Ely sailing club blog

Boxing day race

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Having being denied a race last Boxing Day, as the Roswell Pits were frozen over, members were delighted with the conditions on Monday. There was a force three to four south westerly wind which at times produced gusts of force five to six. The club had hired two Laser 2000 asymmetric boats from the RYA on a trial basis. They were helmed and crewed by two senior instructors and the vice and rear commodores. Andy and Hannah Wilcox faired better than Greg Williams and Alayne Seymour. The Wilcoxs managed to take the lead in the first race and handle the spinnaker but they were eventually overpowered and finished fourth. Greg and Alayne only managed one lap before they buried the mast in the mud and needed rescue assistance. Meanwhile four other helms retired because of capsizes and Eric Christan retired as he was overwhelmed by the wind’s strength and so put a smaller rig on his Comet for the second race. Meanwhile there was close competition between father and daughter combination of Richard and Leslie Denny and son and mother combination of Vincent and Clare Christan sailing Enterprises. After much place changing they finished second and third respectively. The winner was Simon Leeks in his Solo who sailed a steady race keeping his boat upright throughout.
After a break for mince pies, Christmas cake and mulled wine the fleet was reduced from eleven down to eight. Simon Leeks lead the fleet from the start and so with two firsts to count he was the undisputed winner, having previously won in 2009.
Crews counted both race scores and the Denny were second overall with two seconds, the Christans had two thirds and the Wilcox two fourths. The only other competitor to finish the two races was Jo Board in her Topper with two fifths to count.

BASS WEEK 2011

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:26:41 +0100

Having just returned from Bass week 2011, I must say that Ely again, represented it self brilliantly in all classes it sailed.
As the last few years, our encampment was the place to stop off on the way to the clubhouse.
Thanks must go out to Andy and Hannah for their Ely site management to Liz and Mrs B for the Cake’s and Mr Cammann for the beer organization.
This was Jack Knight 1st year, and boy did he do well, it was also Scott’s 1st year helming in the Enterprise fleet and it gave him a great boost to his sailing skills.
The prize giving is a huge event in it self, and it was the 1st time I saw Andy go red, I’m sure Andy will have pleasure in telling you why!!
We where boat changing on the water after the race’s to let the lads play in other boats, Scott went out in an Alto with Stewart and it couldn’t stop smiling after flying around the lake for 1 ½ hours and I made the whole bank laugh whilst trying to get into a Merlin Rocket.

Again, well done Ely

Kevin Bilham

Bass Week 2011
Ely Results

Ladies plate

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Hannah Christain won both racing in the ladies plate. Sussie Saliis was second.

Hanah and her husband Andy won the Husband and wife race.

(more later)

Ely Sailing Club Laser Open 15th May 2011

Thu, 19 May 2011 23:12:21 +0100

By Kevin Levett Ely Sailing Club

Eighteen sailors arrived at Ely Sailing Club to take part in this year’s Laser Open event part of the Laser Eastern and Home Counties Region Grand Prix Circuit which is competed for over the whole sailing season.
The sailors had to contend with a very fickle wind which varied in strength over the three races held during the day.
Race one was sailed before lunch and was won by Alan Bishop from Girton Sailing Club who was also the winner of last year’s event. Alan did have to fight to win the race. He was leading at the first buoy but was quickly overtaken by Timothy Lupton from Ely Sailing Club, they were nip and tuck throughout the race until Alan took the win.
Races two and three where sailed after lunch. Race two was sailed in lighter winds and was won by Veronica Falat from Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club. She was ahead of the fleet at the first buoy followed closely by Timothy Lupton. Veronica held the lead for the first two laps to be overtaken on lap three by Scott Bilham from Ely Sailing Club. Veronica battled back to regain the lead on lap four and held first place to the finish.
Wind strength dropped further for race three. Graham Lund from Aldenham Sailing Club reached the first buoy ahead of the chasing Lasers but was closely followed by Alan Bishop and Veronica Falat. Veronica took the lead by the end of the first lap and held on to take the win.
By winning two out of the three races Veronica Falat deservedly took overall honours for the day. She is also the first lady helm to win the event in club memory.
The other results are as follows:
Overall race results:
1st Veronica Falat from Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club
2nd Alan Bishop from Girton Sailing Club
3rd Graham Lund from Aldenham Sailing Club
Prices were also awarded to Scott Bilham finishing first from the competitors of Ely Sailing Club and to Timothy Lupton who was first in the youth category.

