me on tim.hattersley@thejthpractice.co.uk

Adults £12 / Juniors £6 / Family ticket £30

You don't want to miss this great night out at Yarnbury Rugby Club, Brownberrie Lane, Horsforth. Friends and family welcome.

Saturday 29th November

National 12 Open Meeting - 5th October

After Saturday’s rain and gales at Ripon, the sun and light breezes were a welcome change for the helms and crews of the nineteen National 12s who gathered at Yeadon Tarn on Sunday to sail for the Tarn Trophy. With 15 different designs on the water spanning 40 years of development the outcome was by no means certain.

With the wind from a north to north-easterly direction, the Race Officer was able to set a beat making full use of the restricted water and Race 1 got underway at the first attempt. The breeze favoured those on the starboard side of the course and it was from this group that the leaders emerged with John and Alison Cheetham in their Numinous design taking the gun. Howard Chadwick and Helen Nicholson in their 1966 vintage Starfish sailed exceptionally well to take second place in front of Bernard Clark and Ian Towers in their Final Chapter

Race 2 got underway almost immediately, and Philip and Helen David in their Baggy Trousers soon hit the front of the fleet, clearly in the sort of form that won them the trophy in 2007, pulling ahead of Team Cheetham for their first win of the day. Neil McInnes and Felix Morgan in another Baggy Trousers were close behind in 3rd with visitors Simon and Matt Hopkins from Up River SC in their Crusader getting to grips with the conditions to finish strongly in 4th place

After lunch, the wind freshened considerably for the start of the final race and, with boats crowding in at the pin-end, the inevitable happened and the David’s, comfortably lined up for the start, were forced to retire after being holed by an over-enthusiastic windward boat. Once the fleet had got itself sorted out it was the Hopkins who led for much of the way - with the two local helms John Cheetham and Howard Chadwick in hot pursuit. It was only on the last lap as the breeze dropped that the Cheethams were able to ghost ahead of the Crusader and register another emphatic win to take the trophy.

Overall Results:
1st John and Alison Cheetham N3468 Numinous Yeadon SC
2nd Howard Chadwick and Helen Nicholson N2266 Starfish Yeadon SC
3rd Simon and Matt Hopkins N3413 Crusader Up River SC
4th Philip and Helen David N3217 Baggy Trousers Yorkshire Ouse SC

1st Vintage: Howard Chadwick and Helen Nicholson N2266 Starfish
2nd Vintage: Brian Herring and Ros Stevenson N2468 China Doll

At the prizegiving, Howard Chadwick was also awarded the Witchcraft Bailer Trophy for his overall win in the 2008 N12 Vintage Series.

Streaker Open Meeting

Yeadon Streaker Open Meeting on Sunday 14 th Sept.
Yeadon acted as hosts to five home boats and one visitor from Ripon on Sunday. Skies were overcast with light and fickle winds from an Easterly direction. At least it wa not raining !
In the first race, our visitor Pete Smith from Ripon was first at the windward mark followed by John Goodyear from Yeadon. At the wing mark John overtook Peter but was himself overtaken by Dennis Beard (in his first Streaker race ) on the run. John Goodyear with good roll-tacking, and keeping his boat otherwise very upright soon regained his lead and finished 50 yds in front of Dennis and Rob Crossland.
After lunch, excellent chilli con carne with baked potato and dessert with no less than seven ladies waiting on us ( one for each sailor ! ) we started anew with marginally more but still fickle wind. J Goodyear led off the line near the committee boat with a close pack following. He rounded the windward mark with clear air followed by Pete Smith and Tim Hattersley. Rob Crossland unfortunately clipped a buoy so did a penalty turn putting him further down the fleet. The second race finished with John Goodyear 1st by a large margin, with Pete and Dennis 2nd and 3rd.
John Goodyear with two firsts sat out the third race but there was still keen competition for the second and third spot. Pete Smith eventually got the better of Dennis who fell into a hole at no 8 with Rob Crossland following on.
Prizes were presented by the Commodore Tim Hattersley and votes of thanks were made for the excellent lunch and the sterling efforts of the Race Officer Tim Gatti together with Howard Chadwick and the rest of the Nat 12 team
Overall Positions :- 1st J Goodyear ( 2pts ), 2nd P Smith ( 3pts ), D Beard ( 4pts ), R Crossland ( 7pts ), T Hattersley ( 10pts)
and P Metcalfe (11pts).

Could you be in for a prize?

As the series racing draws to a close it is time to take a close look at the racing results to ensure you have enough races in to qualify.
Saturday - Best 14 to count
Sunday - Best 12 to count
Wednesday - Best 8 to count

Who knows you could be in for a prize!!!

