The inaugural World Championships were held at Cransley Sailing Club on Saturday 9th July for the Comet Duo. Whilst less than 200 were built and as far as is known most are still in the UK, the class were keen to welcome any visitors from around our planet!.  Two visitors did travel – ok not quite from Australia or USA, but from Oulton Mere SC and Hawley Lake SC, to join 7 Cransley Duos for the largest  gathering for a few years.

Race 1 – The wind was forecast to be 15 gusting 20-25 knots but the early rain dampened it to 10-12 knots for the first 2 laps of the Race 1.  This allowed the fleet to bunch together and Peter Stein/William Grantham chased Nigel Austin/Emily Britton for the first half of the race, before the wind increased.  Jane and John Townsend teamed up for the first two races (before putting Jane put her curlers in and dashed off to a party), were a constant threat to John Linnell (2015 champion) and crew, Caroline Hughes (who wasn’t expecting to sail), but couldn’t quite catch them. Nigel & Anne Ford, followed by Tony Hetherington/Julie Aves and Andrew Heald and Lesley Johnson finished but Stephen Linton who ventured out on his own was entrapped by the Cransley weed at the leeward mark and had to retire. Also Darrell and Ella Hutchings retired at the same location as they found sailing without the jib was quite a challenge when tacking.

Then all retired to the clubhouse for a civilised lunch break of pulled pork rolls and pasta – none of this 3 races back to back stuff!

Race 2 – saw a few crew changes, which meant that the previous race results wouldn’t count unless they reverted to Crew no. 1 in the 3rd race.  Peter Stein signed up Elinor Pawluk and Stephen Linton and Darrell Hutchings teamed up.  With the forecasted 20-25 knots materialising, the top five results were the same, however Stephen And Darrell pushed Tony and Julie down to 7th despite Darrell falling out the boat (!), with Andrew and Lesley bringing home the fleet.

Mid afternoon Tea and Homemade cakes followed!

Race 3 – only 5 of the original 9 started the last race, due to a combination of fatigue, high winds, too much lunch and tea!, those that did, had a change of course with a tricky dead run that saw Nigel and Anne swimming (however it meant Anne took some great pictures of the action, thanks).  The top 3 were the same although a tasty battle emerged between Peter/Elinor and John/Caroline which lasted to the finishing line and was good viewing.  Stephen and Darrell finished fourth without Darrell throwing himself overboard this time!.

Whilst the results are always of interest, it was the great spirit in which this championships was sailed which was the winner, and with all boats being double handed at some point with crews both young and old, experienced and not.  The race officer and team produced good courses and the safety and catering crews were excellent.  It was all agreed that we would be back next year and we would try to encourage more to come along – so the hunt is on to find the other 170 Comet Duos – wherever they are in the world!

Nigel Austin, Comet Duo 103

More photos to come and results.

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Cransley Sailing Club will be holding the inaugural World Championships on 9th July

It is intended to start races at 11.15am, 1.15pm and 2.45pm with lunch and afternoon Tiffin in between races just to be civilised – however the Race Officer will have the final say although it wont be starting any earlier for the first race.

At Cransley we have as 9 potential helms  –  myself, John Linnell, Mike Sawford, Rhiain Bevan, Tony Hetherington, John (or Jane) Townsend, Peter Stein, Darrell Hutchings, Miles Billingham – so in theory we could be well into double figures!!!Hope everyone can make it, perhaps if you know of others not on this list you can forward.For those unfamiliar with Cransley all our details are on our website www.cransley.org.uk  – however it may not explain that the entrance to the club is via a drive that looks quite private.  There are a few signs though so you shouldn’t get too lost!If you are able to let me know whether you are likely to take part that would be great (just to make sure we have enough food!). If you are a Cransley boat and you are unable to attend but willing to loan your boat there may be some bona fide sailors out there who could fill the gap – of course we would however love all mentioned above to be there with or without crew – just to say  “I was there!”