Ely Sailing Club’s 50th Enterprise Open Meeting 8th May 2011

Thu, 19 May 2011 23:10:14 +0100

Twenty two sailors took part in three hours of racing during Ely’s 50th Annual Enterprise Open Meeting. The trophy was the Roswell Enterprise Cup, which was presented by Mary Fyson back in 1971. Four clubs from the Eastern and Broads Area were represented: Six boats from Ely, three from Hunts and one from Dabchicks and one from Alexandra Yacht Club

A force 4 southerly wind greeted the competitors with testing gusts causing several capsizes which became significant in the final results. All participants battled the conditions and each other with fifty five place changes during the three race series.

In the first race Ely’s husband and wife team of Andy and Hannah Wilcox lead the way from start to finish with a twenty–one second advantage over visiting pair Brian and Linda Cumming. Third were Ely’s Kevin Bilham and Jamie Cammann.

The second race saw the married couples leading the way again until the fifth lap when an unexplained capsize on the penultimate windward leg saw Andy and Hannah drop from 2nd to 4th . The Cummings the winners by 54 seconds from Kevin & Jamie who piped Keith and Katie Tyler by one second on the finishing line having followed them for most of the tussle.

The third and deciding race saw Kevin & Jamie enter an early lead only to be caught by a gust on the first downwind leg which put them into an involuntary gybe and capsize.

Brian and Linda then hit the front and sailed away from the chasing pack and won by 43 seconds. Keith and Katie Tyler and Scott Bilham with Jack Cammann went from 5th and 6th to 2nd and 3rd respectively during the final race proving that perseverance pays.

Commodores news letter

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 21:59:24 +0100

Dear Club Members,

I suspect that I may be writing this newsletter on the last warm day of the Summer ( September 22nd ) but we can only hope that the more unstable Autumn weather will bring us some stronger winds to challenge those sailing skills which we have developed over the season. At least if it is windy and you are working hard to stay upright you'll keep warm!

Racing Update

Ely Sailing Club members have been racing all over the country during the Summer months with excursions to Bass Week in the Lake District and North West Norfolk Week closer to home. Our fleets have also been to their respective Laser, Enterprise and Topper Opens and scored good results. There are more detailed reports from these events on the web site. If you haven't tried racing at away venues I would encourage you to give it a go. If nothing else, it will make you quicker at rigging the boat! Speak to your respective Fleet Captains to find out which events would be best for you.

Cadet Fleet

Our Juniors are enjoying another busy and successful season and have achieved some good results, both in the Youth League and at other events. Again, full results are on the web-site. A feature of this year has been that some of our younger sailors have been crewing for more experienced helms which has helped to develop their racing tactics. This has also given them good racing experience in different fleets.

Autumn Series

We are currently into the 4th round of the Autumn Series. There are some new crews joining in the racing who are currently moving up the fleet- come along and give it a try on Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m.
Don't forget the Jamie Butcher Memorial Races for Charity on October 17th from 1p.m. These are closely followed by our Topper Open meeting on October 24th. The Club Toppers will be available for hire, so even if you don't usually race a Topper come and give it a try!
The Halloween Races, in optional fancy dress, will be on October 31st.

What's Happening Next...

Very soon you will be receiving your the notification of the AGM, the Laying Up Supper and the Christmas Lunch.
Bookings are already being taken for the Laying Up Supper at the Maltings in Ely on November 13th. This was a really good event last year, so I am sure that you'll all want to come and enjoy our annual dinner and prize giving. Contact the Commodore, Niall Pearcey to book your places – menu and booking forms are with your letter. Prices are being kept the same as last year. Please return any trophies you won last year to the Clubhouse by the end of October (preferably engraved!).
The AGM will be at the Clubhouse on Thursday November 18th at 7.30 p.m.
Our Christmas Lunch will be at the Clubhouse on Sunday December 5th at 12.30 p.m. Jill Sallis, our Membership Secretary will be taking the bookings.
Dust off your dry suits for the Boxing Day Races at 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. Mulled wine and mince pies will be available, so if you don't want to race you could just come and be sociable and have a mince pie or a glass of mulled wine or two!