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Here's a few notices for your information.

Working party -
On Saturday 13th September we are holding an Autumn working party to get the club house and boat park into shape for the winter. If you can help please come along at 10am.
This won't affect the youth training /racing /or the series racing but it is a really important need so make it a priority please.

BBQ -
Later that day at 6pm we light the BBQ so bring along your food and a bottle to have a cracking evening of fun and entertainment.

November 27th - AGM -
Your chance to influence the future of the club and hear of plans for next year.

November 29th - Our 80th Anniversary Laying Up Supper
This is our annual celebration event - A fantastic evening of prize giving, live entertainment, food and friendship - Venue - Yarnbury Rugby Club opposite Trinity College, Horsforth
Book the date in your diary now - friends and family are all welcome
Tickets will be on sale from your Committee from 13th September - Adults £12 /
Under 16 £6 / Family tickets £30

Tim H - Commodore

Survival of the Fittest

The final Sunday of Bass Week 2008 dawned wet and still windy. By this point of the week only the keenest made it on to the water for the last race so it was left to Denis and Jo, and to Gail to fly the flag for Yeadon through to the bitter end, while the rest of us tried to pack up between the rain showers.
The final weekend stared so well with a dry and sunny evening on Friday and there was an excellent live band in the club that kept a few of us up ‘till late. However Saturday morning we were awaken with wind blowing through the trees and the rigging and rain beating down on the tents. We hoped for a postponement as very few people were keen but the Race Office decided we would race on time ! A number of boats were getting ready to sail and after a lot of consideration Neil decided to give it go, Yvonne was less keen but went for the dry suit anyway !
Conditions on the water were lively to say the least, but it made for some interesting flat out planning reaches for the sailors and good spectating for the crowds who remained on shore. Neil and Yvonne were leading the medium handicap fleet when they decided to play submarines and nose dived whilst running at speed ! When they righted the boat they found the jib had become loose because the force of the nose dive had caused a jib halyard block to pull out. With that their race, and regatta, was over leaving them to limb home to pack the boat up.
In the afternoon, in slightly less severe conditions, but still pretty windy, Denis and Jo ventured out to play and Neil teamed up with Mark Blackman, ex of Yeadon, to race Mark’s RS200 (see photo below). After two further tiring, but exhilarating sails for all it was definitely shower time for the boys while Jo showed she was fitter than the rest of us and went for a swim in the lake first !

Thanks to Bassenthwaite Sailing Club for a very interesting week - I’m sure Yeadon will be back in force again next year !

Some Club members are heading for Ullswater for their Regatta Week this week, and I’m in no doubt they will have as much of a varied week as we have had this week !

Two faces of Bass

Over the last couple of days we seen some different sides of Bassenthwaite :
On Monday we had a beautiful pink mountain as the sun set,


Whereas today we had drizzle, followed by rain, followed by more drizzle
And the puddles grew !

Wet & windless at Bass - The tide is rising !

Thursday has dawned windless, and it is now wet as well so the clubhouse is full of sailors wanting the weather to change !

The last couple of days the wind has been fairly light, which has made for some interesting racing as the different fleets merged together. Yeadon made it into the prizes with Neil and Yvonne getting a 4^th on Monday and then Neil with Katie, a 3rd on Tuesday in the medium handicap fleet. Tim, in the same fleet, has been getting to grips with his Vario and its spinnaker and beat the other Varios on Wednesday. The conditions, however, haven’t been right for the other Yeadon sailors who have not achieved the places they would have liked.

On the social side most of the grown ups ( minus Tim, who was having a nap ) made it out to the 18^th century Pheasant Inn on Tuesday evening for a drink, much to the amusement of a couple from Leeds who were having a quiet wedding anniversary drink until we filled the place up. They had heard of the ‘Yeadon Yacht Club’ ( ! ) so they might come over next year with their boys to see the Club.

The ground around the tents and Club is now getting very squidgy with all the rain and some cars have had to be towed out of the back field, high ground and umbrellas now seem quite important !

The forecast is looking better for Friday and the weekend, so let’s hope we finish on a high !

Update from Bass

A number of sailors, families and friends old and new have made their annual trip to Bassenthwaite for the annual regatta week.

Showers welcomed us on Friday as we set up camp, but the bar was welcoming, too welcoming for some, but that’s another story !

Saturday was windy which woke everybody up as they found their way round the lake (apart from mark 6 which had no wind at all), whereas Sunday was lighter but sunny and rather nice.

Sunday was also Quiz night and “we was robbed !” Despite bringing in help from the Blackpool seaside Streaker sailors, Stuart and Alan, Yeadon couldn’t repeat their form of previous years. With a specialist round of ‘Harry Potter’ we knew it was going to be difficult and so it proved ! Luckily for us the final results weren’t published.

