Draycote Winter TT Sat. 5th Jan.

[pmslater]

Yes I know you're all preoccupied with Christmas etc. but don't forget that even when the festivities are over there's still something to look forward to - the Draycote Winter TT.
There will be the usual (and excellent) format of two races back to back with the first warning at 11:00 am.
Briefing at 10:15.
Entry £15:00 per boat.
I'm sure the weather will be very good, the lake is full and we will have a great local turnout so its an event well worth doing!
We look forward to seeing you!

Cheers
Pete and the 'James Gang'

[George Stephen]

Hi Pete,

Last time I came the tide was out, and visitors could put their trailers and boats in the space in the extended boat park. What arrangements this year, now your pond will be full?

[pmslater]

Hi George,
Even when the lake is full there is still plenty of space for boats and trailers on the grass beyond the windsurf area.
Cheers
Pete.

[Bob Carter]

Here is the race report by Peter Slater.
It will be on this site soon.
http://old.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=167392

Cheers
Bob

[Robert]

Video summary of Race 1, places 1 to 5. Take a Stugeron before viewing owing to wobbly head belonging to the cameraman! No sign of Stuart but just a glimpse of Simon Farthing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KijNZ85X ... e=youtu.be

[Kevin Parvin]

Hi Robert

Good stuff, especially on a cold night in N Wales. How did you mount the camera on your head? I've got a Kodak mini video camera but no clamps or straps to stick it safe on the boat.

Kevin
1615

[Robert]

Hi Kevin. It's a GoPro so there are all sorts of bits and pieces you can get to attach it to most things related to action sports. I was given a head strap with mine (OAP birthday) and it felt pretty secure. The second race is a bit more watchable but I ran out of memory before the end because I wasn't constantly switching it on and off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErinLoVN ... e=youtu.be
I've now bought a sucker to stick it to the hull but the Headcam option gives quite a varied view of the action - I've just got to train myself to move my head more slowly and look at things for longer. In the second race you might notice no. 2 batten failed during the very gentle action. It's obvious in one of the downwind sections that it has gone, but it didn't seem to affect the shape of the sail at other times. Downwind speed didn't seem to be affected, either. Whilst doing the editing I've found myself saying things like: "Oh for God's sake: TACK!" and "Get that traveller in a bit more!" so it's quite instructive for me, if not so interesting for others.

[Derek James]

Robert ,
great video's I think I enjoyed the sequel , Draycote race 2 a little bit more than Draycote race 1 . I have gleaned a great insight into your sailing technique including excellent tacking and rudder control and special knots in your traveller sheet . Genuinely interesting to see how it is done by a pro I also noted some special hardware features including a graduated rear beam and your ultra bendy mast which is very noticeable on forward facing head shots.
I have to confess that that I didn't see any shots of 1744 , she was either left on the cutting room floor or was out of sight behind you . You need a sound track - what about Albatross ( Fleetwood mac ) or We are sailing ( Rod Stewart )

[Robert]

Derek! I always leave the best bits until the last - there may be more to come
The mast is a bit bendy when seen through the lens of the camera - sometimes it bends the other way in some of the clips!
More suggestions for background music gratefully accepted.

[Robert]

Not sure this counts as a "best" bit - more like general nonsense:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Q-q9TH ... e=youtu.be

[paulgrattage]

What software did you use to edit the video? I also have some footage but it is so slow to edit I never get around to getting it on youtube

[Robert]

Hi Paul. I've got Arcsoft Showbiz 3.5 - it's a bit rubbish but will do mp4 in HD. The upload to YouTube doesn't work so I save the file (takes ages and is big) and then upload it separately to YouTube (takes ages because the file isn't rendered for streaming, but the quality isn't compromised). You could try Windows Movie Maker or Windows Live Movie Maker (both free). I made the mistake of downloading Moviemaker 2012 and that will save and upload quicker but the video is just black. If you are fortunate enough to have a Mac then I guess iMovie would work well. I downloaded Sony Vegas Pro 11 which works but the rendered quality isn't a patch on my present method, so I think I'll stick twith what I have at present. The editing is simple and doesn't take too long, it's just the saving and uploading.

By the way, Steve and I were referring to you when we spoke about "he was coming up through the fleet" in the latest video. Just in case that wasn't clear...