Winter Working Parties

The Winter Work Programme is being planned at the moment. The start date will be announced soon. We provide lunch and all help will be gratefully received!

And finally...

This will be my last Newsletter as I will hand over to the new Commodore, Gary Ungless, at the AGM. I'd like to thank you all for all the support and encouragement you have given me. Ely SC is a great club and it has been a pleasure to be involved in its running. The Club is run by volunteers from the membership and if you would like to get more involved please let one of the Flag Officers or Committee members know. Equally, if there are developments which you would like to see next season do tell us. With every good wish for your sailing in 2011...

Yours sincerely,

Niall Pearcey, Commodore Ely SC

BASS WEEK 2010

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:22:16 +0100

All the following articles have been taken from Yachts and Yachting.
On a personal note, Ely sailing Club did only represent itself well, it as always seemed to be the tents that all our friends at Bass arrived at for pre evening drinks and long chats.

Jennings Challenge sponsored by Insurance for Dinghies
This first series in the Bassenthwaite Week regatta attracted one hundred and forty two entrants who were split into nine classes starting at three minute intervals. Four races were scheduled with two late on Saturday to allow for early morning travellers and a further two on Sunday. Light to medium south westerly winds were blowing on both days with considerable gusting which most found manageable. The OD set long courses including three beats to cater for the protracted start sequence and the marked speed difference between the Fast Handicap boats and the Toppers and Mirrors. The wind direction allowed competitors to finish off the race office for ease of recording and transfer of data to the results computer.
Race 1 was held in a rain storm but passed off without too much incident although, with the wind swinging between fleet starts and little chance for the later fleets to test the bias, several experienced competitors crossed the line in less than ideal positions. In Race 2 there was a significant shift from port end to starboard end bias and three boats were individually recalled in both the Laser and the Medium Handicap fleets.
Sunday again had grey skies but winds were lighter and more constant. The course for Race 3 was similar to those of the previous day. The Flying Fifteen start was particularly chaotic with one competitor who was over the line tacking onto port for an around the end restart and causing mayhem in the process. Collisions were somehow avoided. Over lunch Paul Allan was a person to be avoided having passed a commanding lead to Robbie Dawson!
The final race was probably the most demanding as a cross over course meant that crews had to be especially vigilant. Collisions were avoided but some competitors were forced to undertake continual detours to avoid starboard or leeward boats in other fleets.
Prizes for the Series were awarded by the Sales Director of Towergate Mardon who sponsored the series and are lead sponsor for the Regatta. He commented that his Company were delighted to be sponsoring such a prestigious event and that he was encouraged by the number of dinghies on the water and people participating during the current economic climate.
Ely Results:
Fast Handicap Fleet: RS400 6th Andy & Hannah, 1st Silver Fleet, 15 Entered
Laser Fleet: 10th John 1st Radial Silver Fleet, 32 Entered
Enterprise Fleet: 8th Kevin & Scott, 2nd Silver Fleet, 20 Entered
Slow Handicap Fleet: 12th Gary, 6th Silver Fleet, 25 Entered
Day 3
The Luffing Cup sponsored by Insurance for Dinghies and Bass Lakeside Lodges
There was no race scheduled for the morning which was just as well as there was little or no wind. And it wasn’t much better at 2.30pm for the start of Luffing Cup races. The OD postponed and went down the Lake looking for some! He found enough to schedule the start some thirty minutes late. The first boat to start – literally - was the RS700 of Andrew Webster when he failed to notice the Fast Handicap individual recall and the lead boat’s prompt and, having sailed the whole course, was duly classified OCS.
Following a westerly beat to the clubhouse mark and a broad reach back to the eastern shore boats started a three mile run towards the southern end of the Lake. Except that the boats in the Fast Handicap fleet struggled more than most on the initial legs and the lead Flying Fifteen of Mike Moore/Michaela Sheard starting three minutes behind was forced to gybe and luff up when two asymmetric approached the wing mark on a belated starboard reach. Paul and Jude Allan finished ahead of the sister RS400 of Robbie Dawson/Ian Smith to win the Fast Handicap class and Moore/Sheard were the first Fifteen home.
Phil and Naomi Smith know the extremities of the Lake well but this didn’t stop them finding the biggest holes and they were beaten in the RS200 fleet by Tim Hand/Carolyn Scott. Phil’s brother Andy was out for the first time in his pristine GP and he got stuffed head to wind on the starboard pin by Mike Fairlamb in a beautifully executed move. However, he was to get his revenge. Normally a westerly wind favours boats running down the eastern side of the Lake but, with a bit of north in it, Andy sailed along the opposite shore and pulled through to second at the finish behind the Lawsons in their GP which is now only the second newest boat at four days on the water!
It was good to see the Vice Commodore and Bass Week organiser Stephen Kirkpatrick taking a break by entering the Medium Handicap Fleet. He finished ninth in his Vario in a race won by the similar boat of Mark Somerville. Neil Cooke is now starting to get to grips with revolutionary K1 and ended up fourth on this occasion.
Ely Results:
Fast Handicap Fleet: RS400 8th Andy & Hannah, 3rd Silver Fleet, 13 Entered
Enterprise Fleet: 10th Scott & Thea, 5nd Silver Fleet, 14 Entered
Slow Handicap Fleet: 11th Gary, 5th Silver Fleet, 25 Entered
Day 4
AM: Dubwath Cup sponsored by Insurance for Dinghies & Waugh & Musgrave
Tuesday dawned wet and horrible! Not too much wind but what there was coming from the West. The OD elected for a beat from 5 to 8 which kept the fleets well up the Lake from the clubhouse but well inside Dubwath Bay. The line was heavily port biased which gave less crowding at the inner mark but made for tricky viewing of the far end of the line. Luckily the fleets were well behaved until the final joint start for Mirror and Topper fleets. John Telford luffed the fellow Mirror of Ben Lulham Robinson over the line and several boats near the pin were impeded. Your correspondent in his Mirror took advantage of this and led his fleet around the first lap until succuming to pressure (and age!) on the second.
In the Gp14 fleet Andy Smith was having problems with his new boat’s centreboard as it kept lifting dagger board style for whatever reason and he was beaten over the line by Dave Lawson. In the enterprise fleet Mark Dinsdale had what he termed a rubbish start but clawed his way through to second behind Kevin Anderson. In the Slow Handicap Fleet the lead changed four times. On the last beat Steve Hunt and leader David smith engaged in a luffing match and let David Ivins through to win. In the Topper Class Simon Weatherspoon took the win when an on form Ethan Dawson elected for the wrong side of the final beat.
Ely Results:
Fast Handicap Fleet: RS400 4th Andy & Hannah, 2st Silver Fleet, 14 Entered
Laser Fleet: 14th John 1st Radial Silver Fleet, 19 Entered
Enterprise Fleet: 4th Kevin & Scott, 1st Silver Fleet, 10 Entered
Slow Handicap Fleet: 12th Gary, 6th Silver Fleet, 25 Entered

