Frensham Pond Sailing Club

The 2008 Access Class National Championships were held at Burghfield Sailing Club on 10 and 11 July. The Friday forecast was for rain and squally conditions which duly arrived, but racing commenced on time at 1130 with 12 entries in both the 303 and 2.3 classes and two in the Access Liberty class, both of which were using electrical control systems. The helms of all participating boats had a qualifying disability under the rules of the Access Class Association (UK).

Race 1 for the single-handed 2.3s proved to be between Clare Andrew of Rutland and Ann Lewis of Frensham Pond with Clare winning after Ann apparently collected some Burghfield weed. The leaders in the 303 class, in which single- and double-handers compete together, were both from Frensham Pond with Paul Holzherr beating David Harris to the line.

Two more races were held after lunch, and Ann got her revenge, beating Clare in both races for the 2.3s. There was some concern when Chris Emmet of Rutland Sailability was tipped out of his part-electrical-control 2.3 by a particularly heavy squall. However, the Burghfield Safety Boat soon had him out of the water. There were new winners in the 303 class with newcomers Ian and his father Paul Clements from Chew Valley Lake winning race 2 and past champions Chris Atkin and Johnty Dickinson from Woolverstone Project (Ipswich) winning race 3. At the end of day 1 the 303s were evenly balanced with Paul, David and Chris/Johnty on similar points. The Libertys were also evenly balanced with Dave Durston of Whitefriars having two wins and Simon Harle of Rutland the other.

The forecast for the second day was more promising, and conditions were indeed much easier with the wind dying briefly during the sixth and last race. Race 4 for the 2.3s was a repeat of race 3 with Ann beating Clare, but an interesting battle was developing behind them with club-mates Janet Lee and Pat Jackson of Sussex YC scrapping for third place overall, each with two third places on the water. Paul Holzherr won race 4 for the 303s, and Dave Durston clocked up a third win in the Libertys. Race 5 followed back-to-back and there was a loud cheer when Geoff Gibbins’ 2.3 arrived first, with a good lead, at the windward mark near the clubhouse to break the apparent female monopoly. He held on to his lead to the finish, with Janet Lee second and Ann Lewis relegated to third. There was also a new winner, David Harris, in the 303s and Simon Harle succeeded in the Liberty class to give himself a chance if he could win the 6^th and last race.

Over lunch the leading contenders were busy calculating their overall prospects before the final race. It seemed that Ann Lewis and Paul Holzherr had the 2.3 and 303 classes won, but there was all to play for further down the fleets. Nevertheless Ann and Paul went afloat for what proved, in many respects, the most challenging race of the championships with significant variations in wind strength and direction. Chris Emmet established a lead in his part-electric 2.3 and held on until the last mark when Ann Lewis passed him to confirm her status as the National Champion. Ian and Paul Clements had another win in the 303s but, with only three races completed out of six, were out of contention overall. Simon Harle won the last Access Liberty race to become National Champion on a tie-break.

The organisation by Burghfield afloat and ashore was first class with two hoists used to transfer wheelchair user into and out of the boats and excellent courses for the 45 minute races. An AGM was held which will be reported on the website www.accessclass.org , together with the full results of the event.

The main prize-winners were:

Access 2.3 Class

1^st and National Champion 2008 – Ann Lewis – Frensham Pond Sailability

2^nd – Clare Andrew – Rutland Sailability

3^rd – Pat Jackson – Sussex Yacht Club

Access 303 Class

1^st and National Champion 2008 – Paul Holzherr – Frensham Pond Sailability

2^nd – David Harris – Frensham Pond Sailability

3^rd – Chris Atkin and Johnty Dickinson – Woolverstone Project

Access Liberty Class

1^st and National Champion 2008 – Simon Harle – Rutland Sailability

2^nd – Dave Durston – Whitefriars Sailing for Disabled

A tough open at Chichester the day before, plus the counter attractions of tennis and Formula One, reduced the field somewhat. But five visitors joined the nine local helms for Frensham’s annual meeting for Solos. Frensham can be a light weather venue, but this day of driving rain, thirty knot gusts and capsizes, ended with a narrow win by a home club entry.

First of the three race series was won by Frensham’s top Solo helm Keith Videlo, with second place going to Reading SC’s Simon Corper and third to Steve Jones from Littleton SC.

It might have been Videlo’s day, but for a severe blood injury from a boom in the face. Although Keith struggled on to finish the second race his challenge was over.

The race was won by Will Loy from Reading SC, with Corper second and Frensham’s Richard Harding third.

In the afternoon the rain ceased and the sun shone; but the gusts were as punishing as ever forcing a number of retirements. This third and final race went to Richard Harding with Steve Jones second and Will Loy third.

Commodore John Townsley, who had himself competed on the water, thanked all competitors, especially the visitors, plus the kitchen team and the safety boat crews who had been busier than usual. Thanks also went to Race Officer Tim Hemsley who manned the committee boat and set the courses in tricky conditions.

