International One Metre Racing 2014
Fleet Captain :- Mark Litherland
14th October 2014
A record turnout of 17 boats contested the final round of this year’s 1 metre championship. The day started with a strongish but fluky northerly wind, which, as the day wore on remained strongish and fluky but veered towards the east (the dam end). A challenging figure of eight course was set. A combination of the fluky wind and the course layout proved to be a bit of a race leveler as races 1 to 4 were won by four different helms; race one, Roger Unitt, race two Robin Webb, race three, Clive Hartland and Race four John Burgoine. Then, Clive really got his eye in and took races five and six.
Race five provided some small excitement with a “general recall”. This was on account of too many boats over the line at the start for the OOD to call. Some say… “If you are not over the line at the start occasionally you are not trying hard enough”.
Two helms were sailing new boats competitively for the first time. Liz Robinson with her brand new MX and Allan Coleman sailing Liz’s old Sidewinder. It’s not clear whether Allan bought Liz’s boat because it’s a Sidewinder or because it’s painted pink! When asked if this was maybe his feminine side coming out, he was a little non-committal!!!
Anyway, at the end of the day Clive came out as top banana with Robin in second place and Roger in third.
With this years championship undecided right up until the last round it was all to play for between a number of helms. However Clive’s final round win was not quite enough to stop Robin Webb becoming the 2014 1M Club Champion. Well-done Robin. And well done to everyone else who took part.
So that’s it for another year. With large fleets, competitive racing and lots of banter it’s been a real pleasure being your fleet captain. I would like to thank all those who helped make the eight events such a success, especially our hosts, Sutton Sailing Club for allowing us the use of the rescue boat and to Ian Apps our resident Tea Captain (can’t race without tea! M.L.
A record turnout of 17 boats contested the final round of this year’s 1 metre championship. The day started with a strongish but fluky northerly wind, which, as the day wore on remained strongish and fluky but veered towards the east (the dam end). A challenging figure of eight course was set. A combination of the fluky wind and the course layout proved to be a bit of a race leveler as races 1 to 4 were won by four different helms; race one, Roger Unitt, race two Robin Webb, race three, Clive Hartland and Race four John Burgoine. Then, Clive really got his eye in and took races five and six.
Race five provided some small excitement with a “general recall”. This was on account of too many boats over the line at the start for the OOD to call. Some say… “If you are not over the line at the start occasionally you are not trying hard enough”.
Two helms were sailing new boats competitively for the first time. Liz Robinson with her brand new MX and Allan Coleman sailing Liz’s old Sidewinder. It’s not clear whether Allan bought Liz’s boat because it’s a Sidewinder or because it’s painted pink! When asked if this was maybe his feminine side coming out, he was a little non-committal!!!
Anyway, at the end of the day Clive came out as top banana with Robin in second place and Roger in third.
With this years championship undecided right up until the last round it was all to play for between a number of helms. However Clive’s final round win was not quite enough to stop Robin Webb becoming the 2014 1M Club Champion. Well-done Robin. And well done to everyone else who took part.
So that’s it for another year. With large fleets, competitive racing and lots of banter it’s been a real pleasure being your fleet captain. I would like to thank all those who helped make the eight events such a success, especially our hosts, Sutton Sailing Club for allowing us the use of the rescue boat and to Ian Apps our resident Tea Captain (can’t race without tea! M.L.
9th September 2014
A zephyr of wind fluctuating and fluttering from all points of the compass was the order of the day for twelve intrepid sailors. An Olympic course was set…or, as our resident Regatta/rules-Meister, John Burgoine pointed out, an “old” Olympic course. Apparently an Olympic triangle / sausage course has not been used for about 4 Olympics. Hey! with “spring chickens” rarer than hen’s teeth in the club anything prefixed “old” fits right in!!!
With the almost none existent wind going around in circles the first race was eventually taken by Stoker 2nd class Roger Unitt. Race two by Robin Webb and race three…wait for it…Ordinary seaman "H" Butler. Cries of “he must have missed the sausage out” and “where’s the propeller” proved totally unfounded. "H" had recorded his maiden victory. He even managed a creditable 5th place overall on the day. Well done "H".
