NEWS
Harken D-Zero 2025 Inland Championship at Ogston Sailing Club
The weather forecast for the whole country for the weekend was bleak with the onset of Storm Amy set for arrival on Friday and gales of well in excess of 50mph expected.
Many yacht clubs around the country chose to cancel events for the weekend due to the weather conditions, particularly those on the coast where wave conditions would be dangerous. Doubtless that impacted entry numbers for the event but we still had 10 entries and the club were pressing ahead with the event in parallel to the Challenger trimaran regatta.
However, our upbeat Ogston D-Zero Inland Championship organiser and Class Chairman Rohan Daniels sent out the following advisory on social media:
"If anyone plans on making a last dash to the inlands, the forecast is showing that from 2pm onwards on Saturday it will be gusting around 36knots with an average of only 18-24 knots in the afternoon. The plan is for us to start racing from about 2pm to allow the strong gusts to blow through in the morning, and an early start on Sunday to get the remaining races done."
In other words 'game-on'.
Arriving at the club late Friday to see whole trees jumping and swaying in a carefully choreographed dance as if taunting our arrival was a sight to behold. By contrast the reception from the Club and its organisers was warm, friendly and very welcoming. A great evening meal and socialising with others in the clubhouse made for a good Friday evening warm-up.
Saturday morning dawned, gusty winds from the south west and rain on and off. This was going to be 'fun' for sure.
The race officer went afloat to check the conditions fairly early and it was decided to postpone racing until 1400 HRS as expected. Three races back to back were scheduled.
Boats rigged and the fleet launched. One or two decided to check their capsize technique even before racing started. Meanwhile the course was set as a figure of eight using a moveable windward mark and fixed club marks.
Race 1 saw Wil Hitchman and Rohan Daniels up front very quickly after a short first beat with Gordon Stewart and James Daniels always in the hunt. The first beat saw gusts over 25 knots and remarkable direction swings too. David Kitchen climbed up to third by the end of the second lap only to go to the wrong mark loosing two valuable places. Josh Heron sailed well being new to the class but had too many capsizes to hold onto his positions. Simon Raglione-Hall was close most of the later part of the race but unable to punch through. Race 1 saw Wil Hitchman, Rohan Daniels and Gordon Stewart take 1,2,3.
Race 2 was under starters orders very quickly. The race started with big breeze on and spray flying off the top of the waves, so requiring lots of slack mainsheet and flogging sails to prevent being blown over all the time. Two boats capsized at the start with only one of the two continuing the race. Again it was Wil Hitchman and Rohan Daniels taking the early lead followed by James Daniels and Gordon Stewart. Some massive squalls came through on the second half of the race on the tight reach. Rohan Daniels sailed most of the leg with a flogging mainsail while David Kitchen carrying a heavy rake to de-power the rig came through to second place behind Wil Hitchman, with Rohan taking third.
The Race Officer cancelled racing for the remainder of the day as rescue was still busy trying to recover a boat near the dam wall that needed assistance.
Saturday evening saw many weary bodies with stories of lessons learnt, things to fix, things to change etc. The club dinner was superb and set the evening up well for more warm hospitality.
We all know that on a Saturday night stories are told in the clubhouse but often times not really remembered that well thereafter.
So here are some of what I heard that evening but I'm not judgemental.
Lessons learnt:
- Swimming is not a fast way round the race track, so try to stay on the boat and try keeping the mast pointing skywards
- Not to be recommended; headbutting the carbon boom in the screaming gybes is OK provided you are wearing a helmet. Of course, by accident
- Going fast in very strong shifty winds inland on flat water is very different to the sea where the wind is more constant. So best is leave the kicker quite loose and let the boom go up and out on the D-Zero when you ease the mainsheet.
- Pinch the boat up into the wind to de-power the boat in the gusts rather than letting out the mainsheet at least you point high.
- Tape your chocks into the boat or have strong elastic to stop the mast chocks coming out as happened to one boat today on a long lazy capsize. (Temporarily fixed by making wooden ones in the club workshop that evening over a beer.)
- Whatever happens don't let go of the mainsheet even when you fall out of the boat
- Make sure to sit back when you bear away onto a screaming reach to prevent easily pitchpoling the D-Zero as demonstrated today
- Going upwind in over 20 knots and gusty conditions have the centreboard up a bit to improve boat handling and reduce weather helm.
- Pull the outhaul tight and rake the mast back 5-7mm extra to de-power the mainsail and soften the leech tension in very gusty and strong winds where the impact force of the gust can blow you over so quickly.
- Don't lift the centreboard too much if you have a loose kicker off wind in 30knots you can still wipe-out as the boat slides out underneath you.
- Only two boats didn't capsize today, testimony to the tough conditions.
- One boat honestly lost count of how many capsizes they had had today. When asked are they up for more tomorrow that said absolutely yes don't want to miss out on all the fun.
Race 4 started with a left hand shift at the start and a tricky tactical beat followed. At the windward mark it was Wil Hitchman again with Rohan Daniels, James Daniels on his heels and Gordon Stewart and David Kitchen being caught out with the big shifts near the top mark. Downwind got very frisky with enormous puffs seemingly coming out of nowhere over the trees at the top of the race course. Many succumbed to these blasts downhill and were found wanting on the gybes with many a boat taking a tumble. James Daniels seemed to weave his way through the ensuing carnage without difficulty. At the finish it was Wil Hitchman, Rohan Daniels and James Daniels taking 1,2,3.
Lining up for Race 5 Rohan Daniels was nowhere to be seen and unknown to us had gone in due to a niggly knee injury. Everyone else was still out and by this stage everyone had had at least one capsize so there were some very weary bodies, and the wind once again picked up into the mid twenties.
After the start the fleet tacked to port on a major shift, with Wil Hitchman out front to windward and James Daniels below to leeward. David Kitchen and Gordon Stewart were close but never quite in contention. Josh Heron had a good first beat and remained close throughout the race. On lap two James Daniels and David Kitchen had some tight racing with frequent position changes but James just kept pushing ahead. Wil Hitchman never very far away was providing loose cover as expected on the upwind legs. Simon Raglione-Hall was scored DNF in the this race, Will Hitchman taking the 1st, with James Daniels 2nd and David Kitchen 3rd. Gordon Stewart 4th with Josh Heron a very creditable 5th finishing every race in the event and managing six capsizes on the last day still smiling when he came ashore.
The prize-giving went ahead with thanks to all the organisers, the sponsors Harken, Ogston Sailing Club and of course Phil Hind (race officer) Emily Osbourne (Photos) and the army of volunteers that made it all happen.
