The Commodore and his wife send Christmas Greetings to all and thanks for all the assistance and help during the year.
We hope all the members have a peaceful Christmas and good health for the New Year.
Author: roger
Marblehead Xmas Dash, 19/12/15
As the year draws to a close, Birkenhead Radio Sailing & Power Club hosted its final open event of the year…the Marblehead Xmas Bash on saturday the 19th December.
Visitors from the far north (Fleetwood!) and the deep south (Yeovil) by way of those in the middle (Manor Park) joined the 9 home sailors, including a number of newcomers to the fleet
Older designs were the order of the day, “pimped” or otherwise, the majority being various flavours of the Starkers with a dusting of Paradoxes.
With more wind and rain forecast for later, the strong winds of the night had subsided to a very light breeze by the time the 14 competitors lined up for the first start under the eagle eye of new member and our PRO for the day, Peter Baldwin. With the southerly light wind coming over the clubhouse, the fleet were challenged by the many holes and shifts on the windward/leeward course. There were many winners and losers but, as is often the case, the familiar faces found their way to the front of the fleet with Brad Gibson making the most of the conditions as the fleet broke for lunch.
After feasting on pulled pork and coleslaw rolls, mulled cider and mince pies, the fleet returned to the water with full stomachs but clear heads to confront slightly stronger winds oriented slightly more down the lake with the added Xmas spice of a few meaty gusts.
Racing was very tight, especially in the pack, and first place was hotly contested, Roberts taking 2 bullets, Edwards and Elliott 3 each and Gibson 4. After 12 races it was….yes, you’ve guessed it….Brad Gibson who took the honours but only by one point from Graham Elliott after a closely fought battle in the last few races, with Martin Roberts on close their on heels in third.
Yes the wind could have been more cooperative (we each had a story to tell!), yes the lunch was great (thanks Victoria and her young assistant, Joyce), yes the race organisation was impeccable (thanks Bernie, Jack & Peter), no the heavens didn’t open until we’d finished and yes….we all had a great time!
BEST WISHES FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON TO ALL OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS !
Graham Birkett
Results from 12 races:
|
Sail #
|
Name
|
Club
|
Design
|
Points
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Brad Gibson | Birkenhead | Paradox | 21 |
| 2 | 62 | Graham Elliott | Birkenhead | Paradox | 22 |
| 3 | 55 | Martin Roberts | Birkenhead | Starkers Squared | 26 |
| 4 | 88 | James Edwards | Yeovil | Paradox | 40 |
| 5 | 98 | Darin Ballington | Manor Park | Rok | 42 |
| 6 | 16 | Graham Whalley | Birkenhead | Starkers Cubed | 65 |
| 7 | 5 | Mike Parkington | Fleetwood | Starkers Cubed | 68 |
| 8 | 33 | Graham Birkett | Birkenhead | Starkers Cubed | 69 |
| 9 | 21 | Bill Culshaw | Birkenhead | Starkers Cubed | 70 |
| 10 | 121 | Neil Westbrook | Birkenhead | Starkers | 79 |
| 11 | 3 | Colin Walton | Manor Park | Starkers Cubed | 101 |
| 12 | 67 | Derek Priestley | Fleetwood | Starkers Cubed | 110 |
| 13 | 46 | Mike Stainton | Birkenhead | Cedar 4 | 122 |
| 14 | 23 | Alan Watkinson | Birkenhead | Starkers Cubed | 125 |
Photos: Andrew Peter
Click to enlarge
IOM Winter Series #4, 5/12/15
Despite a raging gale of over 40knots being forecast, our hardy IOM sailors turned out to test their skills against the forces of nature. Much to our surprise C suits were however not required and the fleet set off in a mix of B and top suits on a reaching course. Despite heavy gusts from over/between the houses, it soon became clear that the braver skippers who had opted for the larger sails had the advantage with Graham Elliott in his borrowed Widget “Miffy”, showing the way. New member, Colin Deakin with his super wooden Corby creation (one of 3 wooden boats on the water) and not so new member Dave Williams in his Lintel, were also making the most of the challenging conditions.
The tea break saw most of the fleet changing up to top suits and battle resumed in slightly stronger conditions with little change to the standings until fading light stopped play.
Thanks as ever to the race team of Jack & Bernie.
Report – Graham Birkett
1. Graham Elliott, 7 pts
2. Bill Culshaw, 19
3. Dave Potter, 23
4. Dave Williams, 25
5. Graham Birkett, 27
6. Colin Deakin, 33
7. John Brierley, 50
8. Peter Baldwin, 54
9. Dave Pickup, 63
10. Alan Watkinson, 64
11. Mike Stanton, 67
12. Andrew Peter, 79
13. Lawrence Drennan, 83
14. Martin Roberts, 105
9 races
Click photos to enlarge
What’s Coming up…
Saturday 5th December
Round 4 of the IOM Winter Series this coming Saturday starting at 12.30pm sharp, open to all IOM skippers for our last IOM race of 2015.
Check HERE for the current standings.
—————————————-
Saturday 12th December
Club AGM held at Royal Mersey Yacht Club. See details HERE.
—————————————-
Saturday 19th December
Birkenhead Marblehead Xmas Dash, start time 11am
This is our final club event for 2015 and is open to all MYA members. To enter contact Sailing Secretary Graham Elliott at elliottyachts@hotmail.co.uk
More details to follow.
Entries:
|
Sail #
|
Name
|
Club
|
Design
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88 | James Edwards | Yeovil | Paradox |
| 2 | 2 | Brad Gibson | Birkenhead | Paradox |
| 3 | 62 | Graham Elliott | Birkenhead | Paradox |
| 4 | 67 | Derek Priestley | Fleetwood | Starkers Cubed |
| 5 | 3 | Colin Walton | Manor Park | Starkers Cubed |
| 6 | 5 | Mike Parkington | Fleetwood | Starkers Cubed |
| 7 | 43 | John Smith | Manor Park | Quark |
| 8 | 98 | Darin Ballington | Manor Park | Rok |
| 9 | 7 | Tracey Ballington | Manor Park | Starkers Squared |
| 10 | 55 | Martin Roberts | Birkenhead | Starkers Squared |
| 11 | 21 | Bill Culshaw | Birkenhead | Starkers Cubed |
| 12 | TBA | Mike Stainton | Birkenhead | TBA |
| 13 | ||||
| 14 | ||||
| 15 |
BRS&PC Annual General Meeting, 12th December 2015
A message to all members from our Club Secretary Graham Birkett:
Dear Member, please find below the Notice/Agenda for our forthcoming AGM. We were unable to secure a suitable date at our “usual” venues so this year the Royal Mersey Yacht Club at Rock Ferry have kindly agreed to host us. Their address and a location map can be found HERE.
The club is the last development on the right as you go up Bedford Road East away from the Refreshment Room pub/restaurant. Park on the road or, if you’re early, in the yard. Pass through the gates and the yard to find the clubhouse entrance (steps leading to a large blue door) on the far left.
The bar will be open from 1:30pm and you are requested to bring along a plate of something tasty to share after the meeting as is our custom.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Kind Regards
Graham Birkett
Hon Sec
IOM Winter Series #3, 21/11/15
1. Martin Roberts, 8 pts
2. Dave Williams, 12
3. Bill Culshaw, 16
4. Dave Potter, 21
5. Colin Deakin, 26
6. Alan Watkinson, 30
7. Andrew Peter, 33
8. Mike Stanton, 38
8 races
