This is it

Well folks, this is it, the big day, what you have all been waiting for....

Entries are now OPEN for the RYA Youth National Championships and Trials 2012.

Which means at last the dates are firm the venue is firm and you can make a firm booking for your accommodation at Pwllheli.

Good luck!

Latest news on a difficult day

After scoring a 1st and a 3rd this morning Charlotte suffered another dissapointing 21 this afternoon slipping to 8th overall in her flight.  Meanwhile Alison Young who enjoys the stiffer conditions has pushed back ahead in the GBR standings with a 2, 1 and is 4th in her flight although today's final race places are yet to be posted.

News from Perth - ISAF Worlds 2011

Team GBR await the qualifying race start.
Charlotte is GBR 22.

Racing is now well underway at the ISAF Sailing Worlds in Perth, Australia which is almost certainly the final selection event for the Radial berth for team GBR at the London Olympics 2012.

After a difficult start on Monday Charlotte Dobson picked up her first race win this morning followed by a healthy 8th to move her up to the top of the team GBR standings.  Ireland's Analise Murphy had a similarly challenging first race but is now clearly enjoying the conditions and with the first discard in play has moved to the top of the overall leader board.

In the mens 470 class Luke and Stuart have engaged first gear and followed their 5, 1 scores from Monday with three more bullets today.  With the 470's in the unusual position of using flights, Luke and Stuart are just ahead of the Australians who also dominated their flight today to give a scoreline of 9,1,1,1,1.

More Scottish interest in the Finn class as our adopted sailor Giles Scott picked up two firsts today with Ben Ainslie scoring two 3rds.

Alison Young takes no prisoners on the start line today.

In the women's windsurfer Bryony Shaw is also looking very strong at this early stage.

Shark watch has been increased following some confirmed suspicious sightings....

G.

Go team GBR.

 

Follow the action at http://www.perth2011.com/

Strathclyde Loch Christmas Regatta 2011 - See you there?

Great weather for first squad regatta

For once the weather gods were co-operating and all the squads enjoyed a great weekends trainng at Largs last weekend.Publish Post

Inlands Results.

Results from the Inland Championships at Grafham are now posted.  Just three races completed.  Top Scott was Andrew but special mentions for Iain and Sarah!  Well done everyone.  Squad Regatta at Largs next...

Click here for the full results.

Even more still

No news from the Inlands at Grafham but checking the weather cam suggests windspeed - zero knots!  Makes the long drive so very worthwhile.  Fingers crossed that some racing is (or was) possible....

Still in the Squad - Very Still

Yes it was very very still at Cumbrae this weekend so it was a disappointing first Squad session for becalmed and fog bound Radial Squad.  Still - plenty of fitness work was completed - ouch!.

Good luck to the Scottish Radials heading to the Inland Championships this weekend.  Please remember the Championship has been moved to Grafham Water as the Reservoir at Carsington is a little empty just now.

G.Publish Post

Venues and Dates for 2102 European Championships Announced

The dates and venues are no available on the ILCA website.

From what I can see I think the mens and Women's European Champs will be in France at the beginning of July although this year the minimum ages has been raised so all competitors must be at least 17 in 2012.

The Radial Youth Championships look to be taking place at the end of August in Nieuwport, Belgium. Competitors must be at least 15 but not 19 in 2012.

Both events are "qualified" so there will be events to complete and a ladder to select the UK places.

The ILCA European Events page is here.

G.

2011 RYA Scotland Laser Radial National Squad Announced

Huge Congratulations to those sailors selected from the 28 determined applicants to form the 2011/12 RYA Scotland Laser Radial  National Squad.  The Squad will be training very hard over the coming months with the first target being the 2012 RYA Youth National Championships and Trails to be sailed at Pwllheli, North Wales 2nd-6th April 2012.

The 2011/12 Squad Are

Jack Aitken                                       Sarah Alexander
Jordan Black                                     Rosalind Dunlop
Angus Gray-Stephens                        Joanne Foster
Andrew MacGowan                            Samantha Foster
Ross MacLean
Iain McLaughlin
Dean Malcolm
Alexander Still
Calum Tait

Well done all, we are expecting great things!

Chuckie rules the waves

Congratulations to Alexander Still who brought home the Silverware (not literally) from the Hayling Island Qualifier this weekend by winning Silver Fleet at a very competitive and well attended event - the largest of the Autumn Qualifiers so far.  Iain McLaughlin (14) was a real star with his first entry into the heady heights of the Gold Fleet.  The rest of the team had to be content with good competition practice and the fun of surfing the waves over the Hayling bar on the way back in Sunday.  "Brilliant Fun" exclaimed Joanne after her first full Radial event - sadly she was describing surfing the waves rather than winning the races but a promising start anyway!
G.