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Pts
1 307 Wil Hitchman Shropshire Sailing Club 1 1 1 1 1 4
2 224 Rohan Daniels Ogston Sailing Club 2 3 2 2 DNS 9
3 240 James Daniels Ogston Sailing Club 4 4 4 3 2 13
4 GBR366 David Kitchen Dalgety Bay Sailing Club 5 2 6 4 3 14
5 358 Gordon Stewart NHEBSC 3 5 3 5 4 15
6 178 Josh Heron Ogston Sailing Club 7 6 7 6 5 24
7 108 Simon Raglione‑Hall Stewartby 6 DNF 5 DNF DNS 31
8 GBR 57 Martin Latimer Largs Sc DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 40
8 GBR 344 Mick Green Leigh And Lowton Sc DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 40
D-Zero Scottish Championships Race Report - Dalgety Bay 27 & 28 September 2025
As part of the Dalgety Bay Regatta, the D-Zero Class held their Scottish Championships and 10 boats entered for a mixed forecast for the set of 6 races across the weekend, some entrants having travelled from south of the border to mix things up a bit!
Saturday commenced with a grey sky, though the three bridges stood out across the bay, however wind was increasing gently and blowing some of the fog and mist away, and 10-20 knots forecast across the day. With a leisurely start, 1st race not before 1255, the many sailors filled the multiple areas across the site and prepared and polished boats, chatting as to what lay before them.
With a large slip, all the boats managed to get away easily into an onshore breeze, though one previous Largs DZ sailor now playing in Int14’s laid theirs all across the water in front of us, maybe to admire their foils or shiny bottom, who knows… However, after a 20-minute reach to the race area down by the Forth Rail Bridge, the wind had built nicely though was shifting 20-30 degrees and questioning to go into the potential incoming tide or take the bend and channelled wind by the shore.
First start, and after 2 general recalls from the Mixed and then ILCA fleets, we were away, banking hard right not long after the gun and working the shifts all the way up the beat. Course for all weekend was an inner sausage loop then trapezoid to prevent all getting mixed up with the other fleets. Bertie Bassett had his porridge obviously, as well as the flying Doc Mccarlie from Largs as both were quick and sailing well in the shifts, Valentine hard on their heels after a long drive north was out to show speed in the beats, with locals Baillie and Williamson not far away. Valentine had some close action with a Solo at the windward, both wanting to go opposite directions, enabling Bassett to get a free gift and pull away. Working the right way to go was critical. The second beat brought Baillie closer into contention having seen a better route on the beat and then Baillie managed along with Mccarlie able to get past Valentine on the final run, however only a few seconds separated the top 5. 1st Bassett, 2nd Mccarlie, 3rd Baillie
A delay for the wind to settle, and the air was getting chilly, however the wind would just about settle, the RO team start to react and then switch back to another direction. However, they got the second race underway and clean starts from all of the fleets, though the wind stayed shifty with some holes around the circuit as the hill near the bridge slowed some reaches. Valentine and Mccarlie got the shifts on the beat wrong and raced closely at the back of the fleet, whilst locals Baillie and Stuart found their rhythm and worked the right way to go up both beats, opposite ways each time, and had Bassett chasing hard with Williamson following. Baillie took the win with Stuart only 1 second behind, followed by Bassett a couple of seconds later.
Last race for the day and with more grey clouds appearing, some gusts became apparent, Valentine and Baillie got off the start well and pushed each other up the first beat, and were close on the sausage run, with Bassett, Stuart and Mccarlie joining the action. Then Baillie found the perfect way up the 2nd beat and pulled a huge gap on the rest. Bassett and Stuart were following but too much to catch Baillie, and had Valentine working hard on the run to no avail. By that time, it had started raining, so all headed for home, possibly to catch the Women’s Rugby World Cup, or to talk what could have been / what was, and a glass or two of refreshment. A great meal in the evening with plenty of lasagne or curry and puddings. Hope its windy on Sunday. 1st and 2nd were sorted for the day, 4th to 6th were on equal points split on countback. All to play for. Day one results. 1st Baillie; 2nd Bassett; 3rd Stuart
Day two and a spectacular day to wake up to…
AP was flying as wind was building though forecasts showed 2 different directions, east or south, what would it be…
After an hour of holding, we were released into a good breeze, and pretty steady compared to Saturday.
Race 1 underway and no Soslos to get mixed up with, though one sailor Gibb joined us for the day – something muttered about fun but strange little boats, and that’s coming from someone who sails without a bow, anyway I digress in the banter. Valentine rocketed off the start with Williamson also going well and led us into the first mark with Valentine right on his transom. Down the run, and Baillie, Stuart and Bassett wanting to get in on the action. Hard sailing by the lee and use of angles enabled Valentine to keep right on it, just behind Williamson as they rounded with others closing. Williamson went hard right, Valentine took a lift going left and played the beat getting to the top mark ahead of all maybe with some tidal assistance, though Baillie and Stuart had taken Williamson before the reach. Williamson was having a great race. Steady breeze down the run though pushing now into the tide, Valentine got to the leeward with Baillie just behind on his transom, then banged a quick tack in for the line. Valentine held on towards the shore and then tacked keen for the win and gained on a lift to the finish. Baillie in next, then Stuart. Twenty seconds separated the first 5 boats, always close racing and nothing ever guaranteed in a D-Zero.
