AUSTRALIA WIN BOSUN NATIONALS
Martin Linsley of the Royal Australian Navy is the new Bosun National
Champion after an exciting series of six races with the lead constantly
changing between the 3 main contenders for the title. Race Officer Graham
Forshaw aptly described the 20 knot plus winds, flat sea and sunny skies
as "champagne conditions" for competitors in this year’s
nationals held in Portsmouth Harbour over the weekend 8/9 Sept. Sailing
on the rising tide in restricted waters made tactical judgements supremely
important on the beats and as no one judged correctly every time it
lead to an exciting spectacle for spectators. Judicious course setting
gave close sailing which contributed to the challenges and enjoyment
for the competitors.
Although Balkan deployments and conflicting dinghy fixtures reduced
the entries compared with previous years the 16 boats included a broad
range of skills and ages. With a good start in the first race it was
very satisfying for 13 year old junior champion Michael Dray to take
a sixth place ahead of father David! Uncharacteristically David Peerless
was over the line at the start of this race and combined with gear failure
in the last race this removed him as a serious challenge for the overall
championship this year.
Race 2 was sailed under a particularly squally cloud front with
surging spinnaker runs that proved too much for many. Alan Pitt took
advantage at the gybe mark and powered through. An even more boisterous
start for Race 3 saw a fascinating duel develop. At the end Pitt sailing
through Linsley’s lee on the reach chose the starboard tack on
the start of the last windward beat while Linsley went on port and was
able to slip ahead by a boat length on the line. Examples of good downwind
spinnaker control by Derrick Page kept him in contention and at the
start of the second day all three were battling for championship honours.
The challenge on the Sunday morning races was when to get actual
benefit from spinnakers in the strong winds and to judge the changing
tidal stream in the main channel. The three leaders challenged fiercely
on the beats and in Race 5 coming down the last reach Pitt and Page
gambled on spinnakers but were unable to control them sufficiently and
Linsley powered through to the leeward mark maintaining his lead up
the last short beat to the line. In the final race Derrick Page stormed
into the lead opening it up further on both the run and reach and won
Race 6 comfortably. However despite Allan Pitt working his way up the
fleet after a late start Martin Linsley retained second place which
was sufficient to give him the Championship on overall points.
Overall Results:1st Martin Linsley (RAN); 2nd Derrick Page and Nathan Staley (RAFSA Bowmoor); 3rd Alan
Pitt and Peter Stacey (RNSA Plymouth); Army David and Edward Peerless;
Civilian David Dray; Junior Michael Dray.
Report by Cdr Richard Jenkins
BOSUN DINGHY CLASS ASSOCIATION –
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
Held at the ROYAL NAVY SAILING CENTRE, WHALE ISLAND
On Saturday 8th September 2001 at 1830hrs.
1. INTRODUCTION.
The Association Chairman, Commander Richard Jenkins, welcomed 23
members to the meeting and introduced the Navy Sailing Coach, Grahame
Forshaw, and the Secretary/Measurer Alan Pitt.
The Chairman noted that numbers attending the Championships were
down on previous years, but pointed out that the unavoidable clashes
with the Laser 2000 nationals, the Army Single Handed Championships
and the Round Sheppey race had caused this situation.
2. MINUTES OF THE 2000 AGM.
The Minutes of the 2000 AGM, held during the National Championships
at Falmouth, were accepted as a true record. Noted that Bosun Accounts
were now dealt with at the RNSA Sub Committee.
3.REPORTS ON PAST FIXTURES.
The Bloody Mary Pursuit Race had provided the outstanding result
of the year, when Grahame Forshaw, crewed by Martin Grady, had finished
4th in a fleet of 200 boats.
Medway Regatta again had 6 Bosuns entered, as did the Hoo Freezer.
Bosun sailors from Horley Lake reported very enjoyable participation
in the Netley to Yarmouth IOW cruise.
Places as far apart as Stayanger and Naples now had Bosun Fleets
that included Private as well as service boats and Hooe Point on the
River Plym boasted 6 privately owned Bosuns.
4. FUTURE EVENTS.
The forthcoming Sea Cadet Championship and regatta on 8/9th October at Whale Island, has attracted 46 entries.
The South West Area Championships have been cancelled due to the
in-fill and re-vamp taking place at the Camber in Plymouth.
Good things are again expected at the Bloody Mary.
The Medway was suggested as a possible venue for the 2003 Nationals,
due to the ASA reduction in activities at Netley.
5. TECHNICAL ISSUES.
New "MarkII" boats now appearing. The aft spinnaker sheet
blocks are situated too far forwards, but it was noted that North Sails
CAD (Computer Aided Design) system dictated the best position to avoid
the problem of sheets going over the end of the boom.
Reaching Hooks should be positioned forward of the shrouds for easier
operation.
The Tiller Extension rubber universal joint is a price driven fitting
and not popular.
Disposal of service Bosuns. Normally route is for them to be passed
down the chain to sea Cadets and Combined Cadet Force, before scrapping.
The Chairman will speak to the ASA re the possibility of any surplus
Army boats appearing on the Bosun Web Site.
6. WEB SITE & COMMUNICATIONS.
Thanks to Derrick Page for acting as Webmaster and running the Bosun
Web Site, a most valuable means of communication to all Bosun sailors.
Pictures or comments are always welcome.
7. ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE ARRANGEMENTS – WAY AHEAD.
Alan Pitt has taken the post of Secretary from Captain Tim Norman-Walker,
the General Secretary of the RNSA. The RN Dinghy Sub Committee has approved
this de-latching from the RNSA.
Consideration to be given to the future Bosun Committee structure,
and arrangements for procuring and supplying Bosun Spares, to bring
the Bosun in line with other service sailed boats.
Funding is only needed by the Association to pay for RYA Associate
membership.
Possible future financial needs were discussed, to support participation
in prestige Invitation events.
Derrick Page expressed his reservations about these arrangements.
The views of all Bosun sailors would be sought by publication of
these minutes on the website.
8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
The Chairman expressed his thanks to David Jones and all from the
Portsmouth Branch of RNSA who had helped in organizing the Nationals,
to Grahame Forshaw for Officer of the Day duties and to Ken Bichard
and the staff of the Whale Island Sailing Centre for supply of boats,
equipment and facilities.
There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 1930hrs.
Alan Pitt, Secretary