Hayling Island Qualifier

A strong Scottish Team which includes many of the newly identified members of the 2012 RYA Scotland National Laser Sailing Squad is heading to Hayling Island Sailing Club this weekend for AUtumn Qualifier 2.  Follow their progress at the UKLA event mini site here. 

Scottish Open Race Training

Hi All,

This is advanced warning that Scottish Open Race Training are organising Topper & Laser Training at Helensburgh Sailing Club on the weekend of 15^th & 16^th October.  We may be able to offer some Topper 4.2 and Laser training could  include 4.7 rig  if there is enough demand.  The cost will be around £70 per sailor and the coaches will be Michael Gorskowski and Robin Paris.  Registration will be available soon via SORT’s website.

http://scottishracing.org/wp

Charlotte at Weymouth

You can follow Scottish Laser Radial sailor Charlotte Dobson at the Olympic test event at http://www.sailing.org/uploads/WPIR2011/LaserRadial_results.pdf

Scottish Sailing become 29er agents for Scotland

Duncan Hepplewhite has confirmed that Scottish Sailing are to become Ovington Sailboats Scottish Agents with immediate effect. Duncan will be particularly looking to promote the devlopment of a 29er fleet and will be working with Nathan Batchelor at Ovington's to arrange some demo days and other 29er events.

Scottish Sailing

The Dinghy specialist

07817 704 637

01324 861 756

www.sailingfast.co.uk

Skype: scottishsailing

Laser Radial Scottish Championships 2011

It was a very testing weekend at Largo Bay for the Scottish Laser Radial Championships 2011. With the wind refusing to settle into anthing like the forecast strength or direction Saturday comprised just one race which was started after a lengthy postponement in a light breeze which lasted just long enough for the competitors to reach the windward mark then fell away to little more than a challenging drift to the finish. At this point the OOD wisely called it a day and the fleet returned to the shore to enjoy Largo Bay's legendary hospitality and a great barbecue. Sunday was a little more promising but alas race 2 was almost a re-run of race one with patience the main talent on display.

Fortunately the wind finally arrived for races 3 and 4 which were sailed in a reasonable 8-11 knots allowing even the larger competitors to stretch their legs a little on the upwind and enjoy a couple of sparkling reaches in the afternoon Sunshine.

With three races from four to count, despite a slow start Andrew MacGowan managed two emphatic race wins once the breeze finally arrived to secure the men's title from Ian Fitgerald in second and Ian Calder in third.

Amongst the ladies the competition was equally close and the pattern similar with Samantha Foster, having struggled in the ultra light races pushing through to post much improved scores in races 3 and 4 to secure the Ladies title from Rosalind Dunlop in second and Kellie Carmichael in third.

Full Results are here.

Thank you Largo Bay for a great event despite the challenging meterology.

G.

Another Brutal Day on Windy Weymouth Bay

With Sammi forced to sit the day out with mild concussion and neck injury after connecting with a wildly gybing boom in 30 knots on the final run of race 6 yesterday it was left to Charlotte Dobson to represent Scottish Radials today.

On Sail for Gold Radio immediately after todays racing Charlotte described the Radial races so far as "brutal". "I was quite pleased I saved my discard through the qualifyuing series" says Charlotte, "the wind started at a good 15 knots for race one with a lot of big waves making things quite difficult and then built up to really quite fruity, favouring the larger girls again but I think I just about got away with it".

And get away with it she did, as Charlotte holds onto 5th place overall and is top GBR girl despite a dissapointing discard 20 and a 15 today in the first two Gold Fleet races. There is all to play for in the last two fleet races tomorrow so much to plan as she heads off to "an iced bath followed by a bubble bath". Lets hope all goes to plan and we see Charlotte in the Medal Race at 11AM on Saturtday. Check out all the action on www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk or listen in on SailforGold radio viad the "media" link on the event website.

Elsewhere our Radial and Topper girls heartthrob Luke Patience is also leading GBR 470 heading into the final day of fleet racing.

G.

Sail for Gold News - The Princess and the Pauper?

Very much a mixed picture at Sail for Gold 2011 for Scotland's only two Radial competitors. At the top of the tree Charlotte Dobson is top brit and lying fourth after a tough day with three long races in 18-23 knots out on Weymouth Bay. Go Charlotte!