Race 2, Baillie and Stuart got off well, with Bassett and Gibb chasing closely. Valentine in the mix with Williamson Tight runs watched everyone split running angles and trying to gain where they could. Baillie pulled ahead of Stuart and Bassett, then another tight battle up the beat. Valentine spent too long going right in search of breeze and was headed, enough to lose a couple of places to Williamson and others. Gibb was going well up the beat, well hiked out and hunting down Bassett. The reach didn’t do much for positions, then the run to home. Baillie and Stuart were away, followed by Bassett and Gibb in close battle, and Williamson and Valentine close enough for danger. Valentine got complacent and whilst looking behind for breeze, spilt it to windward with a huge smack on the water for good effect, though despite a full turtle just lost one place to Kitchen who didn’t look back, though Mccarlie and Green suddenly got very interested. Valentine managed to hold Mccarlie off on the reach and then was pushed hard to the line. 1st Baillie; 2nd Stuart; 3rd Bassett
Last race, the sun still pouring down on us – allegedly its always sunny in Dalgety other than the day before and 2 years ago when the author last visited, though always sunny! Breeze had softened lightly. Bassett, Baillie, Williamson and Stuart had a great start, and the fleet was tightly bunched as we all approached the windward, all the top runners in the action, all nicely hiked and were fast up the beat. Too fast as it happened and we caught up with the ILCA fleet who had overstood the mark and were reaching on starboard in from the shoreline to be met with a few D-Zero’s coming in quickly on port. Where was the space, was there any space ? a few got caught and had some close inspections of their sides and plenty of calls , whilst Bassett and Valentine just got into a space and tacked ahead of the ILCA’s and used some acceleration to get round the mark and bear away whilst the ILCA’s went for the reach. Bassett and Valentine got away with Baillie not far behind on the first run. Others had all been caught up, and where a few took some spins, the pack mixed up and enabled the first 3 to get away. Bassett held Valentine and Baillie off on the next beat, though was close, a breezy reach then died and then off again round the wing into the final run. Baillie gaining on Valentine who was only just behind Bassett. Valentine went deep left, followed by Baillie, Bassett went right then came back and then mixed it with a 400 coming into the final mark on opposite tacks. Valentine and Baillie smelt blood, though not enough to catch Bassett. Baillie had done enough to secure his overall win and gain the Scottish Champion title; Valentine would need to check some maths first.
Heading for home, and the sun still on nicely, a good washdown, wrap up and a very healthy and welcome spread of food awaited the racers everything to refuel from chicken to wraps to cakes. Another great hosting from Dalgety Bay SC, roll on to the D-Zero Nationals in June 2026, that was a good learning experience of what goes on, cannot wait!
Thanks to the RO and safety / marks team who had some challenges on Saturday with the breeze, though got the races turned round quickly on Sunday.
As part of the Dalgety Bay Regatta, the D-Zero Class held their Scottish Championships and 10 boats entered for a mixed forecast for the set of 6 races across the weekend, some entrants having travelled from south of the border to mix things up a bit!
Saturday commenced with a grey sky, though the three bridges stood out across the bay, however wind was increasing gently and blowing some of the fog and mist away, and 10-20 knots forecast across the day. With a leisurely start, 1st race not before 1255, the many sailors filled the multiple areas across the site and prepared and polished boats, chatting as to what lay before them.
With a large slip, all the boats managed to get away easily into an onshore breeze, though one previous Largs DZ sailor now playing in Int14’s laid theirs all across the water in front of us, maybe to admire their foils or shiny bottom, who knows… However, after a 20-minute reach to the race area down by the Forth Rail Bridge, the wind had built nicely though was shifting 20-30 degrees and questioning to go into the potential incoming tide or take the bend and channelled wind by the shore.
First start, and after 2 general recalls from the Mixed and then ILCA fleets, we were away, banking hard right not long after the gun and working the shifts all the way up the beat. Course for all weekend was an inner sausage loop then trapezoid to prevent all getting mixed up with the other fleets. Bertie Bassett had his porridge obviously, as well as the flying Doc Mccarlie from Largs as both were quick and sailing well in the shifts, Valentine hard on their heels after a long drive north was out to show speed in the beats, with locals Baillie and Williamson not far away. Valentine had some close action with a Solo at the windward, both wanting to go opposite directions, enabling Bassett to get a free gift and pull away. Working the right way to go was critical. The second beat brought Baillie closer into contention having seen a better route on the beat and then Baillie managed along with Mccarlie able to get past Valentine on the final run, however only a few seconds separated the top 5. 1st Bassett, 2nd Mccarlie, 3rd Baillie
A delay for the wind to settle, and the air was getting chilly, however the wind would just about settle, the RO team start to react and then switch back to another direction. However, they got the second race underway and clean starts from all of the fleets, though the wind stayed shifty with some holes around the circuit as the hill near the bridge slowed some reaches. Valentine and Mccarlie got the shifts on the beat wrong and raced closely at the back of the fleet, whilst locals Baillie and Stuart found their rhythm and worked the right way to go up both beats, opposite ways each time, and had Bassett chasing hard with Williamson following. Baillie took the win with Stuart only 1 second behind, followed by Bassett a couple of seconds later.
Last race for the day and with more grey clouds appearing, some gusts became apparent, Valentine and Baillie got off the start well and pushed each other up the first beat, and were close on the sausage run, with Bassett, Stuart and Mccarlie joining the action. Then Baillie found the perfect way up the 2nd beat and pulled a huge gap on the rest. Bassett and Stuart were following but too much to catch Baillie, and had Valentine working hard on the run to no avail. By that time, it had started raining, so all headed for home, possibly to catch the Women’s Rugby World Cup, or to talk what could have been / what was, and a glass or two of refreshment. A great meal in the evening with plenty of lasagne or curry and puddings. Hope its windy on Sunday. 1st and 2nd were sorted for the day, 4th to 6th were on equal points split on countback. All to play for. Day one results. 1st Baillie; 2nd Bassett; 3rd Stuart
Day two and a spectacular day to wake up to…
AP was flying as wind was building though forecasts showed 2 different directions, east or south, what would it be…
After an hour of holding, we were released into a good breeze, and pretty steady compared to Saturday.
Race 1 underway and no Soslos to get mixed up with, though one sailor Gibb joined us for the day – something muttered about fun but strange little boats, and that’s coming from someone who sails without a bow, anyway I digress in the banter. Valentine rocketed off the start with Williamson also going well and led us into the first mark with Valentine right on his transom. Down the run, and Baillie, Stuart and Bassett wanting to get in on the action. Hard sailing by the lee and use of angles enabled Valentine to keep right on it, just behind Williamson as they rounded with others closing. Williamson went hard right, Valentine took a lift going left and played the beat getting to the top mark ahead of all maybe with some tidal assistance, though Baillie and Stuart had taken Williamson before the reach. Williamson was having a great race. Steady breeze down the run though pushing now into the tide, Valentine got to the leeward with Baillie just behind on his transom, then banged a quick tack in for the line. Valentine held on towards the shore and then tacked keen for the win and gained on a lift to the finish. Baillie in next, then Stuart. Twenty seconds separated the first 5 boats, always close racing and nothing ever guaranteed in a D-Zero.
