Moths National Championships
This event proved quite a challenging one even for the skilled competitors taking part, who included Olympic, world, European and national champions.
It was not so much the wind speed, which varied up to gusts of force six (25 knots or 30 mph), but because of the considerable swell and chop of the sea state with the easterly nature of the winds.
The foils which these boats employ, raise the hull completely out of the water and it is claimed that this is easier to sail than without the foil when the canoe shaped hull has to be balanced on its knife-edge keel.
Either way, it seems to me that these craft are mischievous if not downright impossible! In an uneven swell, the task becomes even more difficult.
On the Tuesday when conditions were not very different to the Monday (when racing was called-off), there was general consensus to race as it was their last day.
At the start there were waves between 1 and 1.5m from trough to crest and this increased to 2m at times over the period of the two scheduled races.
The slogan of turning a drama into a crisis seems particularly apt in respect of capsizes with Moths on foils - when they 'lose it', it can be extremely spectacular!
On one occasion, a helm was seen to be catapulted forwards yards out of his boat as it 'pitch-poled' - i.e. dug its nose in and somersaulted forwards. Nobody avoided a number of spills that day.
Perhaps the most impressive and eery aspect of these boats is that they move through the water at huge speeds (25knots was suggested at times) but with hardly any sound at all because they are riding out of the water on their foils. I was fortunate to be helping on the committee boat on the Tuesday and so experienced this phenomena close-to and found it really thrilling.
A total of 39 competitors entered the event from all over the UK and one all the way from Holland. Six races were achieved with the first three places being fought over very strongly. Points are awarded according to position i.e. one for first, two for second, etc. and the first three competitors obtained 12, 13 and 14 points respectively which is exceptionally close and consistent. Full results can be seen on the saundersfootsailingclub.org.uk website.
Overall, the event was most stimulating and enjoyable and the club was delighted to have been able to provide a venue for this competition and entertain a really great group of sailors for the four days.
Club Racing
Two races were held last week with a south westerly force three, gusting four.
Graham, with help from Charlie and Anita on safety cover, set a Monkstone-Pendine-Harbour course giving a downwind start, a broad reach to the Pendine mark and then a good beat back home.
Paul Griffiths gave a convincing performance in his Solo to win both races followed by Keith Jones sailing the Feva single handed with mainsail only who was chased all the way by The Girls in the Graduate (some people have all the luck!).
Paul Johnston and Chris Bannister in the Laser 2000 hoisted their spinnaker on the reach in the second race which proved their downfall with a dramatic inversion and the loss of a place.
The Hinksmen Fleet was also out in force with Steve, Ben and Harry all competing strongly.
Racing this week was cancelled because of the strong winds on Sunday.
Future Events
We are still in need of extra volunteers please to help with the inter-club event on Saturday, August 15, and the Regatta on the weekend of August 22 and 23. Please contact Tina on 812383 or Graham on 07890 987825.
Social Programme
The hog roast last Saturday was a resounding success with around 120 members and guests consuming an entire pig and in high spirits throughout, encouraged by the impromptu and at times risqué entertainment from Butch.
It was rumoured that Art Garfunkel was mingling in the crowd, but could not be persuaded to perform! Spontaneous singing from the masses however made any extra entertainment completely unnecessary.
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 with live entertainment - more details to follow.
Nautical Nips
Those of you who have been concerned for two weeks now (I have been away on holiday) about contact with Scyphozoa or Hydrozoa may well have realised that these are the jellyfish which are often observed in the bay.
There are some 200 species of jellyfish worldwide ranging from tiny (1.5mm), to impressive (over 2m across). Jellyfish are 99 per cent water and feed on small animals which come into contact with stinging cells which cover the top surface of the bell and tentacles which hang around its edge.
They have a circular canal round the edge of the bell which feeds into a four chambered stomach. The stinging cells can cause considerable discomfort to humans and in the case of an Indian Ocean species can kill within minutes - I thought you would all like to know this fact! Some species are most attractive but because of their stinging characteristics they are not welcome visitors near bathing beaches.
Skipper's Mate