International News

Races in Germany 2018 : Ammersee / Diessen and Tegernsee

Save the date :

April 28.-30. Skiffmania Diessen / Ammersee, Club :DSC

June 9.-10. Tegernsee / Rottach Egern, Club : SVRE (trailers may be stored there - Garda follows)

Final European Grand Prix Results 2017

18' Skiff European Grand Prix Results 2017

 All photos by:  Martin Rüegg

UK Grand Prix Round 4 - Sandbanks

This weekend was the final weekend of the UK and European Skiff calendar, and what a setting and conditions for it! A German and Hungarian team joined the U.K. fleet on Sandbanks beach for four days packed with racing.

Day 1

The first day was a pretty miserable rig in lashing rain, but this was more than made up for by the exciting conditions on the water. The first race was held in some fresh breeze and bumpy waves which caught some of the sailors off guard for the first race. The next two races were in lighter breeze with sunshine and sailors made their way ashore, deriving in conditions that felt a million miles away from the morning.

Pica were on top after day one, but not by much. Be Light and ChameleonI both took a first place and Kaltenberger were consistent to stay not far behind

Day 2

The second day was a glamour day that saw the big rigs taken out the bag! The rig call wasn't obvious but the fleet all followed themselves and launched for a day of racing that eventually ending up in some gusts of up to 18 knots - a few might say the No2 rig was a better choice.

The fleet all launched on their big rigs, and managed to handle the extra sail area round the course with some powered up bearaways. Pica took another two bullets but let the final one away to Kaltenberger. Be-Light were also in the mix with podium finishes. ChameleonI slipped back in the pack to fall off the podium and let the Germans jump up to second overnight.

Day 3

The third day was a much more comfortable day racing on the big rigs in the bay. A 12 knot breeze stayed on the course all day for another 3 races. The breeze was much more settled than previous days so there was little waiting around between races.

Pica and Be-Light exchanged first and second places and Kaltenberger and ChameleonI traded places to firm up third and fourth place.

 Day 4

The final day was again lighter than the previous so the big rigs were rigged all round. The lighter wind made for some much tighter starts with Rutland and ChameleonI going round the ends in the last race. The whole fleet finished within 2 minutes of first to last in all races with place changes happening throughout. Special mention to the new team on Sail 4 Cancer who took advantage of the lighter breeze to finish their first races of the weekend - hopefully many more to come next year for this team!

Pica had to hold off Be Light all day to secure the overall win and, despite the close racing tactics from the Hungarians, Pica finished the day on top to take the title. Kaltenberger also sailed a consistent last 3 races to finish third overall.

The fleet have had an awesome time this weekend and the Sandbanks Bay put on a great show of conditions. A huge thank you to; Parkstone Yacht Club for getting in 12 superb races, The Watersports Academy for accommodating us so well off the water and Phil Jackson/Harbour View Photography for capturing the action. Also, a massive thanks to the German and Hungarian teams travelling to join us for some very tight racing!

Results

UK Grand Prix Round 3 - Marconi

Last weekend was Round 3 of the UK Grand Prix at Marconi Sailing Club. This is the home club of Pica, so it was all on to try and beat the already strong team in their home waters especially with rumours of Jamie Mears returning for a turn on the stick!

Day 1

The fleet rigged in calm conditions that didn't look to test a call for the big rig. However, when on the race course, the breeze had built and the few boats on the big rigs had a bit on for the day.

Pica took an early bullet from ChameleonI and LED despite the still fresh breeze in the first race. The race track then softened for the second and third races, with ChameleonI and Pica taking a bullet in each. Overnight lead went down to the last race and ChameleonI just took it, leading overnight on count back. LED had a consistent day keeping their big rig in order, keeping in touch in case of any mistakes.

Day 2

The second day was definitely one to remember! There was no decision required on rigs. It was all No 2s!

Two races were held in fresh conditions in a very low tide - which made it interesting to manoeuvre in the narrow channel. ChameleonI's charge for first place was halted at the first windward mark when LED hooked their mast through their main, ending ChamleonIs day.

Pica capitalised with their impressive boat handling to clear up the two races. The rest of the day became windier and winder with the incoming front but allowed Rutland and Union Rose to have their chances of podium finishes.