Race 2, Baillie and Stuart got off well, with Bassett and Gibb chasing closely. Valentine in the mix with Williamson Tight runs watched everyone split running angles and trying to gain where they could. Baillie pulled ahead of Stuart and Bassett, then another tight battle up the beat. Valentine spent too long going right in search of breeze and was headed, enough to lose a couple of places to Williamson and others. Gibb was going well up the beat, well hiked out and hunting down Bassett. The reach didn’t do much for positions, then the run to home. Baillie and Stuart were away, followed by Bassett and Gibb in close battle, and Williamson and Valentine close enough for danger. Valentine got complacent and whilst looking behind for breeze, spilt it to windward with a huge smack on the water for good effect, though despite a full turtle just lost one place to Kitchen who didn’t look back, though Mccarlie and Green suddenly got very interested. Valentine managed to hold Mccarlie off on the reach and then was pushed hard to the line. 1st Baillie; 2nd Stuart; 3rd Bassett
Last race, the sun still pouring down on us – allegedly its always sunny in Dalgety other than the day before and 2 years ago when the author last visited, though always sunny! Breeze had softened lightly. Bassett, Baillie, Williamson and Stuart had a great start, and the fleet was tightly bunched as we all approached the windward, all the top runners in the action, all nicely hiked and were fast up the beat. Too fast as it happened and we caught up with the ILCA fleet who had overstood the mark and were reaching on starboard in from the shoreline to be met with a few D-Zero’s coming in quickly on port. Where was the space, was there any space ? a few got caught and had some close inspections of their sides and plenty of calls , whilst Bassett and Valentine just got into a space and tacked ahead of the ILCA’s and used some acceleration to get round the mark and bear away whilst the ILCA’s went for the reach. Bassett and Valentine got away with Baillie not far behind on the first run. Others had all been caught up, and where a few took some spins, the pack mixed up and enabled the first 3 to get away. Bassett held Valentine and Baillie off on the next beat, though was close, a breezy reach then died and then off again round the wing into the final run. Baillie gaining on Valentine who was only just behind Bassett. Valentine went deep left, followed by Baillie, Bassett went right then came back and then mixed it with a 400 coming into the final mark on opposite tacks. Valentine and Baillie smelt blood, though not enough to catch Bassett. Baillie had done enough to secure his overall win and gain the Scottish Champion title; Valentine would need to check some maths first.
Heading for home, and the sun still on nicely, a good washdown, wrap up and a very healthy and welcome spread of food awaited the racers everything to refuel from chicken to wraps to cakes. Another great hosting from Dalgety Bay SC, roll on to the D-Zero Nationals in June 2026, that was a good learning experience of what goes on, cannot wait!
Thanks to the RO and safety / marks team who had some challenges on Saturday with the breeze, though got the races turned round quickly on Sunday.
Hunts D-Zero Sprint Championship - 27th September 2025
On the day, 5 intrepid sailors turned up for some fast and furious racing at Hunts’ D-Zero Sprint Championship. The day was bright and the breeze was fresh, if a little twitchy, ideal for some great racing. Everyone involved had an excellent day and, I must admit, it was one of the best day’s racing I have had in the last few years.
Steve, our excellent RO, set a fun trapezoid course, and to add to the interest he set a challenging short start line too. As the format for the day’s racing was a ‘sprint series’, our longest race was only 15 minutes to complete two laps of the course. We had 9 races in total, with 7 to count and a break for a much needed lunch in the middle.
Because of the sprint race format, racing was tight and over the whole day, no one sailor held sway, with positions changing regularly. The racing was intense and the starts important. (Though, in one race, I did manage to be the first boat to the windward mark, despite having to do penalty turns at the start!)
So after 8 races had been sailed, the top 3 sailors began the final race on even footing, each with 11 points! The last race was critical: any one of the top 3 could claim the overall win! On the second lap heading to the windward mark, I took the chance to grab the lead, hoping to get round the mark on a port tack. Sadly, I was a bit too tight to John heading in on starboard, so ended up doing turns which relegated me to 3rd position.
John Aston came first with good, consistent, fast sailing. Paul Jefferies 2nd. Yours truly (Jon) 3rd. Gordon Stewart 4th and Gary Tomkins 5th.
Sailor Sail no R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 Total
John Aston 3 1 1 3 1 2 4* 3 DNC 1 12
Paul Jefferies 345 3 2 1 2 4* 1 4* 2 2 13
Jon Cowper 42 4* 3 4* 3 1 2 1 1 3 14
Gordon Stewart 358 2 4* 2 4 3 3 2 3 4* 20
Gary Tomkins 158 5 5 5 5 RTD RTD RTD RTD RTD 38
Hoping to rerun the event again next year for more fun!
Jon Cowper “42 Heart of Gold”
On the day, 5 intrepid sailors turned up for some fast and furious racing at Hunts’ D-Zero Sprint Championship. The day was bright and the breeze was fresh, if a little twitchy, ideal for some great racing. Everyone involved had an excellent day and, I must admit, it was one of the best day’s racing I have had in the last few years.
Steve, our excellent RO, set a fun trapezoid course, and to add to the interest he set a challenging short start line too. As the format for the day’s racing was a ‘sprint series’, our longest race was only 15 minutes to complete two laps of the course. We had 9 races in total, with 7 to count and a break for a much needed lunch in the middle.
Because of the sprint race format, racing was tight and over the whole day, no one sailor held sway, with positions changing regularly. The racing was intense and the starts important. (Though, in one race, I did manage to be the first boat to the windward mark, despite having to do penalty turns at the start!)
So after 8 races had been sailed, the top 3 sailors began the final race on even footing, each with 11 points! The last race was critical: any one of the top 3 could claim the overall win! On the second lap heading to the windward mark, I took the chance to grab the lead, hoping to get round the mark on a port tack. Sadly, I was a bit too tight to John heading in on starboard, so ended up doing turns which relegated me to 3rd position.
John Aston came first with good, consistent, fast sailing. Paul Jefferies 2nd. Yours truly (Jon) 3rd. Gordon Stewart 4th and Gary Tomkins 5th.
Sailor Sail no R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 Total
John Aston 3 1 1 3 1 2 4* 3 DNC 1 12
Paul Jefferies 345 3 2 1 2 4* 1 4* 2 2 13
Jon Cowper 42 4* 3 4* 3 1 2 1 1 3 14
Gordon Stewart 358 2 4* 2 4 3 3 2 3 4* 20
Gary Tomkins 158 5 5 5 5 RTD RTD RTD RTD RTD 38
Hoping to rerun the event again next year for more fun!
Jon Cowper “42 Heart of Gold”
D-Zeros at the Aberdeen & Stonehaven Yacht Club Regatta
Fourteen D-Zeros took part in the Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club regatta over the weekend of the 16th and 17th of August and were rewarded with warm sunny weather, close racing and some excellent sailing conditions.
