Dragon End of Season Dinner
Saturday 21st November 2009
The elements were battering the clubhouse as ninety Dragons sat down to their end of season dinner. Fortunately Woody had chosen a hearty menu with roast beef, beautifully cooked by Dean, to fortify us. End of season honours were shared this year between Quicksilver IV, Beauty & the Beast, Scorpio and Avalanche. There was consternation from the "Beast" (Rob Campbell) when the stats revealed his partner in the boat, "Beauty" (Katie Cole) had won more races than him in the season!
The Extraordinary General Meeting
Saturday 7th November 2009
Sixty-four Members attended the EGM and gave the plans for the proposed replacement pontoon the 'go-ahead'. Members will need to log-in to read the account of the meeting.
RCOD Calendar 2010
December 2010
The RCOD Class celebrates its 75th Anniversary in 2010. As part of the celebrations and to increase funds for their continuing restoration programme, you are invited to purchase a special calendar for 2010. Better still, why not buy all your friends and relations one for Christmas and solve your present problems at a stroke?
With sponsorship and support from our local printers and businesses, it has been possible to keep the price of the calendar to just £10.00.
Prize Giving & Laying-up Supper
Saturday 24th October 2009
Prize Giving and the Dining Room looked at its best, curtains drawn against the darkening evening, an extra polish on the silver as befits the occasion and comfort food, traditional Steak & Kidney Pud. More than eighty members were ready to greet and congratulate the Season's Champions but only after justice was done to the puddings! It had been a busy day in the Club, the RCODs considering the maintenance of their classic, wooden boats and Members examining the exhibition of the plans and images of the proposed, new pontoon. The Vice Commodore reported briefly on the pontoon discussions and then left it to Rear Commodore Sailing, Robert Coyle, to preside over the prizes.
Orla wins the David Eagling Memorial Trophy
Saturday 24th October 2009
The Corinthian Cruising Fleet is not reknowned for strict adherence to the rules for starting proper, real races; after all, we are a Cruising Fleet. No, our approach is more relaxed and does not require the precision timing achieved by the one-designs, when the aim is to be in a position, approximately one second behind the start line as the gun goes, every sail perfectly set and going at full tilt.
Last Chance Regatta
17th & 18th October 2009
Once again, the pleasant October weather and excitement of windward/leeward racing made the Last Chance Regatta a fantastic event and enticed ten Squibs to relaunch after the National Inland Championships. Visitors Dave White & Peter Ballam in Easy 83 won all five races and the Mike Flint Trophy, sponsored by Colman Coyle LLP. In a revised format to avoid conflict with the Dragon mini-series, Race Officer Edwin Buckley managed to get three races completed on Saturday afternoon and a further two on Sunday morning before the wind died away.
2009 Endeavour Championship - Conclusion
Sunday 11th October 2009
Forty-nine year-old Geoff Carveth, who last sailed the event seven years ago, has won the coveted Endeavour Trophy for the fifth time. He and his crew Emma Clarke representing the RS200 class stole the show today and finished the eight-race series, nine points clear ahead of Lark sailors Alan Krailing and Ed McArdle.
2009 Endeavour Championship - Opening Day
Saturday 10th October 2009
Alan Krailing and Edd McArdle representing the Lark class lead the Endeavour Trophy champions of champions series after five races without even winning a race. Krailing and McArdle proved that notching up a consistent scoreline including three second places really does pay dividends. They finished the day just one point ahead of RS200 representative Geoff Carveth and Emma Clarke who included a 1st, 2nd, and 4th in their string of results.
Plans for the Proposed Pontoon
Saturday 10th October 2009
The plans of the proposed pontoon are now on the website as promised together with some artistic impressions that will give a good idea of how it would look. These plans and images can only be viewed by members who are logged into the site. If you have yet to login, help is at hand...
