02,01,09
The new year has began with a cold start, congratulations and a welcome back to Will Henderson and, presume son, for completing a freezing Bloody Mary. This weekend is the Tiger Trophy at Rutland which looks similarly cold. Diana Fletcher is occupied at squad training so he wont be there sailing his gilrfriends 29er when it gets too windy. Good luck to the 49er contingent for the weekend.
Next will be the Dingy Show always a good social weekend and all the better if you get a free ticket and t shirt which of course you will get as well as a short time on the class stand. As this will be an oversubscribed offer please get in touch with Dave Hall asap. It is a really good opportunity to show case what we do as a class in the UK which can sometimes be overshadowed by the Olympic profile. It would be fantastic to get a good mix of sailors to represent the class at the show so dont feel you cant help out just because you have never been to an Open meeting before or you see your self as king of the Olympic circuit.
The calendar is finalised and is available via the events page above. the online version is a bit rough at some time it will get updated in a similar version to last year(see the results page to see the 08 version)
If your planning on going to the Worlds in Garda July 11 - 18 the entry is open and the website has gone live.
31,12,08
2009 Events Calendar(word doc )Click on this to download it. This will shortly be updated to a similar format as the 2008 calendar.
2008 round up
Its hard not to start a season round up at the beginning of the year which of course means the London Boat show and its dingy racing events and the Bloody Mary, considering the temperatures at this time of year its amazing that any one would want to venture out on to the water, then again many more head for the ski slopes to hammer there way down a steep slope covered in colder water than we sail on, at in most cases faster speeds.
A couple of teams enjoyed mild conditions at Queen Mary for the Bloody Mary Pursuit. Mean while the pro teams were enjoying a World Championship in Melbourne Australia, Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes laid down there intentions for the Olympic year with a close and hard fought second place followed by Paul Campbell James and Mark Asquith in 9th.
Winter really kicked in at the February Tiger trophy only notable for Dylan Fletchers return to youth sailing when it got too windy for him and Alan for the Sunday pursuit race.
At some point during the month of February there was an RYA ranker at Weymouth which has to be the most pointless event on the calendar with a turnout of just 4 boats, thankfully this fixture has been removed from next years events!
It was back to Rutland in March for the first 9er open of the yearwhich saw victory by Simon Evans and Stephen Cronshaw. Results
By the end of the month the European championships had drawn to a close Report. British interest did not shine at this event, the big question on everybody’s lips was had the British 49er domination seen its day’s?
Hyeres has a reputation for blowing big winds and waves, broken masts and dreams saw many more British hopes dashed and some serious questions over Olympic preparation. The GBR end was held up by Dave Evans and Simon Hiscocks in 4th.
None of the Squad boats made the dash back to Datchet for the second 9er open of the year. Datchet also marked the qualification for the ill-fated Fat Face night sail event. A successful format hoisted across other water sports it never grabbed the attention of the 49er fleet and in a twist of fate the event was blown out by an uncharacteristically windy summer. Incidentally Datchet was won by Richard Bone and Chris Rodway followed by new converts Tim Saxton and Pete Perera.
Hayling has traditionally been a strong hold of 49er sailing although in recent years this has faded somewhat with its strong 14 fleet. The Hayling sailors are getting older and seem to prefer the more sedentary lifestyle of the slower 14. However the May ranker was as successful as ever with Stevie and Ben perhaps starting to show some form. Results
From Hayling to Holland for the Holland regatta and some more British promise saw Evans and Hiscocks in 7th but importantly Stevie and Ben comfortably taking the event. The Holland medal race was a precursor to what was to follow later in the summer and should have been a warning to the Olympians of what would happen if the wind blew in Qingdao. Just three boats finished this 18 knot wavy race with out capzising while Stevie and Ben finishing with there dicks tucked between there legs in 3rd having never hoisted there kite. Winning overall however gave them some manhood leeway.
Meanwhile Ullswater hosted the first of the years class training events. Supported by the RYA from there Olympic classes training program but run by the class association. The first of three weekends was aimed at those starting in the class, the second training event held over two days prior to the Nationals aimed at teams wishing to improve there performance at a National level. Whilst the final training just prior to the sail for gold focused on moving up to attending International events. All were well attended, particularly the pre nationals which was so over subscribed that an extra coach in the shape of Alex Hopson was drafted in to assist Ian Martin. Ian did a sterling job during the year in running the training and has agreed to take on the role of class association coach during 2009 and hopefully beyond. The RYA Olympic classes training program has in principal agreed to continue its support of this program during 2009 with hopefully more days available.