Due to the forecast of very light winds on Sunday, our Race Officer decided to run four races on the Saturday, which was a good call as the sea breeze was slowly coming in from the south and beginning to build up some nice waves.
The fleet was a bit line shy for race one, probably due to the adverse current over the line but it was very tight at the first mark with Ian Baillie first round with Francis Neill close behind, then Ali Higgins, leading the tightly bunched pack. Ian proved just too quick for the rest downwind and built a comfortable lead that he held to the finish and as Francis faded, Ali took over second. Meanwhile Scott Munro recovered from his bad start to charge through the fleet up to third, going particularly well upwind, Tom Atchison sailed very well to hold onto fourth.
The wind had increased to around 12 knots by race two and this time Scott Munro had a great start and led at the first mark. There was a bit of mayhem as some boats overstood on port but penalty turns were done where needed. Scott was chased by Ali Higgins, Ruary Williamson and Tom Aitchison but it was Ian Baillie who passed all but Scott down the first two reaches to challenge for the lead. However, Scott was continuing his great upwind speed and Ian was hampered with lack of kicker tension as he had jury rigged his kicker after breaking the top block on the way out to the race course and couldn't reduce Scott's lead enough downwind. So, Scott won from Ian with Ruary third ahead of Tom and Ali.
Race three, similar wind and still sunny, another crowded start, because going right still paid. Ali Higgins led this time round mark one and was much improved down the reaches. Pete Taylor, Scott Munro and Ian Baillie were following closely but Ali kept his lead until Ian was able to roll him downwind on the third lap and then held the lead to the finish. Scott regained third after falling out the boat while missing his toestraps, Pete in fourth from Tom Aitchison.
There were a few tired bodies by now, as we went into the fourth race and the wind had decreased a bit to more like the first race. This suited Ian Baillie as after rounding just behind Ali Higgins and Ruary Williamson, he passed both down the first reach and was comfortably ahead by the bottom mark and then consolidated his lead for the remaining laps. Ali finished with another second and Ruary gained another third, Pete Taylor was fourth. We then returned to Stonehaven Harbour for a barbeque at the clubhouse.
Sunday was a much lighter wind with sea haar and a bit of overcast. The wind was quite patchy and never really got going, leaving some nasty holes and tantalising gusts that were so often too far away. One of those nasty holes arrived at the pin end, giving those to the right a big advantage, which Scott Munro, Ali Higgins and Pete Taylor took full advantage of, building a substantial lead. The lighter wind meant three laps were sailed and Ali was just able to pip Scott by the finish, with Pete third while Ian Baillie sailed through most of the fleet to finish fourth.
The final race was maybe even trickier as the wind wobbled about and there were some different faces at the front as Dave Kitchen led Francis Neill from Pete Taylor and Ali Higgins. Dave and Francis kept up their positions until the final lap when Pete and Ali slipped past Francis, then Dave didn't cover Pete quite well enough, which allowed Pete to take the win by a couple of boat lengths. Ali was third, Francis fourth and Rob Anderson fifth.
The overall result was Ian Baillie in first, then Ali Higgins, Scott Munro, Pete Taylor, Tom Aitchison. Thanks to ASYC for running a fabulous regatta. The bay was at it's best on Saturday and it showed that a triangle and sausage course suited the D-Zero so well when the angles are set well and the short laps kept everyone close.
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts
1 336 lan Baillie Dalgety Bay 1 2 1 1 4 8 9
2 180 Alistair Higgins ASYC 2 5 2 2 1 3 10
3 353 Scott Munro ASYC 3 1 3 5 2 9 14
4 106 Peter Taylor Dalgety Bay 5 6 4 4 3 1 17
5 156 Tom Aitchison Dalgety Bay 4 4 5 6 5 6 24
6 233 Ruari Williamson Dalgety Bay 6 3 6 3 13 10 28
7 366 David Kitchen Dalgety Bay 8 8 10 9 6 2 33
8 248 Rob Anderson ASYC 9 7 7 7 11 5 35
9 325 Francis Neill ASYC 7 11 13 10 7 4 39
10 189 Richard Bryant Annandale DNS 9 11 11 8 7 46
11 339 Walter Mouat ASYC 11 10 8 8 9 12 46
12 201 Andrew McPhearson ASYC 12 12 12 12 10 11 57
13 250 Otter Collier-Wakefield ASYC 10 14 9 DNC DNC DNC 63
14 212 Barry Behane ASYC 13 13 14 13 12 13 64
Fourteen D-Zeros took part in the Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club regatta over the weekend of the 16th and 17th of August and were rewarded with warm sunny weather, close racing and some excellent sailing conditions.
Due to the forecast of very light winds on Sunday, our Race Officer decided to run four races on the Saturday, which was a good call as the sea breeze was slowly coming in from the south and beginning to build up some nice waves.
The fleet was a bit line shy for race one, probably due to the adverse current over the line but it was very tight at the first mark with Ian Baillie first round with Francis Neill close behind, then Ali Higgins, leading the tightly bunched pack. Ian proved just too quick for the rest downwind and built a comfortable lead that he held to the finish and as Francis faded, Ali took over second. Meanwhile Scott Munro recovered from his bad start to charge through the fleet up to third, going particularly well upwind, Tom Atchison sailed very well to hold onto fourth.
The wind had increased to around 12 knots by race two and this time Scott Munro had a great start and led at the first mark. There was a bit of mayhem as some boats overstood on port but penalty turns were done where needed. Scott was chased by Ali Higgins, Ruary Williamson and Tom Aitchison but it was Ian Baillie who passed all but Scott down the first two reaches to challenge for the lead. However, Scott was continuing his great upwind speed and Ian was hampered with lack of kicker tension as he had jury rigged his kicker after breaking the top block on the way out to the race course and couldn't reduce Scott's lead enough downwind. So, Scott won from Ian with Ruary third ahead of Tom and Ali.
Race three, similar wind and still sunny, another crowded start, because going right still paid. Ali Higgins led this time round mark one and was much improved down the reaches. Pete Taylor, Scott Munro and Ian Baillie were following closely but Ali kept his lead until Ian was able to roll him downwind on the third lap and then held the lead to the finish. Scott regained third after falling out the boat while missing his toestraps, Pete in fourth from Tom Aitchison.
There were a few tired bodies by now, as we went into the fourth race and the wind had decreased a bit to more like the first race. This suited Ian Baillie as after rounding just behind Ali Higgins and Ruary Williamson, he passed both down the first reach and was comfortably ahead by the bottom mark and then consolidated his lead for the remaining laps. Ali finished with another second and Ruary gained another third, Pete Taylor was fourth. We then returned to Stonehaven Harbour for a barbeque at the clubhouse.
