The Knife Game

[Charles]

Who remembers this game that the late, great Mr Dewhirst used to play with newbies, usually after a training session?

I remember a particularly good game out on the Carsington patio where races at Grafham, complete with the Grafham Bell, wind shadows, wind shifts & fishing boats were re-enacted!

The game came out of Nick's extremely large brain on the fly, it would be good to try to recreate this now & again as a fun training tool.

To this end, can you remember the sort of things Nick would come up with so I can make a list to aid failing memories?

[Liam]

Don't remember knives but I am very proud of the certificate that he got Seasalter to make for all the sailors that managed not to capsize in a force 8 one day.

[Corky the Cat]

I remember Nick for his many expressions. At championship briefings, he would stand beside the race officer and announce that “a gentleman knows”.

Hearing this for the first time, I asked “knows what”? There were guffaws of laughter around the room, most notably from Ray Gall.

Nick would explain that a gentleman knows when he has made a mistake, eg colliding with another boat or hitting a mark. Accordingly, he would do his turns.

So if you witnessed such an incident whilst racing, you would shout “a gentleman knows”! The offending helmsman usually did his turns.

[Charles]

Oh yes, a gentleman (or lady) knows. I am still constantly surprised that other classes / sailors are not as civilised.

[Corky the Cat]

I also remember Nick’s performance at a nationals prize giving. He was in his element on such occasions. If someone collided with another boat, he would make sure the offending helm received a prize. Namely, a roll of duct tape.

I remember Paul Smith receiving a prize at Netley. He wasn’t very well, suffering from a tummy bug. He nevertheless persevered as an example to others. This was recognised by Nick. So Paul was awarded a special prize. It was a Mars bar.