Cruisers Elect New Fleet Captain
Saturday 3rd October 2009
The RCYC Cruiser Fleet held their AGM and welcomed the Annual Report given by the Fleet Captain Mike King. However this title was to be held by Mick for just moments more as the next item on the Agenda was the election of a new Fleet Captain.
A Memorial Service for Allan Munro
Monday 14th September 2009
Allan's Memorial Service was held at The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin in Burnham-on-Crouch. The Rev Vera Wadham officiated.
The St Mathew Cup Stays With Us!
Sunday 6th September 2009
It is really cruel to expect a bright and early turnout to compete for the St Mathew Cup the morning after the BW Prizegiving but experience tells us that it is the only way to find enough people available to fill the teams necessary! New members may not realise the significance of this trophy which was presented to the town by ‘The Officers, Men & WRNS Personnel of HMS ST. Mathew November 1943 – October 1945’ when the Burnham water front was taken over by the Admiralty as part of the war effort. The inscription continues, ‘To be competed for annually by a class selected by the Burnham Sailing Week Committee’ and that has been faithfully carried out ever since, every year 1947, when it was first won by BSC.
Burnham Week 2009 Voted 'One of the Best'
Saturday 29th August - Saturday 5th September 2009
The verdict seems to be that Burnham Week 2009 was one of the best in recent years. The number of competitors was increased, despite both the gloomy financial situation and the start of the new school term, the weather over the first weekend was perfect and although the conditions later in the week caused some races to be abandoned, all fleets sailed on the final Saturday, rounding off the Week to everyone’s satisfaction.
Roger and Mingming make a Safe Return
The Voyage lasted from 26th June until 12th August 2009
After forty-eight days at sea (by my reckoning), Roger Taylor brought Mingming safely back to Whitehills harbour on Thursday 13th August, having achieved all the objectives of this particular voyage. It was not without excitements, (over and above the fact that he is sailing singlehanded in a boat almost devoid of the latest technology and instruments) in the shape of pods of killer whales and a close shave with a Russian factory ship...but his adventures are best told in his own words...
Farleigh Hospice Regatta
Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th August 2009
The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club once again organised a club charity regatta and raised a staggering total of over £2500 for Farleigh Hospice. A record number of members and visitors entered with boats from the RBOD, RCOD, Flying Fifteens, RS Elite, Dragon, Squib and 707 fleets, all enjoying the excellent sailing conditions.
707 National Championships 2009
25th to 29th July 2009
The 2009 707 National Championships were hosted by Island Sailing Club at Cowes from 25th to 29th July, the week before Cowes Week. The Island Sailing Club made the 707 fleet most welcome with an excellent race team, brilliant sailing and fantastic socials. It was great to see two Scarborough boats Second Fiddle and Humdinger and "Well done!" to Betty and crew for winning the week.
Balcony Event
Saturday 8th August 2009
On a perfect summer's evening thirty Club members and friends sat down to dine on the RCYC balcony under the awning. With suitable music playing in the background, we enjoyed a typical four course Italian meal, cooked to perfection by Dean the chef.
The Cheeseboard Trophy
Sunday 26th July 2009
The Squib fleet once again had a massively enjoyable day competing for
the Rice & Cole's Cheeseboard Trophy in front of the club. Four short
races on a trapezoidal course really sharpened mark rounding skills of both helms and crews bringing large smiles to everyone's faces.
My First Try at the Squib Nationals
20th July 2009
It was only because I finished the school term early after completing my GCSEs, that made it possible to enter the Squib Nationals. My dad only entered on the Wednesday before so it was all a bit of a rush as we checked the forecast was okay before heading to Weymouth taking the last (108th) place.
RCYC Members at the 18ft Skiff Worlds
28th June to 6th July 2009
Four RCYC Members, all ex-Otters, arrived in Carnac to take part in the 18ft Skiff World Championships on the 26th June. Jamie Mears and Matt Gill are continuing their sailing relationship which started in Cadets many moons ago, teaming up with Stuart Mears to sail Pica, while Jonathan Noonan, as middleman, teamed up with established match racers Mason Woodworth and Simon Hamilton, on board Investec. Other Brits included Pindar, skippered by Andy Richards, (European champions), Ronstan with Iain Turnbull at the helm, TMF Group with Jarrod Simpson
and Gill/Wild Graphics with Ed Brown.
