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Southern - Royal Southern Yacht Club
ROYAL SOUTHERN YACHT CLUB WINTER 2013 the SOUTHERN the CONTRIBUTORS The Editorial Team would like to thank the following contributors to this Spring edition of The Southern. Eddie Aldridge Serena Alexander Ken Andrew Mike Austen Peter Bateson Hedley Bewes Bill Blain Paul Blainey Georgia Church Kate Church Kate Christie Colin Hall Naomi Hall Jan and Peter Halliday Tim Harrison David Henderson-Williams Geoff Holt Richard Hughes MOS Fitzgerald Mark Inkster Katie Jackson Cailah Leask Len Lochrie Dick Long Sandy McPherson Eddie Mays Alistair Mackay David Mead Graham Nixon Judy Nutt Brenda Pridal Valerie Pritchard Matthew Richardson Phil Riley Susie Reynolds Lis Robinson Tim Robinson Louise Sproule Peta Stuart-Hunt Alan Sharman John Stork Sally Sturt John Walker Jenny Walton Wolfgang Weber Maggie Widdop Jan Wright Paul Wyeth SOUTHERN contents p2-3 p4-5 p6-8 p9 p10-12 p13-17 p18-19 p20-23 p24-36 p29 p38-44 p46-47 p48 p50 p51 p52 p54 p55 p56-62 p64-65 p66-71 p72-75 p76-79 p80 p81 p82-83 p84-86 p88-91 p92-97 p98-99 p100 From the Commodore New Members Obituaries Charitable Trust King’s Royal Hussars Southern History Southern Sponsorship Niklas Zennström Racing Red Cap Party New York Invitational Cup XODs in Hamble SB20 Championships Short Course Racing Forward Look to 2014 Canute’s Regatta Poole & Back Race Cowes/Deauville Race Cruising Academy Youth Motorboats Southern Winners and Prize Giving Shooting Society Golf Society Ladies Committee Southern Insignia Photography Competition Snippets Ashore Programme 2014 COVER PHOTOGRAPH Paul Harlow’s Striker at the Motorboat Spring Rally Courtesy of Kate Gough EDITORIAL TEAM David Mead - Commodore Tim Robinson - Vice Commodore Sheelagh Cohen - Editor John Walker - Marketing John Sparshatt-Worley - Advertising Pat Aspinall - Sub Editor Brian Curtis - Art Director Design & Artwork Owl House Limited Editorial: [email protected] Advertising: [email protected] © The Southern is published by the Royal Southern Yacht Club Ltd., Rope Walk, Hamble, Southampton SO31 4HB and distributed free to Members and other interested parties. Opinions expressed are those of the contributors and are not necessarily shared by the Editor and/or publishers. Although the greatest care has been taken in compiling this publication, the publishers and Editor accept no responsibility or liabililty for any errors, omissions or alterations, or for any consequences ensuing upon the use of, or alliance on any information given in this publication. Royal Southern Yacht Club is the trading name of Royal Southern Yacht Club Ltd Registered Office: Rope Walk, Hamble SO31 4HB No. 05372495 ROYAL SOUTHERN YACHT CLUB CONTACTS Office & Administration: 023 8045 0300 Chris Pullinger 023 8045 0301 Club Secretary [email protected] Natalie Gray 023 8045 0302 Sailing Secretary [email protected] Lesley Walford 023 8045 0315 Administrator [email protected] Accounts: 023 8045 0304 Lawrence Hall 023 8045 0300 Head Chef [email protected] Reception 023 8045 0300 [email protected] David Williams Bosun 07900 872 461 1 COMM from th ODOR e E It is hard to believe it is over six months since I wrote for the Spring issue of the Southern and ten months since the AGM last November. How time flies being Commodore of your Club which I am finding thoroughly enjoyable, attending and taking part in events both at home and overseas and meeting likeminded people. I remember John Beardsley (JB) quoting “two years is not enough lad and you will find you would like to go on for a further two years” I am not so sure as by this time next year you will have probably had enough of me and be ready for change which is a good thing. Having been voted Yacht Club of the Year by Yachts and Yachting back in January I feel we have more than qualified this year moving the Club in the right direction – upwards. The Sailing Committee have worked hard as a team organising new events and improving our annual events and thank you to our many sponsors Harken, Joseph Perrier Champagne, Mount Gay Rum, the Barbados Tourist Authority and Gaastra Clothing. Also a big thank you to Aveva plc who sponsored this year’s September Regatta with superb engraved and cut crystal glass prizes for all classes. Congratulations to our Members (too numerous to mention all) who have won many International, National and Club events this year around the globe. Ben Ainslie for his achievements on Oracle Team USA in the America’s Cup and Niklas Zenstromm who continues to win event after event with his crews aboard RAN. 2 We had many successes during Cowes Week with a well supported and enjoyable Commodore’s Party at the Commodore’s House with Members and guests. cluding Food and Beverage and Entertainments under the chairmanship of Sheelagh Cohen have more than supported the Sailing Committee organising with Club Secretary Chris Pull- At the party we distributed out provisional events programme for 2014 – has this ever been done before? Thank you to John and Jane Terry for letting the Club use their wonderful facilities on the waterfront in Cowes over the past three years. I would like to thank former Commodore Colin Hall for all his work as Chairman of the Sailing Committee who steps down at the AGM this November. The House Committee in- inger and his staff some hugely popular and well supported themed evenings throughout the year. The Ladies Committee under Valerie Pritchard just goes from strength to strength helping with the Club furnishings and raising money for local charities including over a thousand pounds at the MacMillan coffee morning at the end of September. The monthly Ladies Athena lunches held on the first Friday in the month have also been highly successful and well supported by Members and guests and as a spin off their partners have also been getting together for lunch at the Club – a double bonus. I was delighted to be able to travel to Newport, Rhode Island in early September to support the Royal Southern entry “Magical Mystery Tour” in the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex. The invitation goes to twenty Clubs from around the world to race in identical Swan 42 Club class boats over five days. The Southern entry came fifth overall which was a fantastic achievement against very tough opposition. Of the twenty Clubs invited eight were International Council of Yacht Club Members and the Southern entry was the highest placed ICOYC boat to finish so we did have a first! A full report on this fabulous event which we were very honoured to be invited to appears in this issue. The NYYC Harbour Court Clubhouse in Newport with superb facilities made the crews and support teams most welcome and walking around the clubhouse made us aware that it was steeped in tradition. One is the ceremony of lowering the Ensign. At the firing of a cannon all present stand quiet and still. The Ensign is then lowered and dropped into a box, without touching the ground, and a Flag Officer then announces “Carry On” and the normal social hubbub resumes. During the summer we have agreed reciprocal arrangements with the Royal Melbourne Yacht Club in Australia and the Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, Rhode Island. If you wish to visit either of these Clubs or any other Reciprocal Club overseas my suggestion would be to request our Secretary to notify the Club you wish to visit in writing before you leave. Really just a matter of courtesy. When you read this I will have been to Hong Kong for the ICOYC Commodore’s Forum in early November and we will be into the traditional November routine of the Prize Giving, Laying Up Dinner and the AGM – a busy month - and then into the Christmas celebrations. In this issue of the magazine is another first for the Club – a comic strip in The Southern. This article connects two Members - Richard Campbell-Walter and Bill Blain and makes fascinating reading. The Southern has continued to innovate but the magazine does not just happen and we would welcome any Members who would like get involved in its production whether with writing, proofing or with photography. Please contact me if you wish to help with your magazine in any way. Finally I would like to thank by fellow Flag Officers, Committee Members and, most importantly, you the Members for your fantastic support throughout the year – you only get out what you put in and we have had fun. With best wishes for the coming festive season and to an even better 2014. David Mead PRINCE PHILIP YACHT HAVEN Nearly fifteen years since the link pontoon was deployed for the first time we are in sight of a permanent walk ashore solution to the Club moorings. Earlier this year, after many years of hard work, dedication and a massive amount of cooperation with our neighbours, the RAF Yacht Club, we were granted planning permission for the Prince Philip Yacht Haven. The current plans will bring about so much more than was originally envisaged; not just a fixed link to the land, but a brand new facility to secure the waterfront for the next fifty years with improved flood defences for Rope Walk, all tide access to the water, improved facilities on the pontoons and the only disabled access on the Hamble. However many more statutory permissions are required as Hamble contains internationally recognised areas of habitat that have to be protected. The needs and wishes of the local community also have to be taken into account in the design and implementation of any development and we readily agreed to some twenty seven conditions being applied to our planning permission having suggested some as a demonstration of our good faith. Replacement of our 130 metre sea wall, a key element of the scheme which represents a significant percentage of the total cost is now becoming urgent. Without it the other works would not be possible but it would have been short sighted not to use this once in a generation opportunity to provide world class facilities for the future and also get maximum value from essential works. Since the grant of planning, work has progressed on many fronts; discharging the conditions of our permissions, PRINCE PHILIP YACHT HAVEN refining the design details, appointing contractors, considering the financing and many more, all in close co-operation with the RAFYC. The scheme details are now close to being finalised as are the costings but there is more work to be done. We are delighted to have appointed consulting engineers Opus International Consultants a leading international infrastructure consultancy with a worldwide network of offices but also local expertise. Work is expected to start in October 2013 with piling for the new sea wall. This will be followed by dredging and, finally, the construction of our new facilities. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Past Commodore Mark Inkster and his Yacht Haven Committee and our neighbours, the RAFYC, particularly Ian Redsell, for their tireless work in taking forward this development which is to the mutual benefit of both clubs and the wider community. A huge thank you to and Ian Redsell from the RAFYC for obtaining this. OPPOSITE PAGE TOP The Commodore in Newport, Rhode Island with ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ during the NYYC Invitational Cup OPPOSITE PAGE CENTRE Members and some of our younger guests at the Commodore’s Cocktail Party in Cowes TOP Magical Mystery Tour racing at Newport, Rhode Island, USA BOTTOM Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Newport, Rhode Island, our latest Reciprocal Club 3 NEW MEMBERS The Commodore and Flag Officers would like to welcome the following new Members to the Royal Southern Yacht Club: Stephen Armitage Philip Farbowski Jonathan & Sarah Assael Patricia Fitzgerald Matthew Ball & Anna Meurling Shelagh Fitzpatrick Stewart & Chia Barnard James & Alyson Frampton Aiden Barr Robert & Laura Bishop and Eleanor Paul & Cathy Blainey Frank Bowden Peter & Emma Bowyer Thomas Foskett Peter & Judith Franz Toby Fuller Mary Furley Vahid Ganjavian Maurice & Ann Girling Malcolm & Sarah LeMay and Oliver Colin Stewart Adam Lees Sean Leonard John & Lucille Taylor, Jonathan and Toby Toby Litton Jack Thoms Sonia Haddock Anthony & Sally Mack Aude Tilbury Timothy Harding Neil McKingley & Denise Barbour Stephanie Wagner & Daniel Cross David & Tracy Miles Barry White Adam Munday Keith Whybrow & Lucy Spencer Smith, Lucy and Harry William Gregg Edward Bracken & Hollie Stallwood-Bracken, Jemima, Penelope, Scarlett and Miles Susan & Jessica Griffiths and Luke Mark Breton & Amanda Pirie Roger Gunn & Shirley Hendersen John Burton Victor Buss & Emma Yeoumans Stephen & Sonia Butcher Mark Hathaway Robert Butcher Shirley Henderson Philip Clapp Philip & Michelle Hildyard and Holly Adrian & Debera Clark Sam Cooper Nichola Curwen Jeffrey Dakin Christopher Murray Dominic Horner Justin Noble Richard Hosking Perry Noble Carl Wilcock & Susan Tyrwhitt-Williams Raymond Howell Nicholas & Rosie O’Donell and Darcy Nicholas Wilkinson Iain & Linda James and Matthew Jeffrey Orford Ian & Anna Wilson, Nicolas and Peter Conrad Jansz & Diana Hoskins Colin & Rosalind Osmer Michael & Angela Wimsey Richard Patrick Nicholas & Grace Dunn and Isabella Alexandra & Francesca Jaques Jane Windsor Gael Pawson Andrew Wishart Andrew Edwards Jon & Jane Kickham William Lane Eurof Phillips & Barbar Mackay Grant & Lisa Woodall and Samuel Stephanie Pinnells Colin Wray Trevor Davies Hannah Diamond Jamie Diamond Oliver Egan Philip & Susan Elkin Robert & Elaine Langley, Edwin and Thomas Keith & Tracy Plumridge Katie Powell HONORARY MEMBER Elizabeth Richardson Lt Col & Mrs Justin Kingsford Philip & Juliette Riley Justin Kingsford has replaced Alex Potts as the Commanding Officer of the Kings Royal Hussars Peter Rowson Anisa Sheik-Board, Eiliyah and Ismail Nicholas & Denise Skinner Kim Skov-Nielsen John Stattersfield & Diane Wells 4 Helen Stone-Ward MEMBERSHIP Membership can be viewed fee for a 3 month period. I am as a surrogate for the health certain that the success of this temporary removal will be repaid of a Club. Like any Club the Royal Southern, despite its long history and tradition, reflects the environment in which we live – an increasingly active ageing population with time to enjoy their yachts but with diminishing investment returns to fund what many view as luxuries; younger families feeling the pinch with the cost of housing and school fees eating into their disposable incomes; time pressures on all. Membership numbers have always ebbed and flowed but, in the last few years, the Executive Committee had come to notice an adverse impact on our numbers and income. We froze subscriptions or held increases to below the level of inflation but this only provided a temporary solution as, like any business, our costs were not reducing. So earlier in the year, the Executive agreed to an Open Day, planned and executed by the Sailing Committee with other Hamble Clubs, to show our wares to the community and, hopefully, encourage new Members. All parts of the Club pulled together to make it a great success. Since the Open Day our staff have processed over 250 applications to join the Club. This number was undoubtedly swelled by a well timed, one-off incentive, to remove the joining by the new Members joining in with all that we have to offer as a Club. I urge all Members, old and new, to embrace the many activities available. I counted over 200 events on last year’s calendar and the provisional calendar for 2014 is full of new events to entice you. Welcoming new Members to our Club is everyone’s responsibility at all times. The Executive team interviewing them all were delighted to meet so many interesting and vibrant new boaters and they will be an asset to our Club. On the question of the Club’s vitality it is important that we do not let the average age increase by a year every year and I am sure we all know clubs where this is happening. Our Academy obviously has a beneficial effect with its 130 members in the age range 18 to 26 but even without their ages skewing the statistics the average age of our Members is now in the mid fifties from a figure of 60 plus a few years ago. In terms of the future, we have a Membership Committee which is charged with identifying current and future membership needs, ensuring that existing Members continue to get good value and enjoyment from being a Member of the Southern and considering recruitment of Members. I currently chair this committee with Maj. Gen. Alan Sharman representing the Executive, and picking up chairmanship after the AGM, Richard Hughes representing Sailing and John SparshattWorley representing House. I have tried in this report not to dwell on the numbers. We have around 1700 souls who are Members today. The Executive, many years ago, set a target of 1900. I am sure with our efforts on the Clubhouse, restaurants, pier, bedrooms, and hopefully soon, the new Prince Philip Yacht Haven, we will easily reach this number in a few years. All in all I think we are in good shape. Cure your letting headaches with our Guaranteed Rent Our Guaranteed Rent contract cuts the hassle and risk out of letting. So you can be certain that you’ll be paid on time, every single month. Find out how we can help you at northwooduk.com Northwood Basingstoke 01256 350 015 Northwood Winchester 01962 208 600 northwooduk.com Tim J Robinson Vice Commodore 5 OBITU ARIES John Beardsley 1937-2013 John Beardsley died on the 18 August, his 76th Birthday, in the presence of friends and family. He had been born into a small, closely knit mining community in Featherstone, West Yorkshire. Both his grandfathers had been killed in mining related accidents and his father worked at the local coal mine as a winder; a highly responsible surface job maintaining and operating the winding gear taking miners underground to the coal face. As a child John was never a model of good behaviour and he spent much of his childhood trying to keep out of trouble with his father, whose punishments included gardening detail. This engendered in John a lifelong 6 dislike of gardening. His father, a staunch churchgoer, believed that John’s free time should be spend as a chorister but John ‘bunked off’ church duties to attend the local Model Aeroplane Club. All went well until the local newspaper reported him winning the first prize in a competition held on a Sunday. There was the inevitable retribution when his father read the report. Although a reluctant chorister, he lived in a musical household and this gave him a lifelong love of classical music, especially opera and Beethoven. His entrepreneurial spirit was evident from an early age and he held down several ‘after school’ jobs which enabled him to have plenty of money for Sunday School and Boy Scout trips. Although he had a burning ambition to join the RAF or Navy, he did as expected by his family and followed his father and grandfather into mining be- coming an engineering apprentice with the Coal Board. However, he continued to design and make things in his spare time and helped an old school friend build a boat in his bedroom – getting it out proved problematical and involved removing the window and brickwork. He also renovated a Morgan and joined a local motor club through which he met his future wife Jean. It is difficult to identify when he developed a passion for the sea but on a family trip to Blackpool he once bought a model yacht and his favourite treat was to visit the lifeboat station. A career change and move to Edinburgh heralded John’s serious involvement in sailing and he built a blue Scorpion dinghy, Rondo, which he campaigned nationally. On his return to Yorkshire in 1976 he became an active member of Whitby Yacht Club, racing as crew on Dragons and GK 24’s every weekend. He was never ideal ‘crew’ material and it was a happy day in 1979 when he took delivery of Delta Dawn, a Delta 31. He disputed with his daughter Fiona which of them came to Southampton first, Fiona to study medicine or John to escape the freezing grey North Sea. Irrespective of the reason for coming south, in 1982 he joined the Royal Southern and inevitably his knowledge, enthusiasm and dedication attracted the attention of the Club management who quickly recruited him to their service. His rise through the committees to Flag Officer and eventually Commodore, in 2006, was a natural progression. He was fiercely proud both of his Yorkshire heritage and the Southern and calculated that by the time he stepped down as Commodore he had travelled 326,976 miles between Yorkshire and Hampshire. It was around the time that he joined the Club that he also bought Jorvik Rose, a Contest 46, which was built for him in Holland. The Cruiser Race then became an essential part of John’s sailing programme. His total commitment to planning, competing and organising the social side was clear, and many happy evenings were spent on board Jorvik Rose, where his cooking skills and extensive knowledge of wine were practically demonstrated. He had always had a number of interests on the go and had diversified from engineering into hotel ownership, renovating and then running the Parsonage Hotel near York for many years. This inspired his love of fine dining and fine wines and he undertook a Sommeliers wine course, subsequently becoming a St Emilion enthusiast and Member of the Jurade of St Emilion. John’s sailing interests were not restricted to cruising. For over fifteen years he was Chairman of the York Cruiser Training Centre which introduced over 200 people to sailing. He was also a founding member of the White Rose Yacht Club Sir Mark Norman 1927-2013 Sir Mark Norman joined the Club in 1990 and by 1994 was a member of the then Managing Committee. A tall patrician figure, Sir Mark was a key member of the team that developed the new Clubhouse building. His influence gained support for the project from many of the older Members who preferred the staus quo, not recognising that the old dining room was disintegrating – as indeed it did. which was set up to put up an entry for the America’s Cup. Unfortunately the entry had to be withdrawn when sufficient funds could not be raised to build the first hull. He also used his engineering talent to design specialist equipment for Geoff Holt’s circumnavigation of the United Kingdom and was at Cane Garden Bay, BVI to welcome Geoff after his transatlantic crossing. He was Chairman of the Royal Southern Charitable Trust and in early August this year HRH The Princess Royal visited him in hospital and spent a considerable amount of time talking about the work of the trust and the benefits it brings to young people. Despite never being ‘ideal’ crew material, in 2010 he signed on as one of Mark Inkster’s crew to bring Iorana, a Dunkirk Little Ship, from the Pool of London to Hamble. It was a memorable journey and John described it as “his best ever voyage”. A memorable incident of the voyage was when the handle fell off the kettle. Mark called on John’s engineering expertise for its repair. After a short, silent examination he calmly threw the kettle across the wheelhouse and into the sea – Mark took it as a signal that the kettle was beyond repair. John was a talented and skilled engineer with a long successful career with many projects in mining and heavy industry to his name. He was particularly proud of the construction of a new bridge after which, the capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, is named. He also deployed his skills for the Club and was involved in all of the recent major refurbishment projects which have transformed the Southern. He designed and oversaw the construction of the new pier and also kick-started the Prince Philip Yacht Haven; without him it would not have come into being and he was involved and concerned about the engineering aspects of the piling and the seawall until his death. John can be summarised in the words of his close friend and former Commodore, Alastair Davidson, “Of all the people I have known, John was the straightest and one of the most honest men. He totally lived up to the perceived character of the Yorkshireman; careful, precise, obdurate on occasions, not suffering fools gladly, but generous to a fault with an irresistible personal warmth and a keen sense of humour. He could take, as well as dish out, any amount of teasing of his northern upbringing responding in kind to our soft, southern effete”. Alternatively one could simply use his granddaughter Amy’s description of her Opa – “Epic”. “S’mark”, as he was often referred to, was acting Rear Commodore for several months after the early retirement of Donald Pepper as Commodore due to ill health. His many friends will remember him as a true gentleman and recall his fondness for good claret and a good party. Latterly he was less able to visit the Club but we remember him for his humour and company, and his input into the building that we now enjoy every day. His motoryacht Unicorn was his pride and joy, never less so than when he ferried our Patron to Cowes while HRH raised the floorboards to inspect the engineering. 