Ben Dancer Laser Success

Ben Dancer has been continuing with his efforts and success in the Welsh Youth Racing and is now Welsh Schools Laser Radial Champion and also has the award for highest non-Welsh squad sailor.

To achieve this position, he was first Laser Radial and fourth overall - pipped by two GB squad 420's. In Cardiff Bay, he came third behind the same two 420's, and in Neyland last week was first overall and lead the Laser fleet in all six races by a mile. In the latest weekend event at Teifi Boat Club, he came first in the Handicap fleet.

A great performance against stiff competition, surely a place in the Welsh squad awaits - very well done Ben.

 

Other Club Youth Success

Megan Borman secured third place in the Oppie Fleet during the CYRCS Teifi weekend so is following close in Ben's wake.

They all had to struggle against a five knot tide to get back to the slipway with the Oppies needing a tow.

Moths National Championships

The Moths arrived in force last Saturday with 36 of these extreme looking dinghies launching for the first race on Saturday. Visibility closed in before the scheduled second race, but in a strong breeze on Sunday, three good races were sailed with some pleasant sunshine as well. This must have presented an amazing spectacle from the shore - someone estimated that they must have been doing 25 knots at times. Safety boats needed to be on their metal not only to look for rescue situations but also to avoid being in the way of these flying machines.

A full report will be included in next week's news.

Commemoration

Members and other Saundersfoot locals will wish to be aware of the memorial service to be held at Brunel Quay, Neyland for Roger Stephens at 6.30 pm on Tuesday, July 28 - which would have been his 72nd birthday. Roger was a longstanding SSC member and a very experienced cruiser sailor. A number of members sailed with him delivering boats to various locations. Last year, he undertook a round the world voyage and was sadly reported lost at sea last July. Our thoughts go out to all his family.

Clubhouse

You may have noticed the new sign over the entrance acknowledging the club as an RYA Sailing Centre and we are very grateful to member Ray Smith whose company RS Transport sponsored this new addition.

Social Programme

The club is open this weekend tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) evenings and for lunchtime and around racing on Sunday. Other events: Saturday, July 25 - hog roast at 7.30 pm with accompanying music from Butch; Saturday, August 15 - club social at 7.30 pm following the inter-club racing with Tenby SC; Saturday, August 22 - club social at 7.30 pm following the Saundersfoot Regatta dinghy racing.

Nautical Nips

Last week you were left in the dark puzzling over a light exhibiting the following -Fl(3)WR.20s65m13/9M. This means a light which flashes three times in quick succession and repeats every 20 seconds, is 65metres above sea level (mean high water springs) and is coloured white and red - the white beam having a nominal range of 13 miles and the red a range of 9 miles.

One significance of the colour is that if you can see the red from seaward you know that you are less than nine miles off the coast. No other light has the same characterisitcs so in the dark you would know that this has to be Caldey Island lighthouse. Check it out next clear dark night.

I have been taken to task over my call to ornithologists (and others) to help with the Moths a couple of weeks ago. It was pointed out that moths are not birds - but I would suggest that this is arguable! Also, had I called on lepidoptologists, the appeal might have been less successful! Whilst we are mouthing latin tongue twisters can any of you have a go at Scyphozoa or perhaps Hydrozoa and why those of you on the water might have first hand and possibly memorable contact with them?

Skipper's Mate