Tom Jeffcoate won the prestigious TIGER TROPHY held at rutland sailing club over the weekend sailing his mums scorpion.  Andrew kilburn also competed in a 29er and hilary and Tim Cripps competed in a Laser 2000.

This is the 2nd consecutive year a NCSC member has won it (Andy Smith last year)

160 competitors, report/photos on Rutland website and Yachts & Yachting.

It was Blo...y cold with a good wind on Saturday and very light on Sunday after battling through the snow to get there!!

Nadina and William were part of the race team.

Please send in any other on water news whilst we are off the water.

2 reports from Wayfarewr weekend

Brancaster Wayfarer Report (photos to left)

Friday, 17 February 2012, 23:22

" A bit young for a Wayfarer sailor! " was the somewhat flattering though backhanded remark that greeted my arrival late on Friday evening to the Brancaster weekend 10th-12th February. I didn't really mind it as I am not that young but thought it rather unfair to a boat, that senior to me by a decade or so, is I would argue much more appealing. Hence, my reason to have driven through a bitterly cold and treacherous night across foggy and deeply frosted fenland to Brancaster to sail my Wayfarer on the sea for the first time, and I was looking forward to it.

Meanwhile there was an evening of jolly revelry and excess to enjoy, the highlight of which was Dave Welling's hilariously penned sea shanty, a nautically themed innuendo fest piped out on his accordion with gusto, with Steve Payne’s hearty accompaniment on guitar. Each verse contained a humorous caricature based upon the foibles of the regulars, not legally quotable here. Head suitably thickened and seeking sleep we had all retired by the small hours with alarms set for 06.00hrs.

The launching window is about two hours either side of high water at 8am which meant a chilly struggle with drysuits, skiwear and rigging, and by 07.30hrs five Wayfarers slipped east in the crisp water out into the north sea. A wondrous reflection of some earlier time, little open boats facing a vast sunrise bristling with expectation and enjoyment.

Unfortunately, the high pressure responsible for extraordinarily cold temperatures, it was down to -8 degrees, was also the cause of a distinct lack of wind, so those that could, employed iron wind in the form of outboards in search of the real thing. Typical of a boat known for its confidence and self reliance tows were offered and accepted confirming my respect for this sea-going and safe boat.

After a couple of hours in these testing conditions we motored back to the slip at the sailing club against the ebbing tide and into the warm and cosy environs of the local cafe for a tasty and much appreciated brunch. The rest of Saturday passed pleasantly, walking the coast, crisp under foot, the clear air shrill with birds, gulls and migratory fowl.

Later that evening a feast of Chinese food kicked off more hedonistic abandon, convivial conversation and music washed down with several bottles of the renowned Laphroig! Cheers!!

An early start on Sunday again, with milder temperatures and some wind saw reservations about being up at such a ridiculous hour blown away! Spinnakers were deployed and the natural urge to be the quickest boat took hold. My as yet unnamed boat felt light and frolicsome in the breeze, as we crossed the bar out into the gentle rolling sea, the land a white blanket in the distance beckoning. With my lovely crew Alison Goodall's assistance we reefed the main sail and relaxed into cruising mode discussing the merits of warm boots and particularly, Alison assures me, of the virtues of jell based hand warmers in socks= "Roasty Toasty Tootsies". The hours slipped by too fast and soon the tide determined our return.

With the boats packed and stowed and another excellent lunch beneath our belts we said our goodbyes and headed off home.

I offer my thanks to all present for their kind welcome and Wayfarer hospitality, I hope to sail again with you all. As to being a bit young for a Wayfarer Sailor forget it, I felt like I was just playing keep up!

Andy Stewart

Thursday

A group of friends who share a love of Wayfarers and sailing
Set off at various times, most with boats but not all.
Boats left on the desolate Brancaster Hard, under a dark grey sky
Stables found, room opened and overnight bags sorted.
A decorative dusting of snow outside, and an almost glowing wood burner inside made for a convivial evening with laughter, chatter, good food and wine

One retired early with an overdose of Laphoraig The others talked and strummed to the early hours.

Friday

Up early and delivered Tea in bed to the remainder, to the absolute delight of one lady who commented” Wonderful, which is the biggest”

By common consent, Breakfast at the Café and all restrained from the BIG BOYS breakfast.

Down to the Hard to put boats together and for me to explain that; Yes there will be water in the morning, Honest!!

The afternoon was spent in many different ways, shopping, bird watching and channel spying. But we managed the move to the Granary at 2pm, followed by a well earned cup of tea and cakes.

Off to the pub for Food at 6, through the evening more arrived, some not till well after 8.30.

Once all had eaten and retired to the Granary the serious party began, singing, laughter and tinkling of glasses. A couple of presentations, then a new sea shanty was performed to every ones delight; but it is definitely an after the watershed song( I suspect the BBC would ban it) The difference between the written lyrics and the sung, surprised most. All were in bed before 2am; just!!

Saturday

Up early-ish, for a chat with the Coast Guard, and a depressing dismal forecast it was, LAV -8°. Launch time delayed due to lack of wind, much to the joy of some, on the Hard for 8ish to put the sails up and engines on; an old hand was heard to mutter “I’ve never put the sails on a Wayfarer in the day light !!!” launched and sailed towards the sea, but engines were soon on. No wind but a clear blue sky, and a golden sun to illuminate the snow covered ground and twinkling water. Everyone was well dressed and it took 25minutes before we noticed the sea water was freezing on the side decks; Rachel said they saw ice bergs.

But all came off the water with a smile and enjoyed the traditional glass of bubbly: just wash the salt away: Showered and changed today was definitely a BIG BOYS. An afternoon of various activities, more bird watching, more shopping, boat fiddling, walking and for some a Super Snooze, then retired to the pub for the Rugby. Back in time for the usual Chinese banquet, answers to the quizzes then more songs, our newest member proved with a guitar that he is a Wayfarer really. More wine, song and Belfast Coffee and as is usual on this evening, all retired before 1am.

Sunday

Up a little later, today overcast but F3-4 forecast. 6 Wayfarers screaming around the Harbour was a sight to see, good fun and all ashore safely before the cold could penetrate. A quick tidy of boats, then back for another BB, again well earned; before the usual rush round to find all those bits that escape from your bags and boxes. A round of good byes then all departed.

Links to key site pages
Home - Racing- Racing Qualification - Teaching - Joining - weather data - Dinghy Training - Windsurfing Training - Other Teaching - Results - For Sale - RYa Racing Charter - Social - Webcam - News - Old news links - Open infotmation - Accomodation - Location - Lake - Site Map - Contacts - Sailing Instructions - Club Rules - Club History - Consitution - Classes sailed - Forms - Minutes - Junior page - calendar