7 Admiral Sir John “Sandy” Woodward 1932-2013 “The Admiral was a truly courageous and decisive leader, proven by his heroic command of the Royal Navy Taskforce during the Falklands conflict,” said the Prime Minister, David Cameron, on hearing of Admiral Woodward’s death on the 4th August at the age of 81. “We are indebted to him for his many years of service and the vital role he played to ensure that the people of the Falkland Islands can still today live in peace and freedom.” When Argentina invaded the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982, Sandy Woodward was a newly appointed Rear Admiral and acted as Commander of the Carrier Battle Group from the flagship HMS Hermes. Three days after the invasion the first British Task Force ships left 8 taken the Queen’s shilling. Now you’re going to have to bloody earn it. And your best way of getting back alive is to do your absolute utmost. So go and do it.” His last appointment in the service was as Commander-inChief Naval Home Command and in retirement he was Chairman of the Falklands Islands Memorial Chapel Trust and the chapel, at Pangbourne College, was opened by the Queen in 2000. Sandy Woodward enjoyed sailing his Hunter Sonata, especially when he took part in the National Championship at the Southern. He told Hunter Boats’ Peter Poland that he was given his Admiral’s Broad Pennant from HMS Hermes when he retired from the Royal Navy, and as it was languishing in his attic he would donate it to the Club as a trophy. And so, this historic flag resides at the Club having been the trophy for our annual matches against the Yacht Club de Dinard, but only on the basis that if they ever won it, they couldn’t have it and would have to find one of their own. He had been an Honorary Member since 2002. Britain, and by 14 June, following a number of key battles, the British had liberated the capital, Port Stanley. He worked out the timetable for the campaign, starting from the end and working to the start. Knowing that the Argentine forces had to be defeated before the winter made conditions too bad, set a latest date by which the land forces had to be ashore, that in turn set a latest date by which control of the air was achieved. The conflict was a maritime campaign from beginning to end, characterised by a struggle for air superiority between Woodward’s ships and the Argentine Air Force, and in its later phases by a series of amphibious landings. On the passage south Sandy Woodward visited as many ships as he could, though his message to the various ships’ companies of the destroyers and frigates was uncompromising: “You’ve It is with the deepest regret that we also record the passing of the following Royal Southern Members: Audrey Jenner 1921-2013 Audrey Jenner died only months after her husband Ken. She was attending her birthday party, drinking champagne in the company of friends and family, when she was taken fatally ill. There is still a family connection with the Club as her daugher, Sally Rowe, is a Member. Bill York 1926-2013 Bill York joined the Royal Southern in 1985 with his wife Mary. Bill bought Happy Girl S, a Nicolson 32, in 1978 and sailed from Hamble. He was a qualified Yacht Master Instructor teaching many people practical sailing. He bought Blanquilla in 1992 from David Herbert. He continued to drive down from Leicester to the club until shortly before he died. May Herbert 1926-2013 May Herbert with her husband David joined the Royal Southern in 1974. At weekends they drove to Hamble from Leicester where they sailed their boat Blanquilla. In 1992 they sold Blanquilla to Bill York and bought My Way which they sailed back from Finland. Following David’s death May continued to visit the Club where she always felt at home. John chaired the Trust with a deep sense of responsibility and fairness, recognising needs where we could make a difference inside and outside the Royal Southern family. We remembered him with a smile for his sense of humour and also admiration for his work for those less fortunate than others. The Trustees are all committed to continuing this work always showing, as required by the Charities Commission, a public benefit. First, a brief explanation of the Trust itself: set up in 2007 following receipt of a bequest by the late Sir Michael Cobham. If you have ever wondered why the Club’s big RIB is ‘Sir Michael’, that is the reason. Since then, the Trust has lent most of its capital to the Club to provide for the re-build of the old cottages into offices and bedrooms, and in return, receives interest income from which the grants are awarded. Donations to funds have also been received from Members so that the balance of funds now held has grown from £318,802 in 2012 to £334,499 this year. Some of these funds are ring fenced donations made as a result of an Appeal for funds to help provide the Academy J/80s. These boats are also available for charter by Members. We also have a number of ‘Friends of the Trust’ and their annual subscription make a very welcome addition to the amount available for grants. Grants are awarded twice a year following publicity to a list of organisations actively seeking help for sailing activities. Where merited, we usually grant up to 50% of the cost of such things as participation in RYA coaching or Championships, for disabled coaching, events or participation in Tall Ships sailing. Grants are made to Members and nonMembers entirely on the merits of the case submitted and most grants have historically been to non-Members. In the current round, the point was made that the proportion of applications from Members has actually declined. There is no guarantee that Members will get a grant on application, but equally, there is absolutely no way that they are discriminated against. Do check out the Academy part of the website for the criteria and how to apply or ask one of the Trustees. The next date for applications to be received is 10 March 2014. In the current round we supported applications from Rutland Sailability for replacement life-jackets for their disabled sailors, a coaching grant for a Lymington Sailability vol- unteer, and a training grant for a disabled island sailor in the Paralympic development squad. We gave grants to three young people, siblings of terminally ill children, to go on a special Ocean Youth Trust week, and to two profoundly deaf young people to go on voyages with the Discovery Sailing Project based at Universal Marina. Grants for event entry went to a young man for entry into the RYA National Topper Squad, to the Southampton University Yachting Team who won the BUSA National Championship and are the official entry to the Student Yachting Worlds in France, and finally to the Royal Southern Academy for entry fee support to the RYA’s Winter Match Race coaching series at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy. The new Chairman of the Trust is Brian Mead FCA, who was a founder Member and remains as Hon Treasurer. Fr John Travers and Colin Hall retired by rotation and were elected for a further term of three years. Lisa Rochford, a ‘local girl’ and practising solicitor with three children, has accepted the Trustees’ invitation to join the them and will bring valuable additional experience. The Trustees are now: Brian Mead FCA (Chairman and Hon Treasurer), Colin Hall, Annette Newton, Dr Susie Tomson, Fr John Travers, and Lisa Rochford. CHAR ITABL E TRU ST The Trustees meet regularly every six months to consider requests for grants, but the first sad duty at our October 2013 meeting was to remember our recently departed Chairman, John Beardsley. HRH the Princess Royal visiting John Beardsley in hospital on the Isle of Wight. She spent considerable time discussing with John the acheivements of the Royal Southern Charitable Trust 9 10 KING’S ROYAL HUSSARS Newer Members and nonmembers may be somewhat surprised to be confronted with photographs of soliders and tanks in a yacht club magazine but this is a result of the unique ‘twinning’ arrangement between the Royal Southern and the Kings Royal Hussars which was inaugurated in 2011. The Club takes considerable pride in this relationship and looks forward to developing further links with the regiment. Their new Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Justin Kingsford’s review of their activities in 2013 gives an insight to what happens when they are not on active service. To keep up to date with their activities look at the regiment website www.krh.org.uk. If 2012 was a year spent entirely focussed on operations in Afghanistan, in contrast 2013 has allowed us to deliberately slow the pace and generate some space to allow soldiers and their families a degree of stability. As well as programming some long overdue leave, we have been able to invest in a good deal of sport and adventure training, with Regimental teams visiting any number of countries – Argentina, USA, New Zealand and Egypt to name just a few. Notable successes have been the securing of the Inter Regimental Polo cup for the first time in 26 years, and the inclusion of one of our officers – Henry Foster – in the Army sailing team during the Fastnet race. MAIN SHOT A typically beautiful Canadian prairie dusk silhouettes the KRH vehicles TOP RIGHT Lt Col Justin Kingsford C.O. The King’s Royal Hussars in command of his ‘enemy’ tank CENTRE A group of KRH sailors; most trying it for the first time BELOW CR2 on the Canadian plains POLO TO PRAIRIE 11 After concentrating on dismounted tactics for the past few years it has been something of a relief to re-learn (or simply learn in many cases) our armoured warfare skills. We deployed for 2 months over the summer to Canada to train in our core role, and return there next year for more of the same, prior to adopting the Lead Armoured Battle Group role. From September 2014 until the end of 2015 we will be held at readiness for any world wide contingent operational requirements. As a Regiment we have been extremely fortunate under the recent Army 2020 plan in that our manpower has increased to 580 personnel, as have our Main Battle Tanks from 44 to 56. We are also conducting many more training activities with our paired Reserve unit – The Royal Wessex Yeomanry – as part of the overall direction of travel to increase integration between Regulars and Reservists. In summary, this year has been an excellent opportunity to reinvest in the moral component of the Regiment, with the future looking bright in terms of our role and opportunities for training. Lt Col Justin Kingsford TOP The ‘enemy’ tanks of B Sqn, KRH ABOVE The inaugural ‘Tough Mudder’ Regimental Endurance Race FAR LEFT Tpr Shaw and LCpl Hopes, novice KRH soldiers LEFT Tpr Kirby, HQ Sqn, trying parachuting for the first time as part of the past Afghan advernterous training focus BELOW In readiness with our Battletanks 12 However at that time in my life I was less interested in the prod- uct of these giants of the fourth estate and more interested in the publications of DC Thomson, not least because as a child I was not allowed in the lower bar and on several occasions had to sit on the front step with a bottle of coca cola and a comic. I read all of their comics: The Beano, The Dandy and The Victor in a pre-vegetarian time when the prospect of eating cowpie was mouth watering, corporal punishment was the norm and referring to Germans as ‘Huns’ in a pre common market/European Union era was almost obligatory. How excited I was to learn that a current Member of the Many Members may have made the papers but in my book you’re nobody unless you made it into the comics. Mark Inkster HISTO RY In the late 1960s and early 70s the Royal Southern was the watering hole and Club of choice for many members of the national press and media as well as the leader of the opposition and later Prime Minister of the day, Edward Heath. I recall Members such as Bob Edwards who edited the Daily Express, Sunday People and Sunday Mirror, as well as Sir Hugh Cudlipp (later Lord) the youngest ever editor of the Daily Mirror, founder of The Sun and Chairman of IPC, sampling the Club red in the lower bar. Club, offshore yachtsman Bill Blain is none other than the grandson of the Editor of DC Thomson’s Beano, Dandy, Victor and Hotspur, who went by the name of William Blain. Indeed Bill Blain’s yacht Batfish V is named after a favourite expression of his comic book publishing Grandfather, (he used it in place of words like ‘whatdyamacallit’ and ‘thingymajig’). Further, that the story of Gordon Campbell VC DSO and 2 bars was depicted in the January 1968 edition of The Victor that we reproduce overleaf in this edition of The Southern. Southe rn GORDON CAMPBELL VC AND THE MYSTERY SHIPS © DC Thomson & Co. Ltd. 2013 13 14 15 Five Victoria Crosses were awarded to one extraordinary man and his crew. The war of 1914-18 was known as ‘the Great War’ and ‘the War to End all Wars’ and history records the great acts of heroism and courage. Whilst the mud and misery of the Somme, Ypres and the Western Front are well known few recall much about the war at sea and even fewer can recall anything much beyond the great set piece battle of Jutland. But the First World War was when the submarine was established as a weapon of war and long before Asdic, Sonar or Radar there was very little that could be done in the way of detection and attack. The submarines of the German Kriegsmarine wreaked havoc upon the merchant ships supplying the British Isles. In an effort to solve the question of how to destroy submarines the Royal Navy commissioned a number of former merchant ships to be secretly fitted with a variety of guns and disguised to draw the German submarines close enough to reveal the guns and open fire. The very nature of the ships was clouded in secrecy and they went by a variety of names and classifications most commonly known as Mystery Ship or Q-Ships. 16 One man became one of the Royal Navy’s greatest heroes during his time in command of three of these ships. He employed the desperate tactics of deliberately allowing the submarine to torpedo him to lure the U-Boats to surface close by where he could then open fire with his hidden guns. The charade included his crew being trained in mock panic and a number abandoning ship and rowing away to give the watching U-boat the confidence to reveal himself. Gordon Campbell’s first encounter resulted in the sinking of a U-Boat and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, but when he sunk a second UBoat the King himself awarded him the Victoria Cross. On the sinking of a further submarine the King approved the award of a Victoria Cross to one officer and one man of the ship employing Clause 13 of the Statutes of the Victoria Cross. This clause stated that, “It is ordained that in the event of any unit of our naval... force, consisting in the case of our Navy of a squadron, flotilla or ships’ company. Having distinguished itself collectively by the performance of an act of heroic gallantry or daring in the presence of the enemy in such a way that the Admiral... in command of the force to which such a unit belongs is unable to single out any individual as es- pecially preeminent in gallantry or daring, then one or more of the officers. Seamen in the ranks comprising the unit shall be selected to be recommended to us for the award of the Victoria Cross in the following manner. The selection to be by secret ballot...”. It was the first time in history that a whole ship had been honoured. Campbell received a bar to his DSO. Following his final action against a U-Boat, Members of Campbell’s Crew received a further two Victoria Crosses and Campbell a second bar to his DSO. Gordon Campbell VC, DSO and 2 bars eventually commanded the Battlecruiser HMS Tiger and ended his naval career as a Vice Admiral before becoming ADC to King George V. Later he became MP for Burnley. Even more incredible is the fact that some years later his nephew Brigadier Lorne Campbell, commanding the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, won a LEFT HAND PAGE VC serving in North Africa dur- TOP: Gordon Campbell VC, DSO and ing the Second World War. two bars It may interest Members to know that this incredible story of maritime heroism is connected to the Southern almost 100 years later by the fact that his nephew Richard Campbell-Walter, ex-Argyll and Sutherland Highlander and former Flag Officer, now chairs the Royal Southern Executive Committee. CENTRE: HMS Q5 after being torpeedoed and sinking the submarine U-83 BOTTOM LEFT: 1st Day limited edition envelopes commemorating the 70th anniversary of Commander Campbell’s Victoria Cross. Also a 1st Day cover commemorating the award of two Victoria Crosses to the officers and crew of HMS Pargust RIGHT HAND PAGE TOP: HMS Q5 (Farnborough) after being beached in Ireland RIGHT: Campbell’s final command the Battlecruiser HMS Tiger FAR LEFT: Gordon Campbell VC, DSO and two bars BOTTOM LEFT: Lorne Campbell VC, DSO and bar, OBE BOTTOM RIGHT: Richard CampbellWalter, Chairman of the Royal Southern Executive Committee My Mystery Ships by Rear Admiral Gordon Campbell VC, DSO is available to buy from: www.periscopepublishing.com 17 THE KING’S SHILLING Yachting began to flirt with sponsorship fifty years ago, but what does it bring now to our sport and our Club? When monarch and country needed the flower of its youth to volunteer in defence of the realm or in occupation of new lands, the military sent out into towns and villages to find new talent to join the ranks. Attractive inducements began with stirring posters and marshal music, followed by honeyed words and by this time, the poor benighted boys were queuing up, to sign on. Until 1879, Recruiting Sergeants had one final inducement to sway any wavering reeds and it was the offer of one shilling; the King’s Shilling. The Navy’s ‘press’ did the same job with a quick tap behind the ear, but sailors were always more subtle. From Emmet’s Insurrection through the Peninsular War, the Rum Rebellion to the difficulties with Napoleon, the second Opium War and the Zulu War, Tommies in unsuitable uniforms were ordered to do unpleasant things by their superiors and the saying arose, ‘those who take the King’s Shilling must dance to the King’s Tune’. How, you may wonder, does this have anything to do with yachting or our Club? It is simply that for many decades, the great and good of 18 the yachting establishment were deeply suspicious of sponsor influence and as the late, great and supremely influential Bernard Hayman once opined whilst in the Editor’s chair at Yachting World, ‘commercial pressures will lead our sport into doing things that it should not be doing’. Even as late as the 1960s, amongst the leather and cigar smoke of old established clubs, there was still an attitude that suggested that yachting was a sport for gentlemen who didn’t need to be subsidised by anyone, much less by people try- ing to promote their companies, their products or, dare one whisper it, themselves. And talking of tobacco, it took companies as up-market and well breeched as Alfred Dunhill to insinuate themselves into yachting with their Finnfinder’ scheme, designed to reveal untapped sailing talent and boost the UK’s Olympic ambitions. What brilliant marketing. Nor were Dunhill alone amongst the tobacco barons in their support of boating and for years, it seemed that yachting existed almost exclusively on a diet of fags and booze, supported as it was by cigarettes, champagnes, brandies, rums, gins, wines, whiskies, absinthe’s and beers, but as the sport developed and the health police moved in, its qualitative connotations attracted sponsors from more diverse and allowable market segments. Cars, computer software, financial institutions, oil companies and, famously, watches, have all backed the boats and waved the flags. The Royal Southern has always been circumspect in its courting of sponsorship and as befits a Royal Warrant Club, has promoted itself wisely and partnered selectively. The erstwhile fears amongst the old guard that taking the Shilling automatically meant dancing to an unwelcome or unholy tune have been replaced by the realisation, that correctly targeted and managed, sponsorships can bring good things and add value for Members. The 175th anniversary year gave an urgency and impetus to establishing relationships and happily, many of our partners have stayed aboard for the longer haul. Those relationships have been carefully and assiduously cultivated and all have one common theme; these partners of ours love the sport and social milieu that accompanies the sort of yachting that we do. Gaastra Pro Gear is run by Marc Blees, a Dutch Olympic sailor, currently regular crewman aboard Sir Peter Ogden’s Jethou yachts and who understands the Jamie Matheson, then CEO of Brewin Dolphin, faced the camera during the British Open Metre Regatta, which he sponsored. Photograph by Mike Austen. The Mount Gay Rum party at last year’s 175 Regatta, which was awarded Red Cap status. Photograph by Mike Austen. provenance and meaning of our burgee as well as what is required of sailing and leisure clothing. Harken in the UK is run by Andy Ash-Vie, a 6-Metre owner of some note. He got to know the Royal Southern whilst sailing Wildcat II in the British Open Metre Championship, itself sponsored by Brewin Dolphin under the enthusiastic management of Jamie Matheson. If knowing the Club helps the partnership, there are few people better placed than Chris Day. Through his efforts, GJW Direct has been the insurer of choice for many Members for many years and he has been instrumental in guiding their support to motorboating and other activities. Two of our sponsors carry a distinct Caribbean theme. Mount Gay Rum markets its brand as ‘the sailors’ rum’ and so it is in every country and club where yachts joust and yachtsmen gather. The Royal Southern has always stocked the golden fluid and used Mount Gay as prizes but last year, Brand Manager, Alvin Saal, gave the Club ‘Red Cap’ status for the 175 Regatta and has continued to support our activities. Through him, we met UK marketing supremo, Petra Roach and her Barbados Tourism Authority, whose Summer Regatta Series Champion Of Champions prize is an all expenses paid week in the sun for our most successful sailor, to experience the Round Barbados Race. Perfect synergy and symmetry. Champagne Joseph Perrier is a more recent recruit to our sponsor ranks but in many ways, has the most venerable link. This house is one of the smaller and more exclusively marketed boutique champagne marques. Its founder supplied his fizz by appointment to many crowned heads, including HM Queen Victoria in the early years of her reign and of her patronage of our Club, and it was this initiative that gave him the appellation La Cuvee Royale. Current owner, Jean-Claude Fourmon, though no sailor, recognises the value of historical links. Lastly, we have welcomed Aveva plc to our group. A pioneer in engineering design and information management solutions with their software, operating in 44 countries and servicing 3,000 clients with their 1,400 person- nel, their energetic CEO, Richard Longdon, is a Member and enthusiastic sailor himself. By now, the Club has a very specific and well defined policy on sponsorship, developed and honed over many years and policed by the Executive. The most important criteria are that the Club’s distinct quality of activities has to fit with the sponsor’s aims and ambitions and they with us, never over-sold and always in the clear knowledge that sponsorship is an investment, not a gift. The bottom line is that our sponsorships, whether in cash or kind, must help the Club stage its events and provide an incentive to participation. Over the past half century the Royal Southern Yacht Club has, by design or serendipitous happenstance and in its own individual way, mirrored the sponsorship trends of the world and sport at large, but throughout its history, whilst taking the sponsor shillings, has definitely and decidedly not danced to any tunes not of its own making. That’s why sponsorship works. John Walker 19 NIKLAS ZENNSTRÖM If you were to contemplate ‘who is the yacht racing world’s most prolific owner-driver’, you’d be hard pressed to surpass Royal Southern Yacht Club Member, Niklas Zennström. Zennström estimates he and his wife Catherine sail for 80-90 days each year. “It is quite a lot, a commitment, but it is something we enjoy doing,” he says. Heralding from Sweden, where he grew up sailing Optimists and Lasers and cruising with his family around his country’s magnificent coastline, Zennström had to put his sailing on hold for many years as his impressive business career took-off. The 47-year-old made his fortune in ground-breaking technologies such as the peerto-peer file sharing system, Kazaa, although he is best known as a co-founder of Skype. The world-famous internet telephone and messaging company was launched in 2003 and sold to eBay in 2005. Then, as part of a consortium, Zennström reacquired it in 2009 and two years later sold it again, this 20 time to Microsoft. He currently heads Atomico, an investment company that principally assists fast expanding companies with ground breaking technology to take their products global. Zennström and his French wife Catherine, who is also a keen sailor, got back onto the water in the mid-2000s when they chartered yachts, before committing to buy their first boat, a Marten 49. Having moved their base to London, their sailing often took place in the Solent. Getting increasingly allured by racing, the Zennströms took a significant step down this road when they acquired the TP52 Patches 2. Renaming her Rán, this was the first in a series of yachts they owned, named after the mythological Norse sea goddess. During the 2008 season, they campaigned the new speedster on both sides of the Atlantic. Key to their transition into serious yacht racing was putting together a team of elite pro sailors, a squad they have nurtured ever since. While Zennström helms, his crew is mainly Brit- ish, led by multiple Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Race