For races 4-6, with the wind settling from the west’ish the course was reversed to finally give a beat to the first mark. Race four went to Roger, race five to new recruit under training, Alan Skitt (sailing Robin's old boat) and the final race going to newly promoted Rear Admiral Clive Hartland.
On the day, Clive took Gold, Roger took Silver and Robin, Bronze.
With one round to go the race to the title is getting closer. Robin has moved into first place. Nine points behind is Clive. Gaining a place is Roger, up to third. Possibly moving up to fourth place is Dave Peters, even though he did not race on account of leaving his transmitter at home.
Loblolly Brian Morris failed to excite (again) blaming this week's poor performance (last), on a concentration sapping mid-race phone call from his wife (she had a shopping list for him!). Never mind Brian, one day…one day!
M.L.
A zephyr of wind fluctuating and fluttering from all points of the compass was the order of the day for twelve intrepid sailors. An Olympic course was set…or, as our resident Regatta/rules-Meister, John Burgoine pointed out, an “old” Olympic course. Apparently an Olympic triangle / sausage course has not been used for about 4 Olympics. Hey! with “spring chickens” rarer than hen’s teeth in the club anything prefixed “old” fits right in!!!
With the almost none existent wind going around in circles the first race was eventually taken by Stoker 2nd class Roger Unitt. Race two by Robin Webb and race three…wait for it…Ordinary seaman "H" Butler. Cries of “he must have missed the sausage out” and “where’s the propeller” proved totally unfounded. "H" had recorded his maiden victory. He even managed a creditable 5th place overall on the day. Well done "H".
For races 4-6, with the wind settling from the west’ish the course was reversed to finally give a beat to the first mark. Race four went to Roger, race five to new recruit under training, Alan Skitt (sailing Robin's old boat) and the final race going to newly promoted Rear Admiral Clive Hartland.
On the day, Clive took Gold, Roger took Silver and Robin, Bronze.
With one round to go the race to the title is getting closer. Robin has moved into first place. Nine points behind is Clive. Gaining a place is Roger, up to third. Possibly moving up to fourth place is Dave Peters, even though he did not race on account of leaving his transmitter at home.
Loblolly Brian Morris failed to excite (again) blaming this week's poor performance (last), on a concentration sapping mid-race phone call from his wife (she had a shopping list for him!). Never mind Brian, one day…one day!
M.L.
12th August 2014
A gusty south westerly greeted fourteen intrepid sailors for the latest round of this year’s championship. Races 1-3 were sailed around a figure of eight course and 4-6 around a rectangular course. The usual suspects were to the fore, again! Robin Webb taking races 1, 2 and 3, Graham Tite races 4 and 6 and Clive Hartland race 5.
Unfortunately two boats, Bill Pitt’s and Brian Morris’s failed to complete a race due to gear failure, reinforcing the notion that maybe, just maybe, electronics and water do not mix!
Wind conditions varied between flat calm and squalls. These squalls rendered boats briefly uncontrollable and turned them from yachts into submarine impressionists…”dive!, dive!, dive!”. Rain threatened during the final race but the heavens only opened after the final boat had left the water…lucky!
To those who performed well, congratulations. To those whose performance was not so good, its easy, next time just sail faster!!!
M.L.
A gusty south westerly greeted fourteen intrepid sailors for the latest round of this year’s championship. Races 1-3 were sailed around a figure of eight course and 4-6 around a rectangular course. The usual suspects were to the fore, again! Robin Webb taking races 1, 2 and 3, Graham Tite races 4 and 6 and Clive Hartland race 5.
Unfortunately two boats, Bill Pitt’s and Brian Morris’s failed to complete a race due to gear failure, reinforcing the notion that maybe, just maybe, electronics and water do not mix!
Wind conditions varied between flat calm and squalls. These squalls rendered boats briefly uncontrollable and turned them from yachts into submarine impressionists…”dive!, dive!, dive!”. Rain threatened during the final race but the heavens only opened after the final boat had left the water…lucky!
To those who performed well, congratulations. To those whose performance was not so good, its easy, next time just sail faster!!!
M.L.
8th July 2014
So who’s this new kid on the block? John Burgoine? Worst result out of six races…third! Second overall on the day! Never raced a model yacht before…a likely story!!! I do however understand that he may know a little about “The Rules”. Maybe he can explain the “waggling” rules to one or two people!!!