Kiel week in Germany was the last competitive outing prior to the Olympics games. The reining Gold medallists stamped there intentions for the Summer with an emphatic win, however the Danes too made there mark with the Hanson Brother’s returning to competitive form with a second followed by the Danish Olympic reps Jonas Warrer and Martin Kirkerterp. John Pink and Rick Peacock mixed it up with a 5th just ahead of Stevie and Ben. The Olympics were going to be a close call with no team standing out as favourites. In fact the summer so far had gone to show just how competitive many of the training partners had become.
So the Games proved just how difficult to was to predict the outcome. The Danes continued their progress and stormed through the event in a similar manner to how the Finnish team won in Sydney. The battle behind was a close as the formbook had suggested but it was not until that epic medal race battle that those who had paid attention in Holland were to reap the benefits. The Danes took their inspiration from Stevie and Ben with a no kite (no boat some would say) effort to seal the victory. Iker and Xabi proved there worth to come away with rewarded silver, with the Peckolt brothers grinning there way to Bronze. Stevie and Ben had a tough event perhaps indicative of there season and no doubt those lessons will be taken on to 2012 for the next British 49er Olympians.
There is no doubt that the next four years will be very interesting with not only a very tight fight for selection, there looks to be at least four teams with previous world championship medals, three of which have won world titles, but another two teams who have taken consistent top ten positions at Worlds and Grade one events, but also many opportunities to see the best in the world compete on our home waters.
Perhaps one of the most positive aspects of the class is the spread of competitive levels and how these are nicely differentiated. Weekend 9er events, the inlands and a variety of handicap races plus the class training and a planned Northern circuit make a fantastic, fun yet competitive uk circuit. A series of national rankers allow those who wish to pit there hands on home waters against the best of the Brits. Whilst the International circuit spends most of the European summer within a days drive of the UK. Holland in May being the nearest Grade one event and one of the better run. As the focus of the international scene moves on to Weymouth the Sail for Gold should become one of the biggest events on the calendar.
Nestled neatly in between the UK circuit and international events the British Nationals does attract some foreign competitors. A handful of Germans made there way over to Weymouth this year to boost the national’s entries to over 35. The racing was as tight as it can get throughout the fleet. John Pink and Rick Peacock won from Dylan Fletcher and Alan Sighn but the champions of the UK circuit were Andy Bryson and Jonny Clegg in 8th. Results
For the first time in many years the class had an agm, discussions included continuing to use the metal / glass masts for the uk circuit events during 2009. If you turn up with a new carbon mast don’t expect to be turned away but you won’t be winning the prizes. The National rankers will use the new carbon rigs from the class rules introduction date (you can still race with the original rig.
Blimey its time for a breath, but hang on it does not stop there. No Thorpe Bay two weeks after the nationals was won by Paul CJ and Mark Asquith, the class training was well attended and then bang the sail for gold was won by a resurgent Stevie and Ben, Dave and Simon took second followed by Pinky and Rick in third. The Spanish Allonso brothers who were such a strong force during the summer were beaten into 4th. The Brits were back and showing that they meant business.
Strong performances continued with CJ and Mark taking the Australian summer events in Sydney and Melbourne whilst Pinky and Rick won from Dave and Simon at Palamos. Stevie and Ben are due back in the spring as well as Chris Draper teaming up with top skiff crew and 49er old hand Peter Greenhaulgh. Off course all these teams will have to master the new carbon rig, which should be all sorted by the New Year following a few early teething problems.
Nothing could round of the year better than the Inlands. Most of the squad sailor’s swapped positions or teammates, notables such as Paul Brotherton and Ian Barker came back for a weekend of racing. Despite a somewhat sharp start to the event the racing was close and well run in a way that only Grafham can manage. Somehow the old hands still had some skills left over with Paul and Mark wining from Dylan and Pete Perera. Most importantly the racing was close and fun making this perhaps the best event of the season and really rounds of a cracking year of racing. Report
Many thanks should go to Dave Hall who, despite it being closely related to his job, works tirelessly to organise the events and the calendar as well as chassing any other class related issues. Matty Lyons for running the facebook page and always being a keenybeeny. And yours truly for aspiring to be a not very good geek with the computer.
21,10,08
Rumours abound of some imminent come backs to the class. It is heard that the Grafham inlands could see an old rivalry reignited as Paul Brotherton contiunues his flirt with the 9er fleet and lines up against fellow coach and Olympic medallist Ian Barker. This could be the best opportunity in a life time to put one over an Olympic medalist at there own game!! Also rumoured is the split up of the RYA squad sailors at least for a weekend which could see up to 6 extra boats racing at what is normally the most popluar event on the calendar. Be there or miss out.