When all was said and done, Pica managed to claim back the top spot, but their usual dominance was challenged more and more over the weekend.

Many thanks to Marconi Sailing club for hosting the event and being so welcoming, Dinghy Rope for an awesome stash of prizes, and OJS Photography for capturing the highlights.

The next event is Round 4 of both the Euro and UK Grand Prix at Sandbanks, Poole. Another four days racing off the glamorous beach with European skiffs on the start line - a great way to round off the season!

UK Grand Prix Round 2 - Plymouth

Day 1

Today was the first day of the 18ft Skiff Nationals and whilst the ominous 25 knots forecast didn't materialise, it didn't stop some story-telling moments. The fleet are sailing from Mount Batten Watersports Centre and the three days racing is being run by an enthusiastic team from Plymouth Youth Sailing.

The first race was a shakedown for a couple of the crews who have been brought together to have a go for the national title. The teams on Sail 4 Cancer and AC Boatworks are both scratch crews for the event.

Rutland rounded first with a good set getting them clear, followed by ChameleonI and LED. Rutland managed to throw it all away by running over the gate and letting everyone through. ChameleonI sailed on to take the win.

Race two and the start was tight, so the fleet split to all get their own air. The Sound had a couple of large oil tankers to create options and decisions across the race course.

Rutland and LED lead the fleet around the first lap before getting entangled in a port/starboard incident which again let the fleet sail away. ChameleonI took line honours followed by AC Boatworks.

The final race was more of a pure race, with no incidents slowing boats down. ChameleonI managed to hold off the fleet again for another bullet. The wind swung round throughout the race, making the decisions ever-changing. AC Boatworks got the right call in the last downwind around the course obstacles to take another second place ahead of LED.

Back to the bar for beer - or ibuprofen - to chew the fat on the days racing incidences. Tomorrow's racing should be held on the big rigs and more boats will join to make it all to play for the national title.

Day 2

The second day of the UK 18ft Skiff Nationals took place in Plymouth Sound in borderline conditions between the big and small rigs. There were many walks around the corner to check the wind conditions and the usual boat park chats between teams, egging each other on to swap rigs until the last minute. In the end, the fleet was split down the middle on rig choices.

The first race was almost a carbon copy to the first one yesterday with Rutland taking the lead after the first leg, followed by ChameleonI and LED. Rutland were wandering how they were going to throw it away this time, but held it together for another lap to take the win.

Race two grew in breeze which favoured the small rigs. This meant ChameleonI got in front, even with the big rigs of Rutland and LED getting close, but not close enough. ChameleonI took the bullet followed by Rutland and a last minute charge from Union Rose.

The charge of Union Rose continued in the last race when hooking into an awesome shift and rounded the first top mark first. The little rigs seemed to pay for the whole last race, with ChameleonI following in second place and Rutland coming through in third ahead of their local counterparts in AC Boatworks.

That leaves Graham Bridle of ChameleonI looking good in the top spot before the last day and the two Rutland based skiffs in joint second place. Tomorrow is looking like the whole fleet will be sailing on the big rigs with the forecast and the 2017 title for National Champions decided by the end of the day.

Day 3

Two races were sailed on the final day of the UK 18ft Skiff Nationals on a glorious summer's day on Plymouth Sound. The fleet was held ashore for a short while to let the wind to establish into a good 5 to 8 knots on the course.

The first race was a close start, with LED leading the fleet in a drag race over to the cliffs. ChameleonI managed to bring back LED to lead through both laps and take yet another bullet on their already impressive scorecard. The two Rutland boats were scrapping just behind and frantically trying to work out the mathematics - given they started the day on the same amount of points!

Race two initiated another loud start line with skiffs racking up with a minute to go. This time, it was LED who managed to get to the top mark first, picking their way through the tidal gains and shifts. ChameleonI got close, but surrendered the pole position by the finish line to let LED take the final bullet of the series. AC Boatworks and Rutland were again locked in a tacking duel on the second upwind, that led to a tense final downwind leg and only a matter of seconds between the finishing times.