PM: Nairn Pursuit with additional sponsorship from Saint and Co
Race 2 was the Nairn Pursuit Race and it attracted exactly one hundred starters. It was held in slightly more lively winds and featured three reaches instead of the runs which had been a feature of earlier races. It also was held over two relatively short laps so early competitors didn’t know whether they were being overtaken by late starters on lap 1 or for the lead but it was highly entertaining. Especially so within a few boat lengths of the final mark when Paul Allan fell out of his RS400 and had to swim rapidly to avoid being run down by following boats planning into the finish. Dutiful wife Jude helmed the boat over the line but had to return to collect him and claim a finish so Robbie Dawson’s RS400 was classified first from the GP14 of Neil Platt.
David Smith made up for the morning’s result by taking a superb fourth overall in his Streaker. Emlyn Davies from Plymouth University SC and Stephen Waite from Highfield SC, near Bournemouth were believed to be the furthest travelled entrants finishing well up the field.
Quotes
Ben Murrell (Yorkshire Dales SC) and Jamie Rogers (Pennine SC): “Fantastic. Never raced in a hundred boat fleet before”.
Ely Result
RS400 21st Andy & Scott, 1st RS400 Silver Fleet, 100 Entered
Day 5
Natwest Cup sponsored by Insurance4Dinghies 2 Races
This two race series and is probably the most prestigious of the Regatta’s mid week events. As the 11am start for the first race approached the wind was light and shifty and, with reports of a force 5 only twenty miles away, the OD decided on a thirty minute postponement. He needn’t have bothered as, once in the starting area, it was even more variable and the beat was changed three times resulting in a further delay.
The line was heavily biased to starboard in both races and competitors in all fleets were sitting on the inner mark to gain the vital positional and up wind advantage. Despite jostling all fleets got away cleanly with few boats over the line and having to round the committee boat to restart.
With the stronger winds and boats crossing there were a fair number of incidents. In the GP14 class Paul Bowmer was lying second after race 1 but a heavy collision with an errant boat from the Medium Handicap Fleet resulted in him not restarting after lunch. Dave Lawson recorded two bullets to win the class. In the Fast Handicap fleet Robbie Dawson who was leading at the time in his RS400 crash gybed to avoid an Enterprise and capsized handing the race and overall class win to Paul Allan.
In the Slow Handicap fleet Ben Radcliffe was scathing of the faster boats as he had to cede right of way in his Solo and lost out on class victory to David Ivins. The Toppers were similarly wary of the RS200’s and one incident was observed where young Gareth Staples-Jones was forcibly told to change course by a reaching boat despite being close hauled on starboard. Not good for a thirteen year old’s confidence but, in fairness, the RS helm did apologise after the race. The class was won by Simon Weatherspoon.
It wasn’t inter-class warfare in the Mirror class as Nick Orton got holed in race 1 by another boat from his fleet but was able to continue with the aid of gaffer tape. John Telford and Dave Cody had a win apiece but it was the latter helm who won the second race and with it the series.
The Lasers proved that consistency counts, Jonathan Latham winning overall with a second and a third whilst race winners Ian Trotter and Tim Keighley occupied the following positions. In the RS200’s Phil Smith took the win from Oli Wright and in the Flying fifteens John Hardisty was the winner with Tim Chittenden in an excellent second place.
The boats from Pilkinton SC dominated the Enterprise class with Mark Dinsdale edging out Richard Critchley despite them having a race win. The Medium Handicap fleet was won by Tom Stewart in a National 12. It produced a battle between the more unusual boats, the K1 of Neil Cooke just beating the Heatwave of Chris Mark for fourth place.
Ely Results:
Fast Handicap Fleet: RS400 6th Andy & Hannah, 1st Silver Fleet, 17 Entered
Laser Fleet: 8th John 1st Radial Silver Fleet, 30 Entered
Enterprise Fleet: 11th Scott & Thea, 4nd Silver Fleet, 14 Entered
Day 6
AM – The Martini Challenge Trophy sponsored by Insurance4Dinghies & Grapevine
With a touch of brightness around and a force 4 westerly wind it was a good day for sailing. However gusts and wind shifts were still plentiful and kept concentration levels high. The first race had the usual fleet starts and, for a change there was a line with little bias. In the Fast Handicap Fleet it was RS400’s filling the podium positions, Robbie Dawson ahead of Andy Wilcox and Garry Knott. Winsford Flash SC boats filled the top three positions in the RS200 class, Steve Vandersteen being sandwiched between brother and sister helms Andrew and Hannah Bailey.
In the FF class Jon Denwood dropped his kite under the boat and thought retirement was the best option. John Hardisty finished in the lead position with Mike Moore second. In the Lasers it was Tim Keighley leading the Swarkstone SC boats of John Hainsworth and Callum Lambourn. In the Medium Handicap fleet Nigel Miller caused quite a stir when his toe strap broke and he fell out of his Albacore capsizing in a big way and needing assistance from a safety Dory to right the boat and tow it back to the slipway. Mike Cowan put in an excellent performance to finish second to Mark Somerville and place their Varios at the head of the class.
Andy Smith made a superb start in the GP14 fleet but failed to hold off Dave Lawson for the lead position whilst Mark Dinsdale beat Alan Baker in the Enterprises with Richard Critchley dropping down the field when his kicker snapped. Another mega start was that of Steve Hunt’s Solo in the Slow Handicap Fleet giving him an unassailable lead over David Ivins’ Graduate . In the Mirror fleet John Telford turned the tables beating Emlyn Davies while Peter Mackin beat Oliver Blackburn in the Toppers
Ely Results:
Fast Handicap Fleet: RS400 2th Andy & Scott, 1st Silver Fleet, 13 Entered
Enterprise Fleet: 8th Kevin & Thea, 2nd Silver Fleet, 13 Entered