sailor, Tim Powell and including many of the UK’s top names such as navigator Steve Hayles, Adrian Stead, Jeremy Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, Andy Hemmings and Jules Salter. In 2009 the Zennströms went a step further, venturing on to the international stage with the launch of a Judel-Vrolijk designed 72 footer, Rán 2 to compete on the burgeoning Mini Maxi circuit. On this Zennström would line up against some of the leading international race boat owner-drivers such as Hap Fauth, Jim Swartz, Neville Crichton, Sir Peter Ogden and Udo Schütz. But significantly Rán 2 was also designed to compete offshore in the world’s famous 600 milers. Thanks to Zennström applying the same passion and drive to his yachting as his impressive business life, Rán 2 proved to be one of the most successful and well travelled race boats of all time. Around the cans she was the Mini Maxi World Champion three years in a row and won her class in the 2009 Rolex Sydney-Hobart. She was also back-to-back outright handicap winner in the Rolex Fastnet Race in 2009 and 2011, a feat not achieved since Dick Nye’s Carina in the 1950s. In 2013, the weather conspired against a third win, but as a consolation prize Rán 2 won the Mini Maxi title for a fourth year, a fitting end to the yacht’s career under Zennström’s ownership – she has now been sold OPPOSITE PAGE TOP LEFT ‘Ran’ in the 2013 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Porto Cervo, Sardinia Photo: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi OPPOSITE PAGE LEFT Niklas Zennström at the helm of Ran2 - TP52 Photo: Xaume Olleros/52 Superseries TOP ‘Ran’ in heavy weather during the 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. Photo: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi CENTRE Ran 2 crew, winners of the Mini/Maxi Rolex World Championship Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi LEFT Ran 2 at the start of the Fastnet Race 2013 Photo by Rolex/Daniel Forster 21 but a replacement for her is due for launch in 2014. As if the Mini Maxi was not enough of a challenge, in 2011 Zennström joined the Audi MedCup, explaining at the time that the TP52 circuit represented the most competitive box rule keelboat racing on offer, and a real challenge for the helmsman. Rán finished her first season in the TP52 fleet in fifth, but winning the last event of the year in Barcelona. With Audi’s withdrawal of sponsorship and the subsequent collapse of the MedCup, Zennström teamed up with fellow 52 owners Argentinean Alberto Roemmers (of the Azzurra/ Matador team) and American Doug de Vos (of the Quantum Racing team) to fill the void with the 52 Super Series circuit for the 2012 season. For his team, 2012 represented further improvement finishing third overall and winning the Royal Cup in Palma. While they may have improved their position on on the 2013 52 Super Series leaderboard against the pro-sailor steered Azzura and Quantum Racing, the team did win the 22 Gaastra 52 World Championship in Miami. Niklas and Catherine Zennström also have their own charity Zennström Philanthropy. This carries out work supporting organisations that fight for human rights, work to stop climate change and encourage social entrepreneurship. However this has also extended to the sailing world. When not competing in the Mini Maxi or TP52 class, Zennström still has a Farr 45 he races out of Hamble, but also owns a second, Kolga, campaigned by a British Keelboat Academy crew. Occasionally lucky BKA sailors also get the opportunity to experience being part of a big team, joining the Rán Mini Maxi crew. “I think it is a great encouragement for them coming to sail with us,’ says Zennström. ‘We want to integrate more with those youth programmes, not just with us, but with other big boat teams. Some go on and do something else, but for others it becomes a big passion and they choose it as a profession. If we can encourage more of those, it would be great.” Sailing out of Hamble, the Zennströms have been Members of the Royal Southern Yacht Club since 2007. “It was a natural choice, because we race from there and also a lot of our core team comes from the area.” He has also contributed to the Club’s own youth programme. “It is great,’ continues Zennström. ‘It is very important to encourage youth, not only to do dinghy sailing, but to get involved with big boat sailing. The Club is good at supporting that.” As to the racing in the Solent compared to the Med, Zennström says, “racing with the 45 is always very enjoyable – it is a small fleet, but it is good racing, with very short courses. It is a bit more relaxed racing than in the Med where there is always a high stress factor. In Hamble, you race and you go to the pub! You don’t need to debrief.” Going forwards Zennström is locked into the Mini Maxi and 52 classes for the foreseeable future. With Rán 2 now sold, the replacement will be ready to campaign in 2014. Plus, as one the three stakeholders in the 52 Super Series, he is committed to getting a new 52 built for 2015. Personally the main difference between the two classes is that the Mini Maxi is ownerdriver whereas the 52 is not. “With the 52 Super Series, while you can beat Quantum and Azzurra in a single regatta, as an amateur to win the 52 Super Series overall is a pretty big ask. With the 52s the circuit is more organised and of course compared to the 72, the TP52 is much more like sailing a dinghy - you can throw it around.” To add to his commitments, Zennström is also President of the TP52 Class Association, which is in the throes of building itself back, as the global economy slowly recovers. Does he hold any other ambitions in sailing? “With these new boats, that is a three year commitment – that is where we are right now. We wish to win the 52 Super Series. There have been owner-driver winners before, but if that happens next year, we will celebrate a lot!” he concludes. James Boyd www.thedailysail.com OPPOSITE PAGE AND ABOVE TP52 Super Series Photos: Xaume Olleros RIGHT ‘Ran 2’ at the start of the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race Photo: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi 23 RACIN G Adam Munday, then an applicant for Academy Membership (and now a full Member), capped a class-winning racing performance with a piece of impressive, no-nonsense seamanship in rescuing an MOB from another boat. All in all a pretty good weekend on the water. 24 In Saturday’s racing, run by the Royal Southampton Yacht Club and incorporating its prestigious Clarkson Cup Regatta, Adam posted three bullets in IRC3 as skipper of the J/97 Induljence. Then in Sunday’s first race, the 20 year-old and his crew were, thankfully, in the right place at the right time. Conditions at the time of the incident were typical of the regatta on each day, a building breeze and an increasingly lumpy sea, particularly when tide turned against westerly wind in the course of racing, with Stephen Bromley’s A31 Aneetdjinn dismasting in MAY REGATTA testing conditions on Saturday. Jeopardy 2’s female crew was transferred back to her yacht by the Southern’s mark-laying RIB Sir Michael, seemingly none the worse for her experience in water as apparently it was “not as cold as she’d expected”. Induljence received redress for her rescue and, with a further win in the last race, took IRC3 ahead of David Greenhalgh’s J92 J’Ronimo and Andy Howe’s J92S Blackjack. The Clarkson Cup was on offer to Saturday’s winner in IRC1, with Edward Leask’s Swan 42 Magical Mystery Tour claiming the trophy by a point from Tokoloshe, Dave Bartholemew’s South African flagged Mills 40. However, Tokoloshe turned the tables on the Sunday with two wins to take May Regatta honours. “The weekend was about the May Regatta, but hitting a mark in the second race on Saturday knocked us down to third, which made the day less successful than it should have been,’ said Tokoloshe skipper and helmsman Dave Bartholomew. ‘Sunday was a better day. Everything just went right and we made fewer mistakes than anyone else, and had a couple of really good starts. Magical went through three spinnakers this weekend I think, so that didn’t help them – if they’d kept them in one piece it would have been closer, but we only beat them by a point as it was.’ He added, ‘It was good to see a better turnout amongst the big boats this regatta. There were some really decent boats in our class and I think some of them will be doing the rest of the series’ regattas. It makes for an even more valuable event.” Amongst the crew on Magical Mystery Tour, trialling for a place on the crew for the NYYC Invitational Cup, was Academy Member Ed Fitzgerald. “We saw tops of 35 to 40 knots by the end – the boat was going really well downwind and was quick around the race track,’ said Ed. ‘We had a few issues but it all paid off with a win in the Clarkson Cup. Sunday was nip-and-tuck with Tokoloshe all the way round and they just pipped us at the last.” Meanwhile in IRC2, Mike Bridges’ Elan 37 Elaine posted four firsts and a second to take the class ahead of Robbie and Lis Robinson’s Beneteau First 35 Hot Rats and Peter Morton’s Corby 33 Salvo. In the XODs Dux (Elliot Motherwell) and Leading Wind (Hamish Calder) traded first and second places with Elicia (John Sparshatt-Worley) disturbing the pattern with a win in the third race. Eventually Dux took the class win by a single point. In the J/80s Betty (John Powell) had a comparatively cavernous four point advantage over J Out Of The Box (Yannig Loyer), with Seafire (Rob Bunt) taking the final place on the podium. In the J/70s, Ruairidh Scott’s North Sails won five of the six races, ahead of Tristan Jacques’s Django and Tony Hanlon’s RAFBF Spitfire. The weather proved inhospitable for the 6 Metres and only one race was possible over the regatta, with Peter Andreae’s Erica leading home Christian Teichmann’s Abu and David Roberts’ Melita. In the Club Class, Tim Corner’s First 36s7 Girolle took three wins to finish ahead of John Rutherford’s Sigma 38 Degree of Latitude. Phil Riley Main photograph by Peter Bateson 25 26 JUNE REGATTA All those who experienced a moment or two in the Royal Southern Yacht Club’s Mount Gay Rum June Summer Regatta can take some small consolation from the fact that the robust conditions caught out the best – including Paralympic Gold Medallist Helena Lucas MBE. On Sunday Helena raced in the competitive SB20 fleet in a solid westerly breeze that rarely dropped below 20 knots with frequent 30 knot gusts, and a sea state that began to kick up when the tide turned against wind. A promising beginning took an abrupt downturn, recalled the Paralympic sailor, “We just had a big pitchpole. We were all at the back of the boat so there wasn’t much we could do, and all of a sudden we ploughed the boat into the wave in front and just kept on going and ended up on our side, and then I fell off the boat in to the water. That wasn’t so clever.” Helena, who generously agreed to present the June Regatta prizes in the Club after racing, became Britain’s first ever Paralympic sailing medallist in Weymouth in 2012 when she won the 2.4mR class, coincidentally on a line whose race officers included Simon and Georgie Hand as part of a group of seven Club Members. Despite a fourth in the first race, Helena and her crew on Volvo dropped down the order after a radio malfunction meant they did not hear a course change which saw them DNF in the second. The class was won by Craig Burlton’s Gill Race Team with a first and a second place, ahead of Jerry Hill’s Sportsboatworld.com and Jerry Vigus’ Henri Lloyd. With Saturday’s racing blown out by weather that saw 40-plus knots, and only two races possible on the Sunday, avoiding 27 errors was the key to success. It was a strategy successfully employed by Chris Jones and Louise Makin on the J/105 Journey Maker 5 who scored two bullets to win the class as well as the J/105 Nationals. “The forecast was pretty accurate so it was pretty much as we expected,’ said helmsman Chris. ‘Keeping it all together in those conditions was the real challenge. We had one or two hairy moments as you’d expect, but we’ve been working quite hard to get everything ready so the consequences weren’t too bad for us luckily.” Journey Maker 5 took the victory ahead of Roger Williams’ Jos of Hamble and Vernon Bradley’s Jackpot. In the J/109 class Iain Mackinnon’s Tigh Soluis II and Tony Dickin’s Jubilee each took a first and a third, the former claiming top spot on countback, ahead of David Richards’ Jumping Jellyfish. It was nip and tuck for honours in the keelboat classes as well. In IRC1 Mark Devereux’s Swan 42 Brevity took the win with a third and a first, just ahead of Mike Bartholomew’s Mills 40 Tokoloshe whose victory in the first race was offset by a Chinese gybe which dropped them to fourth in the second. Tony Mack’s J/111 McFly took third overall. Mark said, “We kept it together most of the time, though we had one small moment coming out of a gybe when we laid it down a little bit, though we managed to recover it better than most.’ Mark added, ‘The breeze was getting up and the seaway was kicking up with the tide, so it was a very good decision to end it after two races.” In IRC2 Mike Bridges’ Elan 37 Elaine again showed admirable consistency to take both wins, ahead of Robbie and Lis Robinson’s Hot Rats who were tied on points with Julian Tickner’s A35 Aztec. IRC3 saw a 1-2 scoreline from John Allen’s X302 Antix to secure top spot in front of Nick and Adam Munday’s J/97 Induljence and Neville Hodkin’s X362 Xtra Djinn. IRC4 was won by Paul Treliving’s Odd Job. Consistency again paid off in the Club Class with Ian Stowe’s International Folkboat Connie taking the honours ahead of John and Sandra Pickles’ Grand Soleil 40 Bombardino and Barry Peddley’s Dehler 37 Illywhacker. Phil Riley 28 MOUNT GAY RUM RED CAP PARTY This summer we have not only had weather worthy of the Caribbean in Hamble but, courtesy of Mount Gay Rum and the Barbados Tourist Authority, the June regatta had a party worthy of any Caribbean jump-up. Accompanied by dancers in carnival costumes the Club echoed to the sound of pans, dancing, and general revelry, possibly encouraged by the copious quantities of Mount Gay that were consumed. Sustenance was provided in the Sadly the tropical weather had not arrived in time for the June regatta and so, with the day’s racing abandoned due to high winds, frustrated racers had plenty of energy left to dance the night away to the music of the appropriately named Hurricane Force. They were joined by Club Members and guests who had memories of last year’s Red Cap Party and they were not disappointed. form of a caribbean style buffet complete with an exotic fruit arrangement. Serious partying continued well into the night but, happily, there is no record of the state of the hangovers the following morning, just the memory of much enjoyment at a superb Regatta Party. Our thanks to Mount Gay Rum and the Barbados Tourism Authority for their sponsorship of the regatta and the party. 29 JULY REGATTA Regatta wins can come from smart sailing or a consistent performance – and sometimes just from rounding the right mark. Two classes in the Champagne Joseph Perrier July Summer Regatta were ultimately decided by this simple approach. In the first of Sunday’s races a bemused Race Officer, Tony Lovell, watched as the SB20 fleet passed their first downwind racing mark, the ODM, and headed towards the more distant laid mark which was their final mark before the finish, but on the second lap not the first. Only one boat turned at the ODM and headed back upwind, Scott Graham and Nick Elder’s Chill Pill Plus. “We’d had a poor start so were towards the back of the fleet,’ said Nick, ‘we’d discussed the course before the 30 start so we were convinced it was the right mark and went for it. Without it we wouldn’t have won the regatta.” The win, followed by a second and another bullet, saw Chill Pill Plus take the class ahead of Jerry Hill’s consistent Sportsboatworld.com by two points. Phil Plumtree’s PP Projects was third. It was a similar story in the XOD fleet with John SparshattWorley’s Elicia. As he admitted after racing, “It all came down to the first race and being in the right place at the right time. We had to check three times to make sure we were going to the right mark as everyone else was going a completely different way. We ended up 35 minutes in front of everyone else which meant they were all DNF.” Elicia’s subsequent results were enough to fend off the hard-charging Clare Pengelly with four successive first places in La Mouette. Diana Wilson was third in Mischief. John added, “What was very special for me was that we finished at William, which is my brother’s mark. He died in 1997 and that’s why the mark’s there – we normally pour beer over the side when we go past as it’s where we scattered his ashes and put the buoy in afterwards. The fun bit of it was that the Royal Southern, in particular, changed the racing rules for the ABOVE: Solent mark ‘William’ was named as a memorial to William Sparshatt-Worley, a Club Member who died in a road accident in Florida in 1997 Photographs Paul Wyeth 31 following two years so that you could hit William, or go round it any way you liked – so long as no one was looking!” William Sparshatt-Worley, a Club Member, died in a road accident in Florida aged 29 and a memorial trophy in his name is awarded annually by the Club. The closest contest of the regatta came in the J/109s with Tony Dickin’s Jubilee tied on points and winning on count back from Mike Wallis’ Jahmali. Iain Mckinnon’s Tigh Soluis II was a close third. “It was still pretty close racing though, and with Tigh Soluis II and Jahmali it was nip and tuck all the way round”, said Tony. Racing in the J/109 fleet was marred by an injury to a crewman on Designstar 2 during Sunday’s first race and led to the yacht’s subsequent retirement from racing. The crewman was treated overnight in Southampton General Hospital for two fractured ribs but made a full recovery. Designstar skipper Roger Phillips praised the Coastguard, paramedics and the South Central Ambulance Service for their prompt and efficient response. It was also close racing in the J/80 class with Mike Lewis’ Jester and Patrick Liardet’s Aqua J each taking three wins, with Jester shading her opposition by a point. Chris Body’s Swallow was third. In the J/70s Jack Davies’ Jugador won five of the six races to finish ahead of Ian Wilson’s Joyride. Steph Merry aboard Midnight Cowboy had the 1720 course to herself. Phil Riley 32 SEPTEMBER REGATTA Shifty conditions upset the pecking order on a few occasions, and final results in two classes required protest room judgements, but the Royal Southern Yacht Club’s AVEVA September Regatta put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces, with handsome trophies for the successful. The season finale was blessed with sufficient breeze to ensure a full programme of races, though final races on both red and green lines were shortened. Some of the tightest racing of the weekend came from the J/80s, with wins across the six races shared between the top four boats. However, Patrick Liardet’s Aqua J took the lion’s share with three successive victories to take the class by two points from Mike Lewis’ Jester, with Colin Hall’s Boysterous filling out the podium. A delighted Patrick said, “It’s been a good fun regatta. The great thing about the J/80s is that the boats are really evenly matched so it’s really about the boat handling, so going round the corners well means you can win or lose a little bit, and in the tacks as well.” That consistency can bring its own rewards was demonstrated in the always competitive J/109 class, which was won by Iain Mackinnon’s Tigh Soluis II with a string of top-three finishes though no race wins. 34 Mike Wallis’ Jahmali took second, with one victory, and Tony Dickin’s Jubilee third. Jubilee took four wins but her regatta was marred by a collision which put her out of two races. The J/70s also saw a tight tussle for top spot, with Mike Flood’s J7T edging Simon Carvey’s Pheebs – by four wins to two – with Ian Wilson’s Joyride third. Meanwhile, youth for once got the better of long experience in the XOD fleet with 31 year-old Elliot Motherwell’s Dux getting the better of second and third place boats whose skippers’ average age was 80. from sub-10 to over 20.’ He added, ‘The courses were absolutely brilliant and the race management was first class. It’s the first time we’ve raced from the Southern, and we’ll be back.” IRC3 was also won with a perfect scoreline, with Adam Munday, 21, sharing driving duties with his father Nick on the J/97 Indulgence. Adam said, “I drove on the Saturday and my dad on Sunday. We’ve been sailing for about six years, and dinghies before that, so we get on pretty well. The boat gets used a lot – I think we’ve done 40 races this year, so we get out most weekends and that means the crew gels together really well.” David Greenhalgh’s J/92 J’Ronimo pipped Neville Hodkin’s X362 Xtra Djinn for second place on countback. In IRC2 Peter Morton’s Corby 33 Salvo emerged as class Elliott – with a mere 20 years in XODs – took four wins before a ‘navigational error’ saw them give best in race five to Philip Almeida’s Fantasy, which took second overall. Gerry Golding’s Pepper was third. “They’ve got the experience,’ conceded Elliott, adding, ‘it was very shifty but that’s what you need for a good regatta.” IRC1 was won with a string of bullets by Cowes-based Zero II Local Letterbox, taking part in her first Royal Southern regatta. Skipper James Gair paid tribute to the way his crew dealt with sometimes tricky conditions. “It was great, though really shifty conditions – we had everything 35 winner after taking two wins on Sunday, ahead of Robbie and Lis Robinson’s First 35 Hot Rats and Mike Bridge’s Elan 37 Elaine. The latter had looked set for better with two wins on Saturday, but steering failure ruled her out of both races on Sunday. NHC Club Class was won by Dudley Stock’s X302 Xtract ahead of John Rutherford’s Sigma 30 Degree of Latitude and Daniel Anthony’s Grand Soleil 39 Malaika. Gary Baker’s Trio narrowly won bragging rights in the SB20 class with four straight wins to finish a point ahead of Natalie French’s Turbulence Too. IRC4 was won unopposed by Lucy Wood’s Quarter-tonner Rum Bleu, as was the 1720 class by Steph Merry’s Midnight Cowboy. Phil Riley All photographs by Mike Austen 36 NEW YORK YACHT CLUB INVITATIONAL CUP 38 39 TOP FIVE TRIUMPH It is not often in a Club sailor’s career that he or she has the opportunity to walk freely inside the New York Yacht Club at Newport, USA, taking in the staggering marine memorabilia, and race aboard boats designed in collaboration with leading names Nautor’s Swan and Frers. This would be an experience most likely reserved for only the world’s most wealthy and well-connected or a serious paid crew. The New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup Presented by Rolex, however, is the exception to the rule. This biennial event is an invitation only regatta, but it does not entertain the likes of professional crew. Instead the only guests welcome during this designated mid-September week are amateur sailors, including the Royal Southern’s Magical Mystery Tour team who just want to sail for the sheer fun of the sport. Racing as a leisure pursuit is what this hugely popular event is all about and is the perfect platform for international yacht club members to mingle in what many might refer to as a Corinthian spirit. Racing for the 2013 edition included an overall entry of 20 teams from 13 different countries. A very unique event on the Club Swan calendar, this is an established favourite among amateurs. The Club Swan 42s originally commissioned by the NYYC are all one design allowing for fleet racing and avoids complex handicaps. This model from Nautor’s Swan, is light and extremely fast – their sportiest model to date. The 1,991 sq ft asymmetric spinnaker provides plenty of downwind speed flown from a carbon bow sprit and foils are designed for optimal performance. Edward Leask heading up the Magical Mystery Tour team as helm, spotted these design qualities a few years ago putting in an order at the Rolex Swan Cup. He is now sitting comfortably at the top of the ladder as Gazprom Swan European Regatta Champion, winning back in July with his son Magnus. No stranger to the professional scene, Edward Leask competed in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games as a Soling middle man with Chris Law and then Lawrie Smith backed up by bowman Jerry Richards. Swan racing however, has always been on Edward’s agenda and the NYYC Invitational Cup a must do event with a top ten result. Edward spoke about his crew credentials, “the main aim for the team was to keep it young and with an average overall age safely within the 30 bracket the emphasis has definitely been upon the next generation”. The selections started back in late Spring with talented Members battling a series of strong winds, 40 PREVIOUS PAGE Edward Leask and his crew putting Magical Mystery Tour through her paces on Day 3 CENTRE New York Yacht Club in Newport Rhode Island – a beautiful setting for the Invitational Cup. Photograph by David Henderson-Williams Designated number 14 Magical Mystery Tour can also be recognised by the RSrnYC burgee on her mainsail and can be seen in all the photographs All other photographs courtesy of Rolex/ Daniel Forster heavy seas and cold temperatures during some of the Club events, all with a dream