And so it was decided. ChameleonI's dominance led to them be crowned National Champions. The event was close with 4 boats getting first places throughout the weekend, but the consistency of ChamleonI shined through, giving them a comfortable margin on the rest of the fleet. The points gap further down the leaderboard was much closer, with the remaining podium places up for grabs by a number of boats, going into the final day.

The fleet would like to thank all that helped to make the event happen. Plymouth Youth Sailing pulled together an impressive series of races and were very accommodating of the small intricacies of skiff racing. Mount Batten Watersports centre provided all the perfect facilities needed for a National Championships. It's safe to say, the whole fleet loved their weekend's racing in Plymouth!

Results

News + Termine 2018

Während der EM 2017 gab es ein Treffen zur Koordination der Termine:

Für 2018 ist eine Regattaserie über mehrere folgende Wochenenden am Gardasee angedacht so dass die Boote dort bleiben können. Dies wurde insbesonders von den UK Teams gewünscht.

Die Mark Foy 2018 wird in Europa sein, evtl. Sardinien, Costa Smeralda oder Gardasee, Terminfenster ist die 1.oder 2. Juliwoche 2018.
In 2019 ist die Mark Foy in Sydney, im Jahr 2020 zusammen mit dem Americas Cup in NZ.

Die Aussie League baut derzeit versuchsweise eine zweite Foiling Flotte mit V-Foil und Ruder T-Foil - das ist nicht das Superfoiler Projekt sonder ein normaler 18 Rumpf mit Foils.
Diese Flotte soll gemeinsam mit den konventienellen Booten segeln, und am Ende der Saison erfolgt eine Bewertung. Die Konzeption wird C-Tech durchführen.
Hierzu wurde eine Konzeptstudie präsentiert.

Ansonsten hat Jesper hat wieder einen 18 und wird hoffentlich bald die dänische Flotte verstärken !

Europameisterschaft 2017 - Endergebnis

Eine Woche Dauergrinsen zu Wasser und an Land. Eine der großartigsten Segelwochen geht zu Ende. Jeden Tag kleines Rigg und dabei die kentergefährdeten Tonnen in schwächeren Windarealen.
24 kt Downwindspeed, wahnsinns Sprünge - einfach geil.

Der Strand voller Zuschauer, Crazy Nick an der Bar und unter den Stühlen - und Tinder auf dem Handy.

Da waren die Ergebnisse fast schon egal. Länderpunkte ausgeglichen (AUS ; GER  1:1) , auf dem Wasser gewann Yamaha (NZ)

alles, C TEC  (NZ) mit Alex Vailings, Eike Ehrig und Grant Rollerson zweiter, EuroLink wurde dreizehnter von achtzehn weltklasse Teams.

Einziger Wermutstropfen war die schwere Verletzung von Graham, er war am letzten Tag noch immer stationär und muss

seinen Heimflug wohl verschieben. 

Herzlichen Dank an alle die mitgeholfen haben und insbesondere an Martin Rüegg der eine Woche lang uns als Fotograf

begleitete. Alle Bilder gibts auf der Dropbox. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/px3bd079q2g7y17/AABE7BuAWCA5WBk2M7opoSHsa?dl=0

Sonstige Bilder und Videos auf Facebook/CircolovelaArco https://www.facebook.com/pg/CircoloVelaArco/videos/?ref=page_internal  und deren Youtubechannel. 

Europameisterschaft Arco - Tag 2

Am zweiten Renntag zeigte sich die Ora von ihrer milderen Seite mit ungewöhnlich großen Drehern. Yamaha konnte sich wieder durchsetzen,  jedoch wechselte die Führung zwischen mehreren Booten der Südhalbkugel durch. Ausfälle gab es kaum, lediglich Original Chia mit Jesper, Soeren und Thomas crashten den Spibaum. Wie gewohnt gab es wieder viel günstiges Material aus Sydney, Miklos sicherte sich ein neues Großsegel und zwei Rümpfe warten auch auf neue Besitzer.

Einige Surfer entkamen knapp aber diesmal unbeschadet, an Land klärte ein Aussie die Beschwerde per Fausthieb.

Trotz zahlenmässiger Unterlegenheit konnte Deutschland bei den Länderpunkten ausgleichen !

