DEVON & CORNWALL CONSTABULARY
FORCE DINGHY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Wednesday, 5th October, 2005
Venue:  Royal Navy Royal Marines Sailing Centre
for the Camber in Plymouth.

 
These were held on Wednesday 5th October 2005, The venue was the Royal Navy Royal Marines Sailing Centre for the Camber in Plymouth.

The Race Officer was Clive COLLIER assisted by Jacque LEE-HANSEN of Plymouth BCU. The day was warm and sunny; winds force 2 – 3 from the NorthEast. Also assisting the committee was Scott Ranft, Simon Beare, Dai Noon and Mark Helyer, the safety boat team.

Once again Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Force Dinghy Championships was centred on the Royal Navy Royal Marines Sail Training Centre for the fifth year, a fleet of Bosun dinghies all one design were made available to the competitors to take part in the challenge. The morning started warm and dry, sea smooth and no wind. Things weren’t looking too good. However the competitors arrived, the equipment was ready to go and all we were looking for was a little bit of wind.

At about 10.30 the scheduled time for the first race, the wind started to fill from the NorthEast. At this point the boats took to the water after a briefing from the Race Officer Clive COLLIER, and made their way to the start line off Millbay Docks. With the boats jostling for position on the start, the gun was fired and the fleet made their way to the first mark which was a buoy at North West Drakes Island to be followed by a port hand rounding to a wing mark off Drakes Island to return to the line.

With the tide ebbing throughout the race, the tactics were interesting in such light winds. The winners of race 1 were Liam & Sue McGrath, in second place Bob Bennell and Chris Rooney, and in third, John Carter and Scott Rothney.

Race two had a similar course to race one, the wind having infilled a little bit more raising to force 3, the same course, raced over two rounds. Several misdemeanours and mishaps were evidenced in this race which were the subject of special notes at the eventual prizegiving but the eventual winners of race two were Liam and Sue McGrath, second Chris Batten and Pete Bennet, and third Matt Boyling and Simon Roberts.

Due to the continued light winds, after race two the boats returned to the Camber for Lunch, all having to pass under the bow lines of the PONT AVEON, moored in Milbay docks.

Race 3 and 4 both started after lunch, a change in course and tide did nothing to interupt the winning crew of Liam and Sue McGrath, who took line honours again in both races, it was a battle for second and thhird spots which would determine the overall positions.

In race 3, second were Becky Le Cheminant, and Ollie Le Cheminant, and third Dave Pickles and Roger Hocking. Race 4 second were Dave Pickles and Roger Hocking, and third, Russ and Katy Mogridge.

That concluded the racing for the day. Competitors came ashore, tidied up their kits and gathered for the prizegiving.

An interesting situation with the points overall. One race was discarded so it was the best of three races to count, the clear winners being Liam and Sue McGrath of HQ, second overall, Dave Pickles and Roger Hocking, Plymouth BCU, and Third overall, Bob Bennell and Chris Rooney, Plymouth BCU.

Thanks are expressed to the Royal Navy Royal Marines Sail Training Centre again for the use of their fantastic facilities by Devon & Cornwall Constabulary staff. The prizegiving was conducted by race officer as Mr Ray LAWRY was unfortunately not available due to a D & C offshore sailing team taking part in the Metropolitan Police Offshore sailing Championships, with dates clashing.

The season has now drawn to a close for 2005 with planning well in hand for the season 2006.

Anyone wishing to join the section please contact DC 3679 Julie TURNER of Plymouth BCU.

Clive COLLIER
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary
Sailing Section
 

DEVON & CORNWALL CONSTABULARY
FORCE DINGHY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Wednesday, 17th September, 2003
Venue:  Royal Navy Royal Marines Sailing Centre
for the Camber in Plymouth.

 
The day was warm and sunny, winds force 2 - 3 from the South West. The Race Officer was Clive COLLIER assisted by Jacqui LEE-HANSEN of Plymouth BCU. Also assisting the committee were Hugh WEBB, Dai NOON and Mark HELYER.