of competing in Newport. The three youngest team Members Annabel Vose (19), Dan Saltmarsh (21) and Ed Dyer (24), made the final cut being a real asset to the team. “The Royal Southern Academy Members have not only sailed incredibly hard during racing with flat out hiking and lightning speed match race style boat handling, they have worked diligently to get the boat ready and have excelled themselves ashore at high profile functions. I am blown away by the quality of these sailors who are all determined to also have great careers, all three of them opting for Masters at university. Great fun and positive at all times, they have been a pleasure to get to know and I look forward to future regattas with them all” said Edward. Renowned for tough competition the NYYC Invitational Cup takes no prisoners. Ed Dyer, Grinder and Rolls Royce employee, commented, “It was a high scoring series, every point counted right until the end. The Club Swan 42 is very rewarding to sail if you work with her, every speed build out there is critical. If you get it right there’s massive gains to be had, but it’s also punishing if you get it wrong”. Annabel Vose, 420 World Champion, was impressed with the standard of competition, “due to the fleet all being the same losses are massive on tiny mistakes, they cost you loads. Gains are equally huge”. Dan Saltmarsh, Bowman, pointed out the quality of the racing and highlighted consistency as key, “the organisation is so precise”. Annabel summed up the trip for the Academy Members, “We went to Newport to learn and we have learnt loads, we got to know the fleet and local winds as well as making new global contacts to help with our long term racing”. Edward followed an Olympic career with a Sigma 33 campaign enjoying time racing with family including his father and close friends. Lucky enough to have an excellent core crew, Edward has sailed with the likes of Angus Hemmings and Mike Richards for around a decade of highly diverse yacht racing. It was Mr Hemmings who originally sold the idea of the first Swan 56 purchase called Magical to the family noting that it would be the ultimate cruiser with vast opportunities for relaxing. The original 41 Swan concept for Edward has clearly changed over the years; after a stint at cruising, Edward soon found his way back to racing, sparking the Club Swan 42 purchase. Even now in his more mature years, Edward is a racer at heart and has made the unusual crossover from crew to helm, a tough transition to pull off. “Helming is not my number one role, having grown up as a Flying Dutchman crew; I need back up at the aft of the boat and have been lucky enough to race with the highly talented Tim Burnell for the first time at the NYYC Invitational Cup.” Stepping up to the role of tactician from his normal job as trimmer, Tim was up against some of the most experienced Olympic and big boat circuit minds, pulling off an incredible set of solid results for the Royal Southern Yacht Club team. Edward summed up the event. “My goal was a top ten and we surpassed this with a 5th overall, mentally and physically testing the NYYC Invitational Cup was a complete success for our Magical Mystery Tour team, thoroughly enjoyed by all the crew including family, close sailing friends and new upcoming talent. There is one additional person I would like to thank which is my skipper, Martin Bain, working tirelessly to make this happen for us.” Cailah Leask 42 2013 NYYC INVITATIONAL CUP presented by Rolex FINAL RESULTS TABLE Pl. TEAM TUESDAY Last updated: 1800 Saturday 14 September WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Bow MNA R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 Total 1 Royal Canadian YC 05 CAN 14 7 9 1 1 1 1 1 3 7 45 2 Larchmont YC 07 USA 2 2 2 16 3 4 5.1 2 1 14 51.1 3 Royal Thames YC 12 GBR 3 6.3 16 2 11 2 4 6 5 8 63.3 4 Royal Cork YC 08 IRL 7 7.8 7 6 5 10 8 11 10 6 77.8 5 Royal Southern YC 14 GBR 5 17 5 14 6 10 13 10 9 2 91 6 Japan Sailing Federation 03 JPN 4 1 10 10 10 7 11 16 8 15 92 7 Seattle YC 17 USA 9.2 12 14 7 2 3 2 12 19 12 92.2 8 YC Argentino 16 ARG 18 16 13 4 19 13 7 3 2 1 96 9 New York Yacht Club 11 USA 8 13 6 5 4 18 17 8 7 11 97 10 Cruising VC of Australia 06 AUS 15 9 12 15 8 5 5 9 18 5 101 11 Royal Prince Alfred YC 18 AUS 1 5 1 11 18 21 6 7 15 19 104 12 Royal Yacht Squadron 02 GBR 9 6 5 13 20 8 12 5 12 17 107 13 The San Francisco YC 15 USA 12 11 4 3 15 21 14 13 4 13 110 14 Yacht Club Italiano 04 ITA 10 19 9 18 7 9 21 4 13 3 113 15 Royal Hong Kong YC 13 HKG 13 3 17 8 20 14 3 17 6 16 117 16 Royal Freshwater Bay YC 09 AUS 6 5 19 12 9 16 16 19 11 10 123 17 Royal Belgian Sailing Club 20 BEL 11 8 11 9 17 11 15 18 16 18 134 18 Nylandska Jaktklubben 10 FIN 16 13.9 18 19 17 6 9 14 17 9 138.9 19 RCN de Barcelona 01 ESP 17 18 15 17 12 17 10 15 20 20 161 20 Royal Swedish YC 19 SWE 21 16 20 21 14 12 21 20 14 4 163 RDG AVERAGE POINTS FOR RACES 1-10 (except in the race in question) AVERAGE POINTS FOR RACES 1-5 AND 7 ZFP 20% “Z” FLAG OCS PENALTY = 4 POINTS DSQ DISQUALIFIED RDG BSP 1pt BOW SPRIT PENALTY (x2) BSP 1pt BOW SPRIT PENALTY OCS ON COURSE SIDE AT START, DID NOT RETURN Edward Leask, had a single minded objective to fulfil in the Royal Southern’s first invitation to the New York Yacht Club’s Invitational Cup Presented by Rolex – to be in the top half of the fleet. Your reporter’s objective was to beat the NYYC on their home patch. Tricky, not just on their home waters but in their own designed boats. There was a great deal of preparation for what has turned out to be a major achievement for the Magical Mystery Tour (MMT) team who finished fifth out of twenty of the world’s best Yacht Clubs. Last year, Edward agreed to represent the Club at this, the most prestigious Corinthian Regatta in the world; no pros, huge attention to detail in equalising the boats, and with twenty of the top Clubs in the world racing One Design forty A SPECTATORS VIEWPOINT LEFT HAND PAGE Photograph by Rolex/Daniel Forster TOP Magical Mystery Tour in training at the RSrnYC June Regatta. Photograph by Paul Wyeth CENTRE The Royal Southern contingent at Newport. Photograph by Graham Nixon BOTTOM Magical Mystery Tour in full flight on day 4 on the way to a second place finish. Photography by David Henderson-Williams footers in really close quarters. The boats are so evenly matched that they arrive at the weather mark at the same time and most of them also arrive at the leeward gate at the same time. With on-water umpiring, these were critical times. One bad move and you lose 10 places or more. Equally, one inspired move and you’re away. New York Yacht Club had won their own Invitational Cup first time around in 2009. Royal Canadian Yacht Club won in 2011. They keep and race their own boat at Newport and were hot contenders this time, as were nearby Larchmont Yacht Club from New York State and recent winners of the US National championships. Edward has been a Southern Member since 2001 and raced with his son Magnus making it a family affair. They used the Club’s May and June Regattas as part of their crew selection trials before shipping MMT out to Newport. Fast forward as the crew arrive including three Academy Members; Annabel Vose who was a Splasher as a tiny, has been Women’s World 420 Champion and is now campaigning a 470; Ed Dyer, Splasher and Junior Cadet since 2004 and serial Match Race winner and bowman Dan Saltmarsh who joined the Academy two years ago and who is at Southampton University with lots of successes under his belt. The results sheet shows the ups and downs of the fleet during five days of the most close, intense Corinthian racing that there is for one designs of this size. Early on we had a couple of fifths with some tough races in between culminating in a stunning second place towards the end of the event showing that time on the water really pays off. We team supporters were able to follow the fleet on our own and other spectator boats, and I recall our guys ap43 proaching a finish in line abreast in 6/7/8 position, but which? Ed Dyer, Academy crew, said to me afterwards that he and the crew had never hiked so hard in their lives. The 8th became a 6th in the race which proved our final position of 5th overall, ahead of our rivals over the Solent and more importantly ahead of the NYYC on home ground.This was really intense, exciting racing – almost no holds barred apart from the on-water umpiring. On the last day, the wind was fitful, a contest between the offshore gradient wind and the sea breeze. We were following on a mega vintage motor yacht called simply America, with computerised tracking on board. After a few hours delay it seemed there was enough wind to go. We watched our guys head left, come in strong to the weather mark in 7th place, get penalised down to 18th, but then surge downwind to 6th on the tracker ABOVE The parade of yachts. Photograph by Rolex/David Forster and 4th on the water – before the wind faded to nothing and the race was cancelled. Oh well, we were up there and who knows what might have happened. First, congratulations to Edward and the whole team. They surpassed their top ten objective, were true Corinthian competitors and I am sure that NYYC RIGHT Magical Mystery Tour giving chase on day 4. Photograph by David Henderson-Williams BOTTOM Edward Leask and his crew relaxing after race 1 on day 4. Photograph by David Henderson-Williams will ask us back. Congratulations also to the New York Yacht Club, Rolex and Nautor’s Swan; this was a true world class event on and off the water, great race management, well-resourced with lots of volunteers, a really friendly atmosphere and with competitors and spectators applauding each other’s efforts. The NYYC hospitality and organisation were unsurpassed. This is an Invitational event in its third edition; the Squadron has been invited three times, the Royal Thames twice and now ourselves. I am sure that this is a result of our growing reputation – 175, Club of the Year – and a tribute to all those who created the opportunity. To them, let’s raise our glasses, and to the Skipper and crew, to our sponsors Gaastra who helped push the boat out with great sailing gear, and to those very kind Members who helped to fund our Academy Members to get out there. A final reflection – these occasions allow people to meet who would not normally have the opportunity. I noted that our Commodore, David Mead and Rear Commodore Sailing, Karen Henderson-Williams, were very busy talking to their opposite numbers from Clubs all around the world. All of the shore support team, as you would expect, paid their own way and more, helping with food and lodgings for the crew. But above all, thanks to Edward Leask without whom none of this would have been possible. Truly an event and a result to remember. Colin Hall – Chairman of Sailing 44 XODs IN HAMBLE The summer has been so wonderful since July we have almost forgotten the wet and windy early season back in April. As is our wont a few, like Eliot Motherwell, brace the cold and get racing on the 1 April. Only for the brave say the majority. So the Wednesday and Saturday Early Bird Series is run. 46 Come May a few more have entered the fray with the May Regatta one of the highlights. X159 Dux took the honours by one point with Hamish Calder in Leading Wind heading John Sparshatt Worley in Elicia into third place. X150 and X124 made up the ‘menage a cinque’. At the end of May the first of the Friday evening races was run, the planned first being lost because of too much wind. In total eight X boats took part in the Friday series. We hope for a larger number in 2014. Into this mix came X166 with Marcie Russell at the helm. Gaining two firsts and a second she was showing the others the way to go. Incidentally she also has pace in her go-kart and normally has the boys in her wake as well. Consistency is what a series is all about with X13 heading X124 and X150. But look out for Miss Russell. If school, racing go-karts and other competitive activities weren’t there she would have been top of the tree. But then variety is the spice of life as you approach your teenage years. By the way Marcie takes after her dad Simon, double Captains Cup winner to name but one accolade. Royal Southern please keep this series going in 2014; it’s not only a good breeding ground for the future but great fun for all –finishing off at the Club, under spinnaker. June came and with it Sunday morning racing at the Southern. A shorter series compared with Friday’s but fun nonetheless. Tim Harding in X90 Calypo headed MOS FitzGerald in X124 with Ken Williamson in X144 in third. Ken flew in from Houston to give it a go which was a great effort. He is now a proud Dad, his daughter being born during Cowes Week. Doubtless a budding sailor in the making. July and it’s all getting busy. The XOD Inter Solent Regatta run by the Southern, Friday evening racing, Wednesday and Saturday A series and Classic Cowes to mention just a few. Every weekend from July to mid September there is a regatta to compete in within easy reach of Hamble. At least one of our boats covered most including a 4 day long weekend post Cowes Week in Bembridge/Seaview. The regatta that epitomises our theme is Classic Cowes. Ben and his sister Abby took equal turns to helm their XOD X2 Palassie ably assisted by their Dad as crew. 37 boats competed. At the end of the week Abby and Ben were on equal points with Kim Slater (with Simon Russell as crew) and only slipped back into 4th overall on count back. WHAT A FANTASTIC RESULT. By the way the combined ages of Abby and Ben averages at 11.5 years! So you might well ask is there a future in an XOD. You can bet your life there is and the youngsters are showing their elders the way forward. The Aveva September Regatta saw another good turnout of the XOD fleet with Ed Fitzgerald in X159 Dux leading them home in all but one race ahead of Philip Almedia in X96 Fantasy and Gerry Golding in X150 Pepper. As a fleet we want to thank the Southern for the racing they have organised on our behalf and hope 2014 will be even more successful compared with 2013. What have we learnt this year? Age is no barrier. Our youngest helm is 10.5 years our oldest is Gerry Goulding at 85. Sailing and particularly racing an XOD is good for your health. Spending time ashore post racing with prizes and fun and much chat is good for one’s being. So please Royal Southern keep it all going. We as a fleet much appreciate being able to come ashore on a Friday evening at 2145 and still be welcomed for supper. It’s all good news for our Club having happy competitors. MOS FitzGerald – X124 Kathleen OPPOSITE PAGE TOP Abby Childerley, having to put up with her father Stuart as crew! Photograph by Eddie Mays OPPOSITE PAGE CENTRE LEFT Gerry Goulding, our oldest XOD competitor in the Hamble fleet Photograph by Mike Austen TOP Phil Almeida collecting his Aveva decanter from Karen Henderson-Williams and the Commodore. LEFT Eliot Motherwell making waves. Photograph by Mike Austen CENTRE Andy Hamlett with Phil Almeida and John Roberts crewing Photograph by Mike Austen ABOVE Marcie Russell with the Stanley Steel Challenge Cup won at Bursledon Regatta this year in X166. 47 SB20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS After 4 days of racing a number of crews were in contention to be World Champions. On the final day of racing, and the decider for the World Chamionships after 4 days of racing, the Race Committee attempted to get the 90 strong fleet racing on schedule but the fleet was recalled twice and the second recall was made under the black flag. Fourteen competitors were called over the line and were forced to wait for the start of a second race; which never came. With the championship still up for grabs in what was to be the final race, the arrival of the fleet at the first windward mark rounding was tense for all involved. Edward Russo (FRA) sailing his beautiful ‘Black Magic’ emerged leading the fleet and maintained his lead to the leeward mark. Championship 48 contender Roger Hudson (RSA) arrived in fourth position ahead of Craig Burlton (GBR). Hudson called a foul on Burlton, who promptly took his penalty turn on the spreader leg, which provided the opportunity for Rodion Luka (UKR) and JeanBaptiste Bernaz (FRA) to pass him. At the leeward mark little had changed except Iain Ainslie had joined the leading boats. By the second windward rounding, Ainslie had taken the lead and Hudson was ahead of Luka, who was ahead of Burlton. On the race to the finish, the result was still unclear and it was after some quick calculations from the press boat that the winner emerged. Burlton had done enough, he was three points clear and the 2013 World Champion. When the result was confirmed, the Gill Race Team crew gasped with relief, Burlton’s first comment after the result was confirmed, “I can’t believe it....! It’s been such a good week. When we came round the top mark and Roger [Hudson] called a penalty on us, we had to take it...all the time we were trying to close in on the twelve or so boats ahead of us. It was really hard. It’s been a tough week of racing in a really tough fleet. We’ve absolutely loved it.” Fellow Club Member Roger Hudson complimented Burlton’s success, “This win for Craig sets him apart; all the other boats in the top five have professionals sailing on them; Craig’s crew have been together for a long time, they sailed really well; they were awesome this week.” Praise indeed. I N D U S T R I A L WHERE SAILING MEETS INDUSTRY... LOW-FRICTION LOAD MANAGEMENT Photo credit Sean Cogan For over 45 years, Harken has built its reputation on producing quality products developed, tested, and used in extreme marine environments. Today, this knowledge is applied to the design and manufacture of a broad range of load-handling apparatus for the industrial sector: winches, pulleys, and linear motion track systems. COMMERCIAL MARINE INDUSTRIAL LIFTING & RIGGING ARCHITECTURAL WORKING AT HEIGHT Harken Industrial strives to find the best solution to your high-load, low-friction, weight-critical applications. find us on… T: 01590 689122 www.power-seat.com www.harkenindustrial.com [email protected] I N D U S T R I AL SHORT COURSE RACING This year saw Friday evening racing back at the Club for the first time in many years. This initiative was put in place after consultation with Members and day boat users who wanted more opportunities top take part in shorter races. Saturday afternoon and Sunday racing were also on offer, but it was the Friday’s that were the most popular. With the focus on short, snappy and easy to organise races, ‘Sir Michael’ was elevated from mark laying RIB to committee boatwith the simple of addition of some tubes to take the flags. This allowed a much smaller team usually a pair - of race officers to run the events. Our race officer training day had been planned with this in mind and now Race Management has a larger team of volunteers to call on. Unsurprisingly, the series did not get off to a totally smooth start as the early summer weather conspired to blow several events off the water. When better sailing weather finally arrived, the new race officer teams found that even with smaller fleets of little boats, the same number of tasks were needed to run two starts in a bouncy little RIB on an exposed anchorage. Being versatile, they managed to start their races with the clock between their ankles, a hooter under a knee, a pencil in one hand and a flag in another. By arrangement with the Harbourmaster, Friday evening races were permitted to progress up the river to the traditional Club finish line (between the flag pole and the far pile). Thus for the first time in decades, Friday evenings saw a succession of spinnakers racing past the Club House and preprandial drinks being enlivened by the regular toot of the hooter. This was particularly pleasing on the 13th June, when Chairman of Sailing, Colin Hall, who had en50 thusiastically endorsed the series, celebrated a very special birthday. The sponsored prizegivings saw the successful competitors walk away with some excellent Gaastra and Harken equipment, as well as some fortifying rum to encourage their efforts. Our Sailing Secretary, Natalie Gray, was the overall winner in RYA/NHC Club Class having helmed J80 Boysterous in some very competitive racing and Mos Fitzgerald in Kathleen took honours in the XOD class. The Autumn Friday night series attracted fewer competitors, but by now Race Management had worked on some new courses giving greater variety. Sadly, as the evenings grew shorter we had to draw the racing to a close but much has been learnt and Race Management are looking forward to another season of short course racing next year. Very many thanks to all those who helped out, including Phil Riley who officially was there to write a report on the races but ended up being a very versatile race officer. Thank you also to the competitors who gave such encouraging feedback, to Philip Gage for the courses and to our sponsors, Gaastra and Harken. Serena Alexander Photographs by Phil Riley FORWARD TO 2014 Colin Hall retiring Chairman of Sailing and Graham Nixon current Vice Chairman of Sailing review the 2013 season and consider the 2014 sailing programme. CH: It’s been a busy year and Regatta numbers have held up well after the extra 175 activity but we’ve had to work hard to get those boats on the water and tried a number of new things, like short course evening racing and the RYA’s National Handicap for cruisers. How do you see racing developing next year? GN: Over recent years, event turnouts have suffered across the board internationally – from dinghies through to keelboats – so we have done well to hold our numbers. In the 2014 provisional programme we have retained all the popular regattas, passage races and Friday evening series’, as well as introducing some new events. CH: What about the cruising side? The long distance cruisers met the Clyde Cruising Club, RAFYC and Royal Cork in Benodet this year. Will there be similar opportunities next year? GN: Yes, the Cruising committee is looking at options for more interclub collaborative events, as well as fly & charter cruising in warmer waters and the ICOYC cruises. As well as boosting entry numbers, this sort of event creates the opportunity to meet and make new friends. We’re also keen to promote more family-friendly cruising in the Solent and are considering a week-long family Channel cruise next summer. People starting or returning to sailing generally start by cruising and we need to encourage this and help them develop their sailing skills through cruising and cruiser racing. CH: The new Youth Group Committee held a seriously good Splash Week and our Match Cup attracted international entries for the first time. What are the plans for them next year? GN: Splash Week was a fantastic success and it has been great to see the Club full of youngsters on regatta weekends this season as well as during match racing. They give me confidence that the Club has a bright future. The Youth Committee have already put their events into the programme and are ambitious to expand the range and level of events they organise. We are also planning to repeat the BKA match race and are working to raise the profile of keelboat racing within the RYA. But we really need to focus on getting that fourth Club J/80, to enable us to organise match racing cost effectively. CH: We were invited to the New York Yacht Club’s Invitational Regatta for the first time and came away with a great result. Do you think we will be able to do that again in two years’ time? GN: Just being invited was confirmation of how far the Club has come in recent years. It was a privilege to be in Newport for that event and the whole week was just amazing. Edward Leask and the team did really well, amongst competition from the top Clubs in the world. Virtually every boat was on the line at the gun and again two miles later at the windward mark; it was really close racing. Two years’ time? We just have to be there and need to start planning now to make it happen. CH: Graham, you’ve got another two years on the Sailing Committee. Is there anything else you like to see achieved in that time? GN: Hmm? There is one thing. There’s a gap between motorboats and sailing in the Club, which I would like to see narrowed. I’d like to see more joint events, with the two sections arriving at the same destination and socialising together. We managed to get one motorboat on the Poole and Back event this year and the mid-week cruises have attracted a mix, so we’re making some progress. Next year Deauville is hosting the Figaro and the 70th anniversary of the DDay landings is just a few miles down the French coast a few days later. So it would be wonderful to get more Royal Southern motorboats accompanying the race to Deauville. Royal London Members do it, so why can’t we? 51 Henry of Huntingdon, the 12th-century chronicler, tells how Canute set his throne by the sea shore – the precise location is the source of some disagreement but the odds are that it was on the Solent – and commanded the tide to halt and not wet his feet and robes. Yet ‘continuing to rise as usual [the tide] dashed over his feet and legs without respect to his royal person’. Then the King leapt backwards saying, “Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of Kings, for there is none worthy of the name, but He whom heaven, earth, and sea obey by eternal laws.” Canute may have proved that Kings are mortal and cannot control the tides or other natural phenomena but the Royal Southern Yacht Club’s weekend Regatta, named