Avon & Somerset Constabulary
Dinghy Regatta
Wednesday, 23rd September, 2009
Chew Valley Lake
Somerset

  Avon & Somerset Constabulary
Dinghy Regatta
Wednesday, 24th September, 2008
Chew Valley Lake
Somerset

  Avon & Somerset Constabulary
Dinghy Regatta
Wednesday, 26th September, 2007
Chew Valley Lake
Somerset

  Avon & Somerset Constabulary
Dinghy Regatta
Wednesday, 27th September, 2006
Chew Valley Lake
Somerset

A record 28 boats took part in this year's regatta. This, despite the threatened weather forecast of high winds which, all too prominently arrived in the latter part of the day.

The winds were going to be a major factor and as boats got afloat for Race One, the first big gusts of the day began to appear. With only a short delay whilst some recovered from capsizes, all boats got away well though a slight change in wind direction just before the start gave a distinct advantage to those that start from the left end of the line. Met helms Graham Cook, David Thompson and Frances Gifford were the main beneficiaries of a port-end start. It was never going to be easy as there were some holes in the wind. Lumpy waves also took over. Andy Welch/Rob Gillespie (Dorset) found conditions much to their liking and the Osprey soon carved a way to the front of the fleet with Gifford (National 12) not so far behind. The Phantoms of Ken Daniels (Met) and Sean Underwood (Avon & Somerset) were also coping adequately with the conditions.

Meanwhile, there were some capsizes and the rescue boats started to get busy. The course had required boats to pass through a 'gate' for each lap and this allowed for slower boats to be recorded a finish after two completed laps and all boats to be off the water around the same time. During the race the wind had been up and down. Near the end of the race it suddenly dropped and backed almost 90°, giving the middle fleet a frustrating time trying to catch up with the boats ahead.

The race had comprised 3 triangular laps totalling over five nautical miles in conditions that had been testing for all competitors. The Osprey took just over half an hour to complete the course with the National 12 finishing eight and a half minutes later, thus giving Welch a clear win of over 5 minutes on corrected time. Daniels was a clear third. Cook in fourth place had a dramatic race having started with a hole in the side of his Laser, bigger than a baby's hand and covered with Duck tape. Up the first beat, the 3 pop-rivets on the right side of the Laser gooseneck gave up with a bang and during the race the left-hand side started to disintegrate. He managed to nurse the boat to the finishing line and then to the shore with the boom remaining intact merely on the pressure of the outhaul. There appeared to have been few other rig problems as the fleet all completed their course bar one. Of the Avon boats - Sean Underwood in the Phantom after a good start secured an excellent 6th. Allen Marsh sailing his usual Radial despite being overpowered at times, recorded a 7th and Jeff Hines/Pete Franklyn sailing up to handicap in the Comet Trio held everything together to come 9th on corrected time.

By the start of Race Two after lunch, the southerly wind had started to blow in earnest; fortunately down the length of the lake and this helped to keep the sudden wind-luffs down to a minimum. Apart from those at the start, most capsizes were happening whilst negotiating the large buoys used for the course - this time a 'figure of eight' - particularly at the gybe marks.

The course allowed for a good beat and three varied reaches; fortunately no dead runs. From start to finish the rescue boats were kept busy. The Osprey got away well at the beginning as did the National 12. Cook in the Laser followed, having replaced his mast section with a less dodgy gooseneck. Sivers (Northants) in the Radial kept well up with the leading Phantoms who were finding the increased wind strength something of a challenge. In such conditions the reaches and gybes made for intense concentration, particularly at marks where capsized boats needed to be negotiated.

Whilst the Phantoms were struggling, other leading boats were staying upright. The Osprey lead the fleet but this time, could not shake off the National 12. To compound their situation they tipped over at the last mark and the National finished within two and a half minutes of the Osprey giving Gifford the win by 50 seconds on corrected time. Cook, despite being a 'lightweight' contender came an excellent third, recording a speed of over 14 knots on one of the reaches. This time it was Underwood who lead the Phantoms  He was also the leading Avon & Somerset helm, with Allen Marsh coming 8th and Jeff Hines 9th.

It had been hard sailing and the wind gave no sign of decreasing. With a number of boats capsizing and the rescue boats under some pressure, the Race Officer raised the 'chequered flag'  (N) to indicate that the third race was abandoned and all boats who had not already retired were directed ashore. Good call!