PM – The Lifeboat Silver Salver sponsored by Talisker Whisky
The afternoon race was a pursuit and for the first time at Bass it featured a moving gate finish coming into play at exactly ninety minutes. After the first half hour the Mirror of John Telford maintained a significant lead. Elaine Ross was doing a fine job in leading the RS200’s while William Carruthers was vying with Paul Allen as leading RS400. Dave Lawson who had been leading GP14 was forced to do turns and let a number of his fleet including the Club’s Commodore Dave Nicholson through. Tom Lee in a National 12 was also seen doing turns around this time.
As the hour approached the Mirror was maintaining its lead but Neil Platt had broken clear of GP’s and was clearly in contention for the win along with David Ivins’ Graduate. The Musto Skiff of Jethro Gebhard had yet to show at this stage. Ben Ratcliffe’s Solo was doing well but was unlikely to make ground on the group of similarly handicapped GP14’s ahead of him.
At the seventy five minute mark Platt was some 4 minutes behind Telford. Gebard was closing but still a long way back. When the five minute signal was sounded the Mirror was 60 seconds ahead of the GP14 and the only thing that was certain was that it would be a close call! But Platt was through at the ninety minute signal with just twenty seconds to spare. The GP’s of Andy Smith and Lawson, Ivins’ Graduate and Gebhard’s Musto Skiff filled the next positions. Think I will take up spectating rather than competing if all races are as close and exciting as this!
Ely Result
RS400 16st Andy & Scott, 1st RS400 Silver Fleet, 84 Entered