Monday we had the traditional ‘Round the Lake’ race, which was good fun, especially when, the Laser, Medium Handicap and Enterprise fleets all combined at mark 14 ! Conflicting cries of “No Water” and “Water for Ten” were often heard.

Despite trying very hard ( Clive’s words ) Yeadon haven’t made it into the prizes yet, but there are still quite a few races to go !

Tuesday 5th Training Session Back on

Thanks to some offers of support, next Tuesday's training session is back on.

Tonights session was a little gusty at times but everyone managed to follows Neil's knitting course across the lake without too many problems, Pointing Percy the Scorpion managed to get it's crews feet and heads wet for the first time and there was a raging battle between the Pico's.

See you next week for more of the same.

The final training session this season will take place on the 12th of August and don't forget the BBQ on the 13th September.

National 12 Open at Yorkshire Dales SC – 21st July 2008

Most of the Yeadon National 12 fleet attended the National 12 Open at Yorkshire Dales SC last Sunday. Patrick didn’t manage to make it but he was in France on holiday so we let him off. We arrived to typical Grimwith greeting of white horses and sunshine. 4 Yeadon 12’s plus 5 others turned out ready and raring to go.
The first race began having already lost two of the 12’s due to gear failings! The order was shaken up on the way to the first mark as Philip David with Caroline Clarke and Howard Chadwick with Helen Nicholson headed to the wrong mark. Philip recovered from this detour only to go the wrong way past the club mark. This left Mark and Emma Simpson in first then Neil and Katie McInnes and Howard in second and third. However Philip recovered from these setbacks to come speedily up through the fleet and into second only to fall victim to the fatal last gybe which claimed him and Simon Moss and David Clarke as they were being lapped and also Neil who managed to just escape after a wobble and a fill up. Final positions for this race were Mark, Neil and then Howard.
Second race everyone launched into a nice squall which made the start interesting! However by the time the fleet rounded the first mark it had eased. Now with everyone sailing the correct course there was a close battle between Philip and Mark for first place but Mark prevailed again to get first. Meanwhile this left a local battle between the Yeadon boats with Howard, Neil and John and Alison Cheatham all together, until John worked out how to make his Numinous fly and disappeared off to chase the lead two.
Conditions blew up for the start of the third race again but this time did not ease. Mark decided to sit this one out having two wins already. Neil lead the fleet round the first mark but Philip soon got ahead. They chased each other for most of the lap and during some synchronised fast baggy reaching, Philip caught a wave wrong and was in. The race had now turned in to a survival race with hard beats and flat out reaches which the race officer kept thankfully short with Neil winning it, Howard second and Philip in third. John had to be rescued after being helped over by one of the club training boats at the leeward mark. Tim Gatti and Tace Morgan also tasted the water early on and then struggled to catch up
Thanks to Yorkshire Dales for hosting the event and Neil Spink, the OOD for the day and the rescue crews for running a good event
Final results:
1st 3472 Mark and Emma Simpson
2nd 3216 Neil and Katie McInnes - YSC
3rd 3356 Howard Chadwick and Helen Nicholson - YSC
4th 3217 Philip David and Caroline Clark
5th 2255 Tim Gatti and Tace Morgan - YSC
6th 3468 John and Allison Cheetham - YSC

Commodores Weekend - Great fun in spite of the rain

What a fantastic club we are!!!!

Well the weekend forecast couldn't have been worse but that didn't deter a great turn out for the 80th Anniversary Commodores Weekend

Gerard kicked us off with bacon butties and then the celebrations began.

Lots of boat swapping took us through to the first of the childrens races - The Funny Face Race and as you can see it wasnt just the kids who got their faces painted. Everyone joined in the fun.

We then raised £47 in the Charity Race for Cancer Research before setting up the Oaks Relay

(Oak because thats the symbol for 80th Anniversary) David Statmans team set off at a pace with Patricks team still wondering whether the race had started - there was a big effort to catch up but David and his team ended up winning.

The day was rounded off with a barbeque for the stalwarts and the midnight race for those with good eyesight. Well done to all who took part.

Sunday was not much better weather wise, but the kids got off to a great start with a canoe race and raft building. It was dry for them but ......

That didnt last -

A superb lunch was provided by the catering team and enjoyed by all, before a good race to burn off some calories. Then the famous bottle race got underway with a great entry of sailors armed with water pistols.

Throughout the day Yvonne ran her bring and buy with some members getting hold of a bargain or two

The prize giving finished off a great weekend with prizes for everyone who took part.

