Wind-Up and Warm-Up
The competitors in the final Warm-Up Series races were blown around the course in some heart stopping conditions last Sunday.
Conditions were euphemistically described by one participant as 'quite blowy and lumpy' and by another as 'pretty terrifying'!
Graham with a wide grin on his face was surfing down the waves in his safety Dory as in The Perfect Storm.
It is not often that the starters box is crammed with more officials than there are competitors, but in view of the weather who can be surprised?
Three boats started the first race, but Andrew Williams made a dramatic flying exit from his Laser when his toe straps broke and had to retire. Ben Dancer controlled his Laser Radial most proficiently to win both races with Paul Johnson in his Solo hard on his heels.
The provisional overall rankings for the Warm-Up Series are: 1. Peter Bower (Phantom); 2. Paul Johnson (Solo); 3. with equal points, but fewer races Paul Griffiths (Solo).
Pre-Coppet Safety Briefing
Can all Coppet Week safety boat helms and crews, OODs and assistants please attend the safety briefing to be held at the clubhouse at 2 pm tomorrow (Saturday). It is extremely important that you attend. Before the briefing, we will be sorting out all the boats and equipment required. So if you can attend earlier please come and give a hand.
Coppet Week
The village will start filling up tomorrow (Saturday) with competitors for this important event.
Weather permitting, racing starts on Sunday at 11 am and at the same time every day for the week, with results and prize-giving after the last race on Friday.
The club is open every day with breakfast served from 9 am and lunchtime refreshments from midday. The bar is open every day from 11 am until late with very competitively priced drinks, including real ale.
There is a full programme of social events all at 8 pm (except prize giving at 8.30 pm) in the clubhouse for all members and competitors and their families as follows: Tomorrow (Saturday) - Commodore's Reception with Bucks Fizz and Nibbles; Sunday - presentation of RNLI trophy and donation to RNLI; Monday - BBQ; Tuesday - quiz night with prizes; Wednesday - live entertainment by Elephant Gerald; Thursday - live entertainment by Julie; Friday - results and prize-giving.
Tickets will be needed for the Monday BBQ - available during the registration period and at any time from the bar.
Dinghy Park Theft
Sadly, another theft has occurred from the dinghy park. The thieves cut through an alarmed wire lock on the bow and a hardened chain padlock on the stern so this was very much premeditated for use by a boat user.
This was the Dancer family's RIB which was a Brig F2.75m, marked with ID No NP76LZ and serial No 5422/01, dated 24/7/01.
This is not a very common boat so do keep a lookout in case you see it.
Please report any information to PC Terry Pugh at Tenby Police Station - call 101 local. There is a reward, contact 01424 718811 (ref 10573).
Skipper's Mate