Coppet Week

The 40th Coppet Week got off to a brilliant start with the registration of 65 boats in 30 different classes. This event attracts a huge range of sailors from relative novices, normal club sailors, class and European champions right up to world champions - the entries this year included them all.

Many have been coming to Saundersfoot for years, to what often feels like a gathering of the clans, rather than a regatta event. The longest running  entrant is our own Paul Griffiths who this year competes in his 38th week; Alan Saleman from Arden SC in an Enterprise is also well into the 30s; John Shoesmith in a Laser from Staunton Harold SC has done 29; our own David Plester has done 25 in a Laser and then a Solo; Keith McDonald and Andy Brittain in their Fireball from Blithfield SC have done 23; whilst one of our senior competitors - Peter Conway - has participated in an International Canoe, an International 14 and this year a Musto Skiff (all of which are very fast boats) showing that there really is life well after 70 and that OAPs don't have to sail slow boats!

Sunday: The first day of racing provided a steady SSW force 3-4, blue sky and flat water. Race officers Alan Lambert and John Griffiths provided a wide triangular course with a good beat (into wind) and some cracking reaches (across the wind) resulting in our own bit of sailing heaven. Either this, or the prospect of the fantastic first prize for the winner of the week of a luxury break with all the trimmings provided by St. Brides Spa Hotel, pumped up the eager enthusiasm of competitors to run-away over-exuberance, requiring two general recalls because so many boats crossed the line before the start! At the third attempt, the race officers resorted to the I flag, which means that any boat over the line in the minute leading up to the start, has to pass around one end of the start line and not just dip back if they are early.  The new flag frightened the bulk of the fleet, even if some didn't fully know what it meant, other than the race officers were losing patience and it was time to start behaving !! So an acceptable start was made and the fleet was racing! 

The first race was won by Coppet Week regular and former world champion Robin Wood (International Canoe). Second place went to Chris Martin (Merlin Rocket) and third to Steve Clarke (Int Canoe) recording one of his best ever scores, with the Merlin Rocket of Richard Dee in fourth.

Because the forecast was so dire for the Monday, that day's scheduled race was brought forward so that two races were held on the Sunday, both providing excellent racing. On the Monday morning when very strong winds, increasingly torrential rain and poor visibility vindicated the decision, the only people smiling broadly were the smug race officials!

Race two was started after a short pause whilst the course was shifted for the increasing breeze and whilst it got away first time, several boats were again over the line, and had to come back and start again. This race was won by Gareth Caldwell (Int Canoe) recovering from his false start in race one, Robin Wood was second. (Wives, Jane and Alison clearly had their eyes on the generous first prize of a weekend at our sponsors St. Brides Spar Hotel - but don't get the diary out too soon girls, there is a lot of racing yet to come!) Steve Clarke showed consistency with another third, and also recovering from their false start in race one Ted Lewis and Matt Goldwait from Tenby sailed their Osprey powerfully downwind under spinnaker to come fourth.

Whilst the sailors were reveling in the pleasure and challenges of racing out in the bay, onlookers on the shore were provided with a fantastic spectacle of the mixed fleet with different coloured sails and myriad shapes and sizes of boats.

Brew for

the Crew

The Saundersfoot RNLI ladies who served the teas in the clubhouse in aid of the RNLI last Sunday had a very good response and raised £250 for the organisation.

Training

Andy Paget has now secured his RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate with Paddy Shaw Preedy and Huw Morris half-way through their courses for the same qualification.

SSC hosted an RYA Club Racing Coach course last week to train instructors to teach 'Start Racing' and Intermediate Racing' courses to trainees. The course was attended by six instructors including our own Malcolm Williams and Paul Johnson, plus others from Gelliswick, Neyland and Tenby. Whilst the Friday was 'blown out' and thus restricted to the classroom, Saturday was spent in light to fresh winds in the bay with six Toppers and a RIB with each of the attendees taking their turn to role-play as coach undertaking a coaching session.

Members News

We were very sorry to report that Nigel Dancer, whose entire family are well-known stalwarts of the club, suffered a massive heart attack last week whilst working in Germany. He is now stable and awaiting surgery in the Heath in Cardiff. Our very best wishes go out to all the family for his speedy recovery.

Further sad news is that long term member, Bryn Jones, of Shrublands Caravan Park, has had a stroke and is in a serious condition. Again our sincere wishes go out to him and his wife Gwenllian.

Welsh Topper Championships

The Welsh Topper Championships are taking place this weekend, June 1 and 2, at Llandegfedd Sailing Club. The event promises to provide competitive racing and some great prizes. Camping and motorhome parking available. More information and online entry at http://welshsailingevents.org/firmhelm-welsh-topper-champs/">http://welshsailingevents.org/firmhelm-welsh-topper-champs/

Skipper's Mate