Wine, chocolates, toys galore there was no shortage of winners and a piece of celebration cake for everyone.

Tim was very pleased with the outcome and would like to thank the Committee and members for all the help they gave and to those who supported the event so well by taking part.

My thanks to everyone!

Round The Island Race 2008

YSC Round The Island Race 2008

Participants –Glenis Burgess, John Dore and his daughter Lynn, Gerard Kennedy, Dominic Kennedy, Robert Jordan, Catherine Jordan, Tim Hattersley

Wow!

This year 8 YSC members crewed a brand new Elan 43 Yacht ‘ Wight Orca’ in the 50 mile, largest yacht race in the world around the Isle of Wight.

Superbly organised by Glenis we set off for a weekend of sailing with the benefit of a hired experienced skipper - Dave Ogden helping make the experience all the more exciting.

After a blustery sail on the Friday to get used to the boat and an excellent meal cooked by Gerard and John we were up at 4.30am and soon on our way to the start line for our 6.40am slot. The winds were light to begin with, but forecast to build to force 4/5 south-westerly for the bulk of the race, which they definitely did.

With nearly 2000 entries expected the sight in the waiting areas was just incredible.

At 6.30am we ‘got in the mix’ as Dave the skipper puts it, and we jostled for a good start which we duly got. We tacked goodness knows how many times on route to the Needles dodging numerous other participants sometimes with just a few feet to spare – tide was with us so we made good progress as the wind began to build.

As we rounded the Needles and headed for St Catherine’s Point the sea state was described in reports afterwards as grim, hairy, wild, lumpy and on the edge – the wind had built to 25 knots and understandably a number of our crew were by now suffering the dreaded sea sickness – in fact there was just 4 of us and the skipper left on deck. Catherine was a star and helmed through much of the wild patch under the watchful eye of Dave. Around us we witnessed many boats broaching, a helicopter winching, life boats towing and rescuing, spinnakers tearing and flying all over the place - wow!

The official toll afterwards was 4 boats dis-masted, 5 damaged and in need of towing, 1 sank, 1 upturned, 11 man over boards, 5 injuries with one needing hospitalisation
(but is fine now), 5 boats ran aground and just under 200 had to retire. But thank goodness not us. In the end we came a formidable 505th with a time of 9 hours 10mins placing us 24th in our group out of 52.

We had a brilliant race and felt a great sense of achievement. After a very pleasant evening and a few well earned drinks we all crashed out in our bunks. On Sunday we had a relaxing sail up Southampton water and were treated to a guided explanation of the history of all the landmarks on route by our exceptionally knowledgeable skipper. A final treat was in store for us though, as Ellen McArthur passed in her own yacht and gave us a wave. Since she had to retire from the race with a broken halyard I suppose we technically beat her – never mind Ellen.

You can visit http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk/ for a full round up of the event but in summary 1875 yachts entered, 1750 started, 1557 finished including us.

It’s Commodore’s Weekend !!

Last reminder to everybody – It’s Commodore’s Weekend this weekend, it’s the one weekend in the year that shouldn’t be missed by anybody in the Club, from Tuesday Night new starter to top racer !
Come down and join in with everything that is going on.
See the recent news item for the full program of happenings, but please remember to bring down any sailing gear you may have grown out of, or the colour doesn’t now match your boat, etc., etc. for the ‘Bring and Buy Sail (Sale)’ on Sunday.

See you all there !!!!!!!!!

Flaming June

After a glorious week one could be mistaken into thinking that summer had arrived ! An enthusiastic bunch of Juniors arrived for the Saturday Lunchtime training session and after a brief introduction session got their boats lined up ready to sail. The temperature was not warm to start off with and by the time we started the first sailing exercise a light drizzle was falling. The drizzle got progressively worst, and it got colder as the session went on. Despite that everybody got involved in the race training exercises, coping with the variable winds as well as every thing else until we all got too cold and came in for a warm up.



Unfortunately the cold and wet put all but a few getting involved in the Junior Race that followed the training session. This race was combined with the normal club racing and despite deteriorating weather there was a good turn out from the rest of the club for the afternoon’s racing. The drizzle had turned into consistent fine rain by this point and despite the wind becoming quite steady it was only the dedicated few who ventured out for the second race

As for Sunday the wind blew ‘old boots’, and it was a day for being at home in front of a warm fire, but it’s June !!!!!!!!!!!!

Commodores Weekend Itinerary Announced

80TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR
COMMODORES WEEKEND
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
5TH AND 6TH JULY

All members, family and friends are welcome.