Tolle Fotos von der Bahn gibt es auf Facebook.com/circolovelaarco 

EU GP3 and Championship - Day 2

Results - Day 2    2017.07.05

The ultimate three-man, winged & trapeze flying machine. Developed in Australia over the last two decades to what it is today, the 18ft Skiff now has a good UK circuit.

 All photos by:  Martin Rüegg

Europameisterschaft 2017 Arco -Tag 1

Zwei Container aus Sydney, einer aus Neuseeland und ein Wiedersehen mit all den anderen Irren- auch eine der vielen faszinierenden Facetten des 18 Footers.

Ein grossartiger Segeltag geht zu Ende mit gewohnt traumhaften Bedingungen. Wind oberes Ende kleines Rigg und die neuralgischen Luv und Leetonnen in windschwächeren Bereichen - so einfach kanns sein.

Yamaha aus Neuseeland dominierte das Feld und fuhr trotz mäßiger Starts drei ungefährdete Siege ein. Boat speed makes your tactics genius....

Das deutsche Team Eurolink mit Friedrich Renner, Christian Meißner und Phillip Solbrig als Ersatz für Tom startete mit einem siebenten Platz, ein Bruch des D1Beschlages beendeten dann aber jäh den Tag auf dem Wasser. Insgesamt fielen 5  Boote aus, LUMIX mit angeknackstem Wing, ein Aussie mit gerissenem Fall und beLight mit gebrochener Saling und Maersk mit gebrochenen Rippen ( Graham ist noch stationär in der Klinik).

Auf dem Wasser wurde ein Surfbrett samt Rigg zerkleinert, der Surfer selbst konnte unverletzt geborgen werden und jammerte lautstark am Strand weiter.....

Die ersten Länderpunkte erzielte ein Crewmitglied von CTech schon am Vorabend des ersten Renntages, die restlichen Crews bemühen sich aber um Ausgleich. Es wird spannend !

EU GP3 and Championship - Day 1

Results - Day 1 2017.07.04

Eighteen boats are competing this week in the European Championship with skiffs coming from six countries and some well known names from the Southern Hemisphere.

The racing is over five full-on days with testing conditions likely to leave the No.1 rigs in their bags all week. The fleet are sailing for the first time from Circolo Vela Arco, still in the windy north end of the lake.

Day one saw a clean-sweep for the New Zealand team on Yamaha, with Jarrod Simpson's GBR 47 in second place. Behind the leading pair are a trio of Australian teams.

Results and write-ups at the end of each day can be found at the UK 18ft Skiff Grand Prix Facebook page and on the Circolo Vela Arco website.

 All photos by:  Martin Rüegg

EU GP3 and Championship - Practice Day

Practice race today was a powered up No2 day to break the sailors in gently and get used to the course.

Racing starts tomorrow for 5 days to decide the 2017 European Champions.  

COMINCIA OGGI L'EUROCUP 2017 18FT SKIFF

In una giornata soleggiata con modesto vento le prestanti imbarcazioni ad alta velocità sono uscite sulle acque gardesane per testare il campo di prova che da domani sarà teatro dell'EuroCup 2017 in scena al Circolo Vela Arco. L'organizzazione arcense, con il supporto della Fiv, è riuscita ad allestire una settimana di pura adrenalina. Monoscafi leggeri con abbondante superficie velica per sfidare l'Ora gardesana. Un mix di tecnologia e adrenalina, che necessita di equipaggi preparati ed affiatati perché il minimo errore può costare metri, secondi e in definitiva, la vittoria. Equipaggi pronti al via. Da domani sarà tutto uno show. Diciotto le imbarcazioni presenti provenienti da tutto il mondo con un'alta partecipazione di inglesi australiani e neozelandesi.
Foto: Claudio Zecchini

Tegerseeer Skiffregatta

Großartige Bedingung am Tegernsee zu Wasser und an Land :

Wind bis oberes Ende großes Rigg, Versorgungsboot auf dem Wasser und Vollverpflegung an Land.

Viel junges Publikum auf gepflegtem Rasengrün mit breitem Strand und Floß als Boardinghilfe.

