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The club has a broad range of trophies some that date back to the earliest days of the club. The variation in size and style probably reflect our membership. Some are impressive items of silverware, some are cunningly crafted objects of nauticalia, others are idiosyncratic even eccentric and there are one or two that are subtle in their display but nonetheless indicate a seasons graft on the water come rain or shine, surviving hooligans or chasing the elusive zephyr. With such riches there is an opportunity for everyone, of all sailing abilities, to win something.
This article is intended to break down the prizes into various categories to enable our sailing members to select races and compete with a view to taking home a trophy. Some of the trophies, especially the older ones, are very attractive and look very good on the sideboard! |
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Dinghy Trophies
The most prestigious dinghy trophy to win is inevitably the "Class Championship". The Class(es) of 2008 are made up of the Fast, Slow, Laser, Feva, Jacqueline, Mirror and Topper Class Races.
For 2008 there are 4 races each in 4 (A to D) series making 16 races in total, which leaves 4 discards. A competitor must compete in at least 25% of the races to be eligible (i.e. one series). There are awards for each mini series with 1 discard in addition to the Class championship award for best performance over the whole series. 1 boat is the minimum for this award; so if only one boat qualifies in class then this boat will win the class championship. This can mean that everyone has a chance to win as long as they turn out and compete.
There are, for those who wish to win prizes for minimum effort, a number of individual races with their own trophies, including each of the class races subdivided into the various club classes. (Of course there has to be more than one boat of each class for a race to take place.)
In addition there are individual, 'all in' trophy races, including the Easter Bunny/Duck extravaganza, May Day Mayhem, Wilson Houlder Memorial Trophy, RNLI Burgee, J. S. Alston Memorial Trophy and Fifi's Flyer.
For those who like a challenge, the Pinks Pot and James Laverty Series of Long distance races meet their requirements and for the fanatics and adrenalin junkies, if the conditions preclude 'normal racing' due to high winds the Storm Petrel Trophy is a sight to behold (Both the trophy and the antics on the water)
For those who like a more frenetic pace of life the short course series is for you. On 4 days, normally spring tides, 3 x Crash and Burn, 20 min fast and slow handicap racing around a 'bow tie' course just off the club. Excellent for starting and boat on boat, improves your boat handling and mark rounding no end.
One step further down this line is the 'Fun' team racing. Plan ahead get your name in a hat to form a team. (Sailing Commodore will endeavour to establish a near level playing field by placing team members to allow a balance of skill and enthusiasm, teaching and learning.)
As an opportunity to wind down from dinghy weeks or just to put some distance between you and your kids during the summer there is the Mums and Dads race, which as the name implies is restricted to Mums and Dads, although not necessarily related.
Series Races probably give the best opportunity for those who may not come first in any of the races, but persevere and compete to win a prize. They can either be 'all in'including the Cuckoo Cup and Summer Series or large and small handicap; namely the A to D series, Morning series, Solstice series, Evening series, Autumn series and Winter and Open Frostbite series. The Masters and Cadet series races are also 'all in' but categorised on the basis of the age of the competitor.
The club's own class, the Jacqueline, also has a number of races usually raced alongside the rest of the fleet, competing for trophies such as the May Mug and Bank Holiday Bowl.
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Some 2007 prize winners
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If you tend to sail away from the club on occasions at open meetings, Championships or other events let the committee know and your compensation for missing such an event-packed calendar may be the prestigious Vice Commodore's Cup.
Cruiser Trophies
The cruiser fleet organises a number of one off handicap races through the year, either 'around the cans' or to local ports, each of which has its own individual trophy. All these races count towards the overall champion award, the 'Corrie Tiller' that hangs proudly over the bar in the clubhouse.
Other Awards
Over the years the club has introduced a number of other awards, intended to encourage and develop our sailors including:
- Vice Commodore's Cup for high quality Dinghy Sailing
- Endeavour Cup for best effort not reflected in results
- Cadet Cup for the most helpful cadet
- Perseverance Trophy for the person or persons who attended the club's RYA 1 & 2 course and then sailed or raced most actively throughout the remainder of the year
- The Skilful Crew Award for the most supportive and best crew
- Development Awards for both adults and cadets reflecting improved sailing ability
- Mirror and Topper 'Top Dog' awards for our cadets who complete a racing course and then win a series, raced within another series, at the latter end of the year.
N. B. There is also an award for the best Mainsheets article relating to cruising.
Andrew Knight, with 2008 update by Lez Hardy.
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Keep an eye on the time - mind you don't miss the tide!!
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