AM – The John Peel Tankard sponsored by Insurance4Dinghies & The Sun Inn, Bassenthwaite
Where I live just thirteen miles from the Club there was not a breath of wind when I first looked out and my first thought was that a postponement was inevitable. Then a colleague staying on site text me to say it was blowing a hooley at Bass. And when I got there it sure was: force 4 to 5 from the south whipping up a significant swell. Bass’ micro climate had struck again!
The OD went out to inspect the conditions with the instruction to competitor not to launch until he had made a decision on a suitable course but the conditions were just what some competitors had been hoping for all week and launched regardless. Over fifty boats made their starts, the majority being in the Fast Handicap and Laser fleets.
There were no GP14’s the reason given being that those with new boats didn’t want to risk early damage or flog new sails and they then had insufficient numbers for a fleet start. Well it could have been true but someone later said “they bottled it”!
The leading fleets were routed to the southern end of the Lake on a two mile plus beat while the Medium Handicap, Mirror and Topper fleets only had to manage half that distance before turning back. All suffered from the spray, the driving rain and poor visibility which accompanied it but most survived without accepting defeat and returning to the Club jetties. A notable exception was the Vario of Mike Cowan which suffered rig failure and had to be towed back.
Anthony Mee in an RS800 excelled in the conditions and took less than forty five minutes to complete a full circuit of the Lake. Despite having the lowest handicap, he won the Fast Handicap fleet by nearly three minutes on corrected time. Phil Smith’s RS 200 was an easy class winner but the Fifteens had a closer contest with Paul Wright just beating Mike Moore to the line.
The majority of the Lasers were using reduced rigs and Dan Trotter’s Radial took the win from Jonny Hoy’s 4.7 while Tom Stewart’s National 12 took the Medium Handicap fleet from Andy Thomas who was having his first Regatta outing in a Laser Vago XD. A close battle took place on the return leg between the first three Enterprises with the finishing order being Mark Dingsdale, Dave Gebhard and Mark Ninnim.
The remaining boats completed the shorter course and it was the Solo of Steve Hunt which completed it the quickest elapsed time of 33 minutes to win the Slow Handicap class from the Graduate of David Ivins. John Telford took the Mirror class from Nick Orton while Simon Weatherspoon with a shortened 4.2 rig took the Topper class from Alex Collins
Ely Results:
Fast Handicap Fleet: RS400 4th Andy & Hannah, 1st Silver Fleet, 10 Entered
Laser Fleet: 15th John, Radial Silver Fleet, 18 Entered
Enterprise Fleet: 5th Kevin & Scott, 1nd Silver Fleet, 5 Entered
Series & Sponsor: Sat & Sun – The Cutty Sark Challenge Trophy sponsored by Lloyd Motor Group and Insurance4Dinghies
The final weekend series at Bass is renowned for the bottles of whisky which are distributed as prizes instead of the usual glassware. Three races were held on Saturday with a final relatively short one on Sunday to allow competitors to pack up and depart after an early prizegiving.
On Saturday the winds were light and shifty. The line had port bias in race 1 but in race 2 the favoured end was changing by the minute and catching out many competitors. The race officer was asked to put a definite bias in for race 3 but it ended up being so biased to the pin end that the line could only be crossed on port tack! Sunday’s wind was a little stronger and more constant.
There was a surprisingly low turnout for this final race due, in the main to leading class positions already having been decided. However, some were recovering from a late and sociable evening.
Paul Allen was outright winner of the Fast Handicap fleet from Robbie Dawson while Phil Smith scored three bullets in the RS200’s despite a strong performance from late arrival Mark Platt. A similar result was chalked up by John Hardisty in his FF with Jon Denwood winning the last race to take second from Mike Moore. In the Laser fleet there was no dominant helm with Ray Cook, John Hainesworth, Chester Candish and Callum Lambourn all taking race wins and Sam Hall breaking his kicker when in the lead of race four. The series was eventually taken by Cook from Hainesworth.
In the Medium Handicap fleet Ed Thomas took the trophy from Tom Stewart despite a win in the final race for Mark Somerville. The GP’s had the closest result with both David Lawson and Andy Smith counting two firsts and a second, Lawson taking the series by virtue of a win in the final race. In the Enterprise class Dave Ghebhard took the series by one point from Pete Lawson who was only contesting the final weekend series.
The Slow Handicap result went down to the wire with Steve Hunt taking his Solo to a win in the final race to outscore the Graduate of David Ivins by one point. In the Mirrors there were race wins for John Telford, Dave Coady and Mik Chappell but it was Telford who took the final race and the series with Coady in second place. The Topper result was also decided on the final race, Simon Weatherspoon taking the series from Oliver Blackburn.
Ely Results:
Enterprise Fleet: 6th Kevin & Scott, 1st Silver Fleet, 10 Entered
Well done ELY!!!
Kevin Bilham