The Cruisers run for a Curry
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th June 2009
The now annual Brightlingsea Curry Run brought new meanings to the phrase 'Cruise in Company'; five boats attended, two went a day early, one left an hour before the other two, who left together but went by differing routes... oh well, the journey back would be different.
Henley came to Burnham...
Saturday 20th June 2009
Henley came to Burnham and brought on a burgeoning of blazers at the annual Summer Party. Some were authentic and some were contrived, some were hired and some were obviously relics of a sporty golden youth but all added to the charm of the evening and that was just the gentlemen!
The Phantom Trophy
Weekends 6th & 7th and 13th & 14th June 2009
The 707 fleet has been honoured to compete for the Phantom Trophy for a number of years. The Trophy was first awarded in the 1820s – and so is 30 years older than the America’s Cup. Indeed it is rumoured to be the oldest yachting trophy of all. The format of the races is laid down by the rules for the trophy – there has to be a combination of coastal, offshore, and inshore races.
Voyages of a Simple Sailor
3rd June 2009
Roger Taylor published the tales of some of his sailing adventures last year and the book is selling well. 'Voyages of a Simple Sailor' has been hovering at or near the top of the Amazon sailing narrative bestseller lists. Last week it was simultaneously #1 in Canada, #2 in the UK and #19 in the US.
It makes exciting reading - it comes recommended!
Mingming's Next Voyage
1st June 2009
This year Roger Taylor will start his annual voyage from a more northerly point rather than setting out from Burnham. By this means he hopes to achieve more in the six weeks available to him. He plans to set out from Whitehills on the southern shore of the Moray Firth and head for Jan Mayen Island.
707 Eastern Area Championships 2009
Bank Holiday Weekend 2nd - 4th May 2009
The 707 Eastern Area Championship was held at Burnham over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, as it has been for many years. This year there were eleven entries, all based in Burnham.
Squib Gold Cup
Bank Holiday Weekend 2nd - 4th May 2009
A great weekend was enjoyed by the twenty-one boats participating in the Gold Cup. Average wind was perfect but nearly all of it was on Sunday. Nevertheless, seven of the eight races were sailed, thanks to excellent race management.
Old Gaffers' Rally
Sunday 3rd May 2009
It wasn't just the usual Dragons, RCODs, Elites etc that started from the RCYC Racing Line on Sunday 3rd May, Bruce and his team provided the start signals for around 15 Old Gaffers as they held their Crouch Rally.
In recent years we have had around five to eight boats attend the rally but this year the promise of fair weather brought out around 20 boats ranging in size from a 19ft Shrimper to a 50ft Colin Archer!
A Taste of the Vendée Globe
Friday 1st May 2009
It was thirty-four years since Brian Thompson was last in Burnham so his visit to tell us of his Vendée Globe adventures inevitably had a nostalgic tinge of 'memory lane' for him. An ex-Otter from 1970 -1976, he learnt his sailing skills on the Crouch and Roach. Those early years also gave him a love for sailing on his own; he would challenge himself to reach Battlesbridge in his Heron dinghy, getting back before dark so that he wasn't missed! Those were days of simple, uncomplicated pleasures... can you imagine it happening now?
Welcome to Quick Reflex
Sunday 5th April 2009
The three Kings and Gerri Blake met at the Mayflower Marina in Plymouth on Sunday 5th April 2009 for the delivery trip of Quick Reflex to the RCYC. It was an idyllic day and they wandered along the coastal path, licking ice creams and watching nuclear submarines, negotiating Plymouth Sound. What a difference a day makes!
Spirit of Montpelier flies the flag!
