Club Sailing

Wednesday: The strong north-westerly wind that had been blowing all day was easing by the time of the club race at 7.30 pm. The Ospreys of Mike Stace and Deanna Morton, Ted Lewis and Matt Goldwait and Nick Berridge and Richard John were joined at the start by the RS500 of Edward Dashfield and Emily Kirby and the Phantom of Paul Redford. Race officer Bill Dowell set a triangular course with an upwind start at Monkstone and in towards the North Bay and then out again with spinnakers hoisted round the eastern mark and back to Monkstone.

At the start, it was Edward and Emily from Ted and Matt and the rest of the fleet. Positions were exchanged during a hotly contested first beat, but at the windward mark it was Ted and Matt who rounded first and hoisted spinnakers for the downwind ride. Mike and Deanna made good ground on the first reach taking pole position, but Edward and Emily then demonstrated their downwind speed and hit the front.

After three enjoyable laps and on corrected time, the race was won by Edward and Emily, followed by Mike and Deanna and Nick and Richard, who had made up good ground on the penultimate lap by taking the upwind leg right in towards the cliffs.

The fleet then retired for rehydration on the balcony and a reverse auction of the few remaining beef burgers. Thanks Terry!

Sunday: Sunday morning dawned grey and forbidding and with a boisterous westerly creating whitecaps in the bay. Numbers were down, with only the Osprey of Ted Lewis and Matt Goldwait, the RS500 of Edward Dashfield and Emily Kirby, the Phantom of Nick Berridge and the 49er of Tommy D'Ortez and Connor Keohane intending to race. Paul Redford and Danny Owen were race officers and set a largish triangular course with the wind started in from Monkstone towards North Beach, turning left back out to sea and left again back to the start.

Tommy and Connor were having difficulty with their 49er and did not make the start, but the other three boats started in close formation. The power of the Osprey going upwind soon told and Ted and Matt reached the windward mark first and bore away, raising the spinnaker to enjoy the downwind ride.

Edward and Emily in the RS500, not far behind, did the same and came surging past the Osprey with some ease.

At the jibe mark, boat handling in the Osprey was found wanting in the midst of a black gust and, although keeping the boat upright, the correct course was not sailed, causing the need to re-round. The RS500 made good its escape and was not headed again in the race.

On the second lap, more of the same. All competitors capsized and the RS500 suffered damage, meaning it could no longer fly its spinnaker, perhaps a blessing in disguise. The Osprey capsized trying to hoist its spinnaker; the Phantom capsized just going too fast off the top of a wave.

After an exhilarating race in testing, but enjoyable conditions, it was the RS500 first, the Phantom second (by a matter of seconds) and the Osprey third, paying the price for stopping for a swim!

Cruiser Racing

Four yachts entered Saturday's cruiser race in ideal racing conditions.

The course of North Highcliff, Giltar, North Highcliff, Giltar and home certainly posed a tactical dilemma. Three yachts tacked towards Caldey, but Astra tacked back towards the Tenby side on rounding North Highcliff and made half-a-mile on the fleet in favourable tide and wind.

This canny tactical move was sufficient to ensure a win for Roy Lawrence in yacht Astra.

The final results were as follows: Astra helmed by Roy Lawrence; Tejeda helmed by John Griffiths; Beagle helmed by Rolly Squibbs; Slipstream helmed by Blake Shaw.

Junior

Training

Yet again over 35 youngsters turned up for the usual junior training session which resulted in 20 club boats on the water, again a magnificent sight. Conditions were again very favourable for training.

After the training session, the trainees and racers were treated to the legendary Terry Evans BBQ.

Sessions are planned for every Wednesday at 5.15 pm, weather permitting.

Saturday Adult Training

The adult training sessions run by commodore, Mark Dashfield, will continue as usual throughout the summer. Adults who wish to participate should contact their personal trainer or Mark Dashfield on 844918.

Please note places are by prior arrangement only.

Jam Evening

Monday's jam session was superb. A plethora of musicians descended on the club to entertain a very appreciative audience. One of the highlights of the evening was Nick Thomas's proposal of marriage to Liz Denner. Nick proposed through the medium of song. He used his own lyrics to the song Ain't Nobody's Business. Thankfully Liz accepted, which was greeted with a huge round of applause and cheers from an emotional audience. We wish Nick and Liz every happiness together.

The next jam session is provisionally scheduled for Monday, August 17. Don't miss it - it's the place to be!

Friday 'food' Club

Nick Bolwell will be serving his culinary delights this week. Come on down and enjoy great food in one of the best watering holes in Europe.

Summer Ball

 

Hot off the press is the long anticipated date for the TSC 2009 Summer Ball at Trefolyne, which will be held on Saturday, August 22. Menu details etc will be available soon - watch this space. Numbers will be limited so, to pre-book your tickets, ring Julia Dashfield on 01834844918. It is anticipated it will be a repeat of the highly successful and much talked about 2008 Ball. Again the music will be by the ever-popular Cherie.

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