in his honour, delivered one of the best day’s sailing of the year on Saturday 31 August. Set up as a special one day event to compensate for all the early season events blown away CANUTE CONFOUNDED by bad weather, the free to enter Regatta saw cloudless blue skies, a moderate northerly wind, many pirates and a few parrots, several zebras, Father Christmas and the good King himself take to the water. With the wind in the north, there were big swings in the wind coming off the land and so keeping in time with the wind shifts made all the difference. In the NHC Cruiser Class, Jonty Sherwill and Vicky Weston in their Classic Cockleshell won both races and so were clear winners from Keith Bridges in Amigos and Paul Waxman in Imperator. Adam Munday’s J/97 just pipped Andrew Christie’s J/111 Icarus on countback to win the IRC Class although Andrew had the satisfaction of line honours in both races. Robbie and Lis Robinson’s Hot Rats completed the leader board. In the NHC Sports Boat Class Ivan Trotman’s J/80, J’ai Deux Amours, won both races and so the day, followed by Gary Baker’s SB20 Trio, and Rebecca Anthony’s SB20 Striptease. The hero, King Canute, having proved his worth with the weather was placed second in the first race but had to retire from the second – a little local difficulty with the tides according to his alter ego, John Rutherford. Asked if he would be returning next year, pirate Captain Bill Blain said, “Arrrgh...” He could be asked back. Colin Hall 52 53 POOLE & BACK RACE Saturday’s race was really quite eerie – not a single cloud in the sky and a north easterly wind blowing 15-18 knots; that is in an almost direct line from Hamble to Poole. I had to pinch myself to make sure I had remembered to get out of my bunk that morning. This race is all about tidal strategy. How long to stay inshore on the mainland side, before crossing to the Island side for the stronger tides; then whether to go through the North Channel around Hurst Castle for a more direct line to Poole but with weaker tides, or whether to stay in the Needles channel as far as SW Shingles buoy, which is a longer distance but gives stronger tides. Nine boats assembled for the start at East Knoll, where Martin Bedford and Mike Foster, the race officers, set a short beat to Hill Head then non-stop to Poole Bar No.1 – remembering to go around Hurst Castle, of course. Magic was just ahead of Bold Eagle and Wishful Thinking around the mark, when a scramble followed to see who could get spinnakers up first. Magic and Wishful led with their symmetrical spinnakers, which were ideal for the broad reach down the Western Solent and a direct line to Hurst. At Hurst, most boats elected for the North Channel and hardened up to stay in the channel. At this point Magic’s spinnaker exploded and, with only 3 crew on board, it was a scramble to get the remains down and a replacement up again; by which time Bold Eagle and Wishful Thinking had made significant inroads into Magic’s lead. In the Club Class fleet, only Diamond Blue elected for the southern route down to SW Shingles, which proved to be a winning strategy. Crossing Poole Bay was truly Caribbean sailing surfing on the following waves, with the only problem being to remember to apply more factor 50 at regular intervals! Then around Poole Bar No.1 and harden up for the finish line at No.3, where Moon Shadow was waiting to log our finish times. Magic took the gun, but Wishful Thinking held off Bold Eagle to take first place on handicap. In the Club Class fleet Bombardino took the gun, but Diamond Blue came through on handicap. Once safely in Poole Quay marina, the crews revitalised themselves at a pontoon party, before heading off to a local restaurant where, it has to be said, the staff struggled to cope with 40 hungry sailors – en-masse. Sunday morning dawned more like an English summer, with low cloud cover and the wind still blowing NE. The tide was already flooding, so the fleet struggled to get out of Poole harbour and the start was delayed by 20 minutes – this proved critical for the smaller boats later in the day. By the time we started, the cloud had broken up and the sun was shining. The fleet set off on a portbiased beat to Hurst and again most boats elected to go inshore, through the North Passage, while Magic stayed out to SW Shingles and then up through the Needles Fairway – the winning tactic. Only the first five boats made it through Hurst Narrows before the tide turned against them and two retired, the ebb getting stronger by the minute, giving an advantage to the leading boats as they beat against the tide to the finishing line. Again, it was Magic and Bombardino who took line honours in the IRC and Club Class respectively and, with the tidal advantage, took first place on handicap as well. All boats then started their engines for the long run against the tide back to Hamble and a very welcome cold drink at the Club bar. Graham Nixon – Vice Chairman Sailing Committee 54 A WILD & WONDERFUL WEEKEND As Friday’s start time approached, it was blowing dogs off chains, but Saturday produced brilliant, bright and lively conditions for the Cowes-Deauville Race; raced like its 50 annual predecessors under the joint burgees of the Royal Southern, Royal London, a mere stripling of 175 years compared to our own 176, and, of course, the Deauville Yacht Club. TOP RIGHT ‘SX Girl’ going through the lock gate at Deauville. UPPER RIGHT A warm reception at Deauville Yacht Club LOWER RIGHT Some of the happy prizewinners Deauville consistently demonstrates such marvellous hospitality that even UKIP’s Nigel Farage might consider Francophilia, and once again we enjoyed the patronage of the Yacht Club de France and importantly, the technical assistance and support of the Junior Offshore Group (JOG). This is truly a classic Club event, which everyone should take part in! The Cruiser race start was scheduled for Friday afternoon, with the IRC rated fleet due away in the early evening. By early afternoon, it was clear that the gathering Channel storm had arrived with a vengeance. On Friday evening, we cautiously approached the start line at Cowes in a state of disbelief that the race could be started: 2 reefs and the boat was… well, under control. We had 35 knots across the bows and the prospect of the storm gaining strength through the evening was most unappealing. We took the decision to start, then wait out the storm moored to a buoy, but even that looked questionable in the northerly howler. At 1700, we found ourselves practically alone at the start and wisely decided to retire to Cowes. It was absolute carnage in Cowes Roads as a small French yacht took out the Red Jet, (amazing how sharp the yacht’s bow was and how thin the skin of fast cats are), and a Challenge Clipper thumped the moored Sonars. We dodged the mayhem and tied up among other boats, unwilling to risk a night crossing in the gathering gale. Shortly afterwards, the Race Committee flagged a postponement, till 0800 Saturday, later re-arranged for 0600. Sadly that news did not reach all boats and Graham Nixon turned up to an empty Cowes start line in his Elan 40 Magic, to discover he was 2 hours late. Having blown throughout the night, the gale moderated by the time we lined up for the rearranged start and a bright sunny day and 20 knots from the North East gave us a sparkling beat up the Solent before rounding the Forts. Some boats were able to hold spinnakers at the cost of go- ing slightly deep off the Rhumb Line. Nicky and I in Batfish and Noj & Chrissie White in SX Girl reached across the channel, but as the wind gradually backed SX Girl got her spinnaker up and drove past us, before we too hoisted, and a channel chase developed. The weather was magnificent, with bright blue sea and sky and decent winds. When to gybe - that was the question. As skipper, it was my mistake to reckon the wind had gone as far as it would and I called an early gybe – big mistake. The other boats waited a mere 30 minutes, as the wind continued to back and allowed them to gybe onto the right course to make the finishing line off Deauville. Batfish effectively added miles to her course and was left playing catch up, while boats that had waited ran faster as the wind speed diminished during the afternoon. The results said it all. SX Girl was the first Royal Southern boat to Deauville and won Class 2 and, after redress, Magic was placed second, an impressive result as they didn’t have the good winds enjoyed by the rest of the fleet due to their late start. New trophies this year were elegant ship’s decanters donated by Aveva plc, awarded to the highest placed finishers from the four organising Clubs and Cruiser Class. The formal prize giving on Sunday morning was followed by an outrageous lunch in Trouville where the Royal Southern contingent got JOG’s Secretary, Peter Chartres nicely relaxed after his computing duties. Peter, it was, who presented the Corinthian Offshore Racing Association (CORA) prizes, again to SX Girl and Batfish, and my partner, Nicola, deserves special mention for winning the prestigious European GPBP competition, by being the only girl brave enough to participate. No doubt she will defend her trophy at next year’s event. Bill Blain Batfish V 55 CRUIS ING ICOYC CRUISE This year’s Summer Cruise was brilliantly supported by Nordeutscher Regatta Verein in Hamburg and took the participants around the southern Danish Isles. Members of eight ICOYC Yacht Clubs in fifteen yachts had the chance to appreciate the superb cruising area of the southern Baltic with small Danish towns and villages nestling comfortably into beautiful landscape. These towns and villages are best appreciated from the sea, it was good to enjoy them in the company of fellow sailors. I have always liked the southern Baltic, having first sailed there over fifty years ago, so I was very pleased when Wolfgang Weber and the NRV flag officers agreed to host our annual ICOYC event there. I was not disappointed. The events were perfectly organised during the week-long cruise. One was a memorable BBQ in Hørup Hav after our first day at sea. There was superb food from NRV, cooked by club chefs who had travelled all the way from Hamburg to Denmark. Then we enjoyed visiting Marstal and Svendborg before working our way through narrow channels to Ærøskøbing, the perfect Danish town that has changed little over centuries. There the club organised an excellent Danish buffet in from the first welcoming party in the most hospitable Flensburg Sailing Club to the last dinner in Glucksburg Castle, owned by the family of NRV’s Rear Commodore, Alexander Holstein. We enjoyed wonderful locations, good sailing and great company. Many friendships were made among the various yachts. The weather helped. The first five days kept to the tradition of the ICOYC Cruises always having good weather with light winds and hot sunshine. However, it then started to blow hard and in the last two days we were reminded that the sea can be challenging and even in protected waters we had to draw on all our experience as sailors. It gave us lots to talk about when we finally got to the shore. There were many highlights 56 the courtyard of an old inn. After a sail to Faaborg the fleet headed back towards the mainland in rough conditions and reached the small harbour of Dyvig, where we had another excellent dinner, this time in a luxury hotel. It was a cruise of contrasts. The ICOYC Cruises have two great benefits. One is that all those taking part are from yacht clubs that have a similar standing around the world, so we all enjoy each other’s company and have much to discuss. The other is that the organising club knows just where to go and they often have an inside track enabling us to get to the very best places in each area. In this cruise the best was saved for last and the final reception and dinner was in the fairy-tale Glucksburg Castle, largely surrounded by a lake and trees. We had personal guided tours, hearing at first hand about the family history of Prince Alexander, and discovering that his family was related to almost all the royal houses of Europe. It was a great finale to a superb cruise. We are now planning the 2014 event which will be based around the magical mediterranean islands of Corscia and Elba. All those who came in 2013 agreed that these Cruises should continue as an important part of the ICOYC calendar. Importantly they are open to all the members of ICOYC clubs, not just their Flag Officers. John Stork Past President ICOYC Chairman, Interclub Activities Committee Behind The Scenes organize the various dinners we are planning to have in person with the patrons of the hotels involved?”, I more than readily agreed to his idea but could not join him on this tour due to other commitments at the time. So, Harald took it upon himself to single-handedly sail through the area and to personally discuss and organize all the planned dinner events on location in advance. This was a brilliant idea and contributed to the flawless implementation of the cruise. “Very nice, but why the southern Danish Isles of all places? We know all the ports already and what could be the benefit of fleet sailing when we can individually enjoy the tranquility of the area on our own?” quite a few of the NRV’s cruising members remarked. However I was able to convince them that this venture was going to be something new and thrilling in a sense they had never been able to experience before. So, with support from the NRV’s General Committee I Wolfgang Weber began to drum up potential par- NRV Delegate, ICOYC ticipants and our Rear Commodore Offshore Sailing, Alexander Prinz zu Schleswig-Holstein and Harald Kuhlei, who has a vast knowledge of the area, were early supporters. By the end of 2012 the itinerary was fixed and the cruise advertised but as they say, “the devil is in the detail”. Harald and I were painstakingly reviewing every minute detail of our project. We made changes in the schedule here and there and finally came to the point when in our opinion everything looked pretty nice on paper. But then Harald said, “Wolfgang, don’t you think it would be a good idea to visit all these ports in advance and to OPPOSITE PAGE TOP AND BOTTOM RIGHT Flensburg Sailing Club OPPOSITE PAGE CENTRE Ærøskøbing on the island of Ærø TOP Svendborg, panorama across the harbour CENTRE Robbe & Berking Classic Yachts Yard at Flensburg BOTTOM Valdemars Slot, former home of Danish nobility and now converted into museums and a hotel LEFT Glücksburg Castle, seat of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-GlücksburgSonderburg 57 The sun shone on the righteous (Sailing Division) and unrighteous (Motor Division) alike for the Pursuit Race and the impressive turnout prompted the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, our hosts, to check whether there were really 90 people coming for lunch. PURSUIT RACE This event is hotly contested so nefarious goings on commenced early in efforts to gain pole position. These ranged from attempting to ply the race officer with alcohol prior to the start times being established, disguising a Comet 41 as an A31 and even trying to put half the fleet on the putty with a course too shallow for many of deeper keeled boats. Wise to such tactics David Aspinall, (aka Solomon) was the impartial PRO, the new RYA handicap system was used for all boats as it was considered as being above reproach and the revised start times and reset course issued by Friday evening enabled everyone to take part. The fleet came out of the mouth of the Hamble and many disappeared into the mist cloaking the North Shore; it seemed that the weather forecast was yet another dud with light winds and grey skies. However the mist began to lift as the first boats went into start mode at 1000 and by just after 1030 the day had become perfect champagne racing with a cascade course mixing a variety of beats, runs and reaches 58 regardless of where anyone was lying in the race. Rumour has it that some boats were already well into their champagne by this point. The vast experience of Kuutar under one Past-Commodore kept them at the front of the fleet along with Boysterous, a J/80, helmed by another Past-Commodore. Closing in from behind Hot Rats managed to overhaul Kuutar in the run up to Fastnet Insurance and then had the unenviable task of reeling in the J/80 whilst protecting their back from Kuutar and Circus who had appeared over the horizon. As Lis Robinson on Hot Rats said, “the amazing 40 degree wind shift just after Mackley Construction caused us to abort tacking immediately after Boysterous had tacked and the mega lift gave us a lucky break in reeling in Colin Hall and his crew”. However Kuutar also benefited from the same shift and the in- creasing wind and started to close down the two leading boats closely followed by the Circus powering up the last couple of legs. With the finish line in sight an additional dilemma arose as Hot Rats managed to pull past the J/80 before the final beat and realised that there was no committee boat on station but that a vessel resembling Amberjack was racing at full speed from the north. With great presence of mind Robbie Robinson crossed the line one side of the buoy, as appeared indicated by the sailing instructions, and then unwound and re-crossed again on the other side, covering all options having anticipated correctly that Amberjack would skid to a halt and anchor at the earliest opportunity to the North of the finish buoy. With insufficient time to take a similar option, having just passed the J/80, Circus crossed one side of the finish buoy with Boysterous the other side closely followed by Kuutar and the Meads in Wishful Thinking. Over on the ‘dark side’ in the motorboat division the current Commodore was the hot favourite but Nick Hollamby put paid to that with an outstanding performance in Crystal. Nick attributed his success to “the fog which came down just as I started and kept the water flat for some time and then conveniently disappeared before the other boats started”. David Mead put in a second place after enjoying what he described as “excellent fun” with Fortissimo in third place. All had a cracking afternoon and a lot of laughs on the terrace at the Royal Corinthian with an excellent BBQ and the famous (or possibly infamous?) jugs of Pimms. A thoroughly enjoyable day on all fronts but the true winner was Andrew Webster on Circus who demonstrated sportsmanship in the highest tradition of the Royal Southern by retiring from his second place due to the technical offence of having crossed the wrong side of the line which subsequently became the right side once the Committee Boat had arrived. Lis Robinson – Hot Rats 59 BENODET CRUISE For at least the past three years the cruising community has run the gauntlet of inclement weather, few have reached their chosen destination and most have been stormbound somewhere. It was therefore with considerable trepidation that we dreamed up the idea of linking with the Clyde Cruising Club of Scotland for the Blue Water trophy race that was going to be completed in Benodet. The Cruising Committee was quick to endorse the idea as did the Chairman of the Sailing Committee, suggesting that we also enquire whether the RAFYC would be interested. The three clubs had no hesitation in agreeing that it was what was required to kick-start more interest in cruiser rallies and cruising in company. Over fifty boats indicated a keen interest and in the end forty set sail. The weather was mixed and several changes of direction and stopovers were necessary to accommodate the ever irritating depressions. However in the end thirty two boats arrived safely in Benodet. Freedom of Hamble skippered by Charles and Susie Reynolds were the first in port and made sure that the marina staff were up to date with the fleet’s progress – a challenging task. On shore at Benodet we had the experience of 60 Louis Sallons who was supervising the berthing and liaising about catering etc, and also giving Patrick Trust, the organizer from the CCC, guidance on all aspects of organisational matters. During the voyage we were communicating by text with some thirty boats; some on their way from Scotland but most from the South Coast. For the CCC contingent the weather was very kind and most carried their spinnaker from Dublin to Land’s End. Two days before the introductory party only three boats had arrived and Louis sent a text message to advise that the harbour manager was very concerned about all that berths that lay awaiting – within 12 hours he was wondering how to cope! Royal Southern tradition dictated an arrival pontoon party for a ‘get to know’ each other – it was a very swinging affair and in the wee sma’ hours some restraint (of a gentle nature) was used to pipe lights out. The parties continued – lunch parties, pre-supper parties, and parties without nomenclature – as if it were needed. Finding anyone was a task because the hospitality was so overwhelming with skippers and crews on everyone else’s boats but their own. It wasn’t all parties. The trip to the Iles de Glenan was a huge success although the sun was very powerful. There were some disap- The caterers provided a welcome buffet and early fears of being overcrowded melted away as the perfect weather permitted the full use of Club d’Odet’s promenade. Needless to say a piper was produced and kilts were in full view from the CCC contingent, which in turn produced quite a gathering of local onlookers and tourists – it made for a rather elegant “party without equal” to quote the President of the Club Odet. Colin Hall presented a bottle of bubbly to the skipper of the pointments; one was that due to tidal restrictions we were unable to cruise the River Odet up to Quimper. However, never daunted, many took the coach and enjoyed a land based trip. The main event on Bastille Day was the presentation by the Mayor of Benodet of the Blue Water trophy to Ken Andrew of Argent. The Mayor apologised for only being able to stay a short time due to other commitments but this was before he was introduced to the malt whisky supplied by CCC’s sponsor. He finally left two hours later. By this time we were some 140 strong with the President of the Club Odet, committee members, marina staff and participants from three Clubs present. The President of Club Odet spoke and John Watson responded on behalf of CCC. This was followed by appropriate responses by Ian Redsell, Commodore of the RAFYC and Colin Hall, our Former Commodore and current Chairman of Sailing. most meritorious voyager, Peter Dubbok of Aurora, a 28ft Friendship. This was closely followed by an agreement by all skippers to have a lowering ceremony at sunset of all boats dressed overall (which was everyone). Harry Salmon produced the moving music and to a man ensigns and flags were lowered. It seemed a bit sad until we remembered the beach parties to come and the firework display, which was excellent and made all the more memorable by the gathering on the beach of Benodet residents and visitors. Quite a scene with singing and bonfires, with small boats just offshore joining in the activities. Few who participated will forget the parties, the Bastille gathering, the fireworks, the new friends and the cruising spirit which was in abundance. Len Lochrie BENODET BY FLYBE The joint cruise to Benodet by the Clyde Cruising Club and the Southern in association with the RAFYC was a major achievement, thanks to Len Lochrie and his organisation on this side of the water, with help from Louis Sallons on the French side. It certainly warranted Flag Officer support but at a busy time of year, a profusion of events conspired to keep the Flags at the Club. So call on a Past Commodore (or is it Ex-, or Former-?) and that’s how Naomi and I were despatched to Benodet in one of Flybe’s flying cruisers. On arrival early evening, we went to the Marina office to ask for Velindra, when in walked Len looking at his watch, “you’ll be late for the party” he said heading for the pontoons, and sure enough, the Scots were in full cry having brought several cases of Bruichladdich with them. All joined the festivities before heading off to dinners afloat and ashore. The following day, visits were made to the Iles Glenan just a few miles off Benodet, but back in time for the Vin d’Honneur with M le Maire and M le President du Yacht Club d’Odet. The Yacht Club was crowded inside and out and the Bruichladdich was being sampled with enthusiasm until it was time for the customary tributes. The Clyde Cruising Club Commodore spoke eloquently in French and presented M le Maire with the Scottish spirit. Ian Redsell also spoke eloquently as Commodore of RAFYC. Yours truly, having practised some well known phrases and sayings in French delivered them very loudly in random order, presented M le Maire and M le President with Club glasses to sample the Scottish spirit and a burgee for Club d’Odet’s collection. Eternal friendship to all sailors was sworn and we tucked into a fine spread with some of the young Scottish contingent. This long distance cruise was a reminder of how a long passage earns you friends when people recognise that you worked hard to get there. Other stories will be told. Mine is of a quick dip into a fine event that brought like-minded cruisers together. As I step down from Chairing the Sailing Committee, I hope that a long distance cruise will become an annual event that family members can enjoy. I remember saying at a Wednesday evening lecture some time ago – get out of the Solent, get out of the Channel and turn