21/12/08

The winter series at Downs sailing club ended on the 21st Dec with 25 boats and a remarkable win for Toppers, with Annie Lindley 1st and Seb Hansell 2nd.

But overall the series was won by the big boats of Martyn Styles and Richard White in a RS400, Clare Hansell and Simon Cory 2nd in a Buzz and Steve and Judy Restall 3rd in an RS200.

The Boxing day R.N.L.I charity race was cancelled due to a fierce easterly, but the cold made sense of the hot mulled wine in a packed clubhouse.

Before the boats are finally laid up till the first spring race on April 5th, the first ever New years Day race will be held.

This will clear fuzzy heads and remind people that 2009 will be the 60th anniversary of the club.

14/12/08

The cold winter series at Downs sailing club has been problematic of late with a sudden lack of winds at the right moments.

The last Sunday race held saw many many pairs of frozen hands and feet inside 18 boats. Richard White and Martyn Styles took first in their RS400, Steve and Judy Restall 2nd in an RS200 and Simon Cory and Seb Hansell 3rd in a Buzz.

Sunday 21st see's the last series race of the year and prize giving. Boxing day hosts the RNLI shield race with mince pies and punch which was packed last year.

Looking ahead to 2009 the club's 60th anniversary, there will be the first ever New Years Day race. Who ever said English winters were dull affairs ?

30/11/08

Downs sailing club's most important social event ,the christmas 'Prize Giving Banquet', took place on Saturday night.

It has been a remarkable year  with exceptional winds throughout, allowing for lots of completed events, especially in the evenings.

There have been consistently large numbers of boats, lots of new names and with up to 25 craft still thrashing out the winter series.

The slow handicap fleet has especially increased in size with lots of new laser and Byte sailors and the fast fleet have been especially competitive.

The prizes up for grabs included 16 individual cup races, Spring, Summer and Autumn points for fast and slow handicaps to 3 places. The Tuesday and Thursday evening points to 3 places and the 'Let's get Racing' series.

Sunday's race  however was cancelled for rough seas and sore heads to much relief !

The full list of prize winners can be viewed on the clubs website at www. downssailingclub. co.uk