Final Result.

1^st: Richard Harding. 2^nd: Will Loy. 3^rd: Simon Corper.

Members of Frensham Sailability Access team had a triumphant weekend at the French national championships with a one-two result in the single-handed 303 class.

The meeting staged at Berck sailing club fifty miles south of Calais was sailed in some marginal conditions. The twenty five knot gusts on Friday afternoon were no problem for Frensham’s Dave Harris who showed immediate form with a first and second. Ashore Dave registered a protest against the French winner of the second race for an on-water incident. Dave was elevated to first place. Fortunately the protest caused no souring of Anglo-French relations with the other competitor acknowledging her error and shaking hands.

On day two strong winds delayed the start. When racing started Andy Sheaf and Kate Lintott in the double-handed class scored two wins and Dave Harris a first and third. Frensham’s Paul Holzheer found good form recording a second and third. Harris ended day two leading a French competitor with Paul Holzheer third.

The final day dawned with medium to strong winds. Paul Holzheer and Dave Harris scored a win each, which pulled Paul to second place in the final result. Andy Sheaf and Kate Lintott in the double-hander had a tough fight with a skilled Spanish crew and had to settle for second overall.

Picture L – R. Andy Sheaf & Kate Lintott. Paul Holzherr. Dave Harris

2^nd 303 two handed Access. 2^nd solo 303Access 1^st solo 303 Access.

The annual Ten Hour Race & Barbecue will take place on Saturday 19th July.  This is a great event for all the family whether you sail or not.

For more details see the events page.

If you want to sail in the race, get your teams together and start collecting sponsorship.  This year the proceeds will go to the Frensham Pond Cadet Class and to www.smile4rich.co.uk.  If you can't find a team, speak to your class captain who will be happy to find you a place in a team.

See photos of the 2008 Open Day by clicking here

A big “Thank You” to all the members and families who turned out on Saturday for a day’s work despite a dodgy forecast. I am sure everyone will notice the vast improvement on their next visit to the Club.

While there were many there who got through a number of individual low key, but essential, jobs and whose input was much appreciated, the following perhaps deserve special mention;-

• The family who arrived early, armed to the teeth, and went through the bushes behind H row like a plague of locusts. This inspired a subsequent solo effort by the Vice Commodore in an attempt to improve the sailing wind yet further.

• Two members who worked steadily round the perimeter fence all day with cutters, hammer and staples keeping the jungle out and the fence honest.

• Three ladies who painted the Cess Pit compound fence without complaint and to a standard as if appearing on “Changing Rooms”

• The “A” team who spent all morning stripping, levelling and relaying the safety boat stand to the right dimensions – despite an inaccurate drawing – and then went back for two hours after lunch to finish it off

• The Clubhouse painting gang who completed three sides after a wet start, and, made it look fantastic.

• Two members and then a family group who cleaned and oiled the benches etc such that a senior member said to me “I didn’t know we’d bought new furniture this year!”

• The 2.4m underwater display team at Jetty 8.

And finally, the huge number of dedicated people who spent hours carting branches, cuttings, brambles and nettles from all round the grounds to the bonfire site, often unbidden and unrewarded. For the literary minded amongst them we are trying to arrange an “audition” as soldiers for an open-air production of “Macbeth”….

I’m sure that we are all very grateful to everyone who took part.

Colin Gilbert

Many thanks to all the members who gave their time and effort today to support the Working Day and to improve the maintenance and appearance of the clubhouse and grounds. You cannot fail to notice the improvements. A special thanks to Colin Gilbert who organised and supervised the workforce!

Those who attended the Rules Advisory course were treated to an excellent and informative presentation by Penny Carter, RYA International Rules Judge. This is part of the RYA Charter to enable clubs to resolve racing disputes in-house and more quickly. It is something to be developed in the coming months and provides an opportunity for us all to brush up on the rules of racing!

John Townsley

This is the opportunity to carry out a number of significant maintenance and improvement tasks to the Club infrastructure which need more input than can be supplied by the regular maintenance team.

There is no formal racing this day (but see later) and we would welcome help from 0930 through to the mid afternoon.

The main tasks are listed here, and Class Captains have been asked to “compel” volunteers to come along equipped and eager to join a team for one of the tasks (at least one class member per item, if possible) so we should be able to have an enjoyable and constructive day.

For full time workers there will be free tea/coffee and a barbecue at the end. If conditions and demand permit, we will also run a Workers’ Handicap Race with crews swapping between classes and even boats too. There will be a prize for the winner (e.g. two empty paint tins and a dead brush…. or we might do better)

Sailability/2.4 tasks - organised separately

Note

There are a number of other smaller tasks which we would like to do if time and personnel permit, so please feel free to bring along big screwdrivers, drills, hammers, sanders etc just in case.

