Moths National Championships
From tomorrow (Saturday) until Tuesday, you will be able to see some of the best amateur sailors in the country sailing one of the fastest classes of single hulled dinghies in Saundersfoot Bay.
A total of 11 races are planned over the four days and if there is sufficient wind, these boats can rival the speed of the safety power boats!
Their incredible pace derives from an underwater foil (wing), which they rise up and ride on when sufficient power is generated by the sail.
As the picture shows this makes them look as if they are flying above the sea surface - an incredible sight especially with a fleet of some 30 boats - don't miss it.
The forecast is looking pretty good with winds up to force five during the event, but at the time of writing, it is early days to be dogmatic about local weather conditions!
As an amusing aside, the sailing instructions (the competitors rules) prohibit the use of radios or mobile 'phones whilst racing. The mind boggles as to how anyone can keep these craft upright at all, let alone tune-in to the radio or text others whilst sailing!!
Moths Briefing
There will be a safety briefing at the clubhouse on Friday at 7.30 pm for all helpers for this event. Please try and attend - the bar will be open to keep you refreshed.
All helpers will need to be at the clubhouse by 10 am tomorrow (Saturday) and 9 am on subsequent days please.
Sunday Racing
Last Sunday saw nine boats turn out for the two club races, which was pretty good for a blustery, late afternoon. Race officer Paul Griffiths assisted by Graham Wellman set an Amroth-Monkstone-Harbour (AMH) course, diverting from the usual practice of including a P (Pendine mark) in the day's proceedings.
A competitive start was achieved with the Girls on Top in their Graduate pirouetting on the start line, Sarah capsizing her Laser Radial and Peter in the dreaded Phantom giving everyone else a sporting chance by returning to the start even though he wasn't over the line!
Conditions were very variable, including a heavy rain squall with very strong winds and then a return to almost flat calm. During the storm, most of the fleet disappeared from view in the starter's box on the end of the pier. At the time, there were four or five people sheltering in the hut and they could hardly hear the men's final from Wimbledon on the radio!
Most competitors coped with this downpour, although there were a few capsizes, Paul Johnson in the Solo sought refuge on Coppet Hall beach and the Girls on Top almost became the Girls-under Water!!
Final positions were: 1. Peter Bower (Phantom); 2. Girls Almost on Top (Graduate); 3. Sarah Borman (Laser Radial); 4. Will Horton (Topper); 5. Chris Bannister (Magno); 6. Paul Johnson (Solo) after his trip to Coppet to buy an ice-cream or umbrella; 7. Steve (Topper).
For the second race, the same course was set with conditions still variable, but without the squalls and with more sunshine - so, far more pleasant in the hut and by then into the fifth set at Wimbledon!
Final positions were: 1. Peter; 2. Paul J.; 3. Girls; 4. Will; 5. Steve; 6. Sarah.
The others retired although the Magno was unlucky to do a second lap in common with the top three, but unfortunately came to grief with their gennaker up.
One strange thing noted in the times was that Will Horton in his topper (sail no. 36) finished the first race in 36 minutes and the second race in 36 minutes 36 seconds - pretty spooky - methinks he would have been burned at the stake in the middle ages.
Sail Training
The full training week for improvers is from Monday to Friday, July 27-31, followed by the Junior Helm race at 2 pm on Saturday, August 1. It is hoped that all improvers will have a go in this race and compete for the new Best Junior Novice Racer's Award. To book for the training week please contact Tina on 812383.
Social
Programme
The social programme arranged for the Moths is open to all members and guests who are encouraged to join in.
It is as follows: Tomorrow (Saturday) - Commodore's bucks fizz reception with acoustic guitar music from popular local entertainer Butch, 9 pm; Sunday - BBQ, 7.30 pm; Monday - club open night; Tuesday - buffet and award ceremony in late afternoon, precise time according to racing weather conditions. Real ale on tap for the event.
Saturday, July 25 - Hog Roast, 7.30 pm, with accompanying music from Butch
Saturday, August 15 - Club Social, 7.30 pm, following the Interclub Racing with Tenby SC.
Saturday, August 22 - Club Social, 7.30 pm, following the Saundersfoot Regatta dinghy racing.
Opening times
The club is open on Friday and Saturday evenings and for lunchtime and around racing every Sunday and food is available at most times.
Nautical Nips
The poser last week asked how far away you would be able to see a typical lighthouse? The answer obviously depends upon how tall the lighthouse is and how big a vessel you are on.
In a dinghy, you could see a typical 26m lighthouse around 13 miles away, but from the deck of a ferry it would be visible some 17 miles away.
With modern equipment, the brightness of a lighthouse is far greater than the visibility range caused by the curvature of the earth and from the air may be as much as 30 miles.
This effective distance is called the nominal range. Every official marker light (piers, lighthouses, warning buoys, etc.) has its own distinctive characteristic of duration, repetition and colour which helps to confirm one's general position at night.
The details of all such lights is shown on navigational charts. A lot of information is given in a condensed form - for instance, Fl(3)WR.20s65m13/9M - do you recognise this, you should do! Prizes on a postcard please (no prizes) or wait for explanations next week!
Skipper's Mate