SATURDAY

11.30 -The Committee and any other willing helpers prepare for the fun
12.30 – Free sailing / boat swapping / picnic lunch / Bacon Butties
14.00 - Junior ‘funny face’ race – prizes for the wackiest face
15.00 – Charity race for Cancer Research - £2.00 min entry fee
16.30 – ‘The Oaks’ North South Relay Race – A brand new race for the 80th Anniversary – prizes for effort and winning
17.30 – Family quiz
19.00 – Commodores Barbeque – bring your preferred food and drink
22.00 – ‘Midnight Race’

SUNDAY

11.30 – Canoe ‘Round The Island’ race / Raft Building - bring your water pistols
‘Bring and Buy’ sailing gear
13.00 – Commodores ‘Clubhouse Lunch’ – a feast for everyone
14.30 – A one hour race for everyone
16.00 - The famous ‘Bottle Race’ bring all your plastic bottles
17.00 – Prize giving
17.30 – Committee tidy up and so to bed

Personal Handicap Pursuit Races

I threatened to do it and I did. The pursuit race on Saturday was based on personal handicaps (as well as PY) so each helm had an individual start time. The consensus was that, despite appearing to verge on chaos, it worked surprisingly well and is worth repeating!

The main conclusion is that there needs to be a 'synchronize' stopwatches event and a white-board with individual start times on the committee boat. There is also plenty of scope for confusion if some of the slower boats have already completed a lap before the fast boats start.

Patrick

HERON, MIRROR AND TOPPER OPEN
SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2008

Warm & sunny – Wind, as last year, light, and variable in direction.

MIRRORS

Peter Sedgewick, from Ripon, led the field throughout the race. The up and coming juniors from the home fleet, Matthew and Benjamin Lulham-Robinson, assumed a well deserved second position initially, but the greater experience of Callum Escritt, aided and abetted by his veteran crew, told as the race proceeded, and Bob Towler of Beaver achieved a worthy third place. Towards the back of the fleet, the Hide sisters (in two boats) , of Ripon, had a private but thrilling battle, which Catherine just won.

Second Race. Flushed with success, Peter Sedgewick once again took pole position, but was finally ousted by young Callum. The young L>Robinsons quietly crept through into second position, just pipping Peter at the post.

In the last race, Matthew and Ben got off to a good start, but trouble soon loomed up in the shape of the Escritt team, who then maintained their lead to the end. Peter, who had a poor start, then sailed through the fleet, finishing a worthy third.

FULL ROLL CALL

1	70503	Escritt Callum	Yorkshire Dales S.C.
2	67493	Sedgewick Peter	Ripon S.C.
3	25004	Lulham-Robinson Matthew	Yeadon S.C.
4	70056	Towler Bob	Beaver S.C.
5	70167	Hide Catherine	Ripon S.C.
6	40984	Hinks David	Yeadon S.C.
7	68366	Hide Ellie	Ripon S.C.

HERONS

Dennis Beard knows the way around Yeadon Tarn, albeit challenged by Philip Lund of Redesmere.. Then, from nowhere, appeared our veteran sailor, Chris Dufton, sailing the oldest boat in Yorkshire, who just pipped Philip at the post.

Race 2. Dennis led, this time pursued by two Yeadon veterans, Tim Gatti (of Mirror fame), and Patrick Gaunt. Pat managed to overtake Tim, and to the latter’s chagrin, who should turn up from the back of the fleet to snatch third place, but (you’ve guessed it), caveman Chris!

In the last race, Tim Gatti had a brilliant start (was over the line, restarted and arrived at the windward mark first!), and then, oh no, not that Dufton chap again. Chris took the lead, and whilst Tim shadowed Chris, Philip sneaked in to take second place

FULL ROLL CALL

1	10070	Beard Denis	Yeadon S.C.
2	108	Dufton Chris	Yeadon S.C.
3	10044	Lund Philip	Redesmere S.C.
4	7741	Gaunt Patrick	Yeadon S.C.
5	10309	Gatti Tim	Yeadon S.C.
6	10092	Polwart Calum	Derwent S.C.

TOPPER

Unhappily, a clash of event dates precluded the usual contenders from visiting us, and coupled with football injuries, there were only 2 boats on the water, perhaps the smallest attendance we have ever recorded.

Matthew Escritt of Yorkshire Dales, as expected, got away at the start, but Sarah Woffenden fought hard and managed to overtake him. But as the race proceeded, the combination of experience, weight and athleticism told its story, and Matthew eventually triumphed.


Race 2. This time our local lass showed the visitor a clean pair of heels, and a battle royal ensued, but again, youth (and a new boat) finally triumphed.

In the third race, our visitor had clearly got the measure of his opponent, and Matthew led all the way. Well sailed.

