Special Prize Awarded at 2010 Radio A Nationals

The race team at this years event decided to award a special prize to the competitor competing in the most heats. A better title could be "The VFM Award" (Value for money)

During the weekend there were various candidates for this, with a number of skippers getting more than there fair share of the action, but the final winner by quite a large margin was Chris Durant.

Christopher was unhappy when told to come off the water for his dinner.

There were very few times that Chris couldn't be seen or heard on the water being on the water for 26 of the 54 heats over the 3 days.

He was the rightful recipient of the prize, kindly donated by Ken Binks of Kbits of a new set of batteries!

The downside is that Chris will probably be charged double to enter next year!

Pictures of the event

John and Alex Smith took well over 1000 images of the weekend, we are going through the process of removing the odd bad one and will give you details of how to view them and obtain a copy of any that you may want to keep.

If anyone else has any pictures that they wish to share please send me details and I will post the details on here.e: sailing@ashbyroadeast.demon.co.uk

Peter Wiles - RA National Champion 2010

Final Scores and Top 3

Peter Wiles - 1st,

with Dave Higgins, Commodore Manor Park Sailing Club

and Peter Moore, PRO

Derek Priestley 2nd,

Rob Walsh 3rd

A downloadable version can be found on the Manor Park Website here

Pete Wiles Takes It Back to Poole

Congratualtions go to Peter Wiles for clinching the RA National Championships in the last race with a nail biting drifter to close the event.

Tied on points going into the last heat A, Peter and Derek Priestley had it all to play for.

Initially in front at the wing mark a mix up at the leeward gate saw Peter fall behind as the two skippers took different sides of the course. Whilst turning much later than Derek the wind filled in on Peter's side of the course giving him the advantage once again at the reach.

The second time though the gate both skippers changed sides and whilst it looked like Peter had the windward advantage on the port gate, Derek began lifting from leeward hoping to climb up to the finish.

With yards to go Derek had to go on Port but with Peter coming in on Starboard the Fleetwood skipper was forced back around again and below the finish mark.

So 3 days of exciting racing in four seasons of weather came down to the last few feet. Incredible!

Congatulations therefore to Peter Wiles for a solid weekends performance and commiserations to Derek Priestley for just being pipped at the post.

Full results to be posted later on (after tea!!)

It Was Quite Windy

Results - Day 2

Well did it blow? Eventually yes and squalls and showers took it's toll on the fleet.

A bad day for Chris Harris with various gear issues dropping him from a good 1st to 3rd with Rob Walsh leap frogging up to 2nd behind Peter Wiles. Derek Priestley and Brad Gibson follow behind and may have a shot at the title tomorrow if all goes well.

Results for Day 2 can be downloaded on the link below:-

http://manorparkmyc.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/hms-ra-nats-r14m.pdf

Tomorrow's forecast is light and northerly so it will be a test of patience to the finish.

Day 1 Results

A Downloadable Version of the standings after Day 1 can be found here:-

http://manorparkmyc.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/hms-ra-nats-r7.pdf

Not a Bad Day 1

Not a bad Day 1 today at Manor Park with a fresh but variable westerley giving the race team access to the full length of the lake. Procedings got underway at 10:00 as planned and with gusty conditions testing a number of boats rigging. the rescue crews were kept busy bringing back disabled craft.

A brief break for a protest brought welcome relief from a heavy shower mid morning and lunch was taken at 12:00.

As the afternoon passed quickly to 18:00 hours, at close of play Chris Harris held Nr 1 slot, but is closely followed by the usual suspects in the top 10. All to play for on Day 2 as the forecast gives more of the same. Get your Nr 2's out guys she's gonna blow.

Finally, the sun set and the sangria began to flow with the Paella provided a welcome filling for those having had a busy day and not stocked up on one of Big Dave's breakfasts. Still there is always tomorrow.

With two buckets of Sangria to get through, those wise enough to be camping have a good night in store.

Current HMS standings to be posted tomorrow first thing.

A Few Images from Saturday

Click here for a few images of Saturday's racing.

We have hundreds to show, keep looking as we select some for you.

Final Jib Numbers and Frequencies

Final entry details for the event are as below including jib numbers and frequencies.

http://manorparkmyc.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/ra-nationals-booking-in-v31.pdf

Please check your details and where there are any gaps, advise this information before hand to speed up registration.

Registration details will be held by the race team for the duration of the event to enable checks to be carried out during the weekend and returned to Skippers on Monday.

Welcome letter

Competitors welcome letter can be viewed here

Rumour Mill Update!

Rob Walsh has a boat!! Not sure what yet but he will be on the water.

John Taylor will be competing with his new Hard Tack and is praying now for some wind.

Summer Of Spain Tickets

Many thanks to those who have already indicated that they are coming to our Saturday night "Summer of Spain" and bring your own BBQ.

Please can those people who have not yet done so indicate if they are or are not able to eat with us, so we can be sure on numbers. Obviously we would like everyone to come, but if you can't make it please be good enough to let us know.

Keep your eyes on the blog for more posts and the issue of the final frequency list this weekend.

Launching Provisions

It maybe on some skippers minds as to what to bring for launching.

At Manor Park we have a wide beach that shelves gently to about 450-600mm (18"-2' in old money) in 3m and then falls steeply from there to 6m depth. As such it is possible to launch by walking the boat into the water wearing deck shoes or waders/wellies but care must be taken around the edge of the drop.

We are also building a temporary jetty that will enable skippers to launch from the dry if they prefer.

There should be plenty of helpers on hand around the launch area to assist should skippers wish to entrust their craft to others to launch.

Breaking News

Keen eyed readers may have noticed the lack of a certain well know name in the entry list and it is now confirmed that Graham Bantock will not be defending his title.

Is this like Wimbledon without Raffa, MotoGP without Rossi or F1 without Alonso!!

Who knows, but one thing is certain and that is there will not be a better opportunity for some to take the trophy home. You've got to be in it to win it.

Just over a week now till the closing date and we will be sending the letters out soon, so if you are thinking of coming along, don't leave it too late.