Check it out on the facebook group 49er Inlands 2008
We have a social planned for the Inlands - Meal at the club followed by a party with dj! So plan around that!
Talking about planning Dave Hall has put a provisional calendartogether for next year down load it here ( word document )
01,10,08
From what we can gather the Nationals were a resounding success, please let us know if you felt otherwise. Thorpe Bay open went very well and the Sail for Gold saw the best of the British fleet up against a good international fleet. This event will no doubt grow over the next few years and represents a great opportunity to get on the international circuit with out having to travel to far. Having said that the east coast fleets might be closer to Holland than Weymouth!
All in all it is an exciting time for the class, the new rigs have been approved which will eventually filter down into the secondhand market. In the mean time the feeling at the agm was to stick to the current rigs for the 9er events next year, with a review early in the new season. This will surely prove slightly controversial, so we will step carefully. There is plenty of uk based racing for the new rigs with all the rankers being sailed with new rigs plus the s4g later in the year. No reason to stop any one from taking part in the racing with the new rig just prizes will be to old rigs. The face book group will be best place to speak up on this front if you feel strongly either way. ( new rigs come in 1st March, and are available from mid November)
Next up are two rankers both in Weymouth and then the final event of the year at Grafham for the Inlands. This is always a good event being shared with the B14's, I14's, Musto skiffs plus the kids in there 29ers and 420's. Info is posted below about times etc, generally there is a good turnout with many people camping or staying in local b and b's. We will attempt to make a social plan for the sat night based around a meal at the club? Followed by a few beers at the club? Try and get everyone together for a change!
Info from Grafham
Musto Skiff/49er/B14 - Competitor’s briefing at 1015 Saturday morning in the downstairs wetbar. A maximum of four back to back races are scheduled for Saturday with the first race start not before 11.15
Three back to back races are scheduled on Sunday with the first race start not earlier than 1045.
01,09,08
Champion photography have posted a number of photos from the Nationals on there website Champion photography
Also this has come in from our German counterparts sounds like a good event
We are the organizing club for the Audi 49er German Championship in 2008. From 01.10.2008 till 05.10.2008 the championship will take place in Hamburg at the lake Alster.
We are happy to tell you that Audi is our title sponsor and will help to make the event an unforgettable highlight. The sailors can expect an interesting and diversified program on the water and after the races. And we can offer you an individual agreement. If the sailors agree to an audi sticker in jib and main sail audi will pay the entry fee for them.
You will find attached an announcement of race and an entry form. It would be very nice, if you can promote the event in your class association (maybe you can place it on your website) DONE ed so that many sailors attend at the Audi 49er German Championship.
27,08,08
It is probably fair to say that the Naionals were one of the most succesful ever. John and Rick may have dominated the event, but this hides the full story throughout the fleet every one was getting close racing, races were turned around quickly which demonstrates in it self the fact that the fleet finished within minutes if not seconds of each other. One team from Finland, two from Germany and three from Ireland gave the event an international feel, of which we will surely see more if we host more events at Weymouth in the next 3 -4 years. The feeling at the agm was not to run Nationals in Weymouth for the next few years to keep the Nationals a national event rather than turning it into a full blown international competition. We will be having an annual 9er event at Weymouth so this can be developed to encourage International competition plus of course the Sail for Gold. The feeling is that we have a resurgent class with many people coming into the class at all levels. If we can keep the balance between events the class will continue to grow.
So to the racing, well as mentioned, John Pink and Rick Peacock dominated the racing discarding two thirds to count straight firsts. Dylan Fletcher and Alan Sign were runners up with our Finish Visitors in third.
Most importantly was Andy Bryson and Jonny Clegg first non squad boat in 8th and 6th British boat. Lester and Lee won the master prize, Amy Cartwright the Ladies whilst the youth prizes we were slightly unsure off.... as we think there might have been some debate on competitiors ages! John Downey and Ross Macdonald took the last boat to complete all races finishing in 16th overall, the last day might have pushed this prize up the results board a fair bit! Full results are here
Ideas for next years event are welcome, here some ideas for starters, run training / racing on similar format to this year, have a bar-b-q / party / social on the sunday night. Proper prizes for top 3 non squad boats (suggested is equipment prizes, need to find suitable donaters ) Under 21 prizes to go to non squad boats and include top 3 in this division. Club or team prize for top nominated 3 boats. Ask the Irish if they would like to make it there Nationals as well? Atually have a social program, perhaps get some one to take some video of the day and show this in the bar in the eve......any other ideas or non likes to these ideas please speak up! We will use the facebook group as the main communication channel. As soon as Matty learns how to use it expect to see group invitations to events. Speaking of which.....