Sunday was a much lighter wind with sea haar and a bit of overcast. The wind was quite patchy and never really got going, leaving some nasty holes and tantalising gusts that were so often too far away. One of those nasty holes arrived at the pin end, giving those to the right a big advantage, which Scott Munro, Ali Higgins and Pete Taylor took full advantage of, building a substantial lead. The lighter wind meant three laps were sailed and Ali was just able to pip Scott by the finish, with Pete third while Ian Baillie sailed through most of the fleet to finish fourth.
The final race was maybe even trickier as the wind wobbled about and there were some different faces at the front as Dave Kitchen led Francis Neill from Pete Taylor and Ali Higgins. Dave and Francis kept up their positions until the final lap when Pete and Ali slipped past Francis, then Dave didn't cover Pete quite well enough, which allowed Pete to take the win by a couple of boat lengths. Ali was third, Francis fourth and Rob Anderson fifth.
The overall result was Ian Baillie in first, then Ali Higgins, Scott Munro, Pete Taylor, Tom Aitchison. Thanks to ASYC for running a fabulous regatta. The bay was at it's best on Saturday and it showed that a triangle and sausage course suited the D-Zero so well when the angles are set well and the short laps kept everyone close.
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts
1 336 lan Baillie Dalgety Bay 1 2 1 1 4 8 9
2 180 Alistair Higgins ASYC 2 5 2 2 1 3 10
3 353 Scott Munro ASYC 3 1 3 5 2 9 14
4 106 Peter Taylor Dalgety Bay 5 6 4 4 3 1 17
5 156 Tom Aitchison Dalgety Bay 4 4 5 6 5 6 24
6 233 Ruari Williamson Dalgety Bay 6 3 6 3 13 10 28
7 366 David Kitchen Dalgety Bay 8 8 10 9 6 2 33
8 248 Rob Anderson ASYC 9 7 7 7 11 5 35
9 325 Francis Neill ASYC 7 11 13 10 7 4 39
10 189 Richard Bryant Annandale DNS 9 11 11 8 7 46
11 339 Walter Mouat ASYC 11 10 8 8 9 12 46
12 201 Andrew McPhearson ASYC 12 12 12 12 10 11 57
13 250 Otter Collier-Wakefield ASYC 10 14 9 DNC DNC DNC 63
14 212 Barry Behane ASYC 13 13 14 13 12 13 64
Chichester Harbour Race Week 2025 – Hadron H2 & Devoti D-Zero Fleet
10 D-Zero’s and 4 Hadrons lined up on the beach for the 1st day of CHRW or known to many as Fed Week, one of the biggest and best, in my opinion, dinghy regattas on the UK’s South Coast where everyone from weekend sailors to Olympic medallists meet and battle over 5 days of racing, with races approximately two hours per day all for the potential gain of a small ceramic plate that has been the same design for nearly 60 years. Here, first class racing is held in a relaxed atmosphere in the tidal yet sheltered waters of Chichester Harbour, with challenges of tides, sea breezes, sandbanks, aswell as your own fleet competitors plus many many other dinghies sailing around the harbour to avoid. You’d be right to think that the Hadron H2 and the D-Zero with different handicaps would be a strange mix to sail off the same handicap for the week, though it worked well with the slight differences in boat speeds up and downwind. Previously the RS Aero 9 had been in the mix though declining numbers put them into the fast handicap, sadly this year just one on his lonesome.
Breeze was forecast though started with a soft 7 knots from the South-east, with more forecast. Weeden and Valentine got off to a great start in their D-Zero’s leading the fleet off the start, despite a couple of Hadron’s chasing hard, and no letup from the pack of D-Zero’s following. A double triangle course, had Conway in his Hadron rounding the top mark first with Weeden, Jones, Lloyd-Williams and Valentine rounding soon after, with a fetch down to the wing mark. The Hadron went low along with Weeden, though Valentine went lower to setup a better reach to the wing. Weeden managed to pass Conway, with Valentine just behind, and setoff for the downwind to complete lap one. Weeden rounded with Valentine on his transom, and Conway not far behind. Valentine and Jenkins had seen some other dinghies going well on the right hand side of the beat, with dark patches of breeze by the yacht moorings, and instead of Conway rounding and heading a long beat to East Head chose right. Weeden trying to cover off both sides, went up the middle. Valentine gained well up the first two-thirds then the wind dropped and sailed nicely into a hole and sat watching others hold the breeze. Conway took the slower longer beat though then picked up some breeze coming off the far beach. Potter in her D-Zero was drifting along nicely and benefited from the lighter puffs to follow the trio. Jones in his D-Zero did even better and despite a little swim, got up to the windward with Conway then passed him on the reach, and held to the finish. 1st Jones, 2nd Conway, 3rd Lloyd-Williams.
Day 2 and the breeze a little stronger, though more southerly, and Valentine disappointed with Mondays result when off the line like a stabbed rat, leaving a number in his wake and shot for the windward. The course was set for 2 laps of a large triangle course, meaning some potential great reaches on two of the legs. Conway was fast upwind in his Hadron and was keen to take advantage of the D-Zero’s in the waves. Rounding first, followed by Valentine, and Weeden, Conway setoff down the reach though the D-Zeros superior downwind speed enabled Valentine to pass and not look back, enjoying the reach speed and spray to cool down in some high 20’s sun. Lloyd-Williams and Flewitt in their D-Zero’s were doing well and not far off the leaders, followed by Walker in his Hadron, though the D-Zeros on the reaches had pushed the other Hadrons towards the back of the fleet, upwind speed just wasn’t sufficient today. Two laps with some great reaches, though with a dying breeze to the leeward mark, Valentine had held on enough with the reaches to stem Conway from taking the win. 1st Valentine, 2nd Conway, 3rd Weeden
Day 3 and the wind was light, however breeze and some wet stuff from the sky started to appear, along with some thunder rumbling around the bay, and then lightning appeared over Portsmouth and spread to the South Downs in the North. Only a very brave Race Officer would let a load of carbon or aluminium masts take to the waters in lightning so racing was cancelled for the day.