Tue, 6 Jul 2010 15:20:14 +0100

July 2010
Dear Club Members,
Somehow this year the warmth, sun and wind have all managed to put in an appearance at the same time, which has given us some excellent sailing in the last few weeks. I hope that you will have been able to get out on the water, or at least come down to the Club, to enjoy the long Summer days.
We were saddened to hear that one of our members, Maurice Favell died on June 4th. Maurice raced a Solo and also fitted our Galley some years ago. He had been a Morris dancer in the past and the Morris Men danced in a tribute after his funeral, which was very moving.

Racing Update
Our juniors did really well at the Youth League races, held at Roswell Pits on July 3rd. Out of the fleet of 30 boats the Ely SC Cadets were in first place overall which is a fantastic, well deserved result. Our race training, both the theory sessions on Wednesdays and the on-water training on Sunday mornings, is proving effective and enjoyable for both our Junior and Adult sailors. We have also held Open Meetings for Lasers and Enterprises and sailed our Ladies' and Partners' Races.
In our regular racing programme, Thursday evening races are currently very popular with fleets of up to 20 boats enjoying their racing at all levels, followed by fish & chips. There are also some new drinks to try from the Bar! The Saturday afternoon sailing and Sunday racing are also busy, with members enjoying some close racing and challenging wind conditions.

Social Events
We will be holding our Summer Barbecue on Saturday July 17 th at 5 p.m. We will provide the food at no cost to members, so do come along and meet some new and old friends. Please buy your drinks at the Bar for this event as we aim raise to enough money from Bar takings to cover the cost of the food. Nearly 70 people came last year, which made this one of our most popular events.