FULL ROLL CALL

1	45101	Escritt Matthew	Yorkshire Dales S.C.
2	11683	Woffenden Sarah	Yeadon S.C.

Laser & Solo Open Meeting 18 May 08

Last year a party of competitors from the other side of the Pennines had an accident on the way here and never arrived. This year they drove more carefully, but forgot to bring the wind with them. Nonetheless, we were glad to see them.

The weather was cloudy, the wind perhaps Force 2, from the North, which did not make for exciting sailing.

Race 1. Josh Moran, a rising star from nearby Otley, was quick off the mark, but Hamish Gledhill, of West Riding S.C., was right on his tail, which position was held for over 3 laps. In the absence of stronger winds, which might have allowed for more enterprising positioning on the beats, Josh was able to fend of his challenger, and he gradually extended his lead over the final laps. The sole lady contender, the lovely Wendy Jones from Dovestone S.C., had been occupying third place during the first half of the race, but was then assailed by Tim Lowe from Redesmere. They were almost glued together for a couple of laps, until Tim just squeezed ahead to take third place.

Race 2. Just a tad more wind, and a few spots of rain. Hamish had good fortune at the start, with Neil Skellam of Leigh & Lowton S.C. behind him. Local veteran John Simms, late of Otley, constituted a threat in third place, then had to battle for the rest of the race with his old Otley chum, Josh Moran, but bravely held him off, and took 3^rd place behind Hamish and Neil, whose positions had remained unchanged.

Race 3. The wind was dying, but the third race proved the most thrilling. Once again Hamish led the field, with Tim Lowe following. After 2 laps Tim managed to get ahead, and extended his lead right to the end. But the best performance of the day was by Wendy, who managed to shake off her clubmate Ian Lees, and then Neil. Wendy steadily gained ground, and finally overtook Hamish, to finish in 2^nd place, a very fine result indeed. Hamish took 3^rd place, proving to be a well deserved winner overall.

EPILOGUE

And what about the lads (John Simms excluded)! Just look at those boat numbers. New boats – new sails. How can humble (to say nothing of “mature”) Yorkshire working lads compete against young, athletic, rich visitors? Grizzled veteran Phil Graham performed very consistently. Andrew and Mick snapping at his heels. The absence of wind prevented David Statman from giving his usual display of aquatic acrobatics. Get down to the Gym, lads. We’ll show ‘em next year!

FINAL ROLLCALL

1. 185960 Hamish Gledhill West Riding S.C.
2. 186697 Tim Lowe Redesmere S.C.
3. 187497 Josh Moran Otley S.C.
4. 169090 Wendy Jones Dovestone S.C.
5. 170471 Neil Skellam Leigh & Lowton S.C.
6=. 182224 Ian Lees Dovestone
6=. 121822 John Simms Yeadon S.C.
8. 182223 Tom Goddard Dovestone
9. 180421 Phil Graham Yeadon
10. 166406 Mick Bower Yeadon
11. 160687 David Statman Yeadon
12. 83566 Andrew Cowling Yeadon
13. 149413 Gerard Kennedy Yeadon

Reflections on a good weekend !

While the Open Day was happening at the Club, two Yeadon Juniors were sailing on Rutland Water for the weekend, racing against the best RYA Zone Junior Squad Sailors from across the country in the RYA Eric Twiname Championships which conclude the hard winter’s training programme for all the Zone Squads.
On Saturday there was no sailing because there was no wind, but Sunday was better and the boats launched early and were able to get 3 races in. In a tough fleet of 28 Mirrors, Matthew and Benjamin produced some consistent results, always in the top half, coming 8th overall, which is a brilliant result, especially they are one of the younger teams in the Squads

In case you were worried it’s not all hard sailing, there was quite a bit of socialising, especially whilst waiting for the wind on Saturday, and a massive tournament of ‘Human’ Table football also took place

As they were running the races ‘back to back’ everybody would be out on the water for some time, so it tickled Heather that right in the middle of the courses there was a Portaloo sat on top a support boat so that the sailors could visit the loo between the races should they so require ! Not something you see everyday in the middle of a lake.

Good luck to Matthew and Benjamin for when they take part in their first major open Championships, the Mirror Nationals at Llandudno, over Spring Bank Holiday period

Open Day Success

The sun shone, the Club house was busy and there were lots of boats out on the Tarn, it was only the wind that forgot to turn up !

Even so, lots of people took the opportunity to be able to glide across the Tarn for the first time, chasing the zephyrs throughout the day. Most people seemed to enjoy it and there were lots of smiles as they came off the water.

Club members turned up in force to help out, telling people what we did, answering questions, fitting people out with buoyancy aids and taking people out on the Tarn. While in the kitchen Gerard, Mary and others, kept the many visitors and club members fed and watered.