Well done John, the rest of the One Metre fleet had better watch out.
Anyway, back to the days racing. A breezy westerly with a smattering of thunder and lightning greeted a strong fleet of fourteen boats. The usual suspects plus John Burgoine lead the fleet, with Robin Webb taking races one and six, Graham Tite, two, four and five and John race three.
Alan Coleman spoilt an otherwise 100% turnout in all six races by failing to start in race one due to a dodgy battery pack. Alan, Pound Shop batteries are false economy!
Graham Saunders sailed a pretty unremarkable series of races with seventh his best result. I only mention this because he said it would be nice to see his name in print. There you go Graham, my pleasure.
M.L.
So who’s this new kid on the block? John Burgoine? Worst result out of six races…third! Second overall on the day! Never raced a model yacht before…a likely story!!! I do however understand that he may know a little about “The Rules”. Maybe he can explain the “waggling” rules to one or two people!!!
Well done John, the rest of the One Metre fleet had better watch out.
Anyway, back to the days racing. A breezy westerly with a smattering of thunder and lightning greeted a strong fleet of fourteen boats. The usual suspects plus John Burgoine lead the fleet, with Robin Webb taking races one and six, Graham Tite, two, four and five and John race three.
Alan Coleman spoilt an otherwise 100% turnout in all six races by failing to start in race one due to a dodgy battery pack. Alan, Pound Shop batteries are false economy!
Graham Saunders sailed a pretty unremarkable series of races with seventh his best result. I only mention this because he said it would be nice to see his name in print. There you go Graham, my pleasure.
M.L.
10th June 2014
A fluky south westerly greeted a strong fleet of eleven boats for this round of the IOM 2014 club championship. Two courses were set. The first three races were over a figure of eight and after tea a square box course was set. Two of its stars, Graham Tite and Robin Webb were absent so there was great expectation amongst the other skippers that this could be their day.
Liz Robinson was on sparkling form to take race one. Graham Saunders took races three and four with Clive Hartland taking the rest and wrapping first place overall. Second was Dave Peters. The final podium champagne Charlie being Liz Robinson.
Hard luck story of the day must go to Harry Butler who, using postage stamp size sails was overtaken by a piece of driftwood. Last position was inevitable. “H” was again heading towards the wooden spoon in race two until he decided to call it a day and reverted to his favorite pastime, taking the mickey out of Roger!!!
The almost but not quite, story of the day goes to Brian Morris (again) who, amazingly, leading with three legs to go, got far too excited (again) and lost it on a race to the line (again). A very creditable third did however get him on the podium. Well-done Brian.
Congratulations and commiserations to everyone else that took part. Hey, if it was easy anyone could be a champ….”life’s a beach and then you jibe"
Mark L.
A fluky south westerly greeted a strong fleet of eleven boats for this round of the IOM 2014 club championship. Two courses were set. The first three races were over a figure of eight and after tea a square box course was set. Two of its stars, Graham Tite and Robin Webb were absent so there was great expectation amongst the other skippers that this could be their day.
Liz Robinson was on sparkling form to take race one. Graham Saunders took races three and four with Clive Hartland taking the rest and wrapping first place overall. Second was Dave Peters. The final podium champagne Charlie being Liz Robinson.
Hard luck story of the day must go to Harry Butler who, using postage stamp size sails was overtaken by a piece of driftwood. Last position was inevitable. “H” was again heading towards the wooden spoon in race two until he decided to call it a day and reverted to his favorite pastime, taking the mickey out of Roger!!!
The almost but not quite, story of the day goes to Brian Morris (again) who, amazingly, leading with three legs to go, got far too excited (again) and lost it on a race to the line (again). A very creditable third did however get him on the podium. Well-done Brian.
Congratulations and commiserations to everyone else that took part. Hey, if it was easy anyone could be a champ….”life’s a beach and then you jibe"
Mark L.
13th May 2014
The sun shone and a bracing westerly wind blew. As the day wore on this bracing westerly blew even stronger providing marginal "A" rig conditions.
A figure of eight course was set with a short beat to the windward mark. This lead to a ten boat rounding pile up, a bit like the first corner of a Grand Prix and just as entertaining. However this early congestion soon evaporated and the fleet spread out over the following long reach and run.