left. Our cruisers did, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Colin Hall 61 TURN LEFT OR RIGHT? Once a year the cruising fraternity turn their backs on the sea and head up-river. Are they seeking some idyllic inland sea? Are they honing their skills at power boat handling? Have they forgotten that sailing boats cannot get under the Burseldon Bridge. No – it’s the annual Club pilgrimage to the Horse and Jockey. In warm sunshine, the rain having cleared, over 40 people embarked from the Club in RIBs, on the Club launch – ably skippered by Roger Harding – and, setting the standard for elegance, Hedley and Pippa Bewes barouche and Tim and Jeannie Harrison’s blue launch Julie Jill. Despite a very high tide everyone was able to tie up near the pub and they disembarked in readiness for a enjoyable lunch party. As a result of Tim Harrison’s immaculate planning the party’s arrival was expected, luncheon orders had been placed in advance and all were able to sit down together. The numbers were nearly reduced as one RIB missed the starboard turn and only realised they were up the wrong creek, albeit with a mechanical paddle, when they were nearly in Botley! Whilst all were enjoying their lunch the tide went down and came back up for the second high water. It was time to leave before the creek dried out. Upon returning, it seemed that someone had pulled the plug out and all made a fast voyage back down the river except for the barouche; returning to the Club it made maximum use of the ebb tide to come downriver in an appropriately sedate and stately fashion. A NEW DESTINATION At 1000 on a rather grey September morning ten boats approached the start line off Coronation which was marked by Amberjack the start boat. Three possible courses had been set but the chosen one was the shortest as the forecast was for light variable winds. made its way to the entrace of Bembridge harbour, passing a fleet of brightly coloured Mermaids racing from their club at Seaview. However when the results were calculated Dudley Stock had his revenge, coming first on handicap followed by the Newton’s on Kuutar and Paul Waxman on Imperator. We As is often the case the fore- were joined at Bembridge by cast was not quite correct and there was a good breeze, assisted by the spring tide, to take the fleet speedily down to No Mans Land Fort, the finish line. Dudley Stock’s Xtract, an X302, was going well and flying an SB20 asymetric on the downwind legs. He was ably assisted by an experienced crew of Nicky Gardner and John Noe whose knowledge of X-yachts is comprehensive. Despite Xtract’s efforts Tim Corner’s Girolle crossed the finish line first, closely ahead of Xtract and Christopher Barker’s Belle Serene. After recording their times crossing the finish line the fleet 62 Members who had decided not to race. Once comfortably moored the rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying ourselves in the unspoilt surroundings in Bembridge harbour. There was an early evening pontoon party, where we failed to sink the rather sturdy pontoons, and the crews then either ate dinner on board or at the Baywatch Cafe. The following morning brought a lack of wind and most boats motored back to Hamble before lunch, after their crews had been for a walk along the beach or to St Helens for the Sunday papers. A short race to an interesting destination appealing to all ages is clearly a successful formula. Given the success of our first race to Bembridge I am sure that we will be repeating it next year and seeking out other novel destinations for cruiser races. Maggie Widdop Quicksilver 705 Get on the water... With leading brands you can trust Whether you are an experienced leisure boater or you are looking to get on the water for the first time, Barrus has an extensive range of boats, engines and accessories from some of the leading marine brands. Our products are available from an extensive network of authorised marine dealers offering professional sales and technical after-sales support. Visit our website www.barrus.co.uk for information on all our marine brands and details of your local dealer. The Power Behind The Brands E. P. Barrus Ltd., Launton Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 4UR Tel: 01869 326403 ROYAL SOUTHERN ACAD EMY ACADEMY HOW THE ACADEMY MATCH CUP ‘GREW UP’ It’s less than four years since the Royal Southern Academy ran its first match race triggered by an email from Academy member Guy Jackson, then Captain of Yachting at Solent University: ‘Could we help run an Inter-University match race event if they helped find the teams and boats’? We’d never run any match racing before but as it was for a quiet time – the end of March 2010 – and we love a challenge, we said ‘Yes’. Now, we’ve just had confirmation from ISAF that next year’s Royal Southern Match Cup will be an ISAF Grade 2 event – equivalent to a European Championship – ready to attract a field from the world’s Top 100 ranked match racers, and not forgetting some of our own Academy stars. If you watched any of the recent America’s Cup races, you were watching match racing, one on one, and while our boats don’t fly they can and do get much more engaged in the pre-starts and round the 64 course to provide the most exciting sailing to watch. From the first, finding a fleet of evenly matched boats was a challenge, but Guy knew of the Pelican Racing SB3s in Cowes that we used for three years, albeit at a cost, until they went under last year. This stimulated the Academy’s drive to acquire some J/80s, by then established as the boat of choice for team and match racing in many other locations including several ICOYC Clubs. Thanks to generous donors, the Academy now has two J/80s of its own and access to others thanks to kind owners willing to lend their boats. (But it would still like to buy at least one more so that we can schedule team racing with four boats which we can’t do at present.) ISAF specify criteria for different Grades of match racing event covering the number and strength of the teams in the World rankings, the number and qualifications of the Race Officer and Umpire teams, the number and quality of the boats and their equipment…. It’s not cheap to run as you can have almost as many officials as competitors and many of the competitors are still students, but if you can get it together it’s a really exciting form of sailing. After holding six events, building our race officer teams, getting more Umpires involved and switching to J/80s, we moved up from our previous Grade 4 Academy Match Cups to this September’s Grade 3 Royal Southern Match Cup, equivalent to a National Championship. Despite first being blown off in June and then reduced to a one day event in September due to no wind, the event was won by some very nice guys from France. In the process, we’d done enough to go for another upgrade, supported by our International Umpires and the RYA. Note that although it’s still the same organising team involved, we’ve moved from calling the event the ‘Academy’ Match Cup to the ‘Royal Southern’ Match Cup to broaden its appeal, and that seems to have worked in our favour. So who will take part? We will invite ten teams. Our French winners, who have just moved up to ISAF ranking 35, will be back and the winner of the Australian Warren Jones Invitational run by ICOYC Members, the Royal Perth and Royal Freshwater Bay Clubs, wins entry as part of their prize. We’ve invited Ian Williams, the top ranked Brit at No. 2 and Mark Lees, ranked 26. Academy Member Philip Bendon, currently sailing for Ireland has just moved up to No 57 and there are a number of other Academy sailors work- ing hard to get into the Top 100. Some of our former stars have fallen back in the rankings as they now have to work! Andy Shaw, once 59th in the world is now 267th! Can he pull back in time? He was a very close second in our last Match Cup so he certainly hasn’t forgotten what to do! Similarly Ali Hall, once 39th and now 205th and Sam Pearson, once 66th and now 224th could still make the cut. We’ll encourage a mix of past winners and new people includ- ing some of the America’s Cup competitors who are now back on the scene like Chris Draper and Sir Ben Ainslie, once World No. 1 and now 223rd. Would we? Would he? We’ll see! As mentioned, it’s not cheap and so we will be looking for help where possible. Will some kind Members help with billets for our overseas visitors and International Umpires? Will others lend us their J/80s and RIBs again? We rely as ever on our volunteer teams of Race Of- ficers, mark layers, boat riggers and shore helpers. And what about spectator boats? So, in four short years we’re on the world stage as far as match racing is concerned with the first Grade 2 event in the UK for six years. We’re looking for sponsorship which will help with publicity and again help to ensure that the Southern is at the forefront of British sailing in 2014. The Academy Committee STOCKBROKERS Opportunities beyond the horizon At Walker Crips we understand that developing a trusted relationship with someone who will take the time to listen to you and assess your needs is the most important part of finding professional advice to help you make investment decisions with which you will have the utmost confidence. For nearly a century we have been building relationships with our clients to provide a personalised investment and wealth management service, making sure that the needs of our customers and their families come first. Wealth Management | Investment Management | Pensions | Trusts | ISAs | Corporate Investment | Charities To see more opportunities contact Edward Franklin, Investment Director 020 3100 8145 [email protected] www.wcgplc.co.uk Walker Crips Stockbrokers Limited is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Registration Number 226344. Walker Crips, Finsbury Tower, 103-105 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8LZ 65 YOUT H SPLASH WEEK 66 2013 saw more a changing of the regiment as opposed to a mere changing of the guard as an almost entirely new crew took over from Ben Richard’s leaders. Fortunately the weather Gods were looking down very favourably on Splash Week 2013 – we had a superb forecast for the week and a record 105 children attending. The week was also helped out by the tide, giving us optimum time on the water. Our aim with Splash is to introduce the future generation to our crazy passion for sailing in a fun and safe manner, and for Splashers to learn not only how to sail but to appreciate their surroundings, both on and off the water and to make and nurture friendships. At 0800 on Monday 19 August the ‘Splash Flags’ were hoisted to signal the start of the week, the car park with thanks to the Members had been transformed into a dinghy park and the bosuns had cleared the dinghy dock. This year saw veteran Splashers return and many debutant Splashers attending for their first experience of the Royal Southern’s ‘dinghy week’. Half of all Splashers were under 8 years-old, which is an incredible statistic as the RYA does not recognise children under 8 years-old whereas the Royal Southern is producing 8 year old sailors who can confidently sail up wind and will be experiencing their first windward/leeward races. This is all enabled by the support and enthusiasm of the accompanying adults, who will all admit that the early years have their moments, and I am sure at some point in the week believe that their children or grand-children may never step foot in a boat again. I am delighted to report that this is not the case and we hear the main reason for the older children not returning to Splash is due to the fact that they are now sailing on the Oppie circuit. The Eagles appetite for adventure was incredible and they ventured as far east as Lee-onSolent and on Friday they went on what has become their right of passage, an offshore voyage to Cowes. This was a remarkable show of grit and determination as on Friday we had a minimum 15 knots, and as the night before had been the Brambles Cricket Match (see article on page 93), and a large tide. To sail to Cowes and back in an Optimist is no mean feat. It is essential for the week to have one rescue boat for six dinghies and sufficient motherships for the adults and their picnics, which almost warrant their own support boat. A big thank you to all Members who have aided the week with the use of their RIBs and launches. Each year the myriad of activities that accompanies the sailing grows and grows. On Monday the Splashers intellect was put to the test with ‘Wacky This year we had the pleasure of having Hannah Musket an RYA coach, in Hawks and Eagles and RYA qualified instructors in Minnows and the Turtle groups for the week, providing our groups with super tuition. Vicky Mansfield along with her 5 month old daughter Evie provided the Shrimps with their baptism to Splash and, judging by the 35 Turtles that we had, Shrimps give their parents little alternative in coming back to Splash the following year. Our new beach master and his team conducted a masterful performance in orchestrating the launch and recovery of the boats each day, incentivising the event by creating a competition for the best group to launch and recover. This created fantastic rivalry between the two Turtles groups, Supers (under 8s) and Ninjas (under 8s and first timers), and was won by the Ninjas on the last day. Minnows, who are required to have the use of an Optimist, be able to sail to windward and be at least 8 years old, ended the week as very accomplished sailors. The majority of the Hawks were experiencing their sixth Splash Week together having all started together as Shrimps; their week was based around a ten race series. The series was won by Tom EwartSmith on the last race where he narrowly beat Ellie Sprowl. 67 Races’, the Royal Southern’s version of ‘Its a Knock Out’ held prior to the reinstatement of the Veteran Oppie Race, which attracted a great crowd on the balcony, possibly down to the free Pimms. On Tuesday the Splashers had their first taste of swimming in various Members’ pools prior to hunting down Hamble’s resident crab population for the Splash crabbing competition and to really finish off the day there was a treasure hunt. Each evening a DVD was shown at 1930 and due to the popular demand was moved to the North Dining Room, providing the adults with a break for a well earned drink or two. The week culminated with the prize giving, where the children received awards for various achievements over the week. This year all Splashers were presented with a Splash Week 2013 T-shirt and we held a competition during the week to design the 2014 T-shirt, which was won by Fred Stephens (Murlo Primrose’s grandson). Whilst the adults enjoyed a delicious first and main course at the Splash Ball, there was continued rivalry on the surfing simulator in the car park. The dining room was then cleared for the disco to sign the week off with and we put the Splash flags away until 2014. 68 JUNIOR CADET WEEK Junior Cadet Week is a very special week. Teenagers who have grown up together in Splash get together to have the time of their lives sailing and socializing. It is their time, not their parents who stand on the sidelines albeit nervously on occasions, so our report is from a Junior Cadet, Georgia Church. Saturday 17 August The start of JC week was certainly one to be remembered! The JCs, amid driving wind and rain, confidently helmed and crewed the J/80s around a variety of courses. Everyone was soaked head to toe, but there were also smiles all round. After a quick debrief everyone rushed to the showers to wash away the salt and seaweed. We scrubbed up and headed to the Rochford’s for a hog roast. It was still abysmal weather but it did nothing to dampen anyones spirits. After a day of hard sailing we were all just glad to get inside into the warm and dry. Sean and Lisa had prepared a fantastic hog roast and seemed to not be fazed in the slightest by the horrible weather! Thank you so much for putting up with us and hosting a great party in your beautiful house! Sunday 18 August The weather was stunning and winds were light as we raced Fevas and Lasers. On the water we were lucky to have two Academy Members, Chris Tiernan and Toby Wicks, and the experienced and guiding hand of Andrew Woodhouse. The coaches came up with a variety of brilliant games and drills to not only improve our sailing but also our confidence and there was great hilarity involved. At six o’clock we gathered around the pontoon, donning life jackets and wet weathers ready to board the RIBs. Toby Wicks our resident RIB expert helmed a massive orange RIB with two equally massive engines on the back. We were lent another two RIBs and powered across the Solent towards Cowes. I am told Toby’s RIB reached forty knots at one point! We walked up to the Island Sailing Club, hair windswept and faces red, for a dinner of fish and chips. We came home with full bellies and laughter still resounding in our ears. Monday 19 August Once again it was an early start! The JCs were first on the water once again and we started racing around a course straight away. It was another perfect day We launched quickly after briefing and the sailing started with the JCs helming the sports boats and yachts kindly lent by Club Members. 69 sailing around Cat’s Head. We were all racing hard even though there was little wind. We had a couple of capsizing drills which were fun. We were practicing dry capsizes and pulling up our spinnakers. Chris Tiernan invented a brilliant game – when he blew a whistle once, we had to go to the back of the boat, twice around the mast and three times we had to do a dry capsize. We were all soaked again! When we got back around four we discovered we had an evening of go-karting planned. A coach was organized and when we arrived the excitement took over. We had great fun doing a different kind of racing for once. I believe it was Henry Compton who won in the end. The coach then took us to the Dolce Vita and we had a dinner filled with loud conversation. a dinghy and with the help of Toby, Patrick and many others we completed a very complicated course designed by Chris! We all had a go in the J/80s and had a furious water fight with buckets at the end of the day. Unfortunately Graham won. He had lifted his engine half out of the water and pulled the accelerator... The result was a lot of soaked teenagers hungry for revenge! We went in early and had a day of evening activities! Thursday 22 August Tuesday 20 August On Tuesday the JCs were all assigned to different Splash groups and went to help out. We headed over to the Madin’s almost straight away. We had a quick packed lunch and then all groups went to practice capsizing. It was great fun and we really got to know the Splashers. The evening activity this time was dinner at the restaurant Banana Wharf. The food was great and we had another night filled with laughter. Wednesday 21 August On early Wednesday morning we were all ready to go waterskiing! Unfortunately, due to atrocious weather, it had to be cancelled. We got a well needed lie in to be ready for another day of racing. By nine o’clock everyone was ready and waiting by three J/80s. It was very exciting to be going on a yacht instead of 70 Thursday’s weather was not as good as the previous days, but we still had a great time. The winds were strong though it never stopped us from racing. We just pulled on our wet weathers and got out there. We had a great day of racing and I remember hearing someone say to me that last year, or the year before we would have screamed and cried at the slightest tilt of the boat, this year we barely batted an eyelid when the Feva was almost perpendicular to the water. In fact, we just continued our conversation! I think that day was a real turning point in our sailing, we realized that we needn’t be afraid of capsizing anymore and just enjoyed the adrenaline rush. No need for rollercoasters when you have sailing! At six o’clock we had yet another activity planned! This time it was archery and climbing at Calshot Activity Centre. After a brief RIB ride to Calshot we separated into groups and had a great laugh trying to master our chosen activity – I don’t think I have ever laughed so much in my life! The climbers even got kicked out for reasons I won’t mention here! (Nothing serious – don’t worry.) We powered back to the Royal Southern and collapsed into bed after such a busy day. Friday 23 August The last sail was a short one, due to bad weather once again. It seemed, however, the worse the weather the happier we were. There were lots and lots of capsizes from Fevas and Lasers alike. It got to the point where we were doing more swimming than sailing. When we got in, we had another water fight, this time ending with everyone being pushed in the water, once again. We were all soaked through! Once we got cleaned up and dry we headed to the bar for prize giving, there were a variety of speeches and prizes given. It was a very successful year for the Splashers! We were actually quite glad we got in early because we had lots of time to get ready for the Splash Ball. The Splash Ball is the highlight of all the Splashers and JCs weeks. This year , it was the first time the younger JCs got to attend the JC dinner. It was great fun and the food was excellent, however the real party started when the music began blasting out of the DJ’s speakers. We rounded up the Splashers who had been watching a movie. A simulation surfboard had also been set up which was a surprise! The ball was great fun and the DJ was surprisingly good, although he did throw in a bit of the Macarena, but I think we’ll forgive him for that. All the JCs and Splashers were dancing as well as some of the parents. I don’t think their children will ever forget those brilliant ‘Dad’ moves. It was one of the best Balls I think we have ever had! All in all it was a brilliant week, and I know we say this every year, but it was probably one of the best we’ve ever had. Thanks to the weather, but mostly to Charlie our new leader who has been brilliant at organizing the whole thing! Thank you. A lot of memories were made and the JCs all agreed they were really very sad to see the end of the week. I’m counting down the days to next summer already, it may sound cheesy but I really am! Georgia Church 71 MOTO RBOA TS 72 I am extremely grateful to Mr John Thornback for the loan of some magazine publications and photographs of historic interest to yachting and the Club. Firstly, in The Tatler from 27 May 1964, there is an article on ‘Men of Power’. Mention is made of two past Members of the Club who had strong connections with powerboat racing; Mr Peter Twiss and Mr Charles Curry. They were both heavily involved in Fairey Marine, racing several of their boats during that period. It refers to the “thriving Royal Southern Yacht Club which has a Membership of more than 800” and goes on to state that “power boats are still a minority section of the RSrnYC but the numbers are growing”. Happily that comment is still holds true and today around half the Membership of the Club own a motorboat of one sort or another! At the end of May, and despite the Arctic winds keeping temperatures unseasonably low along with some fairly choppy waters on the Solent, motorboats of all shapes and sizes and from various directions arrived on the Hamble River for the GJW Direct 14th Annual Motorboat Open Weekend. At least the threat of rain did not materialize. I think it was as a direct result of the forecast that many stayed at home, but those who did brave the elements were to enjoy a great weekend of activities both on and off the water. The traditional start to the weekend is a barbeque but Laurence, the chef, would report that the almost sub-zero temperatures on the balcony did not constitute a barbeque summer! While he bravely cooked steaks, chicken and the like, the rest of us sensibly remained inside. The first challenge of the weekend is the Predicted Log, attempting to navigate around a course at a pre-determined speed without the benefit of timepieces or other aids except a rev counter and depth gauge. The old campaigners discussed baffling tactics while those new to the event were instructed on the finer details. Rookie Geoff Holt, in his boat Wetwheels, felt a test run was necessary. This was to pay dividends because he managed to complete the course of 14.25miles in second place, his margin of error being only 41 seconds. The winner of the Pandora’s Box for the Modern Class Predicted Log was James Pearcy in Fleur d’Ecosse. The Fairey Trophy for the highest placed Classic boat went to the Commodore, David Mead, in Speartime. Following a leisurely lunch spent in Cowes the participants ventured back across the Solent. They had to decipher five pictorial clues which would lead them to marks where they would CENTRE: Annette Mead assisting Les Williams with the navigation ABOVE: Carol and Ian Gould LEFT: The Commodore onboard Speartime collecting his envelope collect envelopes from waiting RIBs. The purpose of this being that each envelope contained a playing card and after dinner a hand of poker would be played. The best hand belonged to Mike Wills who collected the Tarrant Shield. Dancing to Teddy Massiah, the Club’s ‘resident’ DJ, rounded off the days events. By Sunday the weather was beginning to warm up, although there was still a ‘bite’ in the wind and I, for one, was not about to shed my thermals. The morning was occupied by a cerebral and observational test in the form of the Solent Safari, compiled by Rachel