At the other end of the fleet Samantha Foster is finding just how tough it is to survive at a World Cup event without a RIB and coach support. Despite being first on the water yesterday she only just made it out on time for race one as virtually the only Radial who was not towed to the start and was then last home hitting the beach at 8.25 pm again with no outside help whatsoever. Today was much the same story but with the Westerly wind rising to a solid 25 knots after the finish (even the full rigs said it was "very windy" with the world champion capsizing downwind)it was over a two hour beat back after the finish just to get to the gateway to the inner harbour! Soul destroying when it felt like virtually everyone else was relaxing in a coach RIB enjoying a speedy tow home.

It sure aint easy this sailing lark!

G.

Sail for Gold 2011

Full Results from Dalgety Bay

For full results from Dalgety Bay click here.  Congratulations to everyone who braved the conditions.
G.

Top 3 at Dalgety

1st Ian McLaughlin
2nd Ian Fitzgerald
3rd Rory Hunter

Pictures from Pwllheli

Busy Upwind

Katie feels the burn

Check out fotoboat for a whole gallery of Laser Radial pictures from the windy Pwllheli qualifier.  I think most of the Scot's are included.

Sammi nears takeoff speed

Laser Radials stay in for 2016 Olympics, Keelboats are out.

ISAF confirms events for the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition at 2011 ISAF Mid-Year Meeting in St Petersburg, Russia.
ISAF President Göran Petersson led the ISAF Council in more than three hours of debate and discussion before the ten events were decided. Over 50 Submissions were received for consideration following the changes to the process for selecting events and equipment that was agreed in November 2010.
The ten events selected by the ISAF Council for the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition are:

• Men’s Board or Kiteboard - evaluation
• Women’s Board or Kiteboard - evaluation
• Men’s One Person Dinghy - Laser
• Women’s One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial
• Men’s 2nd One Person Dinghy - Finn
• Men’s Skiff - 49er
• Women’s Skiff – Evaluation
• Men's Two Person Dinghy - 470
• Women's Two Person Dinghy - 470
• Mixed Two Person Multihull - Evaluation

See further comment on www.yachtsandyachting.com

Dalgety Bay Laser Event

This will be a great event with some top class racing in the main fleets, but also with a separate race course for less experienced sailors near to the club – with good viewing from the clubhouse. We hope that this mix, plus free camping on club grounds will attract a good mix of sailors and families for a great weekend.

2010 Scottish Traveller dates

By popular request, (which means Sammi told me to do it) I have added the list of currently advertised Scottish laser traveller dates to the front page of this post.  It is now to be found in the navidation bar to the right of the page under the various olympic and supporters logos.  This is not the official list but is a straight copy of the dates currently advertised in the official list.   Hope this proves helpful.

G.

News from the Youth Nationals

Scottish Radials are mostly at Hayling Island this week for the RYA National Youth Championships and Trials.  Radials are the largest contingent of Scots with the whole squad presenet plus Ian Symon and Rosalind Dunlop.

It has been a very mixed week for all with widely variable winds.  Qualifying was sadly curtailed with only three races sailed on day one in a fresh South Westerly of 18-20 Knots.  Day two seemed perfect to us but the OOD disagreed and we spent the day with abandoneent after abandonment as the race committee chased the shifts.  For those in the second start of the four flights it was particularly frustrating as the only action all day was one warning  signal followed by a Preparatory and then a postponement with about 30 seconds to the off.

The championship racing got underway with the fleet in Gold and Silver fleets.  The first day had been predicted to be light but agin the weather proved unpredictable with races one and two in around 16-18 knots and then the third in around 10 knots.

Thursday has been a lighter wind affair with many shifts but fortunately this time the OOD had realised we came all this way to race not give the race committee practice for the Olympics next year and three satisfactory races were completed for both fleets.

Sorry I am unable to post more often.  For up to the minute updates please watch the official event website via http://www.sailracer.org/

G.  

RYA Youth Championships and Trials

Just a final few days before the RYA Youth Championships and Trials 2011.  Lots of Scottish boats are heading to Hayling Island for the next ten days or so.  Follow our fortunes on http://www.ryaracingevents.org.uk/youths/nats

RYA Spring Championships

Samm Foster blasting

The first ever RYA Spring Championships was a great success at Largs last weekend.  Read all about it on Yachts and Yachting at http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=156432
and check out and buy from Alan Henderson's photos on www.fotoboat.com

Plymouth World Qualifier Result

Well, it is all over bar the driving.  With little wind on Sunday morning the fleet eventually launched at 1pm just as many had abandoned hope and were starting to pack up.  With the rules requiring no starts after 3pm and at least two races required for a qualifier result it was going to be a challenge to get all fleets (Full rig and two flights of Radials) away for two satisfactory races.  In practice it proved impossible with the first Full rig race requiring two general recalls to get the fleet away with the tide behind them and then abandoned mid way through and the Radial race also abandoned mid way down the run it soon became clear that it was time for home.  At least the rules allow for attendance to be recognized by average points so it was not a complete loss for all the dedicated Scottish Radial sailors who had made the long (500 mile) trip south.