Kompliment an die Organisatoren  -  wir freuen uns wenn wir nächstes Jahr wieder dabei sein dürfen !

EU GP3 and Championship

We are getting closer to the Major European Event in 2017! 

The European Championship in Arco Northern part of Lake Garda! One of the best race areas in Europe! Same race area as in Torbole where we had some champagne sailing a couple of times! 

Looking forward to seeing you in Arco – from 3^rd - 8^th  of July 2017.

There will be containers from both Australia and New Zealand – so we will probably have a fleet of around 20 boats!

Please enter as soon as possible Here . . .

More information off the race and Notice of Race Here . . .

As usual we will have good races and debriefings (every day after racing) – so newer teams can learn from the experienced teams!

Address of the club:

CIRCOLO VELA ARCO

VIA LUNGO SARCA, 20 38062 ARCO TN - LAGO DI GARDA - ITALY

TEL E FAX +39 0464 50 50 86

INFO@CIRCOLOVELAARCO.COM

  Matteo is the Name of the Secretary if any questions which I can´t answer!

  Fell free to contact me on +45 40190550 or by email !

Ciao and see you in Arco del Garda!

European Grand Prix Round 2 - Lake Balaton, Hungary

The second round of the European Grand Prix Series was held at Spartacus Vitorlás Egylet, Lake Balaton. 4 days of racing were planned and 3 British boats made their way to the other end of Europe with the promise of sun, wind and beer!

Day 1

The first day of racing really showed off the sailing venue to those who hadn’t sailed here before! It was a glamourous day racing on the big rigs.

ChameleonI came out as top of the UK boats with consistent results constantly challenging the top runners. LED saw themselves at the front a couple of times, but a couple of swims in the corners meant they didn't stay there for when it counted.

Rutland had their first day in their newly refurbished boat which had only just been put back together the night before. They had a better than expected first day and posted a second place in the race when they strung all the manoeuvres together.

Day 2

The second day was by far the longest day on the water. A long distance race was sailed first, followed by two normal races totalling over 5 hours on the water.

The long distance race took in the full width of the lake and introduced a headland for the fleet to sail around, timing the kite hoist right not to sail into the bank, but not lose out by waiting too long. Rutland led the fleet around most of the course, taking in the awesome scenery of Lake Balaton. However, they took their eye off the ball on the last leg to let ChameleonI through to win, with Be-Light only seconds behind.

After a short relaying of the course, the second race was back to the windward leeward race course. The race was won by Be-Light, picking the right shifts to lead LED and Rutland. The final race was the one that took its toll for Rutland who capsized in pre-start and never got back in touch with the fleet. ChameleonI and LED were keeping the European boats on their toes and LED were finally at the front when it mattered and took the bullet in the last race of the day.

Day 3

The third day was a windy one! The forecast suggested a sensible No2 day. However, with the sea state and breeze suggesting much more, a couple of the fleet launched with reefs in.Only one race was sailed in very breezy conditions. The fleet were equally matched up to the top mark, all rounding amongst one another when they found a light patch in the breeze to get the bows away. ChameleonI blew out their mainsail after the bearaway ending their day on the water.Rutland and LED were match gybing down the run until LED trawled a kite at the bottom mark, forcing Rutland into some interesting two sail gybes to avoid. Rutland and LED sailed on to come 3rd and 4th in the race. Once the signal for shore was called, Rutland headed back upwind to give their new boat a good burn downwind.

Day 4

Racing was called off for the final day due to even windier conditions, so Day 3 results still stood. Congratulations to the host team of Be-Light for taking the win. The highest placed British team were LED who came second and they also took home the prize for "Highest placed foreign boat". The UK fleet would like to thank Spartacus Vitorlás Egylet for putting onsuch a great event and being so welcoming throughout the weekend.The boats are now packed up and stored in Hungary. They will be travelling to the next eventin Lake Garda (3rd to 8th July) where they will join even more British and European boats and a fleet of Southern Hemisphere boats to contest the biggest European Championships in years

Euopean Grand Prix Round 1 - Ammersee

Lake Ammersee, a beautiful lake at the foothills of German Alps hosted the 1st Round  of the European tour joined by teams from Hungary, Denmark and Germany at the Diessner-Segel-Club e.V.

