by Simon Hinnigan

The 10 hour race has to be one of the sailing highlights on our annual calendar and this year did not disappoint.  Bowmoor welcomed sailors from Avon and Farmoor for more than 60 competitors.  Teams arrived enthusiastic and early on Saturday to a forecast that predicted a little of everything.  The morning gave really strong winds (+30 kts) and torrential rain followed by an afternoon of broken clouds and sunshine.   Gusts were shifty and strong all day, just brutal, particularly beating up to 8.  After some screaming reaches, the gybe at 3 needed to be perfectly timed to the incoming gusts, Charlie took the prize for most impressive capsize here after almost catching a deathroll three times before being ejected (my boat was fine 😊).  Broken boats caused some retirements, and at 16:00 the realisation that we were half way through brought home just how tough the event was.  The day ended with a BBQ and prize giving, the party continued into Sunday morning.  A fantastic event!

Congratulations to:

First Ladies: ASA ILCA: Sarah Davies, Abi Goddard and Amiee Bulkes (really great going with a team of three!!)

First Youth: Kiss My RS: Josh Pickard, Catherine Davies, Luke Keighley, Jasper Keck, Jay Bulkes.

Fastest Lap: Escort Mk II: Antony Lynall, Marcia Lynall, Peter Keighley, Ella Keighley, Richard Miller, Tracy Lashford

3^rd Place: Escort Mk II: Antony Lynall, Marcia Lynall, Peter Keighley, Ella Keighley, Richard Miller, Tracy Lashford

2^nd Place: Al Keck, Ian Pickard, Graeme Ryder, Neil Crosby

1^st Place: Ben Simmons, Darcy Lynall, Toby Banbrook, Sam Fewings, Chris Hatton, Ellie Pickard.

Many thanks to Dave Lynall, David Fewings, Sally Heathcoat, Sue Plumber, Tash Tustin, Nigel Fletcher and the safety boat team for making the day so very good!

Club Access 15^th, 16^th and 17^th July

Next week we have some critical maintenance tasks that have to be completed.  The annual weed cut will close the Lake on Monday 15^th, Tuesday 16^th and Wednesday 17^th from 07:30 to 16:30.  You must not go on or in the water due to the machines that will be in operation.

As importantly, our 5 yearly electrical inspection will happen at the same time (to minimize member impact).  The Club house WILL BE CLOSED for much of the time on Monday 15^th, Tuesday 16^th and Wednesday 17^th. Electricity and Water will be shut off, please do not attempt to access the club house while this essential work takes place.

We do expect that Wednesday evening racing will continue as usual, and the lake can be accessed as usual after 16:30 each day for Sailors and Swimmers in the swim area.

Once the essential safety work completes we can get back to business as usual in time for RIAT weekend.

Finally, Oxford Sailing club have kindly invited Bowmoor to a talk from renowned former Olympic Coach Adam Bowers (and BBQ) titled “Go faster without Spending a Penny” for Friday September 20^th at 19:30.  Details and links below.  

See you at the club!

Simon

From Neil Crosby

Over the last two weeks Bowmoor sailors Neil Crosby and Richard Lymposs have taken part in ILCA grand prix events across the two regions with some success.  Both were supposed to attend Datchet Water on the last Saturday in June, but it was cancelled due to lack of wind. Neil took the opportunity to go to Hollowell the next day and managed to win all three races on the water.  But Hollowell is in the Midlands region which is run as a handicap, and he ended up being beaten into second place by virtue of an ILCA 6 winning the last race on handicap, which was used to break a tie on 3 points each.  The following week Richard Lymposs went one better by winning the ILCA 7 fleet at Island Barn with three wins and now leads the Thames Valley Grand Prix series by a significant margin.

From Alastair Stagg

We need your help.

There are some unallocated slots in next few weeks and months and grateful if people are able to volunteer to cover these

• 18 August (Sunday) - OOD
• 26 August (Sunday) - Safety Boat Driver

Please contact duty@bowmoor.com if you are able to assist.  Remember that with no duty cover we have no racing and the same old backups cannot just keep stepping in.

Book the Friday evening here:

https://www.oxfordsailing.club/event/an-evening-with-adam-bowers

Wednesday 10th July
19:00 Summer Wednesday Evening Series
Saturday 13th July
Cruising Saturday, Ladies Who Launch, Social Sailing, Otters and Sprints
Sunday 14th July
11:30 Summer Series AM
13:30 Summer Series PM
15:00 Summer Series late PM
July 15th to July 17th
Annual Weed Cut - lake closed 07:30 to 16:30
5-Year Electrical Safety Inspection - club house closed
Friday 19th July - RIAT
Cruise under the smoke
Saturday 20th July - RIAT
Under the Smoke Handicap Racing
Sunday 21st July - RIAT
11:30 Summer Series AM
13:30 Summer Series PM
15:00 Summer Series late PM

The full calendar is published on bowmoor.com/calendar/