Day 4 and similar good breeze to Tuesday was forecast, wind had swung to the South-west, so a long sail to the start way past East Head and on the way to Chichester. Valentine buoyed by the previous racedays win, took off the start again quickly and had gone to the pin end to avoid some tide and a shorter dash to East Head, though Conway and Jenkins had stayed towards the Committee boat and made good progress to the beach. Valentine was on their tails with Weeden not far behind, and then a short tack race began up the beach between the three of them. Other Hadrons making a menace of themselves in the waves joined in the tacking frenzy, along with a few other D-Zero’s for good measure, though the D-Zero had great speed into the windward mark and lit the afterburners on the first reach sailing a little deeper than Conway and disappeared, with the second reach even quicker sent Jenkins and Valentine scorching away and I am sure Conway had the Jaws music in his head as the 2 D-Zero’s converged each side of him on the first half of the reach and then took control. Valentine slightly lower than Jenkins who was seeking more tide, pulled ahead, then rounded the wing and off on a fantastic reach to take a good lead on the first lap. Conway tried to make up on the beat though the pressure obviously became too much and he rounded the lower race mark of the Series B fleet and despite Valentine shouting, he went away only to notice Valentine heading South for the windward had to make a rapid tack though lost too much, and with Valentine rounding, lighting the burners and disappearing again, this time the distance on the reaches was too much and Valentine took a great lead using every bit of power to keep pulling away and finished a good few minutes ahead of the chasing pack. Confusion set in as Valentine finished only to be met with no winners gun, as we were obviously too quick round the course and the Committee race team weren’t ready for us. Valentine sailed on just in case after a couple of questions to the finish boat, then saw everyone else heading for home, phew. 1st Valentine, 2nd Jenkins, 3rd Weeden
The 5th and last day and Valentine in his D-Zero was drawn though leading on countback with a 9th and 2 wins, of Conway and his Hadron who’d had a couple of 2nds and then a 7th. Weeden in his D-Zero was then also just a point behind, then followed Lloyd-Williams in his D-Zero just another point behind, so for sure there was likely to be a few maths calculations during the sailing today, aswell as tides, wind, boats etc etc. With one day cancelled, there was only one discard available so all was to play for on the final day’s racing. Some may have wished for racing to be cancelled, though the racing was such great fun, that all were keen to take to the water and seal the deal. The wind had gone more easterly and a different race course of a triangle and sausage was set. Winds were lightish though sailable, and at the start, Weeden went off with Conway, Valentine trying to cover though couldn’t gain boat speed to stay with them. Other D-Zero’s and Hadrons were in the mix, and Valentine sailed round the windward in fifth place, chasing Conway at the front, Weeden next, then Lloyd Williams and Flewitt. Looking round, Jenkins was nowhere to be seen and had fallen foul of Flag Uniform and despite rounding the end was duly advised of his misdemeanour and sailed sadly for the bar, however found the wind at the yacht moorings that Valentine had searched for in vain on Monday ! A tricky reach in waves to the wing enabled Weeden to take the lead, Conway sailing a little high though maybe seeking extra tidal flow, Weeden rounded and setoff down the run, chased by Conway, with Valentine still in fifth trying to use all the small waves and wind changes to catchup. Weeden rounded the leeward, Conway behind, Lloyd Williams and Flewitt, then Valentine heading for a long slow beat to the windward ready for the sausage. Valentine gained some height on a lift, and took Lloyd Williams who caught a crab or something and had to sweep the weed away off his foils, Flewitt sailed slightly lower and missed the lift. Weeden rounded the windward, Conway not far behind, then Valentine, and headed down the long long run hoping that the wind held and the tide didn’t start to turn. Weeden went low, Conway slightly higher seeking some more breeze in the yacht moorings, and avoiding the tide which was just changing direction. Valentine followed Conway with Lloyd Williams in close contention. As the leaders rounded, Valentine was in 3rd and had done his maths, just needed to hold 3rd to take the overall win regardless of where Conway finished. Conway wasn’t done yet though and pushed Weeden hard all the way to the upwind finish, and another 100m or so and he would have taken the lead, though Weeden held on. 1st Weeden, 2nd Conway, 3rd Valentine
Valentine had sealed the overall win with 2 x Wins and a 3rd, Conway in 2nd with a steady and consistent string of 3 x 2nds, and Weeden taking 3rd with a win and 2 x 3rds, so just 2 points separating the top 3. Great close racing throughout the week, not allowing anyone to relax or take overall control, and good banter between the D-Zeros and Hadron’s and even better racing between the two classes. Maybe the RYA should take note that the handicap probably are incorrect for both classes and something more 1035ish would be better. Anyway, roll on 2026, lets hope for more D-Zero’s and more Hadrons, and maybe the lonely Aero 9 will have seen sense or been able to join the fold ?? Thanks to HISC and Chichester Harbour Federation for hosting, and to Bentley Walker and Chichester Harbour Gin for sponsoring, and to all the competitors who made it a great week on and off the water !
Report by David Valentine, D-Zero 66
Photo credits to Peter Hickson
Results
Place Class Sail No. Sailor Club R1 R2 R3 R4 Total
1 D-Zero 66 David Valentine ESSC 9 1 1 3 5
2 Hadron H2 193 Andy Conway Felpham SC 2 2 7 2 6
3 D-Zero 312 Tim Weeden ESSC 6 3 3 1 7
4 D-Zero 313 Ian Lloyd Williams ESC 3 4 6 4 11
5 D-Zero 136 Christopher Flewitt Locks SC 15 5 4 6 15
6 Hadron H2 176 Paul Walker Shoreham SC 7 7 5 9 19
7 D-Zero 333 Liz Potter West Kirby SC 4 13 9 7 20
8 Hadron H2 107 Steve Kelsall CYC 5 11 15 5 21
9 D-Zero 234 Max Jones ESC 1 6 15 15 22
10 D-Zero 151 James Jenkins ESC 15 8 2 15 25
11 Hadron H2 115 Ian Payne CYC 8 9 10 8 25
12 D-Zero 311 Simon Boylin ESSC 10 10 8 15 28
13 D-Zero 362 Marcus Chavasse ESC 11 12 15 10 33
14 D-Zero 186 Bob Jarvis ESC 15 15 15 15 45
10 D-Zero’s and 4 Hadrons lined up on the beach for the 1st day of CHRW or known to many as Fed Week, one of the biggest and best, in my opinion, dinghy regattas on the UK’s South Coast where everyone from weekend sailors to Olympic medallists meet and battle over 5 days of racing, with races approximately two hours per day all for the potential gain of a small ceramic plate that has been the same design for nearly 60 years. Here, first class racing is held in a relaxed atmosphere in the tidal yet sheltered waters of Chichester Harbour, with challenges of tides, sea breezes, sandbanks, aswell as your own fleet competitors plus many many other dinghies sailing around the harbour to avoid. You’d be right to think that the Hadron H2 and the D-Zero with different handicaps would be a strange mix to sail off the same handicap for the week, though it worked well with the slight differences in boat speeds up and downwind. Previously the RS Aero 9 had been in the mix though declining numbers put them into the fast handicap, sadly this year just one on his lonesome.
