Last Sunday's Airborne Circuit

Winter felt as if it had arrived last week with dark oppressive days of mist, rain and strong gales as a result of the feisty females Irene, Katia and Maria storming across the Atlantic to our shores.

Last week's 4 pm Saturday race (displaced from Sunday to allow all our sailors to participate in the Ironman event!) was thus faced with forecast winds of 5+ and gusts of near gale 7.

Undaunted, our marine Ironmen faced the reality of gusty 5-6 south westerlies, and an enthusiastic line up of gung-ho members undertook a single race for the Jollity Cup (perhaps it should be re-named the Insanity Cup!).

Ben Dancer (Laser) demonstrated his skill by completing three laps of the Pendine, Monkstone, Harbour course to deservedly take the win.

Mick and Phil in the Laser 2000 took second place and also got round without capsizing, although they did have the top of the mast skimming the water quite a lot!

Daniel Davies (Topper) and Ian and Will Myers (Laser Bahia) battled valiantly with the extreme conditions but retired gracefully after a good battering without finishing.

Graham as race officer remained grinning at the conditions alone in the race box whilst hoisting flags, clicking stop watches, blowing the hooter, recording times and operating the radio! Thanks also to Huw and Will who were on patrol.

Club Racing

Next club race is at 9.30 am this Sunday.

Darts

The darting league season dropped upon us somewhat precipitously with our first match against Cresselly Cricket Club last Friday. Interestingly, few of our opponents played cricket, but it was soon clear that all of them played darts!

Our six pack was made up of last year's team stalwarts Ian and Will Myers, Tony Phillips and David Lewis, supported willingly if less ably by Huw Stiley and John Hollies.

In parallel with the non-cricketers, we were all non-round the world yachtsmen, but in contrast to them, none of us had handled any arrows for some time and this did reflect in the score!

Suffice it to say that Ian and Will won their doubles match and we all enjoyed a scrumptious shepherd's pie to round off a good social evening!

Many thanks to absent captain Wendy who still found time to organise the team and prepare the food at a day's notice despite minor distractions like a family wedding the following day.

Regatta

FundRaising

We are delighted to report that £125 was raised for the Sailability charity funds during the regatta and contributions to this good cause which helps those with disabilities enjoy sailing and water activities, can still be made very easily via the weblink http://www.justgiving.com/sscregatta">http://www.justgiving.com/sscregatta

Thank-you Evening Social

A social evening is planned as a thank-you to all members who have helped with our successful season of club racing, Coppet Week, Supernova Nationals, regatta and CYRCS. The likely date is Saturday , October 15 - more details later.

CYRCS

This coming Saturday, we host the last meeting of the year of the Club Youth Racing Circuit. There will be three races run back to back, starting at 11 am. Signing on is at 9.30 and the briefing at 10.15. The clubhouse will be open for teas and coffees all day. There should be a good turnout of budding young sailors from across South Wales. Everyone welcome to help and enjoy.

Skipper's Mate