Frances & Pete recorded 14.9 knots before coming off the water
 

Click Here to view

Pictures from the Event

For further details contact the Event Organiser:
Bob Lowrie

Email:
Robert.Lowrie@avonandsomerset.police.uk
 

  Avon & Somerset Constabulary
Dinghy Regatta
Wednesday, 5th October, 2005
Chew Valley Lake
Somerset

Despite there being two other police regattas being held this week, the Met, Hampshire, Dorset and Northants were represented at this year's Avon & Somerset Dinghy Regatta.

All together, there were 22 boats and for the third year running local support for this event increased, saying a lot for the organisation of courses and training which comprise a large part of the A&S police sailing section.

Chew Valley Lake has been obliged to supply water for one of Somerset's canals this year which had lowered the water level considerably. Those who arrived early, found it difficult to see the water's edge let alone the the Lake. This was due to the blanket of heavy mist pervading the valley - and there wasn't much wind. However, by the time the first race was due to start, conditions had improved somewhat and with a light wind in the grey conditions, racing commenced on time.

A 'Club Line' start and each lap required
going through the Limit Line "Gate"

Races were started from the Clubhouse. Race One Course: A 0 4 9 -  a 'figure of eight', got away well with no-one over the line. Competitors were confronted with an extremely tricky beat where it was difficult to decide which side of the course to take with the wind's varying direction and what appeared to be large 'holes' on the water. Rob Jones (Hampshire) in his RS400 managed to find his way ahead early with Ken Daniels (Met) in a Phantom being the only real opposition. On corrected time, Jones was the winner with Daniels just 14 seconds behind. Third was local competitor Allen Marsh, this year sailing a full rig Laser.

Of the slower handicapped boats, John Hill (Avon & Somerset) sailing a Gull single-handed, gained a respectable 9th in the light conditions which was never going to favour the slower dinghies. Somewhere behind him, Tony Wadcock was sailing a Topper. Just a reminder that the Topper sail has a sleeve for the mast, requiring the top of the sail to be tied securely to the top of the mast. Unfortunately, Tony's sail came undone at the top with still a leg or so to go to complete the course, but in the 'Spirit of the Event'  he persisted to the finish line with the sail somewhat shorter and the boom in his lap!

Race Two was a much tighter affair. Same course and with similar wind - rarely blowing above Force 1. In front on the water was Jones with Daniels some 100 seconds behind with one lap completed. Over two minutes behind Daniels came a group comprising Marsh, Alan Chinn (Phantom), Rob Gillespie (in a borrowed Laser), Gary Phillips (Laser) and Dick Sivers (Laser) - closely followed by Jeff Hines in his usual Comet Trio. Daniels managed to maintain the distance behind the leader for the rest of the race and was given first equal place on corrected time. Marsh was third again and the Comet Trio an excellent fourth equal with Sivers.

Race Three. Final positions were still to be decided. The wind direction had backed slightly and the course was altered to a triangle - 1 3 9 plus going through the 'Gate'. After the start it became a gamble once-more to decide which direction to take up the beat and when to tack. First round the top mark, Jones had little problem negotiating the downwind legs, with the asymmetric making the marks without needing to gybe. Daniels, with his new sail and benefiting from the rigging tips gained at this year's Phantom Nationals also escaped the rest of the fleet. Behind him the usual gaggle of Lasers together with the second Phantom vied for positions which changed constantly throughout the race. At the end of three laps the race was completed with the slower boats being finished early around the 50 minutes and their elapsed times averaged out. Jones won by a minute on corrected time, Daniels was second and Sivers who had gambled on the right hand side of the last beat, managed to escape the group and came in a comfortable third. Stuart Cumine (Avon & Somerset) in a Topper had consistent results throughout the day giving him the 'Silver Fleet' prize presented for the leading boat overall of PY 1100 or over.

Prizes were presented by the Avon & Somerset Deputy Chief Constable, Steve Otter.

Click here to view pictures of the event

For further details contact the Event Organiser:
Bob Lowrie

Email:
Robert.Lowrie@avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk
 

  Avon & Somerset Constabulary
Dinghy Regatta
Wednesday, 6th October, 2004
Chew Valley Lake
Somerset

The force has an active sailing section which organises a number of internal events and courses for police personnel and it was from these courses that the event attracted a number of first-time local competitors in police sailing events. The Section hired a number of dinghies for the day in order to give novices the opportunity to have their first taste of racing. Hopefully, it will not be their last, as they keenly fought with each other for position on the water, having first all helped each other to rig the boats as none of them had ever sailed a Topper before.