Next up is the RYA Spring Championship at Largs then its back to the deep South for the RYA National Youth Championships and Trials at Hayling Island,

See you there?

Graham

Plymouth Worlds Qualifier

It was a very quiet day for the sailors at Plymouth, too quiet.  The fleet rose early expecting a long sail to the planned race area outside the breakwater in the English Channel but the AP was soon broken out as the racing area resembled a mill pond on a very still day.  Some wind did arrive and the fleet were launched to an assembly area inside the breakwater but despite some promising flurries the breeze never really arrived and ceratinly never settled so by shortly after 3.30 the fleet were heading back to shore.  Let hope for better luck tomorrow.

G.

Spring Championships Flyer

Plymouth Worlds Qualifier

Just a few days to go to 2011 Spring Qualifier number 2 at the Mountbatten Centre, Plymouth.  Last day for on line entries is tomorrow, Tuesday.  Miss that and you will have to enter on the day.

Event web site and on-line entry here

RYA Scotland Spring Championships 2011

Just two weeks to go to the RYA Scotland Spring championships at Largs.  This an open event for all Laser Radial sailors and definitely the place to be seen if you are thinking of a squad application for next year.  All the RYA Youth and Junior Classes will be there so it promises to be a great weekend and a perfect oppportunity for that final tune up before the RYA Youth nationals at Hayling Island.

Please enter now at http://www.sailracer.org/events/event-v2.asp?eventid=71496

G.

Brown Cup 2011

Stokes Bay and Plymouth Qualifiers

Well that is Stokes Bay over for another year and the highlight was definitely the final race with another convincing Qualifier race win for Lorenzo.  Low light was "the one that got away" also known as the re-sailed race 3 on Sunday morning which was abandoned with Steve Cockerill leading from Samm in 4th and Chuckie in 7th.  Better luck next time guys.  Saturday was a notable day of contrasts with two races sailed in sunshine over a tough 15-18 knots then race 3 was abandoned just as the lightweights were coming to the fore 'cos the fat boys could not make it over the tide in the rapidly failing wind.  Sunday was the opposite, starting with drizzle and a light breeze.  Race 3 was again abandoned (see sob story above) and the fleet came ashore for an hour only to re-launch for two races in the afternoon.  For most the journey home did not begin till around 6pm and it was well after 3 when we finally got to our beds.

Next stop is Plymouth in two weeks unless you are booked for the Open Training there with Jon Emmet this weekend.

Full results and a report are on the Laser web site www.laser.org.uk

Stokes Bay beckons - just two weeks to Qualifier 1

Yes it is just two weeks to 2011 Laser Qualifier event 1 at Stokes Bay.  Entries via UKLA.  Click here to go to the entries page.

Graham.

RYA Youth Nationals and Trials

Entries are now open for the 2011 RYA Youth Championships and Trials at Hayling Island Sailing Club 9th to 15th April 2011.  Go to RYA at http://www.ryaracingevents.org.uk/youths/nats

G.

Mixed Fortunes at Miami

It was a fantastic result for Team GBR at the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta but a bitterly disappointing final day for top Scot Luke Patience in the 470 men.  Luke who had never been out of the top two all week went into Friday with a substantial lead and gold medal position but after a tough Friday and a 10th in the medal race on Saturday he had to settle for bronze as the gold went to fellow brits Nick Asher and Elliot Willis.

Meanwhile another "Scott", Giles Scott continued his recent dominance of the Finn class to win gold ahead of a hard charging Benn Ainslie who took silver.

For a full report check out http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=155527

Giles Scott enjoys the Miami sunshine...

Great Scott at the Miami OCR

Giles Scott is dominating the early races in the Finn Class at the Miami OCR.  Wednesday has been a good day for Luke Patience in the Mens 470's too as he moves to first overall.

http://RMOCR.ussailing.org/

Disappointment on Final Day at Australian Youth Nationals

Close finishes, fight-backs and continued domination were the flavours of the day as the 2011 OAMPS Insurance Brokers Australian Youth came to an end at Georges River 16ft Sailing Club in Sydney.

