Coppet Week

Prize-Giving

All the beautiful new blue upholstered seats were full and it was standing room only again for the prize-giving last Friday.

The extra space provided by the departure of the pool table was soon filled! Commodore David James presented the awards, assisted by John Griffiths, including some special prizes and a couple of new ones.

One of these was best helm over 70, which deservedly went to Ken Wilfort, who has expertly shepherded his red-sailed Mirror around Coppet Week for a great number of years.

Standing-in in Ken's absence, Gordon Evans collected the prize, ageing 20 years in the process!

John Shoesmith (Laser Radial) received the prize for best over 60 helm, while Mike Hughes took the over 60 crew prize, hanging out of a state-of-the-art RS400 helmed by wife Ute, who thus gained the best lady helm - which proves you're only as old as you feel!

Keith McDonald and Andy Brittain well deserved the 'over 100 years in a single boat' category, coming fourth overall in their Fireball. At the other end of the spectrum, Eden Hyland was best under 18 helm with the tremendous achievement of coming second overall in his Blaze. Equally impressive under 18 year old was Matt Smith, who crewed the Merlin Rocket which won the event. Ladies honours went to Emily Dashfield, who was top lady crew, coming seventh in the frisky RS500.

A new award was presented to David Drinkwater (Laser) for sheer perseverance and endurance, having sailed all five races, but accumulating more points than others! (fewest points wins!) By public acclaim on the night, Rhys Jones and Rob Whitehouse were presented with flotation aids for best capsizes during the week, but there were many other outstanding candidates.

A total of 70 boats entered, but two did not make it, and they were divided into slow fleet (39 boats) with handicaps above 1050 and fast fleet (29 boats) with handicaps below 1050.

In the slow fleet, sixth place went to Alisdair James (Laser). Paul Young with Nancy Gudgeon crewing took fifth and whose blue sails have graced the event for 25 years, for which he received a special commendation and thanks together with a candle lit cake which was generously shared with all present. Alex and Josh Bale (Scorpion) took fourth, Ian Smith and Jenny Chan (N12) third, our own Ben Dancer (Laser) came second in this fleet, being 10th overall and first local boat. Winner of the slow fleet was Ian Fryett (Streaker).

Fast fleet results: Tenby sailors Ed and Emily Dashfield secured sixth place, Sam Pickering (Phantom) fifth, Joshua Hyland (Blaze) fourth, Keith McDonald and Andy Brittain (Fireball) third and Eden Hyland (Blaze) second.

Top of the fast fleet and Coppet Week champions 2012 were Chris Martin and Matt Smith (Merlin Rocket).

Chris thanked the club and congratulated all the members who had helped put on the event under the difficult circumstances of the week to provide as enjoyable an event as always.

He promised to be back next year to defend his title and meet up with the pleasant company who ensure that this event is so unique.

The Commodore thanked all participants for coming and making it once again such a memorable week of sailing and good company.

He expressed his most sincere thanks to the large and dedicated team who had helped both on and off the water and emphasised that safety was their prime concern and the importance of this had been highlighted by the incident on Tuesday which happily ended without loss or injury.

He commented that it was thus even more relevant to present a cheque for £335 to Monica McDowell, president of the Saundersfoot RNLI, being the funds derived from the RNLI Pennant Race held on the Sunday. The Pennant was duly presented to Chris Martin, winner of this first race.

The Commodore rounded off the presentation by wishing everyone well and hoping to see everyone again next year.

Coppet Pictures

Our ace photographer Tony Charles has generously created a website where all his pictures can be accessed and downloaded by all. The link is: http://saundersfoot.weebly.com/coppet-week-2012.html">http://saundersfoot.weebly.com/coppet-week-2012.html. Thank you Tony.

Tenby Regatta

Tenby SC had to contend with some pretty aggressive weather for their regatta on the Saturday following Coppet Week, so it is particularly pleasing to report that our own budding Ben Ainslie (nee Dancer) managed to win the event in his Laser against all the bigger faster boats from Tenby and elsewhere!

He thrives in such challenging conditions, as was proved on the day! Well done Ben.

Club Racing

A pleasant light wind sail was enjoyed by another good turnout last Sunday, with 14 boats completing three laps on a Monkstone, Pendine, Harbour course.

The breeze lasted just long enough for the race before dying away. Full results will be reported next week.

This Sunday's race is at 9.30 am, being the last of the mid-season series.

Members News

Congratulations to Katie Bower who was married last Friday, happily between the showers. Their regatta for guests which was planned to follow on the Saturday was restricted to the capable and hardy few, who braved the very gusty conditions, but enjoyed some good fun and friendly competition round the club marks, although not universally on the same course apparently.

Best wishes for the future to Katie and Mark.

Skipper's Mate