The weather which had previously promised to produce an easy day with light winds turned out to be a one of some sunshine with variations of heavy, black clouds bringing rain-storms and gusting winds approaching Force 5 at times. This lead to a number of capsizes before, during and after each race.

Race One.
Conditions were fairly calm for all to get afloat with the valuable help of the ladies acting as "trolley dollies" and
it had looked as if the decision to use Radial sails by Meeson & Sivers would be the wrong one. As the start-line was being set, the wind came up and the first beat was a tough introduction to what conditions were going to be like for the day.

The course set by the Race Officer, Mac Aston was to be of an Olympic variety; triangle - sausage - triangle, with a finish by the shore-based race hut.

From the start Stuart Jenkins (Laser) kept ahead of the fleet but was harried by Paul Meeson (Laser Radial) who managed to remain in touch throughout the race. Paul was the winner on corrected time.

Behind them Jeff Hines & Pete Franklyn (Comet Trio) were having their own battle with the other two-handers and finished 5th on corrected time. The first Topper was Iain Healey.

Lunchtime provided a welcome break to recover with excellent catering. Time to check for damage. Rob DeGrove had ran aground in shallows and effected repairs to the rudder of the RS400.

Race Two.
On rigging to go afloat, the RS Vision with Jeff Stratford and Bob Lowrie suffered a breakage when sorting the boom-vang. The gooseneck fitting snapped with a bang; the boom hitting Jeff in the face. That was the end of their day's racing.

The course was a triangle, sausage, triangle, then a beat to the finish just above the windward mark.

Four Lasers remained close throughout the first lap. This time it was Alan Marsh's turn to press Jenkins and he finished close enough to take the win on corrected time. Sivers was again third with Meeson a close fourth. Martyn Triggol  (A&S) had his best result in the Topper, finishing 5th

Races Two and Three were sailed back-to-back, though this did allow the faster boats to come ashore for a quick breather and a review of the current placings. The event lay between four Lasers and between them, the winner of Race Three would decided the overall winner of the regatta.

The course for Race Three: 1-2-3

Race Three.
This time the course indicated by the committee boat was to be a simple triangle with the finish line set above  and separate to the windward mark between a flagged buoy and the committee boat. Strong wind and rain heralded the start but the fleet got away with Jenkins leading followed by Sivers, Meeson and Marsh. After sailing the first triangle and stretching out his lead, Jenkins sailed beyond the top mark and made for the finish line, only to find that it was not a one-lap race and in returning to the race, he fell back into the pack. Meanwhile Sivers took the lead on the water while Meeson stalled in tacking at the top mark, ending up capsizing while Marsh decided to sail a sausage leg followed by a number of other boats who followed and thus sailed the course incorrectly.

At the end of the second triangle, Sivers was still in the lead but failed to hear the sound signal for "shortened course" and turned triumph into disaster by sailing another lap instead of making for the finishing line. Jenkins, by this time had got clear again of any other opposition and having learnt his lesson from the first lap, made the finish line to win the event. Jeff Hines (Comet Trio) had his best result of the day having been credited with third place on corrected time followed by Rob Calloway (GP14), fourth.

The race had been a disappointment for those who had thought that the course remained the same for all three races and was a lesson to all, to keep both eyes and ears open.

Prizes were presented by the Chief Constable, Mr S. Pilkington.

Pictures of the Event

For further details contact the Event Organiser:
Bob Lowrie

Email:
Robert.Lowrie@avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk
 

  Avon & Somerset Constabulary
Dinghy Regatta
Wednesday 1st October, 2003
Chew Valley Lake

 The last regular dinghy regatta of the police sailing year. The forecast had been breezy with rain. The good news was, the rain never arrived. Thirteen boats took part with new faces appearing and some old ones missed. The organiser Pete Franklyn, having been spirited away on other matters, his wife Tina was left in charge to take entries and ensure the smooth running of the regatta.

