Stewartby Sailing

It’s hard to believe that this year’s Autumn Series started in the midst of a early autumn heatwave, but after 8 weeks, 2 abandoned races, 2 short races for Xmas dinner and some of the windiest conditions we can remember, it’s all over.

Congratulations to our winner Ian Howard who, despite being carted off to hospital, recovered to take the series. Runner up was Kathryn MacRitchie and third-place Mark Norman.

We’ve published the results on the site. Please note the number of qualifying races reduced to 7 following the abandonment of 20th November.

There’s just one week remaining of the Autumn Series and conditions are a far cry from the barmy Indian Summer back in October. After a short break we’re back on January 8th for the start of the 2012 Icicle Series (see full article for all the Icicle Series dates). As with previous Icicles we will be needing lots of willing volunteers for OOD, race officer and support boat duties. If you want to put your name down, please contact duty@swsc.org.uk or see the sign-up sheet in the clubhouse.

With winter duties its really important to come prepared. Support Boat drivers, in particular, may spend 2 – 3 hours on the water setting out courses and patrolling while racing takes place so come with the right kit to keep warm. Sailors in the water need you close by as the cold will sap their energy fast and can quickly get into trouble.

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The club has been contacted by a number of event organisers with details of racing taking place over the seasonal period. We thought members might be interested and further details can be found by following the links below:

• Haversham Sailing Club Winter Open Meeting – Monohuls only handicap – January 2nd
• Grafham Sailing Club Grand Prix – monohuls & cats handicap – January 2nd
• Queen Mary SC Bloody Mary – pursuit race – January 7th
• Draycote Sailing Club – Sprint 15 Winter TT – Sprint 15 Open – January 7th

The Autumn Series is in full swing with 19 boats taking to the water on Sunday 13th November in glorious sunshine. The racing was close and intense at times with very close placings on corrected times for the monohulls. Flushed with success at their Winter TT event the previous week, 5 cats had a very close couple of races with Simon Miles taking first-cat honours and with Karl Pountney putting in two strong performances picking-up 3rd and 2nd cat in the day’s racing.

The Autumn Series results have been published for all 3 weeks raced so far. The results sheet has been marked-up with the duties undertaken and committed. A number of members have yet to sign-up for a duty and risk disqualification. If you have not signed-up for a duty please check-out the duty list, select a free date and email duty@swsc.org.uk and reserve your date.

With the first two weekends of the Autumn Series out of the way the Autumn Series duty list is looking good. We still have a number of gaps to fill and we encourage you to get in quickly with your selection.

Autumn Series Duty List

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