Next up is International level training on 6th 7th September details to follow but please get in touch of you have not already done so. Followed by Thorpe Bay open and Steve Hoppers legendary party, then the sail for gold. Little break before our final event of the year at Grafham for the Inlands. We will try and implement some of the prize distribution for the Inlands so top 3 under 21 non squad boats, top 3 non squad boat and maybe top 3 boats from club or nominated team, again excluding squad boats. We need some kit donators for prizes, donators get mention in event reports, link on the website, and the rest is negotiatable. I can think of 3 or 4 pottential donators so get in touch before you are asked!
17,08,08
We will have an agm at the Nationals we have a few important items to get sorted, there is an agenda written and will be posted asap. Most likely is early Sunday eve, We are looking for one or two people to help run the association, nothing major just a few jobs now and then, offers to get invloved to Dave Hall or Simon Hiscocks. Dave is willing to contiune as fixtures secretary, I have adopted the role of chairmen, I dont mind to continue but will happily hand over to some one with a bit more time on there hands, similarly with the web site, I can keep this running, but again if some one would like to do a better job and has better gramatical skills then this would be more than welcome! We have a very good offer of a treasurer and this will be explained at the agm. The agm will not be a boring affair so please come along, we will do the official stuff asap and then turn it into a social evening.
The next training week end on the 6th 7th September is still planned to go ahead this is aimed at those looking to make the step up to international competition with the Thorpe Bay open a week later followed by the Sail for Gold regatta. If there is demand we could run more training over the winter / autumn please let us know if you would like to do more training.
22,07,08
The National championships are now less than a month away and with it the pre Nationals training. Any one who has sent an e mail regarding the training should have just recieved a mail about this training. if you want to do it and have not heard from Simon or Ian then please use the links on the training page to get in touch. The training has been oversubscribed so we are looking at getting two coaches.
The Nationals late entry deadline has been extended until the 15th August after which it goes up to £100 from £75.
If you are planning on coming early for the event there are some day sailing rates and harbour dues to pay. The Friday is free and included in the event entry, any days before the Friday will cost £9 per boat per day plus harbour dues which come out at £3.85 per day or £5.50 for 5 days. Please go to reception on arrival and let them know you are there. As a class we enjoy a very good relationship with the sailing acadamy which will be nice to continue.
Matty Lyons has set up a UK class association facebook page please see the link on the right.
A few people have asked about joining the assocaition. As it stands we dont really have a method to join the UK association. This may well change after the Nationals when we will surely have an agm? The international association is however a differn't matter and this should be joined by clicking on 'the pay dues now button' to be found on the international home page this is the same link .This is a must for any one intending to go to an international event. The latest version of the new, proposed, class rules state that both helm and crew must be a member. What is good tho is that if you join this year you get membership until 31st Dec 2009 so more than a years worth- Bargain!
Now we are really up and running. Congratulations to all those who made it to Rutland, Datchet and most recently Hayling. The latest news is that this marks the end of the fat face night sail qualification, info on this is here as well as lists of those who have qualified.
This coming weekend is the first training week end and it has been oversubscribed, please book in early for the pre Nationals training and for that matter the Nationals.
The website is back following an issue with the hosting server. It should in the near future become all 49er.org.uk, in the mean time its best to bookmark the site as 49er.org.uk rather than the sites url. The forum is officially dead and a new solution will be worked on in the ear future.
Anyone who has stated there intention to attend the Ullswater training should get an e mail regarding the training in the next few days, if you dont then please get in touch as you have been lost in the system!
Dont forget the Fat face night sail, those that read the below will no doubt have been to the Datchet Open Results are here. Results and a list of those qualified will be published very soon! Let us know if you think you deserve a wild card entry, Plymouth locals would be pretty high up the list.
April 08
Hello Sailors! News is alive and whats more the lucky 49er class has been invited to a new event. The Fatface night sail is on 5th July, read all about it on Yachts and Yachting. If you have read it then you will know that its restricted entry. Therefore if you want to go you need to fulfill a qualification criteria.
4 places available from the RYA National Ranking series as at 12th May.
5 places from the 49er circuit, we will collate the results from Rutland and Datchet opens. Only one to count, but ties will be decided from the last event so best get to Datchet to secure your spot.