Lorriman. This involved motoring up the River Hamble, out into Southampton Water and up the River Itchen in search of answers to some very cryptic clues. Calculators, binoculars and the occasional dip into the internet were necessary to complete this task. Geoff Holt with his crew on Wetwheels were the most vigilant and picked up the Smuggler’s Trophy. With all the scores collected and collated from the different elements of the weekend, after a fine Sunday lunch the Commodore, along with Chris Day from GJW Direct, performed the duty of handing out the prizes. Apart from those already mentioned, the EP Barrus RIB Trophy for best overall scoring RIB was awarded to Mike Blackman in Ruby. The Inter-Club Trophy was awarded to team ‘Southern Delights’ comprising Capri Tide (Steve and Rachel Lorriman), Reflection (Mike Wills) and Wetwheels (Geoff Holt). In another publication from the archive of John Thornback is ‘The Yachtsman – Sail and Power’ dated May 1937. In it there is an article written by Francis B Cooke entitled ‘Notes for the Newcomer – The Cost of Upkeep’. Now this is more pertinent to the sailing yacht rather than a motorboat but a small section 73 relates to Running Costs which he tabulated to be £24.0s.0d. per annum. This included interest on capital, caretaker, upkeep and depreciation, renovation of sails, paint, varnish and antifoul, rent etc, etc. However, his ‘Personal Expenses’ did amuse me, bearing in mind the current cost of such outgoings. He states “...the yachtsmen will have to buy their food. When bought in the raw and cooked on board, food does not cost very much, provided one is content with plain wholesome fare. I consider four shillings a head is an ample allowance for food each weekend”. Having witnessed some extremely fine victuals provided by the attending number for the Autumn Rally in mid-September, I very much doubt that the equivalent of 4s would have covered the not so ‘plain wholesome fare’ to be provided for lunch. It has been a mainstay of the Motorboat calendar for several years to venture to Cowes for this rally. By pooling resources, lunches were to be taken on various boats. In the evening, after some ‘refreshments’ at Westbourne House, the merry throng were wined and dined at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in excellent order. On Sunday, a robust roast Sunday lunch was taken at the Duke of York, a public house close to Shepards Wharf Marina where the boats had been berthed for the weekend. It was over lunch that the outcome of the weekend challenge was unveiled. Having started on Friday night at the Clubhouse with a French themed supper, the task was to scour Cowes High Street for the most unusual French item and there would be a prize for the quirkiest. Everyone entered into the spirit with gusto and there were certainly some unusual ‘French’ objects. The Commodore arrived with a ‘prawn hat’ and declared that he was “fruit de mer”! However, the quirkiest and thus winning entry was from Rex Harvey. With half a lemon and a model 2CV he entered ‘Citron’! Now for the weather. I commented in the Spring issue of the Southern that, having suffered from some atrocious weather over the recent years, we were entitled to a balmy summer. Eventually I think that was achieved and a few good months of fine TOP: Sunday lunch at the Duke of York in Cowes CENTRE: Fiona Pankhurst from Raymarine one of Wetwheels’ sponsors onboard with Geoff Holt BOTTOM: Wetwheels at speed sailing conditions has had huge benefits for one and all. Even this final rally of the motorboat season was fine, and shorts were worn for probably the last time this year. In the new season for 2014, the provisional diary has moved around some events. The Spring Rally is in mid-May and the Motorboat Open Weekend will take place in September. In July the motorboats will go on a Summer Spree. It is hoped to venture west with Poole perhaps being the weekend destination. For anyone with more time it is hoped that we can continue down to the West Country for a week or two. However, nothing will interfere with the Motorboat, Shooting and Golf Christmas Dinner, now a legendary event in the Club’s calendar. Kate Gough – Vice Chairman Motorboat Committee 74 RIB SOCIETY The Royal Southern RIB Society was created this year for RIB owners and their friends who wanted to have fun using their RIBs. However the events are not exclusive to rib owners and all Members are welcome to join in and one event had Members RIB, cycle and drive to it. We had fabulous weather for our first event on Saturday 1 June. Timed to coincide with the Round the Island Race everyone enjoyed the spectacle of watching the finishing boats coming down the Solent in the sunshine as the RIBs travelled over to Cowes for an afternoon BBQ. Kate and Goughie provided a superb venue for the BBQ on their slipway and mooring for the RIBs – close enough to take advantage of the atmosphere of the day’s racing but away from the crowds and mayhem often associated with the Round the Island race. Other events have included wine tasting in Cowes and BBQs at Members’ homes that are accessible by RIB. Forthcoming events over the winter will include lunch at Gurnard, a run to Gunwharf and maybe a ride to somewhere for a Sunday lunch. For more details contact [email protected] to be added to the mailing list or watch out for details in the weekly Club Newsletter. Louise Sproule 75 Photograph by Eddie Aldridge SOUTHERN WINNERS At the other end of the size scale, Alan Roberts became National Champion in Merlin Rokets and Rob Greenhalgh claimed the UK Moth Nationals title. Not forgetting Craig Burlton, Adam Heeley and Steve White becoming SB20 World and Zhik National champions. Club Members also enjoyed a clutch of successes in Cowes, Dartmouth, Grenada and in Newport, Rhode Island. These achievements were recognised at the Club’s prize giving in early November when 130 awards were printed in sail racing, cruising and motor boating categories. More than 200 guests attended the event, sponsored by Aveva plc. 76 Photograph by Alistair Mackay It has been a remarkably successful year on the water for the Members of the Royal Southern. Amongst the many notable winners, Niklas Zennstrom became Mini Maxi and Gaastra 52 World Champion, Edward Leask took the Gazprom Swan European title in Class A, James Wilkie became 40.7 National Champion and Philip Bendon took the EUROSAF Youth Match Racing Crown. This year the event had a new format with guest speaker’s Stuart Quarrie describing his 15 years in charge of the Cowes Week regatta, with a preview of future developments in Cowes and Deauville. CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS Eagerly anticipated was the announcement of this year’s ‘Champion of Champions’. The prize goes to the owner and helm of the yacht that performed best across all four Summer Series Regatta. This year’s winner were the father and son duo, Nick and Adam Munday, who raced their J97 Induljence with enormous confidence and purpose and achieved 14 bullet and one 4th place from 15 starts. Nick, who was unable to attend the ceremony with Adam, commented that it was an amazing honour and wonderful prize: “It is fabulous to sail and race with my son Adam. He is a fine sailor for someone so young. He prepared Induljence to perfection and found capable and committed crew mates to race with. My contribution to this success has been limited to having one hand on the tiller and the other on the credit card!” The prize, once more awarded by the Barbados Tourism Authority includes flights and accommodation for one week in January at the Radisson Aquatic Beach Resort plus the opportunity to take part in the Mount Gay Rum Round Barbados Race and enjoy all the legendary Bajan hospitality that surrounds Race Week on the Island. The Club’s annual Prize Giving saw 130 awards presented in sail racing, cruising and motor boating categories. More than 200 Members and guests attended the awards ceremony, sponsored this year by Aveva plc., introduced by Rear Commodore Sailing Karen HendersonWilliams. All photographs by Mike Austen. PRIZE GIVING The Barbados Tourism Authority’s Devon Chase (left) presented the Champion of Champions Prize for consistency in the Club Summer Series to Adam Munday, whose performance in IRC Class 3 of 14 bullets and one fourth in fifteen starts was peerless. Guest speaker, Stuart Quarrie received a decanter from Rear Commodore Sailing, Karen Henderson-Williams. Steve Lorriman (left) and Mike Wills collected the WD & HO Wills Perpetual Inter-Club team award from the GJW Direct Motorboat Open Weekend. Absent was third team member, Geoff Holt. Amongst the highlights in the Club’s racing calendar next year is running the 52nd Cowes-Deauville Race. The Club very much enjoyed welcoming the President of Deauville Yacht Club, Georges Bouvard, and his wife Jane to the AVEVA prizegiving. As many will have seen at AAM Cowes Week this year, the City of Deauville has big plans for developing its waterfront and this will benefit their Club and visiting yachtsmen. Aveva CEO Richard Longdon (left) and the President of Deauville Yacht Club, Georges Bouvard and his wife Jane, discussed the 2014 CowesDeauville event, which Aveva plc. is sponsoring. 77 PRIZE GIVING Continued... John Sparshatt-Worley (left) presented the William Sparshatt-Worley Memorial Trophy for best performance in the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week Black Group to Tokoloshe’s helmsman, David Bartholomew. The Commodore’s Cup for outstanding achievement by an Academy Member went this year to Nikki Curwen, for her victory in the Figaro II Class in this year’s Rolex Fastnet. For their successful campaign representing the Royal Southern in the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup Regatta presented by Rolex, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Trophy went to Edward Leask (third from left) and his crew on Magical Mystery Tour. The three Academicians in the crew, Annabel Vose, Ed Dyer and Dan Saltmarsh, also received the International Cup for outstanding achievement on the world stage by an Academy or Junior Cadet. Robert Greenhalgh took custody of the Allenby Trophy for highest placed Club Member in the JP Morgan Asset Management Round The Island Race, on behalf of Sir Keith Mills. Karen Henderson-Williams congratulates Max Clapp on his achievements to become the top individual youth sailor in external competitions. 78 Sailing the immaculately restored and prepared CAL 40 Breeze to victory in IRC Class 4B in the Rolex Fastnet, the Foster Trophy went deservedly to Robbie Boulter. Winning both the Ladies Bowl and Mitchell Bowl for her performance in the Club Ladies Race was Lis Robinson. The Boysterous Golden Winch Trophy for his win in Cruiser Class Division A in Cowes Week went to Peter Bainbridge. For his cruise around the Baltic, Maggie Widdop presented her family’s Tanner Cruising Trophy to Philip Meakins. The Sylphida Cup & Lovell Bowl both went to Craig Burlton for his outstanding achievement in the SB20 Class, winning both the British Nationals and the Audi SB Worlds.. The Sinclair Anchor goes to the unsung heroes who labour in that refined world of mark laying. For past and present performance, this year it was awarded to Chairman of Sailing, Colin Hall. 79 GIVE AND TAKE IN SHOOTING SHOO TING 2013 has been a year notable in the Shooting Section for the connections of family and friends. How to build on the exuberance of London 2012 and our own 175 celebrations in order to maintain the various successes was our concern at the start of the year. The answer came from the warmth of our Members’ welcome to new guns. So much so that this year, we have had three generations of families participating as Dads encourage sons and daughters; granddads introduce their grandchildren; couples find a new shared hobby (with several partners acquiring their own gun); and one new mum arranging for her partner to bring their baby for feeding during a break in her shooting. Those connections have led to participant numbers increasing to record levels whilst the section moves peripatetically from one shoot ground to another. This year, we visited Owl’s Lodge at Barton Stacey run by Olympic gold medallist Richard Faulds, Widdington at Upavon, ably organised by Alison, Meon Springs at East Meon, overseen by Club member Nicholas Butler and Compton Manor, superbly managed by Des Sturgess. The themes for our events have been diverse but were generally taken from associated notable events. Thus, the flush teams at Owl’s Lodge were based on types of noses in keeping with the contemporaneous Red Nose Day charity fundraising, proving that those with conks are the better shots. With Widdington falling near Saint George’s Day, the flush teams were based on saints associated with shooting demonstrating that Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunting was the most accurate. At Meon Springs, falling on the anniversary of the bouncing bombing raids, Barnes Wallis was not found to be wanting. Finally, at Compton, our flush theme was spirits – rum was the most deadly. Whilst clearly having fun, our guns are also mindful to help not only their other fellow guns but also those less fortunate. Accordingly, as a shooting section we participated in Red Nose Day with all guns buying and sporting noses and donating money dependent upon the number clays they hit and our ‘Southern Shots’ team entered charity events in support of The Brain Trust and the RNLI. Sally Sturt – Shooting Captain 80 GOLF SOCIETY As the nights draw closer, and trips out on the boat involve hot toddies and thermals, the golfers are coming to the end of the season. We have recently visited the New Forest Golf Course and East Horton Golf Club. The men’s competition for our annual shield has been heating up with Barry Peddley bringing in a second and first recently, however the consistent Noj White has always been in contention. the round, or the pairings may be fixed to ensure that it’s as fair as possible. The weekend prior to this, however, is the highlight of the golfers’ calendar which is the Motorboat, Golf and Shooting Christmas dinner. The golfers usually have 1-2 tables at this wonderful event, and if you are currently a golfer, or looking for a way to get into the great sport, then we would love to have you on our table. On Friday 13th December, the golfers will be embarking on a trip to South Winchester Golf Club for the Christmas fun day; this differs from the usual golf days as we will be announcing the winning golfer, couple and team at the Christmas Dinner afterwards. The format of the day will be constantly tweaked up until the morning of the event, and there may be rules on the number of clubs allowed for Sandy McPherson In the Ladies competition, Dot Jones has joined the group this year, and together with Chrissie White, have been battling for first and second at each event. For those who may think the golf society may be a little competitive, or a little serious for their liking, may I be the first to say, it is very much not the case. The Royal Southern Golf Society has a handicap range from 13 to 36, and an age range of over 60 years, and more importantly, people who have been playing all their lives, or just picked up a club for the first time in 20 years. Michel Herbelin Newport Yacht Club collection Watches inspired by the spirit of adventure of the America’s Cup, Newport Rhode Island. Model featured: Swiss Quartz Ronda Chronograph movement with blue PVD treated stainless steel case, screw down crown, water resistant to 10 ATM, scratch proof sapphire crystal. ref. 36655/AN65. RRP £665. www.michelherbelin.co.uk Because you are an RSYC member, we’ll give you a special 25% discount on any mens or womens watch in our collection. Simply enter the discount code RSYC at the online checkout or call us on 01992 815545 to place your order. Offer valid until 31.12.13 81 COMM Ladies ITTEE Having fun and making money is clearly what the current Ladies Committee does best. Since the start of 2013, the committee has been on a roll, using its cumulative talents for retailing, communications and creativity to deliver impressive results. So what have we been doing? The short answer is reactivating the sales of Club insignia, running charity fund raisers and preparing for the Christmas Fayre. We have taken a structured approach to the selection of our charities for 2013. For events during the year we have concentrated on Macmillan Cancer Care and charities that involve dogs. Hearing Dogs received £413 from the spring Bridge Drive and Hounds for Heroes gained an impressive £855 from the October Ladies Lunch, when founder Alan Parton wowed us with an amusing and at times tear-jerking talk, accompanied and aided by his dogs EJ, Clooney and Rookie. The charities for the Christmas Fayre Insignia Sales Ladies Committee Members have now staffed an Insignia sales table on five occasions since the Open Day in April having been there for new Members’ events, regattas and the Christmas Fayre. Our achievements owe much to our fondness for shopping applied in ‘poacher turned game-keeper’ format and we are always looking for new insignia items, aka shopping opportunities. also because we had a celebrity guest. A personal friend, actor Sam Kelly from TV classics ‘Porridge’, and ‘‘ello, ’ello’, not to mention National Theatre and highly praised Mike Leigh productions, kindly donated three Doing it for Macmillan We were happy to support Macmillan Cancer Care at our Spring Ladies’ Lunch as suggested by Cassis Fashions of Bishop’s Waltham, who put on a splendid Fashion Show for us. It was so good we invited them back for the Coffee Morning and have now given this charity over £2,000. The Big Coffee Morning drew a record crowd for us because of the fashion show and autographed souvenir books for auction. We are also extremely grateful to Jenny Hammond-Ediss, who donated a voucher for an in depth wardrobe analysis, under her She Styling brand. This, too, was auctioned and the lucky purchaser will learn a lot about making her clothes really work for her. Jenny has studied under personal style guru Nicky Hambleton-Jones and helps clients evaluate their wardrobes and then dress and shop more effectively. The Last Quarter There was no let up for the rest of the year with the Christmas Fayre, November Bridge Drive are the Rose Road Association for young people with disabilities and Hamble Lifeboat. As regards to donations for additional facilities or upgrades within the Club, we have worked to our brief of adding nice-tohave-extras and our contributions have paid for refurbishment of the main dining room curtains and the first floor loos. In parallel with charity fundraising we have brought additional business into the Club with an informal men’s lunching group developing in parallel with the Athena lunches and visitors to the Macmillan Coffee Morning staying for lunch. 82 and Christmas Athena Lunch. And we still find time to put up the Club’s Christmas decorations and join all the other social events. Having been involved with the Christmas Fayre sub-committee for three years, I am in awe of the amount of work Members take on to make this the success it always is, this year raising over £8,000. Once the Christmas Fayre is over work starts on the next one with a wash up meeting each November. The task of selecting stall holders starts in the early spring and we aim for a balance Stockist of Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, 4x4, Sports, Convertibles For our complete stocklist visit www.peternashcars.co.uk Specialist Sales, Services & MOTs EXTREME QUALITY autumn activity and there is frenetic activity involved in setting up the Fayre and ensuring that the Club is restored to order when it is all over for another year. All that remains is to commend the team and all its supporters and to thank the Club staff for their ever helpful support. Jenny Walton of proven favourites, who do well for themselves and us – they have to donate 10 per cent of takings as part of our charges – and newcomers, who we hope will be equally successful. It’s a challenge to evaluate applications on the strength of what our customers will like and to get a good mix of stalls. Publicity is an ongoing task from March when the year’s leaflet is created right up to the Fayre. Recruiting volunteers is an early OPPOSITE PAGE TOP Actor Sam Kelly at the Big Coffee Morning OPPOSITE PAGE CENTRE Alan Parton with his dogs at the October Ladies Lunch OPPOSTE PAGE BOTTOM The Christmas Fayre opening with the Commodore and our guest Judy Goodlet from Radio Solent TOP Judy receiving a bouquet from one of our young splashers CENTRE Stands at the Fayre BOTTOM Prizes for the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Peter Nash Specialist Cars 1 Warsash Rd, Warsash, Southampton SO31 9HW Open 7 days a week Tel 01489 589 898 83 Southe rn INSIG NIA Models Wear: Gaastra Cap, Mens La Rochelle Long Sleeves, Mens Brighton Gilet, Ladies Cowes Bomber Jacket and Ladies & Mens North Bay Shorts Models Wear: Lambs Wool V Neck Jumper, Ladies Skinnyfit Fleece and Ladies Rugby Shirt 84 Since linking up with GAASTRA, one of Europe’s leading sailing leisurewear manufacturers, the Royal Southern Yacht Club can now offer Members one of the most comprehensive collections of fashion sailing wear available. Model Wears: Mens Brighton Jacket by Printing Crazy in Hamble usually within 48 hours. Two variations of our burgee are available along with the fouled anchor designs to suit either dark or light coloured garments (see below). GAASTRA clothing uses continental sizing so please endeavour to check and make sure of the fit before you purchase any items. Finally, don’t forget your burgee and ensign – available in various sizes to suit your boat. Red ensigns do not need permission but remember to apply for a warrant if you decide to wear the blue and please remember to read the section in your handbook dealing with flag etiquette. In this short article we cannot possibly illustrate every Insignia item available but if you would like a copy of the more comprehensive 6 page leaflet now available, just ask at reception. Adobe Illustrator 3 colour Pantone EPS version Models Wear: Ladies & Mens Gaastra Genua Polo Shirts and North Bay Shorts Adobe Photoshop CMYK TIF version 3 colour Pantone versions shown below Fleece Set & Caps Model Wears: Ladies Rugby Shirt Adobe Illustrator CMYK EPS version Various logos available for clothing branding along with yacht name if desired. Models Left Wear: Mens Cap, Mens Cowes Bomber Jacket, Ladies Brighton Jacket and Ladies North Bay Shorts These new ranges of clothing run alongside our traditional favourites and are further complimented by Club cravats, ties, belts, scarves, hats and cap badges. A range of crested gifts featuring our fouled anchor logo are also available, along with cuff links, brooches and tie pins which make ideal presents for the family. Why not have a set of Royal Southern brass buttons to set off your new reefer or if you prefer, a set in black. The black buttons were originally manufactured by the Club’s own button maker in 1901 on the death of Queen Victoria as a mark of respect for our Queen who became Patroness of the Club in 1837, and worn with pride by Royal Southern yacht owners since. Our traditional garments in a wide range of UK sizes are supplied complete with our burgee or fouled anchor logo stitched in whereas the GAASTRA range can be branded with either logo along with your yacht name if you require. This service is supplied 85 PANTONE© for print (300 dpi) Pantone 110 Pantone 287 CMYK for print (300 dpi) Pantone 185 0 100 0 ROYAL SOUTHERN CLOTHING Fleece Sets Ladies/Mens Cap Peaked Beanie Hat Mens Lambs Wool V Neck Jumper Heavy Mens Fleece Mens Russell Sweatshirt Ladies Rugby Shirt Mens Rugby Shirt Ladies Skinnyfit Fleece GAASTRA RANGE WOMEN Genua Polo Pique Shirt Cowes Bomber Jacket Brighton Jacket Cascais Bomber Jacket Ladies Hyeres Sports Short Sleeves Polo Ladies La Rochelle Long Sleeves Ladies North Bay Shorts GAASTRA RANGE MEN Genua Polo Pique Shirt Cowes Bomber Jacket Brighton Jacket Cascais Bomber Jacket Brighton Gilet Hyeres Sports Short Sleeves Polo Hyeres Sports Long Sleeves La Rochelle Long Sleeves Biscayne Shorts North Bay Shorts ACCESSORIES BUTTONS/BELTS Small/Large Black Small/Large Gilt Cap & Lapel Badges Cufflinks Belt GLASSES Tumbler Tankard SUNDRIES Document Case CRESTED GIFTS Key Ring Card Holder TIES/PINS Silk Ties Cravats Gold Plated Tie Pin Untied/Tied Bow Tie ENSIGNS 1 Yard 1¼ Yard BURGEES All Weather Burgee 12x24 15x10 18x12 21x14 86 1½ Yard 2 Yard 24x16 27x18 30x20 36x24 Being a Member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club brings many benefits both on and off the water. The Best Racing in the Solent Greatly discounted entry to Royal Southern Regattas 25 Cruiser Events, Motorboat Rallies and Fun Days A rapidly expanding, high quality Youth and Academy Programme 47 Moorings by ballot 18 RIB Berths by ballot 21 Dry Berths by ballot 4 Clay Pigeon Shoots 5 Rounds of Golf Numerous Games of Bridge 3 bars, 2 restaurants, Discount on drinks and bar and restaurant menus with Membership cards Online Crew Register 12 En-suite Bedrooms Bosuns and Club Launch available 7 days a week 20 Wednesday Lectures Wine Tastings 20 RYA Training Courses Club Balls Numerous Dinners, Suppers and BBQs The Best Clubhouse on the South Coast And most of all, 1700 friends to share it all with! 87 PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION the winners The entries have been