Sports Nationals at Shanklin

[Liam]

It's quite a way off (Fri 22nd - Sun 24th September 2023) but if you are thinking of coming to the Sports Nationals from the North Island please contact Yvonne (newsletter@dart15.co.uk) to get discounted ferry tickets. You will save yourself a lot of money.

We are looking to have nine races across three days in open, blue sea, launching off the best catamaran beach anywhere.

There are loads of accommodation options nearby. As well as the list on this page: https://www.shanklinsailingclub.com/acc ... anklin.php there are the Channel View and Gracellie Hotels right above the sailing club.

Because of the cost of the ferries we will try and keep the entry fee as low as possible.

[Liam]

We are now taking entries.
https://dart15.co.uk/sports-nationals-entries/

The NOR is also available.
https://dart15.co.uk/events/EMS/event.php?id=242

Nine races across three days. Committee boat start with Fiona and Nigel blowing the trumpets. Rectangular courses in open water. Dinner at Flanagan's included.

There is also a race at Shanklin at 5.30pm on the Thursday before. You are very welcome to take part but you can't keep the cup if you are invading from the north. New boats must carry 7kg extra for this race.

[Liam]

Please can you get your entries in so we can sort out catering arrangements as soon as possible.

https://dart15.co.uk/events/EMS/NatsEntries.php?id=242

[Liam]

I have put some information about the event on this site at https://dart15.co.uk/events/EMS/event/2 ... s-2023.pdf

We will be parking trailers (but not cars) in our boat park at the bottom of Hope Road.

Boats are going on the beach next to the boat yard.

Please bring cash as we do not have a card machine at the club house.

Our location is Shanklin Sailing Club, Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 6EA. If coming from the north then turn left at the first set of lights after Lake.

[Liam]

There is a weather station at https://www.shanklinsailingclub.com/wea ... on-new.php

There is also a webcam at https://www.shanklinsailingclub.com/webcam.php

Tide times are here: https://www.shanklinsailingclub.com/tides.php

Tidal currents are here: https://www.shanklinsailingclub.com/con ... wn_Bay.php

[Derek James]

Congratulations to Liam , our new 2023 sport champion ! Looks like great racing from the results , looking forward to reading the race report .

[Liam]

Thank you Derek and to all the people that sent me private messages.

It was a really great event. We had amazing help from volunteers with pretty well all the club either racing or helping out. We also got lent a boyfriend by Jenny. Nigel and Fiona were up to their usual standard and did fantastically well to get nine races in despite some gnarly conditions on the Sunday.

I have written some words.

https://dart15.co.uk/events/EMS/event.php?id=242

There are hundreds of pictures and I have plenty more to add.

[Liam]

Have added even more pictures.

Hopefully there will be a couple of videos shortly filmed from Dreadnought.

[Mark Aldridge]

Whilst I congratulated Liam in person, I'll say again that given the three day's conditions to come out victorious was a real achievement - well done again Liam.

A huge thank you to Shanklin SC too who made us all super welcome and looked after our Trolley Dollies on shore. Catering was ace as was the general organisation & event management. Saturday night dinner and groovin' went down well - again.

I cannot really put into words how difficult conditions were on the Sunday. I like a bit of wind, but dropped my jib & trapeze to try to feel a bit more 'in control' or 'less petrified' perhaps, but once out over the swell the sea and wind was really making it difficult to even manage the boat let alone race. A massive well done and nod of appreciation to anyone that got out & raced in those conditions. I hope the pictures do it justice. I got around the windward mark in race 1 and once heading down wind on a course for the beach decided that was enough!

[Liam]

Thank you, Mark. I am enjoying this last one before the younger sailors start taking all the cups home.

[Mark Aldridge]

Agreed and that's how it should be really.

I reckon the Pro Am cup is the one to have nowadays!!