1 Wild card entry who's name is not Dave or Gemma or Simon or Stevie or Ben but is worthy of a place, e mail to suggest you are worthy.
It sounds like a really good event, rumour is that is is run by Lester to attract the best sailors down south and away from the Birkett trophy. It's a tought call as apparently the Birkett is a not to be missed, least not to see Lester win something in his 49er.
On the subject of Lester and Ullswater there are two places left for the training May 17th and 18th. See the training page for more details.
There are still places left for both Weymouth training weekends, particularly the pre Nationals training. Rumour has it there might be a Danish and Finish invasion going on for that event. Dont let that put you off it will be a great event, with great racing and a great social scene. Ummm do we need some some one to organise the social's ? Volunteers please.
See the links on the right for information about the Nationals.
It must have been a while since the last update as this seems to be going on a bit. News from Charlie regarding the forum is 'its still broken' so we are looking for a new solution. Best forget about the forum for a while. Please any offers for a new working unspamable forum?
Thats it for now and possibly another few weeks - must try harder sounds like a school report, please send any good stuff over we can add content as we like, how about some links to u tube 49er sailing? There must be some team websites to add - Dylan must have a blog or something?
Please find information and notice of race for the Draycote 9er open on 8th and 9th March under 'latest events' on the right. News is reaching us of a new and exciting event on July 5th its along the same lines as the Tide Ride but equally very differn't, keep the date free it looks like only ten boats so there could, if numbers demand it, be a qualification system.
A question has recently been posed as to how to join the class assocaiation, ummm this is an intreresting conundrum, at present there is no system. Please give us a week or two or make that a month lets just see how long it takes to look into it and get somthing sorted. If memory serves correct the meeting at Grafham last year ( was it an agm? As close to an agm as it gets ) went along the lines of the association being free to join, but requiring joining - if that makes sense? Suffice to say it needs something done. We would need an online form and a good method of converting that online form to a data base and one want to volunteer some skills in this area ?
On the subject of the association, god this stuff is dull, any offers to get invloved would be more than welcome, target Dave Hall with offers.
Dont forget the training weekends they are filling up, see the training page link above.
A small but quality fleet enjoyed some good well run racing at the RYA spring series, next event up is a 9er event at Draycote the club has six 49ers who all sail regularly and describe them selves as "a very friendly bunch with a great water and shall we say our standard is club level....".
A question has recently been posed as to how to join the class assocaiation, ummm this is an intreresting conundrum,
There is a National Ranker, or Qualifier as the RYA seem to call them now, this week end at Weymouth. See events for details, this had been omitted from the calendar, although the links to the RYA fixtures list does contain the details for these events.
There are two this spring on the 23rd and 24th Feb, and the 10th and 11th May at Hayling.
Events and results have been updated with rya rankings and links to the olympic classes fixtures booklet, a must read for attending the UK qualification events.
The training week ends have had a really good response, they will happen so please let is know if you are planning to go as there may have to be a limit on numbers! See below for details or on the training page.
The forum should be back up and running fairly soon appologies from Charlie for its dissapearance. Once it is up and running we will set up an improved system for communications! Ha one day!
Please send us any links that will be suitable for the tips and advice column......
This is the new look 49er website, its not big and its not clever, but it is here and its here to serve a simple purpose. The intention is that the site will contiune to be user, or more importantly sailor, led via the forum but also that the front end will provide an opportunity to collate as much good and relevant content as we can. Starters for ten is on the right please e mail more links here. Or e mail articles and we will arrange to host them. If you want some free pr then put them up on your own site.....
The 2008 calendar is on line see it here or down load it here.
Three, nearly free, training week ends have been arranged see the training page for more details.
What do people want to do or see happen? The class is pretty unique with participation ranging from recreational blasting / trying to get around the pond with out falling in ( thats everyone ) through club, national, international and Olympic racing. Here in the UK we are blessed with some of the best 49er sailors in the world as well as one of the most populated National fleets. Use the forum to post ideas and try and get some action going down.
With luck there will be a few more events added to the calendar, it is hoped that some of the clubs will have a few specific week ends where visiting 49er sailors can come and join in the club racing, the idea being that it becomes an informal open meeting and a chance to get some good racing / sailing / training with some other 49ers. Please let us know if your club is keen to get a some thing running along these lines. STOP PRESS - Ullswater have kiked this off with an open invitation to 49er sailors to join in there club racing 0n 31st May and 1st June.
Any offers of help to run the class would be much appreciated, even small things can make a big difference. Please mail here and it will be fowarded to the relevant people.
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