Day 1

The Red Bull fuelled drive and some exuberance at the bar on arrival resulted in a good night. The lack of wind on day 1 and after a day of sitting around exchanging stories of big bear-aways with big rigs with other European teams, the RO called it a day at 5pm with an announcement that racing would commence at 9am the next day. 

Day 2

The UK teams arrived the next day again somewhat bleary eyed at 10 to find the entire fleet rigged and ready to go to calls of "you were serious about that 9am start!?" and something of a frantic rig up by the Brits. Again, the lack of wind saved the UK boats bacon for the second time that weekend.

Around midday the wind finally made an appearance and 5 races were sailed in near perfect conditions with all teams mostly fully powered up and 3 stringing with big rigs that were universally adopted by the fleet.

The 5 races saw 4 different winners with GER22 Euro link showing the most surprising form capsizing in the first three races while young gun stand in helm Tom Martin found his feet in the boat. When he did get in the groove, he went on to post 2 bullets in the last 2 races.

However, It was Graham Bridle and the 2 Ed's (Bridle and Gibbons) on ChameleonI who had the most consistent day, with a string of podium finishes. The found their mojo with their big "tree trunk" single spreader rig to emerge as top of the first day leader board, 2 points ahead of European champions on Team Hungary.

Day 3

Day 3 dawned to a much more ominous forecast and building breeze with much debate about which rig to use. The top European teams from day 1 decisively made the call to "go big or go home" and so the decision was made for the rest of the fleet.

As it transpired the wind did lighten for the first two races and the big rig was a good call. The third race was a different storey altogether though and the race started in a good 20 knots with bigger gusts and the top mark turned in to something of a skiff graveyard with all teams struggling to pull away and some spectacular pitch-poles.

On the last day, it was the Hungarians who showed a return to form treating spectators and a number of capsized 18's to a a masterclass in handling the big rig well up range and showing us yet again how they are worthy European champions when only three boats managed to finish.

Having posted two podium finishes in the first two races and looking good for the top spot, the UK team on ChameleonI had to settle for second place overall after capsizing on the pull away and Graham Bridle swallowing his pride and deciding to "war around" at the bottom rather than risk a gybe. Heinrich von Bayern, AKA the prince of Bavaria, just pipped the rapidly improving Euro link to 3rd place.

Yours truly sailing with Scott Bonner and Alasdair York on LED Low Energy Design had our moments posting a bullet in race 3 and a second in race 7. However, the new team were given a lengthy list of things to improve on for the next regatta by the quality fleet.

The European Tour now moves on to Hungary for a 4-day event 18-21 May where we expect to be joined by a third UK team. This event is then followed by the European championships in Lake Garda early July where the European fleet of 12 or so boats will be joined by a star studied cast of 6 boats form Australia, 4 boats form New Zealand, Howie Hamlins Team USA and Jarod Simpsons brand new boat which will certainly be a force to be reckoned with.

18' Skiff ANZAC Championship

18' Skiff ANZAC Championship

UK Grand Prix Round 1 - Calshot

The Solent was the location for the first round of the 2017 UK 18ft Skiff Grand Prix and it delivered two days of exciting racing to get the fleet up to speed after a winter off the racetrack.

Day 1

The reported 12 knots on the course made a couple of the teams question their early season ability in the possible top end No1 conditions, so two boats plugged in the No2 rig and the rest of the fleet launched on their No1 rigs.

The start of the first race was made interesting by Steve McLean’s team on LED bearing away along the line in the last 10 seconds before the gun. Stewart Mears and his team on Pica kept out of the pre-start mess to lead the fleet around the top mark in first, followed by Graham Bridle in ChameleonI. The final positions were settled by the final lap with Pica coming first, LED powering through the fleet to come second and ChameleonI taking third.

The second race had a clean start with a drag race off the line lead by Tom Kiddle’s GBR122. The fleet found their form in the strengthening breeze leading to some close crosses. Tom Hill and the team on Rutland pushed the starboard layline as far as they dared in by the shore, to round amongst the pack. Pica eventually came out on top, followed again by LED and ChameleonI.