Any queries or other ideas, please contact Colin Gilbert on 01428 605275 or email chggilbert@onetel.com

In consideration of the offers of support from other sections of the club, and recognising that the Cadet section is one of the beneficiaries of this year's 10 Hour Race, it has been decided to combine the two events to allow as many people as possible to enjoy the auction fun.

The Auction will now take place at 8pm on 19th July immediately after the 10 Hour Race prize-giving rather than on Friday 21st June as previously advertised.

The Open Day on 7th June was a great success, with near-perfect weather, lots of visitors and many positive comments about the Club's vibrant and friendly atmosphere.

Many thanks to all who were involved in any way in making the day such an enjoyable experience for our visitors and for helping to show what an excellent facility we are offering to the local community.

John Townsley

FPSC Kitchen Committee regret due to the increase in cost of all food and snacks supplied in the kitchen, the price list has had to be increased accordingly.

We continue to take pride in supplying quality food and snacks at a very competitive rate

The Frensham Pond Sailing Club Open Day will take place on Saturday 7th June.  As well as being able to look around the club and to look at the different types of boat sailed, visitors will have the opportunity to go for taster sails on the lake. Refreshments will be available and there will be a barbecue in the afternoon.

At 12.30pm there will be a plastic bottle boat race.  This was very popular last year and proved to be a great success.  This year the race is open to all (not just members) so come along and join in.  To find out more and to read the rules click here.

The Winter Prize Giving will be held this Sunday, 1st June, at 1.00pm in the Clubhouse

Whether you are a prize-winner, or an aspiring one, I hope you will be able to attend to receive your award, or simply to congratulate the other award winners - and, of course, to enjoy a good day's sailing!

Best wishes for this season

John Townsley

Saturday 19^th April 2008

With 57 boats coming to the start line, this was Frensham’s largest open class event for forty years. The fleet filled the water in spectacular fashion for a four race series complimented by a steady breeze from the lake’s best north east quarter. The fact that it was also cold and wet didn’t seem to register with the 114 individual competitors, aged eight to sixteen, and over 100 helpers and supporters. 30 of the crews were visitors furthest travelled being one crew from Devon and another from the East Coast with almost every other Southern Area Cadet club represented. With a fleet this size competition was close quarter, fierce and often vocal with just enough breeze to produce the odd capsize.

The series rapidly developed into a three-boat tussle with only a single point separating the first three crews at the end of the day. Sophie Dingwall & Josie Gummer: Billie Quinlan & Gilly Makepeace: Joanna Freeman & Liam Pardy were to make a tense three way battle right to the final finish in which any of the crews could have taken the trophy. At the end it was Dingwall and Gummer first by the one point, with Quinlan and Makepeace equal points with Freeman and Pardy, but second on discard.

The day’s first race went to visitors William Kennedy & Loni Lilenthal from Corinthian Otters, but the two were unable to build on this good start and finished the event in 5^th place. Although this was a day for visiting crews, Frensham’s top pair: Sara Underwood & Matthew Shorrock, with a 1^st place and a 2^nd were always in contention but missed out narrowly with a 9^th place in Race One plus a 10^th discard. A notable achievement for this crew showing their best form yet.

Although the organisation afloat and ashore was stretched to the limit everything went seamlessly to plan. Good wind and courses on the water and great food ashore were all the young competitors needed. As one helm was overheard to say to his crew in the changing room. “This is just like a big championships…”.

At the end of the day, delighted club commodore, John Townsley paid tribute to Frensham Cadet Captain Neil Hardie and race officer Chris Ellis as well as Jane Marriott and her kitchen team. He also reminded competitors of how much they all owed to the help and support of their parents.

1^st: Sophie Dingwall & Josie Gummer – Fisher’s Green SC.

2^nd: Billie Quinlan & Gilly Makepeace – Royal Corinthian.

3^rd: Joanna Freeman & Liam Pardy – Parkstone

4^th: Sara Underwood & Matthew Shorrock – Frensham.

5^th: William Kennedy & Loni Lilenthal – Corinthian Otters.

6^th: Alex Young & Jack Hardie – Frensham

7^th: Rebecca Longman & Alex Corby - Fisher’s Gree

8^th: John Page & Alex Page - Waldringfield

Special Prizes.

1^st Under 13: Mary Henderson & Rachel Thomas – Tamesis.

1^st under 14: Abigail Croft & Katie Hinde – Frensham.

Forget about Work, Course Work, Household Chores etc. and join in! – 7.00 p.m. start

Once more the emphasis on Wednesdays will be to get the less-experienced sailors racing. The Race Officer is available to advise on race procedure etc. There will be no separate novice start, as we rarely got more than two starters in the past. The more-experienced are asked to be tolerant. There will be up to six prizes for those who qualify (by sailing nine or more races), plus a Novice prize awarded to the most improved Novice sailor

I am having problems finding enough people to man the race teams. I have e-mailed several people who have not replied. If anyone can help on one or two Wednesdays in June, July or August, please let me know

John Haine

01428-604703

johnhaine@aol.com