The Sandhoppers held their first long distance race of the year (5 races left to go) on Sunday, 8 boats left the moorings at 7.30 with the start at 8.00, the weather was stunning with a clear blue sky and a 13mph north easterly breeze, Sand Storm (current national champions Chris Clarke and Nick Barnes ) were first around the mid Shoebury buoy clocking 8 knots on the gps, with sand star (Hopper/Thompson) close on their heels, Squiffy, Sand Spirit, Spider, On The Hop, Windrush and Pearl all fought for the other positions, the black tail spit was missed by Sandstorm and the national champions had to come back on themselves to round the mark, the rest of the fleet didn’t laugh to much, three and a half hours of tactical windward and tidal sailing saw Sand Star finish first, at the Maplin Edge, Squiffy second , On The Hop third, Sand Storm (current champions) fourth, Pearl fifth, Sandspirit sixth, Spider seventh and Windrush eighth (Windrush went to the rescue of a fishing boat in distress hence the position). The second part of the race was a long spinnaker leg home Sand Star again took first place, Sand Storm second , On The Hop third, Squiffy fourth, Pearl fifth, Sand Spirit sixth, Windrush seventh and Spider eighth .
However, due to the competitiveness of the fleet we had the video running during the day from our fabulous support crew on Sea Safe 3, Nik Bennindyke, Dan Henderson and Bruce Spratt, (thanks boys for giving up your day ensuring our safety) ,
After collating all the days information and video , unfortunately our national champions forgot to sign on and off for the first leg and were ocs at the start of the second race, never mind messers Barns and Clarke better a lesson learnt now rather than at the national in a few weeks time, so with them out of the chocolates the rest of us moved up a place.
The day was a great success and I hope we will have even more entrants for the next one, if anyone would like to see the video of the day we will be showing it in the club on Thursday evening, watching Chris and Nick over the line by a country mile is very funny to see.

What a great way to end a working day

Author: Paul Spratt

Can anyone help please?

I need to swap my guard boat duty on SS3 on Monday May 26th as we are taking the Sandhopper’s round to Burnham for the ‘Nationals’.

This involves both myself and Tony Byrne.

Many thanks to Steve Hopper who tuned 5 Sandhoppers on Saturday morning, the tuning has made a noticable difference to boat speed, also thanks to both Steve and Peter Thompson for helping to lift out ‘Prey’ very early saturday morning, I would also like to welcome Dick White to the Sandhopper class who has just purchased a boat.

Another win for Burrell

Race 1 John Heyes 3rd Allen Burrell 57th

Race 2 Allen Burrell 1st John Heyes 46th

race 3 Allen Burrell 1st Sander 29th John Heyes 31st

Race 4 Allen 9th John 19th Sander 22nd

Overall Allen 20th Sander 24th and John 32nd

Dear All, It’s that time of year again. The club stairwell needs brightened up with your latest boat pic’s. Please send your photographs in h/res digital or print format, for my attention, care of the club secretary, Lorraine.

Many thanks, Struan

P.S. Original material will be returned via the club Sec.

Dear Boys and girls of the fast cats section. Now I have your attention, I’m looking to Kick start the racing again at the club and would value your opinions. Please can I get all your email address so I can send out reminders and also find out if you are needing crew. We have a thriving club at TBYC , lets use it.

Any sailors, old or young who fancy a go on a high flying projectile. please get in touch for the ride of your life, Sorry Barry, we saw two Sandhoppers trying to replicate at Cat, not fast but very funny.

Open meetings for fast or slow cats are a great way of improving both racing and social skills, if anybody fancies going to a meeting, please let me know as we can help with de-rigging etc. and possible transport to the event. On the last Bank holiday this Month, there is the “Hurricane Nationals” at Stokes bay on the south coast and also a Cat open. Several boats from TBYC are planning to be there, the more the merrier with a great social atmosphere. See you soon. Email: [email protected]

I’ve got a superspars M2 mast, purple sail, sovereign combi, even an old composite hull! If anyone wants any or all of these, call Dylan, 020 8207 5443

Well done to Paul Clarke for launching his new Sandhopper Nemises on Saturday evening, Paul launched with Toby under the cover of darkness to ensure none of us could take a look at his new machine, Nemises performed very well over the races on Sunday and Monday and I’m sure will be up in the chocolates at the Nationals, keep it up boys.

The Nationals are at the end of this month, to download the notice of race and entry please click on the link.

Download the NOR & Entry Form here