submitted; the judges have voted and the winners can now be declared. Firstly a big thank you to all those who participated. Overall the photographs were of a high quality and we have worthy winners in all categories. They are, in alphabetical order by category ATMOSPHERE - Matthew Richardson, Needles lighthouse through rain CRUISING - Elvin Patrick, Snow Leopard en route from Stockholm to Mariehamn PEOPLE - Matthew Richardson, Brambles Cricket Match 2013 RACING - Colin Hall, Spotter’s Nightmare YOUTH - Peter Delbridge, Pirates’ Picnic In addition the judges decided to make an additional award, known as the Editor’s Choice to Chris Gillingham. This is for a photograph of the view from the Club. The photograph did not comply with the rules of the competition but proved to be popular with all the judges. All the winners and runners up can be seen on photo gallery on the Club website www.royal-southern.co.uk The entries covered a wide range of subjects ranging from views of the clubhouse to racing on the other side of the Atlantic. There were serious action shots and calm, contemplative landscapes; boats of all shapes and sizes not to mention a range of people from the very young to some of the more senior Members of the Club. The judges, David Handley, Sheelagh Cohen, Mike Austen and Brian Curtis took a number of criteria into account when judging. Firstly, to be considered the photographs had to comply with the rules which were set out in the Spring edition of The Southern. Then criteria to be taken into account included technical quality - for example whether the photographs were in focus through the relevant depth of field, composition, colour balance not to mention the unquantifiable ability of a photograph to capture a moment in time. 88 Some of the competition categories were stronger than others. ‘Atmosphere’ was a particularly strong category whilst ‘Cruising’ was somewhat weaker overall, although it included some very high quality photographs. The choice of photographs submitted for consideration raised questions in the minds of some of the judges as some competitors had provided photographs of better quality for inclusion in this edition of the magazine than they had submitted for the competition. The rules of the competition also allowed ‘colour balancing and contrast/brightness changes are permitted, as is basic cropping’ and some entries would have benefited from cropping to improve the composition and having the colour balanced. The judges were also disappointed that some enthusiastic photographers in the Club did not submit entries. We are planning on holding another competition year and are in negotiation for sponsorship for a ‘Best Photograph’ so keep snapping. PHOTO COMPETITION WINNERS ATMOSPHERE 1st Matthew Richardson - Needles lighthouse through the rain. Pre-dawn twilight 2nd Matthew Richardson - Cloudscape 3rd Colin Hall - Heading for Home CRUISING 1st Elvin Patrick - Snow Leopard en route from Stockholm to Mariehamn in the Åland 2nd Matthew Richardson - RSrnYC head out to the Brambles cricket match sheltering in the lee of the Queen Mary 2 PEOPLE 1st Matthew Richardson - Brambles Cricket Match 2013 2nd Diane Ward - Wet and Windy 3rd Richard Burnett - Solo trombonist RACING 1st Colin Hall - Spotter’s nightmare 2nd Peter Delbridge - Volvo Open 3rd Colin Hall - Match tack away YOUTH 1st Peter Delbridge - Pirates Picnic 2nd Matthew Richardson - RSrnYC Hawks head into Southampton Water for their first race of Splash Week 2013 3rd Matthew Richardson - Hawks and Eagles combined start line, Splash 2013 EDITOR’S CHOICE Chris Gillingham - A misty morning from the Club As well as including some of the winning photographs on the following pages, the front cover of this issue features the winner of the ‘Racing’ category, ‘Spotter’s Nightmare’ by Colin Hall. Matthew Richardson’s photograph of the RSrnYC Hawks heading into Southampton Water is also featured page 66. Page 93 also has a Matthew Rishardson winner, The Brambles Cricket Match sheltering in the lee of The Queen Mary 2. ABOVE: Needles Lighthouse through the rain. Matthew Richardson. 1st. in the ‘Atmosphere’ category ABOVE: ‘Snow Leopard’ en route from Stockholm to Mariehamn in the Aland. Elvin Patrick. 1st in the ‘Cruising category. 89 TOP LEFT: Volvo Open. Peter Delbridge. 2nd in the ‘Racing’ category TOP RIGHT: Heading for home. Colin Hall. 3rd. in the ‘Atmosphere’ section. CENTRE LEFT: Solo Trombonist. Richard Burnett. 3rd in ‘People’ category CENTRE RIGHT: Chris Gillingham. Editor’s Choice. BOTTOM LEFT: Brambles Cricket Match. Matthew Richardson. 1st in the ‘People’ Category. 90 ABOVE: Cloudscape. Matthew Richardson. 2nd. In the ‘Atmosphere’ category ABOVE: Wet and Windy. Diane Ward. 2nd in the ‘People’ category. 91 SNIPP ETS shared many wonderful flights in Peter’s ASH25 including ones to Gainsborough, Welshpool, York, the Isle of Sheppey and many more but the day we did the ‘750’ will long remain the most exciting flight of all. The flight data, including ground trace and barograph trace can be viewed on the British Gliding Association website: www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore. asp?FlightID=44421&RC=X and for anyone who wishes to experience the thrill of gliding go to www.lashamgliding.com and book a trial flight – you could just hour. The flight logger recorded be lucky enough to fly with Peter 9hrs 02mins for the total flight Reading as your pilot. and 8hrs 49mins 6secs for the Brenda Pridal completed declared task. The turning points for the pre-declared task were LAS (Lasham Clubhouse) to CNW (Cirencester North West) to THE (Thetford in East Anglia) to MAR (Marlborough) to NAE (Naseby East) and finally back to LAS (Lasham Airfield). It was an amazing flight flown by a most accomplished glider pilot, Peter Reading, who in ‘real life’ is a training captain for FLYBE flying out of Southampton. I’ve been lucky enough to have AIRBORNE AGAIN The forecast for August 20 was excellent, a cold front having gone through – conditions were expected to be perfect for a long flight with a very early start and a long flying day. Cloudbase was predicted to reach 6.000+ft amsl in the best part of the day – and so it proved. An early phone call from Peter – good day for a 750! Lets go. We were airborne just before 10am from Lasham Airfield and eventually landed back at our departure point just after 1930 that evening. We had flown 756.8km at an average speed of 85.5km/ MOORING CHARGES Temporary Moorings Members Non-Members Short Stay (2-4 hours) £11.00 £16.50 April 1st - September 31st £2.10 £2.90 October 1st - March 31st £1.70 £2.90 Per Day (up to 8 hours) £1.25 £2.10 Per Week £6.65 £13.25 Per Month £26.50 £50.75 Scrubbing Piles £28.00 £40.00 Bosun Assisted Craneage £57.58 Self Craneage £19.75 ‘Day Boat Special’ (Lift out, Scrub, Lift in) £115.16 Club Pontoon Overnight (per metre) Club Mooring (per metre) Miscellaneous Summer Service (with BST) Monday - Thursday 0800 - 1800 hrs Friday - Sunday 0800 - 2000 hrs Hours may be extended during regattas and special events. 92 Club Launches Winter Service 30th Oct 2013 26th Mar 2014 Monday - Thursday 0800 - 1800 hrs Friday - Sunday 0800 - 1800 hrs VHF radio: Channel 37 (Marine ‘M’) ‘Southern Launch’ - Low power (1W) Duty Bosun Mobile: 07900 872461 ‘Quintessentially English madness on a beautiful summer’s evening’... ...in the words of Royal Southern Yacht Club Team Captain Mark ‘Tommo’ Tomson, is as good a description of the Brambles Bank cricket match as you’ll find. Played this year in conditions most generously described as ‘moist’, the Hamble Club emerged triumphant over arch rivals the Cowes-based Island Sailing Club - it being their turn to win the annual mid-Solent encounter under the even-handed umpiring of Philip Gage and the watchful gaze of passengers onboard in the Queen Mary 2. It was one also enjoyed by hundreds of spectators who gathered at the Bank to share the Royal Southern’s team victory in 2013. ‘We went out there and assessed the wicket’, said Tommo, a 15 year veteran of the match, seven as captain. ‘We won the toss so put the opposition in to bat and we bowled very well. We got a bit of reverse swing with all the moisture in the air - they found that tricky and really didn’t score many runs. ‘My men went in to bat and batted with true gusto and spirit, a bit like the Australians at The Oval. There were a couple of half centuries by Hugo (Morgan Harris) and Mike (Ewart-Smith) and then we had knight of the realm Sir Robin (Knox-Johnston) coming in at the tail end, and we really hammered them - a bit like the Ashes series this summer; just gave them a proper thrashing, 318 runs to their paltry 60.’ The instigation of the eccentric event is credited to legendary Cowes yacht designer Uffa Fox, though precise historical details are thin on the ground. Suffice to say the Southern took up the cudgels over 30 years ago in an event which is now a summer fixture. 93 MODEL YACHT RACING Saturday 29th June provided nearly ideal conditions for the annual model yacht racing event, albeit with a light and fluky breeze. The PRO, Tony Lovell, set a triangular/ sausage course around the ‘pool’. The course sent the teams, sailing RC Lasers, to the first mark in the NE corner of the ‘pool’, before a westerly reach to round the ‘island’ (the pontoon insert) to port before rounding the bottom mark near the pier and sailing once more to the top mark, followed by a run to the finish. The racing was close – the pier provided a great vantage point for the considerable numbers of spectators who were kept refreshed admirably by the house team – thank you. Each team member had to ‘helm’ for at least one leg of the course which provided further opportunities for overtaking. The final race saw a number of lead changes, but in the end Team Odontoblast, consisting of Edward and Dudley Stock and David Greenhaugh, proved to be fastest around the course and worthy winners. Special thanks to the Members who kindly lent their boats and made this event possible – Colin Hall, Richard Steel and Lloyd Hamilton. Also thanks to Richard Hughes for organising 94 the event and Tony Lovell for acting as PRO. If any Members are interested in more regular model yacht races at the Club, please let the Sailing Secretary know. THE SWANWICK, BURSLEDON AND WARSASH REGATTA Bienvenue à Bursledon. This year, the 143th annual Swanwick, Bursledon and Warsash Regatta featured Paris as its theme, and although the skies were overcast, there was a warm welcome at the Elephant Boatyard with the splendid backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. With many participants and visitors, including Royal Southern Members in fancy dress, and the commentator doing his best with his schoolboy French (quel accent!), the atmosphere was definitely set for a ‘bon jour’. Why, even the Commodore was spotted in the queue awaiting a glass of his favourite Chablis. Following the dinghy racing in the morning and the swimming and rowing races after lunch, the decorated floats took to the water with the magnificent ‘Madame Guillotine’ taking centre stage. With copious amounts of tomato ketchup, the bravest aristocrats were parted from their heads whilst in the tumbrel more, nervously, awaited their fate. The Moulin Rouge and ‘Follies Bergères’ abounded with the Tour de France and even the Paris-ites making an appearance, not to mention the bearded lady dancer bedecked in bright red feathers! After aperitifs the Hog Roast was very welcome. The whole day was then rounded off with the torchlight procession and a magnificent fireworks display which just seems to get bettter every year. With a dance for the ‘Friends of Bursledon Regatta’ starting the proceedings on Friday evening the weekened was rounded off with yacht racing for old gaffers, keelboats and XODs on Sunday followed by the prizegiving afterwards. Don’t forget to make a note in your diary for next year on the 30 and 31 August as the Regatta is a weekend not to be missed! 95 LADIES & ANCIENT MARINERS RACES These traditional end of season races were scheduled for the first weekend in October. On Saturday a very light breeze from the north west made it just possible to hold the Ladies Race in whch the rules permit mixed crews so long as there is a lady helm. On a large and rising spring tide, the race committee set up the start at Meon, aiming to keep boats out of the strongest currents. A triangular course was set using various marks in the area between Meon, Coronation and Royal Southern buoys. Ian Dewhirst’s J133 Jump was lucky to squeeze through at the committee boat end of the line and immediately sailed into the lead on the water, holding the position throughout the race. In the light airs, five boats got away from the rest of the fleet. As the adverse tide built on what proved to be the final run to South LADIES AFLOAT Ladies afloat continues to go from strength to strength and this year, following the adage - if it ain’t broke don’t fix it - the formula remained unchanged. A safety briefing in the Club House and then out on the water for a sail and a good lunch afloat, provided by the ladies; further sailing after lunch, returning to the Club late afternoon. The Ladies Afloat days are held monthly during the summer and different destinations are chosen each month depending on weather and tide. This year the June event was particularly special as June Clark (on the far left of the picture) was celebrating her 90th birthday. Older 96 Members will remember June, who was then June Robbins, when she was in charge of the Dining Room from the late fifties until 1978. The Club acted as matchmaker as she met Graham, her Australian husband to be, when he was staying at the Southern. Eventually they married and she moved to Australia but they remained in touch with developments at the Club - partly through the magazine. Now widowed she has returned to the UK to live and is a regular at Ladies Afloat and other Club functions. Coast Sailing buoy, this group put extra time between themselves and the remainder - a final gap of 1 hour 50 minutes from front to back of the fleet. Lis Robinson’s Beneteau First 35, Hot Rats and Anne Smith’s smaller quarter-tonner Needlework may have been 16 minutes apart on the water, but on handicap, the corrected time was close, Hot Rats winning the race by 81 seconds on corrected time from Needlework. Natalie French’s SB20 Turbulence Too came third and Jump’s higher rating took her down to fourth. The winner of the trophy for the first all-female crew was Katy Vigar’s Sigma 33 Dino Volante. Sadly the wind did not oblige on the Sunday and the Ancient Mariners’ Race was in the end not possible as the breeze never got above 3 knots and was mostly zero. After a relaxing time sitting in the sunshine, the fleet returned ashore. Peter Bateson A SUMMER’S DAY IN ST. VAAST Having spotted a Royal Southern burgee flying on our boat Bambella whilst we were staying in St.Vaast marina last July. Judy and Bill Nutt on Black Swan of Hamble called by to say hello. We all met up later and tried our hand at picking mussels at low tide. Several hours later after some judicious mussel scrubbing and preparation by Jonny Halliday and Debbie Campbell we all sat down to SAILABILITY a splendid supper of freshly picked seafood paella, dutifully washed down with some chilled wine. A memorable day for us all and another example of the benefits of membership of the Royal Southern and flying our burgee in an overseas marina. Jan and Peter Halliday On Saturday 17th August, with a forecast threatening worsening weather, the Club hosted 28 guests for its Sailability Day. All the visitors had hearing difficulties and our thanks to the assistance of Deaf UK in providing signing interpreters. Last year an appalling forecast forced us to cancel the event so it was with great relief that we were able to start the day in very reasonable conditions, leaving the skippers to decide later when to return to the Club. Seven very generous Club Members gave their boats and time, and were duly dispatched to various corners of the Solent. The weather behaved as forecast with strengthening winds and building overcast, which quickly turned to rain. However everyone returned safely and from the excited chatter, wide grins and effusive thanks it was obvious that it had been a memorable day for all. Not only had Geoff Holt spent a day on the water with eight of our guests, but he also very generously treated us to a talk in the evening. He was expecting a small gathering, but word had spread amongst the Splashers and so was rather surprised when his audience turned out to be over 100. His humourous, selfdeprecating style made wonderful listening and a great day even better. By the end of his talk everyone was ready for the excellent Club supper that followed. Several letters of thanks have been received, specifically thanking the Club for its friendly welcoming hospitality and Deaf Sailing UK stated that this had been their best event ever. Grateful thanks to everyone, Members and staff, who made this day such a success. Tim Harrison 97 ASHO RE Being situated on the banks of the River Hamble, the Royal Southern Yacht Club offers unrivalled views over the river to the Southampton Water and the Isle of Wight. Lunch can be enjoyed in the upper deck bar daily with a menu ranging from sandwiches to hot meals with a ‘specials’ board highlighting the day’s choice. Whilst the upper bar with its SOUTHERN SUNDAY CARVERY Join us for delicious buffet style hors d’oeuvres starter followed by 2 choices of Roast meat with all the trimmings along with a fresh fish alternative. Finish off your meal by choosing 1 of at least 4 different puddings from our ever changing selection. 1200 - 1500 hrs 98 large balcony is open daily, in the winter month the Members Bar with its unique atmosphere, open fire and friendly service adds enjoyment to those long winter evenings. Next to the Members Bar is the River Room where dinner is served from Wednesday to Saturday evenings. Offering contemporary, freshly cooked meals, the River Room has a fortnightly changing menu featuring a variety of quality, seasonal ingredients. Theme nights regularly feature in the programme and evening booking is advisable. Within our 18th century listed building we have created 12 elegant bedrooms including a Master Suite. All the rooms, 2 singles, 2 triples, 4 doubles and 3 twins have modern facilities with ensuite bathrooms, free WiFi and flat screen televisions. Tea and coffee is also available in each room and Club rates include a full English or continental breakfast served in the Dining Room restaurant. BAR HOURS Mon-Tue 1200-2100 hrs Bar Lunch 1200-1430 hrs Wed-Thu 1200-2300 hrs Bar Lunch 1200-1430 hrs Fri-Sat 1100-2300 hrs Bar Lunch 1100-1500 hrs Sun 1200-2100 hrs Bar Lunch 1200-1500 hrs RIVER ROOM HOURS Wed-Sat 1900-2130 hrs SPECIAL EVENTS In addition to the facilities on the previous page the Royal Southern Yacht Club has much more to offer. Our 200 seat dining room is available to Members and guests as a venue for conferences, trade shows, banquets, weddings, receptions and private parties. The dining room has a moveable partition enabling the room to be split into 2 separate private areas for smaller functions. As well as a small bar there is direct access to the large kitchens where our chef and his staff can cater to all your needs. The River Room is also ideal for private functions and has doors opening onto the spacious patio so with the Members Bar immediately alongside, why not take advantage of those lovely long summer days and evenings and organise your party here. In addition, the Yeoman Room on the first floor is ideal for smaller more intimate meetings. Dining for up to 20 people around the long table, or business meetings away from the office, taking advantage of the wondering views from the balcony are just two of the possibilities. The library (formerly our Chart Room) is also available for smaller meetings. These facilities, coupled with our overnight accommodation and the bars, make the Royal Southern a beautiful and unique location for your next function so just contact the Secretary, Chris Pullinger on 023 8045 0301, who will be happy to assist in organising your event. 99 ADVERTISERS INDEX AVEVA www.aveva.com Barbados Tourism Authority www.visitbarbados.co.uk Brewin and Dolphin 02072 461 000 www.brewin.co.uk Champagne Joseph Perrier www.josephperrier.com E P Barrus Ltd 01869 363 636 www.barrus.co.uk Gaastra www.gaastra.eu-gasstrastore.com GJW Direct 0500 141 141 www.gjwdirect.co.uk Harken 01590 689122 www.harken.com Northwood 01256 350 015 www.northwooduk.com Michel Herbelin www.michelherbelin.co.uk Mount Gay Rum www.mountgayrum.com Peter Nash Cars www.peternashcars.co.uk 2014 PROGRAMME JANUARY JUNE SEPTEMBER 11-12 15 18 22 24 25-26 29 1 Yarmouth/Hamble 6 Athena Informal Ladies Lunch 6 June Friday Evening Series 6-8 Cruise to Ouistreham 7Porto Montenergo Inter Club Challenge 7-8 Mount Gay Rum June Regatta 11 Ladies Afloat 12-15 Royal Southern Match Cup - ISAF Gr2 13 June Friday Evening Series 14-15 Poole & Back Race 15 Youth Sailing 17-18 Mid-Week Rally to Lymington 20 June Friday Evening Series 20 Pre Round the Island BBQ 21 J.P. Morgan Round the Island Race 21 RIB Rally to watch the Round the Island Race 21 Commodore’s Summer Charity Ball 21-28 ICOYC Cruise to Elba & Corscia 27 Theme Evening 27 June Friday Evening Series 29 Club Day Pursuit Race 30 Golf Day 3 5 5 7 12-13 12-14 12-21 13 14 20 20-21 21 25 26 26 27-28 RYA Match Racing Training Lecture Burns Night Lecture Theme Evening RYA Match Racing Training Lecture FEBRUARY 5 7 12 19 22 22-23 26 27 Lecture Athena Ladies Lunch Lecture Lecture Jazz Night Academy Match Racing Training Lecture Theme Evening MARCH 5 6 7 12 13 14 15 16 19 22-23 23 26 29 29 30 Lecture Clay Pigeon Shoot Athena Ladies Lunch Lecture Bridge Drive Club Wine Tasting Pre Season Coaching Warsash Spring Series Lecture RYA Match Racing Training Warsash Spring Series Lecture Interclub Youth Keelboat Championships Fitting Out Supper Warsash Spring Series APRIL 4 5 6 9 10 12 12 13 19-21 19-21 19 25 25 27 27 Athena Informal Ladies Lunch Academy Match Racing Training Warsash Spring Series Clay Pigeon Shoot Ladies Lunch Start of Season Party New Members Party Warsash Spring Series Solent Cruise Motorboats Easter Rally Academy Match Racing Training Golf Society Theme Evening Warsash Spring Series Youth Sailing MAY The Commodore, Flag Officers and Members of the Royal Southern Yacht Club would like to thank all the advertisers for supporting the Club by advertising in The Southern. The programme is subject to change and additional events are likely to be organised. Check www.royal-southern. co.uk or Club Notice Boards for up-to-date information. 100 2 2 3-5 3 7 9 9-11 10 10-11 11 13-14 16 16 17-18 23 23-26 24-30 30 30 31 Athena Informal Ladies Lunch Cruiser Spring Supper Solent Cruiser Race Academy Match Racing Training Ladies Afloat May Friday Evening Series Motorboat Spring Rally RIB Rally & BBQ David Thomas Rally Youth Sailing Mid-Week Rally - Cowes May Friday Evening Series Clay Pigeon Shoot Royal Southern May Regatta May Friday Evening Series Aveva Cowes/Deauville Race & Rally Family Cruise May Friday Evening Series Theme Evening Hamble/Yarmouth Cup JULY 1-2 Mid-Week Rally to Yarmouth 4 Athena Informal Ladies Lunch 4 Joseph Perrier Champagne Tasting Event 4 July Friday Evening Series 4-6 Motorboat Summer Spree 7-10 Cork Week 9 Ladies Afloat 11 July Friday Evening Series 12-13 Champagne Joseph Perrier July Regatta 13 Youth Sailing 14-19 Classic Yacht Regatta (TBC) 18 Theme Evening 18 July Friday Evening Series 19 Family Fun Day 19-26Commodore’s Cup & Cowes Classics Week 19-27 Channel Family Race Rally 23-26 J Cup 25 July Friday Evening Series 30 Mid-Week Rally to the Horse & Jockey AUGUST 2-9 7 8 10-15 12-14 14 16-17 20 22 23 23-24 25-29 29 30-31 30-31 Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week Commodore’s Cowes Week Reception RIB Rally to watch the Cowes Week Fireworks Round Britain & Ireland Race Mid-Week Rally Sailability Day Old Gaffers Rally (TBC) Ladies Afloat Friday Evening Series Under 21 Race Junior Cadets Weekend Junior Splash Week August Friday Evening Series Royal Southern August Regatta Swanwick, Bursledon & Warsash Regatta Ladies Afloat Athena Informal Ladies Lunch Final Friday Evening Series New Members Party Little Britain Challenge Motorboat Open Weekend Southampton Boat Show Ladies Race Ancient Mariners Race Pirate Day Aveva September Regatta Youth Sailing Golf Society Macmillan Coffee Morning Theme Evening Hamble Scramble OCTOBER 3 5 8 10 11 11-12 12 15 16 19 22 25 25-26 26 29 31 Athena Informal Ladies Lunch HRSC Winter Series Lecture Cruiser Supper Big Boat Weekend Folly Rally HRSC Winter Series Lecture Ladies Lunch HRSC Winter Series Lecture Academy Taster Day Big Boat Weekend HRSC Winter Series Lecture Theme Evening NOVEMBER 1 2 5 8 9 12 13 16 19 22 23 26 29 20 Christmas Fayre HRSC Winter Series Lecture Annual Prize Giving HRSC Winter Series Lecture Charity Bridge Drive HRSC Winter Series Lecture Laying Up Dinner HRSC Winter Series Lecture Annual General Meeting HRSC Winter Series DECEMBER 3 5 6 7 10 12 16-17 17 19 21 21 26 26 31 Lecture Athena Informal Ladies Lunch Motorboat, Golf & Shooting Societies Christmas Dinner HRSC Winter Series Lecture Theme Evening Rally to Cowes Club Christmas Carols Le Lunch New Members Party Club Christmas Lunch Foxer Racing Members Boxing Day Bar New Years Eve Ball Brewin Dolphin, a great supporter of great sailing. 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