What's Happening Next...
On Saturday July 10th we are sending a team to the Paxton 24 hour race. This is the 40th anniversary of the event which is held in aid of the RNLI. Come and visit to cheer on the Ely Team!
August Mini Series – The August Series begins on August 1st and is a good opportunity to try out racing if you haven't done it before. The Series runs during August and has a separate prize awarded at the Laying Up Supper.
Laying-Up Supper – We have booked the Maltings in Ely for November 13th so please put the date in your diary now as this was an excellent venue and a very popular event for our end of season dinner last year and I know that you'll all want to be there! Finally, may I thank those members with berths for keeping the grass tidy. Unfortunately there are a few berths looking overgrown, so if yours is one of these, please see what you can do so that we keep all our berths looking smart.
Enjoy your summer and do come sailing soon!

Yours sincerely,

Niall Pearcey, Commodore Ely SC

Report of Enterprise Open Meeting

Sun, 9 May 2010 20:35:17 +0100

Eight Enterprise dinghies raced in perfect sailing conditions conditions on Sunday, May 9th. There were three visiting boats joining the five Ely boats in an exciting day's racing. The North Easterly wind made it possible to provide a long upwind leg over the whole length of Roswell Pit, which provided the highly competitive fleet with a good tactical challenge.
The first race started in a good Force Two to Three breeze which was shifting, becoming alternately more Northerly and then blowing more from the North East. The first two races were won by Brian and Linda Cumming from Dabchicks Sailing Club on Mersea Island, who made the most of the wind shifts to lead by a considerable distance by the end of the hour long races.
At the beginning of the second race there was a significant wind shift, which resulted in most of the fleet tacking simultaneously. Seen from the Committee Boat, this was a spectacular sight, with the Enterprises' blue sails contrasting with the brightly coloured hulls of the boats. The third race was won by Ely crew Kevin and Scott Bilham who sailed really well to win a closely fought race.
After the presentation of cups to the first three helms and crews, the overall winner Brian Cumming thanked Ely Sailing Club for their hospitality and for hosting an enjoyable event.

Overall Results - First Place: Brian and Linda Cumming, Dabchicks SC
Second : Kevin and Scott Bilham, Ely SC
Third : Chris Abbott and Sophie Willis, Beccles SC
Fourth : John Wells and Jack Knight, Ely SC
Fifth : Richard and Maureen Denny, Snettisham SC
Sixth : Eric and Clare Christan, Ely SC
Seventh : Dennis Copsey and Marie Browne, Ely SC
Eighth : Greg Williams and Jack Camman, Ely SC

The next event at Ely SC will be our Open Evening on Thursday, May 13h from 6 p.m.
Come and try sailing at your local club!

Niall Pearcey, Commodore Ely SC

CAMWELD TROPHY

Sun, 2 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Club members welcomed the sun and a gentle breeze on Saturday for those on courses and the start of the social sailing season , however everything changed on Sunday.
There was a cold north easterly wind which was very fluky and the spectators had many capsizes to watch.
Only four competitors ventured out for the morning race for the Camweld Trophy.
The Solo helms of Simon Leeks and Niall Pearcey were the only sailors not to capsize, but sixteen year old Nicholas Copsey kept going in his 4.7 Laser and was delighted to be informed on coming ashore, that he had won the race by 2 seconds on corrected time from Simon Leeks who had taken line honours.
In the first afternoon race there were six starters but this quickly dropped to four finishers
and Simon Leeks maintained his line honours from Nicholas by one minute 58 seconds.
In the third race the conditions freshened and Simon again won with Jack Knight in his Topper being the only other finisher.
The final race of the day saw Nicholas leading for the first lap but he was overtaken by Simon Leeks who could not get far enough in front and was 28 seconds behind Nicholas on corrected time.
This resulted in a tie for first place, both helms counting two firsts and a second. However on a count back the finishing positions in the final race were taken into account and so Nicholas won the Camweld Trophy for the first time. Niall Pearcey was the only other competitor to have three races to count and he was third with nine points.
On Saturday evening members enjoyed a curry supper followed by a sailing presentation by Paul Young, the Commodore of the Enterprise Association. In 2006 the Enterprise Class celebrated its Golden Jubilee and a re-enactment of the original sail across The English Channel in 1956 took place. The original sail was for publicity purposes in The News Chronicle who had sponsored the class as a dinghy more suited to inland waters. Paul assisted by Graham Kircup from Grafham Sailing Club retold with the aid of
photographs how they had taken part in this feat.
There is an Open Afternoon this Saturday from one to four o’clock at Roswell Waters when all are welcome.