For the third year running the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Force Dinghy Championships was centred on the Royal Navy Royal Marines Sail Training Centre. A fleet of Bosun dinghies all one-design were made available to the competitors to take part in the challenge. The morning started warm and dry, sea smooth and no wind. Things weren't looking too good. However the competitors arrived, the equipment was ready to go and all we were looking for was a little bit of wind.

At about 10.30 the scheduled time for the first race, the wind started to fill from the South West. At this point the boats took to the water after a briefing from the Race Officer and made their way to the start line off Millbay Docks. With the boats jostling for position on the start, the gun was fired and the fleet made their way to the first mark which was a buoy at North West Drakes Island to be followed by a port hand rounding to a wing mark off Drakes Island to return to the line.

With the tide ebbing throughout the race, the tactics were interesting in such light winds. The winner of race one were a surprise package from Plymouth BCU, Kevin REID and Kevin SPARKS. Second place went to Liam and Sue McGRATH of South and West Devon BCU and HQ, with third place being taken by Dave FORTY and Steve PANTER from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly BCU.

Race two was scheduled to take place straight after Race one. However, issues with the Val de Loire which will be explained later, complicated this so it was decided to break for lunch.

With the competitors and the fleet ready to make their way out of the Camber for race two, the start was delayed due to illegal immigrants jumping ship !! in Millbay Docks. However being aware that their colleagues were doing the right thing and with the fleet and the rescue boats keen to assist in any rescue attempts of any more passengers jumping of the Val de Loire the fleet waited until the operation was complete before starting race two.

Race two had a similar course to race one, the wind having filled in a little bit more, raising to force 3 for the same course, raced over two laps. Several misdemeanours and mishaps were evidenced in this race which were the subject of special note at the eventual prizegiving but the eventual winners of race two were Liam and Sue McGRATH, second was Chris JELLISS and Keith HAWKSWORTH from Cornwall and West Devon BCU and third was Chris BATTEN and Steve HUMPRHEYS from Cornwall and West Devon BCU.

Race 3 and 4 both followed on from race 2, with conditions not varying much at all and the course remaining the same. Races 3 and 4 were run back to back with race 3 being won again by Kevin REID and Kevin SPARKS. In second place were Liam and Sue McGRATH and in third place, Tim WRIGHT and Jim WATSON from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly BCU. Race 4 was again won by Liam & Sue McGRATH, with Kevin REID and Kevin SPARKS second; third place in this race going to Dave FORTY and Steve PANTER.

That concluded the racing for the day. Competitors came ashore, tidied up their kits and gathered for the prize giving.

There was an interesting situation with the points overall. One race was discarded so it was the best of three races to count and the final positions in points ended up with a tie between Liam and Sue McGRATH, Kevin REID and Kevin SPARKS. However, as they were tied on three races, the fourth race was taken into consideration. That moved the overall winning position to Liam and Sue McGRATH of South West and Devon BCU & HQ to become the overall PAA Dinghy Championships for Devon & Cornwall Constabulary for the year 2003, for which they are congratulated. Kevin REID and Kevin SPARKS of Plymouth BCU were second overall and Chris JELLISS and Keith HAWKSWORTH of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly BCU finished third overall.

Thanks are expressed to the Royal Navy Royal Marines Sail Training Centre again for the use of their fantastic facilities by Devon & Cornwall Constabulary staff. The prize giving was conducted by the D&C Constabulary Sailing Section Vice-Commodore, Chris JELLISS as Ray LAWRY was unfortunately not available due to work commitments to attend that day.
 

The season has now drawn to a close for 2003 with planning well in hand for the season 2004.

Anyone wishing to join the section please contact our Section Secretary, DC 3679 Julie TURNER of Plymouth BCU.

Clive COLLIER
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary
Sailing Section