The 160 crews from nine countries completed their final two races on Botany Bay with a number of classes coming right down to the final race to decide the winners.

In the Laser Radial class West Australian Matthew Wearn overcame a slow start to the week to win the regatta, ahead of fellow Australian Mitchell Kennedy with Great Britain’s Elliot Hansen third. (and Lorenzo Fourth -G.)

 

Wearn had an amazing finish to the regatta, winning the final five races to overhaul the leaders and gain a place on the Australian Youth Sailing Team.

 

“I started off not so well but then began racking up the good points with five bullets to finish the regatta which was a good way to end it,” said Wearn. “There was some great competition, especially Mitchell Kennedy, it was really tough to beat him.”

 

Ashley Stoddart was the top female Laser Radial sailor, overtaking Alex South on the final race of the regatta to qualify for her second Australian team in three years.

 

“I’ve been trying to chip away all week and was always just behind Alex but it’s been really good racing,” said Stoddart. “I had a good day today, ending with a third and just tried to do the right things and not worry about the competition.”

 

“After not being in the Australian team last year it’s good to be back, my back is much better and I got through school, which was another hurdle, so I’m feeling really good,” she said. “I had a good little break and now ready and raring to go.” writes Craig heydon on the official event web site http://www.youthchamps.org.au/

Well done Lorenzo - leading the radial fleet from day one.  You have done us proud.

G. 

Oz Update

Day three of the Australian Youth Championships and Lorenzo is hanging in there in first place overall despite an impressive day of sailing from Matthew Wearn of the home nation who scored 1,1,1 today and now lies just one point behind.  Elliot Hanson is a further six points back in third with Cameron Douglas in 8th.

Full results are on line at http://www.yachting.org.au/site/yachting/event/35244/overall_4_1.html

Tomorrow is the final day with just two more races to sail.

G.

Lorenzo leads after day 2

Day two of the Australian Youth Nationals and Lorenzo Chiavarini holds the lead with scores of 3, 6 and 5 today.  Light and shifty conditions made for challenging sailing on the bay and black flags for some of the main contenders may make the "discards" (or "drops" as the Auzzies call them) all important as the championships develop.

GBR positions now stand at
Lorenzo 1st on 16 points with 2,(6),3,6,5
Elliot joint 3rd on 29 points with (17),11,5,10,3
Cameron 11th with 14,19,(22),7,1

Go Lorenzo - we are behind you (as usual!).

G.

Lorenzo flies the Scottish Radials flag down under.

A brief report from Duncan Hepplewhite of sailing fast.co.uk, our Scottish Radials coach.

"I am sure you are all aware that Lorenzo was selected for the three person GBR team to visit Australia. He flew out on the 21^st December and has already competed in the Australian National champs in some tricky conditions.

Results

4th (2nd U19) Elliot, 9th (5th U19) Cam, and 14th (8th U19) Lorenzo

After a couple of days rest they began their training prior to the Youth champs that began today. Due to the time difference they have already completed their racing.

After the first day of racing Lorenzo finished 2^nd and 6^th and 1^st overall.

For all of the full day reports and pics for both events visit www.sailingfast.co.uk and follow the link to the facebook page"

Brilliant news, well done Lorenzo, we are all supporting you.

G.

A Radial Youth Series for 2011?

Scottish Toppers and Scottish Optimists have now announced their 2011 Scottish Events.  In response to feedback from parents, most will be combined Topper and Optimist events and all other Junior classes will be invited so there will be a Radial start at all events where the club has enough space to accomodate the extra boats.  (Annandale for example will be limited to Toppers and Optimists only)  Some will also be official Laser Class traveller events but some will not.  We had 14 boats at the Zones and 14 at the Inlands at Grafham so there are enough active Youth Radials in Scotland for a great series.  I guess the series would be open to adults although the series prize would be for Youths to avoid a conflict with the UKLA traveller series.

I am suggesting we run a Laser Radial RYA Youth Traveller Series based on all the combined events.  This will include

RYA Junior Championships, Largs, 2nd/3rd April 2011

Dalgety Bay 21/22 May

East Lothian YC 4/5 June

Helensburgh SC 18/19 June

Aberdeen and Stonehaven YC 20/21 August

Loch Lomond SC 27/28 August (tbc - club may restrict entries)

Prestwick 17/18 September

RYA Zone Championships, 24th/25th September 2011.

We will be there, I hope you can join us.

G.