The course was the same for all three races

A healthy breeze greeted competitors for Race One. Soon after the start Stuart Jenkins in his Laser was forced to retire when the outhaul came loose making further progress impossible. Meanwhile Andy Willcocks in the Fireball blasted ahead relishing the conditions closely followed by Ian Ingram in one of the two RS400's. Wind conditions up the beat were interesting with patches of lighter winds and slight shifts in direction. You won some; you lost some. The second RS400, Graham Cook also got clear of the field but conditions were quite tough coping with the assymetric rig. Though making for exciting sailing, conditions on an 'RS' presented quite a handfull on the down-wind legs. Some distance behind was the leading Laser of Nick Mason. The fleet stretched out during the hour-long race and competitors finished in virtually the same positions as on corrected time. The Fireball won the race convincingly with 13 seconds lead on elapsed time but nearly a three minute lead on corrected time, ahead of Ian Ingram (West Midlands).

Race Two heralded an increase in wind strength. Steve Butler in the GP14 did not take part, needing to repair the forestay. This race was to see the demise of both RS400's with Cook retiring and Ingram capsizing at a gybe mark with the gennaker still up, making recovery a long (and very wet) job. Roger Glass suffered a capsize. The West Midlands Flying Fifteen was obliged to retire. The Avon Comet Trios of Jeff Stratford and Richard Myatt survived the conditions well together with John Fuller in the Laser Radial - a wise choice in the conditions. For the Lasers it had been hard going with Nick Mason gaining second place on corrected time and Dick Sivers a distant third.

Race Three. Back to back with a similar wind but fortunately for some, no stronger. The start was close with the GP14 declared over the line and the fleet now depleted to 9 boats. Once more Andy Willcocks and Ian Ingram got well ahead in their faster boats, having their own private battle. Behind them came Stuart Jenkins having got well clear of the other Lasers on the first beat. With the gusts of wind continually coming through, positions were likely to alter with most competitors hoping that the wind would be kind at the gybe marks. In the middle fleet the race became a very close affair between Jenkins, Glass, Sivers and Mason. Behind them the two Comet Trios raced together. With the four Lasers in such close contention, no mistake could be made. Slowly Jenkins was overhauled, then Sivers fell back. At the last gybe mark of the race, Jenkins succumbed to a gust and capsized allowing Glass through to take the finish line ahead of Mason. It had been an exciting though tough race for all.

Congratulations to Andy & Andrea Willcocks who stayed ahead and upright all day, winning all three races. Unfortunately Andy, as the helm, is not a member of the Police Service, though his crew Andrea, is. An arrangement had been made before the event that they would only qualify for the Avon & Somerset local prize and thus Ian Ingram was named the overall winner of the police regatta with Nick Mason second and Roger Glass, third. Don't they have press-gangs in Bristol anymore?...

R.S.

For further details contact: Pete Franklyn

No A&S Open police regatta held in 2002.
The 2002 PAA National Police Dinghy Championships hosted by Avon & Somerset Constabulary
at Bristol Corinthian Y.C.

  Avon & Somerset Constabulary
Dinghy Regatta
Wednesday, 5th September, 2001
Chew Valley Lake

There was a very good turn-out at this year's Avon & Somerset Police Open, with the home team fielding nine boats, the Met five boats, and Gwent, West Midlands and Northamptonshire launching one each. There was plenty of wind to ran the three races, and the force 2 to 4 winds suited the single-handers best - it turned out to be a Laser benefit. Only the RS 400 from the West Midlands was able to break their domination of this meeting, but then only managed to come overall. Lasers took five of the first six places on the final results list. The Albacore of the Met pensioners, Len Gooch and Clive Bishop, could do no better than 7th overall. They spoiled their chances by breaking a shroud in the first race and had to retire. They managed to fit a spare shroud for the other two races, which wasn't the right size, by tying it into place with a piece of halyard cord, but were unable to slacken it off on the reaches.

The battle at the head of the Laser fleet was an England versus Wales affair, with Roger Glass and Brian Wood fighting for the lead. The Welshman led the way in race 1, but then capsized allowing the Englishman to overtake and win the race. Quite a few other boats managed to capsize during the day in the fresh breeze, including the RS400 from the Met. The skipper was heard to say that it helped to wash all the salt out of all the little crevices!

The fleet gets away at the start of Race 2

For some of the sailors this was a trial run for the 2002 PAA Dinghy Sailing Championships, to be hosted by the Avon & Somerset Constabulary, and held at Chew Valley on 13th & 14th June. The Laser Police Nationals take place on the 12th June. If you are interested in taking part, then make a note of those dates in your diary. Further information can be obtained from Pete Franklyn on telephone number 01275-816400.

Report by Len Gooch