Many thanks to all the club members who were able to support, and helped the day to be a success, and also to the Leeds Sailing Centre for their support too.

It looks like it could be very busy for the next few Tuesdays, so any club members with access to a two man boat, and who could come down and help would be very much appreciated !!!

Sad news about Sandra Cowling

Many of you will have heard the sad news of the recent death of Sandra Cowling.
Our deepest sympathy goes to Andrew and Luke.
Sandra was a keen sailor and a great member of the YSC - she will be sadly missed.

Her funeral takes place on Tuesday 13th May at Christs Church ,The Grove, Ilkley at 11.00am.
Flowers are requested from family only with donations to the NSPCC.

Any club member wishing to attend is welcome to do so.

You can’t rely on the weather – The Tale of Two Days

This Saturday was one of the busiest this season so far. We started off early Saturday lunchtime with a junior training session and then had a great turn out in the afternoon sunshine for the Series races.

Sunday on the other hand was just miserable in the grey and the drizzle.

Thanks to John and Sarah, who had the sunshine and to Mike and Barabra, who had the drizzle, the OODs for the weekend making most of the awkward cross Tarn winds.

Success in Yorkshire Youth Series

This weekend the Yorkshire and Humberside Youth Series Regatta was held high up on the Moors, in the shadow of the Ovenden Moor wind generator farm, at Halifax SC. The wind generators are well placed as it is always windy up there !
Yeadon were represented by Adam, in his Topper, and Matthew and Benjamin, in their Mirror.
Despite being not particularly well before hand Matthew and Benjamin sailed two good races and were either first or second Mirror, and were mid fleet in the overall results.
Adam however certainly found the conditions to his liking, so much so that he won the event !
Well done Adam !

The series goes on every weekend until July and is a great chance to race against other Juniors and it is a good training ground as Juniors from the Club have found in the past.

The remainder of the events in the YHYSA series are ;

10th May - Beaver
17th May - Welton
31st May - Ripon
7th June - Yorkshire Dales
14th June - Otley
21st June - Pennine
28th June - West Riding
5th July - Rotherham
12th and 13th July - Filey Regatta (Two Day Event to finish with)

For more information about the series please speak to either Neil McInnes or John Simms

Training in Full Swing

Yeadon Sailing Club’s Training programme is now in full swing. The Tuesday Night programme kicked off with a couple of well attended sessions and it looks like it will be a bumper season. All Club members are welcome to come down and get involved, either if you want to improve your sailing or to help out. We could particularly could do with people who have access to double handed boats to get involve on the helping out side.
The Tuesday Night Sessions run until the 12th August. Come down get involved, it’s really good fun, sessions start at 7.00pm, please be changed and ready for then.

Also this weekend the regular Saturday Lunch Time Junior Training Sessions started with a good turn.
The object of the sessions is get the Juniors out on the Tarn and sailing more confidently and focused, but having a bit of fun as well, and we would also like to encourage them to get involved in the Junior races, other Club racing and possibly other junior sailing events as well.

The programme is similar to last year and will run until Commodore’s Weekend, with sailing skills sessions and racing skills sessions (linked to the Junior Race days) ;

Sessions start at 12.00 prompt and everybody should changed and ready with their boats rigged by then. We go on until just before 2.00 pm and then anybody who wants to join in with the Club racing at 2.30 pm can do.

PRACTICE YOUR SAILING FROM 12.00 ON SATURDAYS

In our research towards the Future of YSC a number of members have commented how they would like to be able to practice their sailing skills or even just have a leisurely sail, at times outside of the scheduled racing, but with the comfort of having safety boat cover too.

Neil and his team do a fantastic job in running the training sessions, but up to now we have never provided a clearly defined session for those who desire the freedom to simply sail their boats without formality.

We would like to change this and so from Saturday 17th May we will commence a pilot for up to 6 months and provide safety boat cover on the water from 12.00 to allow a 2 hour slot for the freedom to sail prior to racing as usual.

This will not affect the Junior training course in any way.

It does mean that the OOD and AOOD will have to set up earlier, so would you all consider your dates and if you cannot meet this commitment please arrange for a swap of cover or approach a committee member who will try to help.

I do believe that this development will in time, attract a whole new element of member sailing enthusiasts and hopefully will encourage the many unloved and unsailed boats in the dinghy park to be seen on the water.

Thank you for your help with this new venture.

Tim Hattersley
Commodore

OPEN DAY - MAY 10TH

In our 80th Anniversary Year we would like to invite as many new visitors as possible to the club on our Open Day. Saturday 10th May.