The last race started in fresh conditions that continued up to the top mark leaving some boats shuffling an extra few steps back before the bearaway. GBR122 were getting stuck in challenging ChameleonI for the second spot on the first downwind leg, before a kite overboard in the drop sent them swimming. The podium places were the same as the first two races of the day. Alex Lewin’s Union Rose showed determination right until the end of the day, especially impressive with their first day racing in their new boat.

Day 2

The overnight forecast had the sailors expecting a lively day on the small rigs. However, the fleet were greeted with a light breeze and a mix of forecasts that suggested wind speeds either side of the rig changeover, so it was another day of split rigs.

The ebbing tide on one side of the course made it look like tactics were all sewn up, but ChameleonI bucked the trend and found breeze out in the tide to see them lead the fleet by quite a margin at the first windward mark. The lead was maintained for two laps for them to sail to their first bullet of the season. Union Rose also got their highest finish of the regatta in this race, stealing a 4^th place from LED on the last kite leg.

The second race saw the breeze soften even more and a painful race for the small rigs of LED and Union Rose struggling to keep up. ChameleonI once again got ahead of Pica in the first leg, but couldn’t keep them at bay for the duration, eventually letting Pica through to another win.

The final race was the closest race of the day. Rutland lead the fleet around the top mark with all boats rounding within 20 seconds. The busy kite hoists lead to Pica and Rutland tustling and letting the rest of the fleet through. However, the back was the place to be as a new band of breeze got to these boats first and saw them sail around the rest of the fleet who were parked in very little wind. Rutland rounded first for the second upwind leg and covered the fleet for the final lap to also take their first bullet of the season.

After six races over the weekend, Pica took the title for the first round of the UK Grand Prix 2017, with ChameleonI taking a deserved second place and LED holding onto third place. Pica had some disruption from their usual dominance which will make the rest of the season interesting with some of the talent coming through.

The event was a little different to normal, being run entirely by the Class Association. It was only possible due to a long list of helpers who are owed thanks; Calshot Actvities Centre for excellent launching facilities, ChameleonI for supplying RIBs, Forward Sailing for lending race marks, the Mead family for providing an excellent committee boat and Ian Bullock and the army of Race volunteers that set a great course and quick races.

The UK fleet are now competing at 3 European events over the next couple of months. The first Euro Grand Prix will be raced in Ammersee, Germany, followed by Balaton, Hungary and Lake Garda, Italy. The UK fleet will host final round of the Euro GP in September at Sandbanks, Poole.

Meldung zum 1. Lauf des Euro GP in Diessen

Willkommen zum Saisonauftakt in Diessen am Ammersee :

Die Meldung zum 1. Lauf des Euro GP in Diessen vom 29.4. bis 1.5. ist offen.Ausschreibung und Registrierung findet Ihr hier.

Try an 18 Day - Grafham Water Sailing Club

A fleet of some of the UK's best 18ft skiffs met at Grafham this Saturday to show off for the fleet's annual Try an 18 Day. The wind held throughout the day to get plenty of sailing in across 3 boats. Another 2 skiffs were there on the water, getting some pre-season training in.

22 sailors were swapped in and out of the skiffs throughout the morning. There was a diverse range of sailors of all ages and abilities. Sailors from many boat types made the trip up including 49ers, Musto Skiffs, RS800s and 420s. It was also great to see a couple of young groups of sailors from Marconi SC and Brightlingsea SC head up for the day and have a go in boats they had only dreamed of sailing before.

The wind began to drop in the afternoon, allowing the boats to be handed over entirely to new teams to let them loose and feel how the boat sails with only them in control! This also lent itself perfectly to get a couple of the more mature generation of sailors to try there hand onboard.

Here's what a few of the sailors had to say:

"Really great boats. Now I want one..." Lachlan Pearman

"A well run, thoroughly informative, safely delivered and exciting 'Try It' Day" Judy Templemen

"I've got to do this again!" Grahame Smith

The fleet are about to start their UK circuit in a fortnights time where they will be sailing on the Solent on Easter weekend over the 15th and 16th April. For more info on this or anything else 18ft Skiffs, head over to uk18footer.org