23rd April 2009
David Yelloly, a country member based in the West Midlands, is not a frequent visitor to the Burnham Club but certainly does his bit to take the Club's Ensign to far-flung places. Spirit of Montpelier, his Oyster 72, competed in the recent Spring Regatta in the British Virgin Islands where he enjoyed success in the cruiser performance division.
RSPB Wetlands Project meeting
Friday 17th April 2009
About a hundred people, RCYC members, members from other clubs and Burnham residents, gathered in the Clubhouse to hear the latest news about this controversial project. RSPB Operations Manager (Projects), Jeff Kew, Wallasea Island Project Manager, Chris Tyas, and Dr Colin Scott of ASP Marine Research were there to present the latest developments and answer questions.
Burnham Dragon Fleet Newsletter
16th April 2009
Download the latest Burnham Dragon Fleet newsletter, which includes an in-depth report on the 2009 Easter Regatta. "The comparison with last year could not be greater. Admittedly the event was being held a month later, which meant we were not subjected to a snow storm and did not suffer the loss of two days racing due to high winds. It was quite the opposite; the concern was the lack of wind!"
Ladies' Day
Tuesday 7th April 2009
Tuesday 7th April was a day for the ladies. We met and gossiped over coffee then sat back to enjoy the demonstration of 'How to arrange Spring Flowers'. Jane Cowell and Janet Thorogood of the Dengie Hundred Flower Arrangement Society opened their demonstration by confessing that they were only amateurs at this business...
707s at Volvo RYA Dinghy Show
7th and 8th March 2009
Several 707 sailors from the RCYC helped out with a very successful show stand at this year's dinghy show. Other than a Dragon, the 707 used for the display dwarfed all the other boats in the Great Hall at Alexandra Palace and generated a lot of interest among those attending the show. "A lot of boat for the money" was heard regularly when people found out that a 707 ready to race could be purchased for less than £8000...
RNLI Safety Advice
March 2009
Easter is the traditional start of the boating season. No matter where Easter falls the covers rarely come off earlier. The RNLI hopes all boat users have fair winds and calm seas during 2009. Whilst we can only hope for that, none of us have any control over the weather.
Sailing Rules 2009
Saturday 7th March 2009
Did you brush up your Rules recently? Many Members did and kept John Duerr, the Rules Guru, busy all day. Several helms and crews looked thoughtful over lunch as they consulted their information sheets and one or two even returned to repeat the last session to make sure they had got it right.
The Otters win a Volvo Eco Grant
20th February 2009
An RYA's recent countrywide promotion, supported by Volvo, to make the sailing youngsters aware of environmental issues, has resulted in a grant for £740 for the Corinthian Otters.
Have you sailed a Classic Dragon?
18th February 2009
I was delighted and honoured to be asked to become the BDA Secretary at the recent AGM. One of the tasks the committee has set itself is to build up the BDA archives as we are fearful much interesting and important historical information about Dragons and the class may become forgotten.
Telefonica Blue wins the fourth leg
29th January 2009
RCYC member Simon Fisher (Si Fi) is on board Telefonica Blue, part of the two-boat Spanish Team for the 2008-2009 Volvo Round the World Race. The race started in Alicante in Spain on 11th October 2008 with stop-overs in Cape Town, Cochin (India), Singapore, Qingdao, Rio, Boston, Galway, Maastrand and Stockholm before finishing in St. Petersberg at the end of June 2009.
RCYC Burns Night
26th January 2009
Saturday 24th January was the evening when another fine Burns night was enjoyed by 95 members and guests with Master of Ceremonies Steve Jones ensuring that we maintained our format of tradition and humour.
The Battle of the Classes
The London Boat Show 18th January 2009
The Royal Victoria Dock adjacent to the London Boat Show's venue in ExCeL was the location of the "Yachts and Yachting" dinghy pursuit race, the Battle of the Classes, held on Sunday 18th January. What has this got to do with the RCYC you might be thinking? Well everything if fact, as Edwin Buckley and his team of mainly club helpers managed the racing under the flag of the RCYC.