Starting at about 10.00 with bacon butties we hope to give visitors a really great welcome and a chance to meet club members before experiencing the joy of sailing.

Please invite anyone along who you think may be interested and I would ask club members to come along to help out.

We will be promoting the day in various publications but there is nothing like a personal invite.

Tim Hattersley

Swan Song - A Real Tribute

This weekend, during the lunch break for the Race Training Session, saw the launch of Swan Song – Heron 10309.

Originally named Kittiwake and built in 1957, the Heron was acquired by Donald Acklam over 20 years ago as a near wreck . It was an ongoing restoration project which continuously got delayed for Donald to carry out more urgent repairs and renovation projects for the boats of other Club Members.

He did, however, somehow find time to carry out a complete rebuild of the hull, replacing all the timbers with the exception of two stringers and a small section of the stem.

He incorporated a double-floor in the cockpit for additional buoyancy, (similar to the latest Butler FRP Heron), as well as a half-height built-in buoyancy tank in the bow and three-quarter length tank/seats port and starboard instead of traditional benches and buoyancy bags.

Rather than fit transom flaps, the hull floor was recessed to accommodate two self-bailers to facilitate drainage.

Work was halted in 2004 and no further activity undertaken until his death in December 2006, although he had said that he thought that finishing his Heron would be his last project.

Howard Chadwick and Donald’s son Richard asked Tim Gatti if he would complete the renovation of the Heron as a fitting tribute to Donald and the work he had put in on so many Club members’ boats over the years.

After many months of hard work repairing, sanding down, expoxying, painting, varnishing, and fitting-out and to many admiring glances as the work progressed, Kittiwake turned into Swan Song, which was felt to be, now, a more fitting name for it.

Following discussions with the Heron Association, in November 2007, on the extent of the rebuild undertaken - virtually the whole fabric of the dinghy has been replaced with new timbers and the structure changed to a modern ply/epoxy design, they agreed to register the hull as a new boat under its new name and to issue it with a new sail number.

When it arrived on Saturday it certainly looked magnificent, Tim had done Donald proud !!

With Richard Acklam in attendance, and Club members gathered around, it was launched with Donald’s traditional blessing of Newcastle Brown ( rather than champagne ), and then Tim and Tace sailed it in the brisk north easterly to show everybody what it could do.

Thank you Tim for all your hard work and efforts !

Adult Race Training Day

‘Best laid plans of mice and men’

The plan for the day basically got ripped up as soon as we saw the cold north easterly blowing down the tarn. Looking at the newly installed weather station didn’t help either as it confirmed the wind speed and the outside temperature. With the club filling up with keen (?) sailors wanting to get going we rapidly came up with ‘Plan B’ or was it ‘C’ ?

Howard and Neil went through the basic principles of setting courses and start lines for OOD’s, then starting from a sailor’s point of view. Then they couldn’t drag it out any longer and it was time for the first on the water exercise. Terry and Gail volunteered to be OODs for the session and we ran simple a simple start and up and back exercises. With the wind still strong it certainly wasn’t simple for the sailors and John G, Yvonne and Luke were kept busy in the second safety boat.

We then had a quick lunch break which allowed John and Neil give some feed back on the first session. This was followed by a brief interlude to launch ‘Swansong’, the late Donald Acklam’s unfinished Heron project, which now has been beautifully finished off by Tim G, and then it was back out on the water again.

This time Mick and Ian took over the OODs role and we extended the course to test people’s boat handling skills. The wind also decided to help at this point by adding some big gusts just to make things even more interesting. Once most people had tested the water at least once we decided enough was enough

and we finished the day slightly early. Over a warm drink Neil and John gave everybody a final debrief before we packed everything away

Over the day we had 12 boats out on the water and a few more sailors getting involved in the discussions in the club without getting their boats out. Most people seemed to enjoy it and got something out of the day, despite the conditions.

Thanks to everybody who helped with the running of the day !

It was testament to those who did go out that some of the more seasoned experienced sailors who came down in the afternoon decided it was too cold and windy for them to join in with the sailing !!!!!!!

Slowly Getting Better !

After the snow of last week the weather is slowly starting to improve and more and more people are getting their boats out !
Saturday was very windy at times and that seem to keep the numbers down, whereas by late Sunday it seemed positively warm despite the northerly wind.

Thanks to Howard and Helen for officiating on Saturday, and Clive and Sandra for doing the same on Sunday.

Wednesday night racing starts this week ( 16th ) and next Weekend we have an Adult Race Training Day on Saturday ( 19th ) from 11.00 to 17.00, where we are going look at ‘OOD’ing, safety boat handling, and lots of short sharp races to get yourselves in tune for the season ahead !

Looking forward to seeing lots of you there !