News Archive - 2005
Eleven sailors took part in the Europe Class training weekend at Loch Tummel SC on 21st and 22nd May. Six of the participants were newcomers or recent arrivals to the Europe class, and of these two were youth sailors. The others had two or more season's experience in the Europe. Nearly all those taking part had considerable previous dinghy sailing and racing experience in other classes.
The weekend included sessions on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, with an onshore talk and demonstration session on Sunday morning. There was the option to participate in club racing on Sunday afternoon. The coach was RYA Racing Coach Mark Barron. The weather varied from light shifting winds to gusty conditions on Saturday and, after a windless start, a light but almost steady breeze on Sunday.
The first day's activities concentrated on boat handling with the standard coaching exercises of “follow my leader”, “tacking/gybing on the whistle” and “stop and accelerate”. Video footage and debriefing followed both sessions, with Mark using the video material to explain and demonstrate tacking technique facing forwards and facing aft.
Everyone arrived at 9 AM on Sunday, showing great enthusiasm after the previous evening's dinner. However, Loch Tummel was reflecting the surrounding hills in a totally glassy surface, and Mark took the opportunity of the windless conditions to talk about and demonstrate starting techniques using “Europes on wheels” in the dinghy park. This was followed by an explanation and demonstration of sail setting and control line adjustments with the help of a slight increase in wind strength as the wind started to fill in. First time Europe sailors learned the essentials of rig set up, while others had sailing by the lee and the effect of the tack inhaul demystified.
When the wind finally filled in on Sunday the group went out for some more “follow my leader” before practising starts in quick succession. The session culminated in some practice races round a short Olympic style course, with Mark observing starting and mark rounding. The final debrief was short, with many sailors having by now absorbed all that they could hold on to. All identified at least one point that they had learned from the weekend, but everyone had learned considerably more.
Those who did not need to set off on their journey home joined the final club race in the afternoon. Visitor Pete Dowker showed the local boats a clean transom to lead the Europe fleet home after swapping fortunes along the way with Fiona Anna and Brian Finnie. Younger sailors Kathryn Annan and Katriona Spencer showed that they had quickly adapted to their new class by finishing close behind the more experienced group.
Everyone taking part was very pleased with the weekend, and several made complimentary comments on Mark Barron's handling of the wide ability range. The newcomers to the class were all very enthusiastic and were pleased to have had the opportunity to learn so much in a short space of time.
Some quotes from the participants:
“Never having been at the receiving end of any direct coaching it was with some trepidation I approached this weekend. I need not have worried, Mark was approachable, supportive and always had suggestions which might solve our problems and difficulties.”
“I really enjoyed the drills like following the leader. It
meant that without any major pressure I got used to being close to other boats and was confident controlling my own boat.”
“A tricky start but really got you into the groove and concentrating hard, just in case you thought you were there for a jolly!”
“The mystery of the tack inhaul has been unveiled at last!”
“I learnt a lot about the techniques used for tacking and gibing.”
“I was impressed with Mark's enthusiasm.”
“I had a great weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the training
and feel that the main thing I took away was a better understanding of boat handling and a growing confidence.”
“The weekend was very useful, I discovered a few things that I was doing wrong. I now need to practice at home to put things right.”
“Loch Tummel is a great venue and the coaching was excellent.”
The weekend was a great success and fulfilled the objective of showing that the class is well suited to the club sailor who may not aspire to an Olympic future but nonetheless enjoys sailing a boat which presents challenges in getting the best from it.
The Class Association is grateful to Mark Barron and Loch Tummel Sailing Club for providing the coaching and the facilities, and to RYA Scotland for their financial support.
Brian Finnie GBR315
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS 11th May, 2005
Free accommodation!!!
Yes, really. OK, it might
turn out to be just a sleeping bag
space on somebody's lounge floor, but one way or another we do
intend to put up everyone who comes to the National Championships at
Bexhill. Book early for the best beds!!
What other reason could there be? Above all, it's going to be a great event, great sailing, and great fun for all.
Bexhill Sailing Club sits on the beach at Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, between Hastings and Eastbourne. We are a friendly, family oriented club. We run two or three open events most years, having hosted RS200, Laser, Albacore, Scorpion, Topper, Firefly, Mirror, Miracle and other class events, not mention the Sussex Police! Our own sailors travel about a bit as well, mostly with moderate success, but including national champions in Scorpions, Albacores, Fireballs and Fireflys (that was a long time ago!).
The Europe fleet numbers
eight, but depending how you count
them, you
could add some peoples' "spare" boats, but there are also some people
who are involved in other boats as well, so we don't often get
many out at the same time - but at the Championships we will!
Skill levels vary from moderate to so-so, we spend quite a lot of time
tinkering with kickers and measuring mast rakes and scratching our
heads. But we all enjoy it!
There is no harbour, we
launch straight off the beach. Don't
worry! There will be hunky beach party people to help getting on and
off the water, and the tide times have been especially arranged to be
at their most helpful for the weekend. The racing is in open water
(blue, of course), under a clear sky with a few fluffy clouds and just
the right amount of sunshine. Tidal flow is hardly worth worrying
about, the waves are moderate and the wind is exactly the strength you
want it to be. The reef (what reef??) is not a problem if you go where
you are told. And everything I tell you about the place is true
- at least some of the time!
This National
Championship will be a shared event with a
one-day Blaze
open meeting on the Saturday and a one-day Laser open meeting on the
Sunday. Three races for both classes will be run each day, back-to-back
on Saturday afternoon, and probably also back-to-back on Sunday, but
watch out for formal notices in due course. The race area is directly
off-shore from the club, so there is no great distance to sail to the
start. Spectators will get a good view from the club balcony.
Saturday evening will see a social event with a meal included. There
will be breakfast at the club on Sunday morning as well as lunches,
teas, coffees, cakes, drinks, and almost anything else you fancy!
I can tell you're hooked,
you just want to know how to get
here! I could give you directions from all points of the compass, but
basically: get the road atlas; get to Bexhill; head for the sea. If you
run out of sea-front without seeing the sailing club, turn round and go
the other way until you do see it. (Clue: it's two hundred
metres east of the famous and unique De La Warr Pavilion, currently
completing restoration)
That's about it. Book
your beds early (that will help)
by contacting:
Richard
Eagleton
01424 848141 or 07778 459041 or pipnrichard@eagleton284b.freeserve.co.uk
or Sarah
Pullen 01424 844824
or sarahjanepullen@hotmail.com
Richard Eagleton