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[Coastbuster]

With the Southen Travellers series in full swing and so far 34 boats having competed we are faced with a couple of changes.
Castle Cove where we were going to join in with the Weymouth Regatta have suspended the entries to raise more rescue services.
Pete Barnstaple is looking in to it but so far only two local boats have entered and the launching for visiting boats is within the harbour which is likely to prove awkward.
Potentially we are likely to lose this event and at this time the Royal Navy have inconsiderately decided to use Plymouth for their own purposes on the arranged day so that is lost as well.

As a suggestion I have contacted Mike Tustin at Bowmoor where on the Saturday 10th July there is  a 6hr race as open event .  My suggestion is those who want to let us know who would like to participate and we make up teams from those people.  This is in part to provide some training within a group and participate in the event at the same time.  There is camping on site and an evening event to enjoy if it is the same as last year..
Mike has said he will approach the club to see if we can race with the club on the Sunday which seems a good chance to make the most of the weekend as a replacement for one the events we have lost.
If you could not do both days you could turn up for one, everyone should get a sail on the Saturday we can just vary the team sizes to suit.   The bigger the teams the more chance to socialise and chat.
The spirit of the event is more fun than serious but the Sunday could count towards the travellers event.  Your thoughts please and some indication of those who fancy a good weekend incorporating sailing ,training, socialising and competition.

Cheers Simon.

[russyh]

Bang up for that Simon!  I have teamed up with Mike Tustin to do the 6 hour race, i am leanding my boat to my brother Olly so we already have two Phantoms entered.  I would definately be up for the Sunday as well if it comes off, just to get my beast stickers if nothing else!!

[Coastbuster]

Good to hear that Russ.
The stickers are nice arent they. As Dinghy magazine said they eem to be a bit of a collectos item.  Trouble is the Shoreham boys have wiped me out.  It cost the sponsor £50 for those and I am not sure he will do another lot along with his generus provision of products.
Sorry to say you may have to wait till next year for that.
So that should make three Phants with mine included.  We will have to be sensitive with the club as we dominated a bit last year.
The number of boats on the Saturday is not too important as I cant see any reason why three or four to a team could make it even more enjoyable and a shared experience on and off the water.
Hope oters take it up

Cheers Simon.
 

[Captain Slow]

Castle Cove where we were going to join in with the Weymouth Regatta have suspended the entries to raise more rescue services.
Pete Barnstaple is looking in to it but so far only two local boats have entered and the launching for visiting boats is within the harbour which is likely to prove awkward.
Potentially we are likely to lose this event and at this time the Royal Navy have inconsiderately decided to use Plymouth for their own purposes on the arranged day so that is lost as well.

Hi Simon

Hope all is well, i think we last met when I was about 14 sailing a laser at SB! If I remember you were very very good! I look forward to supporting the SW series where I can.

Having been a member of both WSC and CC and having a place in Weymouth this really 'winds me up!'

Maybe a question for Pete - Are CCSC having any involvement in the regatta or is it being run solely by WSC? Normally any visitor during the regatta can sail from any club in Weymouth. The launching at WSC is OK and a short 5 minute sail into the bay but space is limited however most boats normally sail from CCSC and sail into the bay which again is normal when sailing in Weymouth. If it 'blows up' then racing is always in Portland harbour anyway thus sailing from CCSC is ideal and better than sailing from WSC.

Weymouth regatta 3-4 years ago was a joke and had very poor turnouts, I think I was responsible for getting Phantoms into the regatta as our open initially and certainly responsible for helping the Phantom cause in Weymouth so when I look at the entry list for the dinghy regatta with so many boats I don't understand why Weymouth are not making sure this happens!

Pete -  Please explain what is happening as i was looking forward to this event and planning to fly back for it!

Secondly this is not the first time Weymouth Dinghy regatta has been cancelled last minute.

Weymouth is probably the best spot to sail in the UK so it makes me mad how the 'powers that be' run this regatta, if the 'bigboats' are sailing then no issues!

As everyone knows Weymouth is the Olympic venue for for 2012 but they cannot raise rescue for their regatta, this is a joke and if the case Portland sailing academy should take the regatta under their wing.

Poole week does not have anyway near as good sailing venue as Weymouth but consistently has 300+ boats entering from Parkstone and Poole sailing club but Weymouth wanted this regatta to work but cannot cope! Joke.

I look forward to sailing in Weymouth but I am shocked to see things have not changed even when the entry list for the regatta looks the strongest in years.

Rant over 

Nick

[Pete B]

Hi Nick

Weymouth Regatta hasn't been cancelled. They are not accepting further entries as the current number of entries matches the existing safety boat cover. I believe they are looking for further rescue boats, if successful further entries will be accepted.
The event is co hosted by Weymouth S.C. and Castle Cove S.C. Launching is shared between the two clubs, with visiting fast Handicap boats being asked to base themselves at Weymouth (should be interesting for the dozen foiling Moths entered).

As you say, a few years ago the Regatta was generally poorly attended. I think the problem is that they haven't kept pace with how popular it has now become. Running Open Meetings for OK, Scorpion, Fireball and the Contender classes within the event is too much for the clubs shore facilities.

As you have entered I hope you'll still come and play.

Pete



From Regatta Website.
"Thank you to those who have already entered
Our entry limit is almost at capacity so we have suspended entry whilst we attempt to provide extra safety cover for additional entries.

All is not lost ! if you would like to enter please email us at entries@weymouthregatta.co.uk with your boat details. We will contact you if we can accommodate more boats."

[Captain Slow]

Thank you Pete

Ok I misunderstood the original message as felt the regatta had been cancelled but still disappointed that Weymouth hosting a regatta cannot propose enough rescue, the message only shows the popularity Weymouth has as such a brilliant venue and to promote sailing in such a great stretch of water the safety cover should already be sorted. I do not believe Poole week/Lyme regatta would portray this message on their website if the entries exceeded expectation. Weymouth is not a small stretch of water so the more the merrier, I cannot believe all the 'bigboat sailors' cannot support the rescue needs. i know that the dinghy sailors will support them the following week during the keelboat regatta.

On one hand I am truly delighted Weymouth regatta has grown and it shows that promoting the regatta years ago has finally paid off but on the other hand I am disappointed Weymouth regatta cannot accommodate the Phantoms who helped build the regatta initially, the only reason is due to poor planning and Weymouth regatta has grown but people will soon get frustrated and it will simply resolve back to 4 years ago.

But yes looking forward to sailing in the regatta but would truly like for it to continue as an open as it was hard to get a Phantom open in the regatta initially 

i know it's not your fault Pete 

Nick

[russyh]

So are all systems go for the open at Bowmoor on the 11th (day after the 6 hour race?)  If not i will drink less the Saturday night and pull the boat over to Northampton early Sunday Morning.

Russ

[Coastbuster]

Hi Russ,

I was speaking to Mike about this last night.  Maxi is going to front page the item for me in the next couple of days and we need expressions of support for the Sunday. Westom and I are entered for the six hour but  I cant do the Sunday but it seems quite a few can already.
Will have something definitive for next week.

Cheers Simon

[russyh]

Simon thats fantastic news, we now have 3 Phantoms entered in the 6 hour Race!

Yourself and Mark
Mike Tustin and Russ Hopkins (Me)
Alaistair Stagg and Olly Hopkins (Borrowing my boat)

I wonder what PY they will sail us off??

I will deffinately support Bowmoor is the Open is on, its my second club nowerdays! So supporting a Phantom open here is important.