Regards

Nigel
Comet Duo 103
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Peak Dinghy – Combined Comet Classes 2016 AGM Report

It has been a year since we took over the Comet Trio from Andy and one year on I now know a lot more about the Comet Trio than I did 12 months ago. As you may know we have eight Trios at Ogston Sailing Club, where they have been used as training boats since 2002. I have to admit that when they arrived I had never heard of a Comet Trio, They were purchased with the aid of a lottery grant from Sport England and were an immediate hit with everyone.
Sadly, at Ogston, they have never broken out of the training boat role and people graduating from the learn to sail course are pointed in the direction of the Enterprise or Laser fleet. One advantage those fleets have is an abundance of cheap second-hand boats. A second-hand Trio for sale is a very rare sight and because they are built so well, they command a good price, but as we all know, they’re worth it.
Over the last year the demand for spare parts has steadily grown and we are continuing to source parts from the same suppliers that Andy used. It’s great that so much is made in the UK, much of it by small companies and I like to think that we are doing our bit for British manufacturing and supporting local small businesses that are being squeezed so much by global manufacturers. When I say local; that’s; Derbyshire, Devon, Essex, Hampshire and Yorkshire to name a few.
It’s also good to be able to report that all Trio parts are available and should remain so. Clearly, some of the hardware is common across many fleets, but the Trio has some unique parts; foils, mast and boom etc and there is no supply issue there. It’s true that we are not holding a great deal of stock of parts and so there may be a little wait sometimes, but as demand grows we will look to hold more stock.
Some of you will have seen the first Peak Dinghy Comet Trio; we brought the Hull down to Exmouth Sailing Club during the Nationals last year and then took Trio 500 to the Dinghy Show in March. We had some interest following the Dinghy Show and I am pleased to say that Trio 500 has been sold. We have also sold a few Spinnaker Chute Kits and the feedback from customers is very positive.
It’s good to see all the work that various members of the Class are putting in to help promote sailing in a Comet Dinghy and I am sure that the number of people who own a boat from the Comet family will grow and grow.
I was late for last year’s AGM and not hear at all this year. I had hoped to come along but family commitments have made that very difficult. I will try to come along to Trio events where I can and if there is anything you want to ask me, or if you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Thanks
Glyn
Peak Dinghy
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Combined Comet Class Association – Inland Championships 28^th and 29^th May 2016 – Sponsored by Noble Marine

The CCCA Inlands, sponsored by Noble Marine, took place at Cotswold Sailing Club over the bank holiday weekend.  12 Comet Trios and 4 Comet Versas competed for the trophies over excellent courses set by race officer Neil Wetherley.  North Easterly F3 or 4 winds enabled the full set of 5 races to be sailed over the 2 days in gusty and shifty conditions.

Trios

Adrian and Tracy Padro from Shustoke SC dominated the weekend winning all 5 races.  Despite several different boats holding the lead at times in various races but no one else could manage to be in the lead when it mattered!

They were chased hard all weekend by Stuart and Rory Bush also from Shustoke SC who with 4 second places secured the runners up spot.  It was left to Bob and Colette Horlock from Exe SC and Stephen and Helen Whittle from Cotswold SC to battle for 3^rd place.  This contest went down to the wire with the outcome depending on who could finish in front in the last race of the weekend.  Stephen and Helen and Bob and Colette swapped places all round the course but in the end Stephen and Helen won through to take 4^th in the race and 3^rd overall.

Versas

John and Jackie Sturgeon from Hawley Lake won four of the five races and despite some remarkably close racing, the last 4 races resulted in wins for John and Jackie, seconds for Anne Higgins of Cotswold SC and thirds for Al Parker.

Adrian Padro thanked Cotswold on behalf of all the competitors for an excellent weekend.  The food and hospitality extended by the club had been first class, the organisation of the event had been seamless, the racing fair and well run and the BBQ and quiz night had been great fun.  Thank you to our sponsors Noble Marine for the prizes.
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2016 Cruising at Poole.

15th-17th July

Poole YC have kindly accepted our request to use their facilities for this years cruise, and what a amazing club it is, please try their website, http://www.pooleyc.co.uk, to grasp how big they are, for most of us from small clubs this is very special.
Poole harbour gives us one of the best and safest dinghy cruising areas in Britain, lots of activity, loads of space, plenty to explore.
There is a price for this, the club charges, are £11.45 per day per boat.
There are no Harbour fees for small craft.
The club has a special area for 6 motorhomes, no electric hook-up, max length 6.2mtrs, £15:00 per night these must be pre-booked, but be aware that there is a railway line adjacent to the club, if you wish to stay here please book with the club, referencing our visit.
The nearest Campsite I can find for the Motorhomers and tenters is Beacon Hill bookings@beaconhilltouringpark.co.uk call on 01202 631631, I’ve started a group booking under Presley, 2 nights, Medium Motorhome with electric is £37:00, Please call and book your pitch.

For a video of the club and the sailing prospects go to:-https://youtu.be/WGMqfHEPudQ

All types of boats are welcome, we normally have about 10 boats, if applications exceed this number I may have to limit it to first up first served, so contact me ASAP.
Bob Presley Cotswold and Comet Cruising. Contact bobannp@fsmail.net

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