No one boat totally dominated the event. The six wins were evenly spread between Robin Webb, Mike Stevenson and Dave Peters who sailed a blinder for his two wins. However Robin won on the day sailing his ex Don Smith Lintel.
Harry Butler showed promise with a couple of fourth places but these were unfortunately accompanied by four no-wheres...come on "H" you can do it, concentrate!!!
Mark L.
The sun shone and a bracing westerly wind blew. As the day wore on this bracing westerly blew even stronger providing marginal "A" rig conditions.
A figure of eight course was set with a short beat to the windward mark. This lead to a ten boat rounding pile up, a bit like the first corner of a Grand Prix and just as entertaining. However this early congestion soon evaporated and the fleet spread out over the following long reach and run.
No one boat totally dominated the event. The six wins were evenly spread between Robin Webb, Mike Stevenson and Dave Peters who sailed a blinder for his two wins. However Robin won on the day sailing his ex Don Smith Lintel.
Harry Butler showed promise with a couple of fourth places but these were unfortunately accompanied by four no-wheres...come on "H" you can do it, concentrate!!!
Mark L.
8th April 2014
Survival conditions prevailed on a day that saw a stiff westerly breeze reduce most boats to their “B” and “C” rigs. A triangular course was set and a pattern of results emerged with Graham Tite (1st) and Robin Webb (2nd) trading wins throughout the event (3 wins apiece). Liz Robinson came a credible third place overall with a brace of seconds and never out of the top five ( except for a discarded ninth place), well done Liz.
Again, lots of hard luck stories, none more so than Graham Saunders who's only option of an overpowered “A” rig kept him well down the fleet...last in fact! Never mind Graham, couple of grand on a new boat and rig will soon sort that out.
A fourteen boat fleet and, given the trying conditions, remarkably few rig failures, resulted in an excellent days racing. Well done everyone.
Mark L
Survival conditions prevailed on a day that saw a stiff westerly breeze reduce most boats to their “B” and “C” rigs. A triangular course was set and a pattern of results emerged with Graham Tite (1st) and Robin Webb (2nd) trading wins throughout the event (3 wins apiece). Liz Robinson came a credible third place overall with a brace of seconds and never out of the top five ( except for a discarded ninth place), well done Liz.
Again, lots of hard luck stories, none more so than Graham Saunders who's only option of an overpowered “A” rig kept him well down the fleet...last in fact! Never mind Graham, couple of grand on a new boat and rig will soon sort that out.
A fourteen boat fleet and, given the trying conditions, remarkably few rig failures, resulted in an excellent days racing. Well done everyone.
Mark L
11th March 2014
With an easterly wind varying between survival mode gusts and brief periods of “where's the wind gone”, sixteen boats took part in the first round of the 2014 IOM series.
The usual six races were sailed but over two different courses. Three races over the BTB (Before Tea and Biscuits) course which was basically a sausage with a short reach at the windward end,and three over the ATB (after Tea and Biscuits) course which was a fairly large figure of eight.
Graham Tite's 2013 domination continued into this 2014 series. A clean sweep of six wins was only interrupted by Robin Webb in race three and Roger Unitt who sailed a stormer to come from behind and win race six. Brian Morris showed some early promise with an eighth in race one but then tailed off into mediocrity (a bit like his football team!). Best improver must go to Ian Cooke who, after two elevenths bounced back with three thirds and a fifth. Hard luck stories abounded, but hey, there's always round two.
Mark L
With an easterly wind varying between survival mode gusts and brief periods of “where's the wind gone”, sixteen boats took part in the first round of the 2014 IOM series.
The usual six races were sailed but over two different courses. Three races over the BTB (Before Tea and Biscuits) course which was basically a sausage with a short reach at the windward end,and three over the ATB (after Tea and Biscuits) course which was a fairly large figure of eight.
Graham Tite's 2013 domination continued into this 2014 series. A clean sweep of six wins was only interrupted by Robin Webb in race three and Roger Unitt who sailed a stormer to come from behind and win race six. Brian Morris showed some early promise with an eighth in race one but then tailed off into mediocrity (a bit like his football team!). Best improver must go to Ian Cooke who, after two elevenths bounced back with three thirds and a fifth. Hard luck stories abounded, but hey, there's always round two.
Mark L
