As many will know we obtained a grant for an Access dinghy which has allowed the Sailability to get up and running over the last few years, this put us in contact with the Access Association, and we hosted one of thier travellers series events on Saturday 27thy July.

The Access dinghy is designed for use by disabled and abled sailors of all types, including amputees, visually impaired, cerebral palsy, MS there is the 3.03 two person type, and single handed, and various rig sizes. The boat is very difficult to capsize and easy to tow. Nearly 50% of the entrants were wheelchair bound.

The event was the 5th Access Traveller Series. What a day, SUN & WIND, never been known before, so the red faces was caused by the sun. The first two races where held back to back, with a long lunch break and two more races back to back. Racing was very close, with places swapping on each leg.

A very exciting sailing day it was too, with 4 races (2 back to back) and ending in a very tight result in the 303 Access dinghy, with all 1,2,3 having 5 points final ranking by number of 1st, 2nd, 3rds 1st Kevin Macaffery & ken Bitterford, 2nd Vickie Sheen (V.I.) Eddie Pickering & 3rd Clive Aldridge & Sam )

The Access 2.3 was easier with 3 points between 1, 2, 3, with first Mike Shewen, 2nd John Coombes & 3rd Geoff Wright, a Rutland Walk over ( well they could do with the exercise)
and congratulations to all the other sailors who took the effort to join in with the fun.

A special thank to NCSC who did not know what they had let themselves in for, but managed to put on a very enjoyable day. Thanks to everyone involved, and the other Club sailors who waited for the Access to pass, THANKS.

Note from Access chairman (who wrote part of this report - thanks): ( Nottingham is Twice as big as I thought, mind you we were lost, and we did go around TWICE,(but what would you except from Gloucester folk, as we've only just got rid of our last GAS Street lamp lighter)! Do not fear, we will be back!