Breeze was forecast though started with a soft 7 knots from the South-east, with more forecast. Weeden and Valentine got off to a great start in their D-Zero’s leading the fleet off the start, despite a couple of Hadron’s chasing hard, and no letup from the pack of D-Zero’s following. A double triangle course, had Conway in his Hadron rounding the top mark first with Weeden, Jones, Lloyd-Williams and Valentine rounding soon after, with a fetch down to the wing mark. The Hadron went low along with Weeden, though Valentine went lower to setup a better reach to the wing. Weeden managed to pass Conway, with Valentine just behind, and setoff for the downwind to complete lap one. Weeden rounded with Valentine on his transom, and Conway not far behind. Valentine and Jenkins had seen some other dinghies going well on the right hand side of the beat, with dark patches of breeze by the yacht moorings, and instead of Conway rounding and heading a long beat to East Head chose right. Weeden trying to cover off both sides, went up the middle. Valentine gained well up the first two-thirds then the wind dropped and sailed nicely into a hole and sat watching others hold the breeze. Conway took the slower longer beat though then picked up some breeze coming off the far beach. Potter in her D-Zero was drifting along nicely and benefited from the lighter puffs to follow the trio. Jones in his D-Zero did even better and despite a little swim, got up to the windward with Conway then passed him on the reach, and held to the finish. 1st Jones, 2nd Conway, 3rd Lloyd-Williams.
Day 2 and the breeze a little stronger, though more southerly, and Valentine disappointed with Mondays result when off the line like a stabbed rat, leaving a number in his wake and shot for the windward. The course was set for 2 laps of a large triangle course, meaning some potential great reaches on two of the legs. Conway was fast upwind in his Hadron and was keen to take advantage of the D-Zero’s in the waves. Rounding first, followed by Valentine, and Weeden, Conway setoff down the reach though the D-Zeros superior downwind speed enabled Valentine to pass and not look back, enjoying the reach speed and spray to cool down in some high 20’s sun. Lloyd-Williams and Flewitt in their D-Zero’s were doing well and not far off the leaders, followed by Walker in his Hadron, though the D-Zeros on the reaches had pushed the other Hadrons towards the back of the fleet, upwind speed just wasn’t sufficient today. Two laps with some great reaches, though with a dying breeze to the leeward mark, Valentine had held on enough with the reaches to stem Conway from taking the win. 1st Valentine, 2nd Conway, 3rd Weeden
Day 3 and the wind was light, however breeze and some wet stuff from the sky started to appear, along with some thunder rumbling around the bay, and then lightning appeared over Portsmouth and spread to the South Downs in the North. Only a very brave Race Officer would let a load of carbon or aluminium masts take to the waters in lightning so racing was cancelled for the day.
Day 4 and similar good breeze to Tuesday was forecast, wind had swung to the South-west, so a long sail to the start way past East Head and on the way to Chichester. Valentine buoyed by the previous racedays win, took off the start again quickly and had gone to the pin end to avoid some tide and a shorter dash to East Head, though Conway and Jenkins had stayed towards the Committee boat and made good progress to the beach. Valentine was on their tails with Weeden not far behind, and then a short tack race began up the beach between the three of them. Other Hadrons making a menace of themselves in the waves joined in the tacking frenzy, along with a few other D-Zero’s for good measure, though the D-Zero had great speed into the windward mark and lit the afterburners on the first reach sailing a little deeper than Conway and disappeared, with the second reach even quicker sent Jenkins and Valentine scorching away and I am sure Conway had the Jaws music in his head as the 2 D-Zero’s converged each side of him on the first half of the reach and then took control. Valentine slightly lower than Jenkins who was seeking more tide, pulled ahead, then rounded the wing and off on a fantastic reach to take a good lead on the first lap. Conway tried to make up on the beat though the pressure obviously became too much and he rounded the lower race mark of the Series B fleet and despite Valentine shouting, he went away only to notice Valentine heading South for the windward had to make a rapid tack though lost too much, and with Valentine rounding, lighting the burners and disappearing again, this time the distance on the reaches was too much and Valentine took a great lead using every bit of power to keep pulling away and finished a good few minutes ahead of the chasing pack. Confusion set in as Valentine finished only to be met with no winners gun, as we were obviously too quick round the course and the Committee race team weren’t ready for us. Valentine sailed on just in case after a couple of questions to the finish boat, then saw everyone else heading for home, phew. 1st Valentine, 2nd Jenkins, 3rd Weeden
The 5th and last day and Valentine in his D-Zero was drawn though leading on countback with a 9th and 2 wins, of Conway and his Hadron who’d had a couple of 2nds and then a 7th. Weeden in his D-Zero was then also just a point behind, then followed Lloyd-Williams in his D-Zero just another point behind, so for sure there was likely to be a few maths calculations during the sailing today, aswell as tides, wind, boats etc etc. With one day cancelled, there was only one discard available so all was to play for on the final day’s racing. Some may have wished for racing to be cancelled, though the racing was such great fun, that all were keen to take to the water and seal the deal. The wind had gone more easterly and a different race course of a triangle and sausage was set. Winds were lightish though sailable, and at the start, Weeden went off with Conway, Valentine trying to cover though couldn’t gain boat speed to stay with them. Other D-Zero’s and Hadrons were in the mix, and Valentine sailed round the windward in fifth place, chasing Conway at the front, Weeden next, then Lloyd Williams and Flewitt. Looking round, Jenkins was nowhere to be seen and had fallen foul of Flag Uniform and despite rounding the end was duly advised of his misdemeanour and sailed sadly for the bar, however found the wind at the yacht moorings that Valentine had searched for in vain on Monday ! A tricky reach in waves to the wing enabled Weeden to take the lead, Conway sailing a little high though maybe seeking extra tidal flow, Weeden rounded and setoff down the run, chased by Conway, with Valentine still in fifth trying to use all the small waves and wind changes to catchup. Weeden rounded the leeward, Conway behind, Lloyd Williams and Flewitt, then Valentine heading for a long slow beat to the windward ready for the sausage. Valentine gained some height on a lift, and took Lloyd Williams who caught a crab or something and had to sweep the weed away off his foils, Flewitt sailed slightly lower and missed the lift. Weeden rounded the windward, Conway not far behind, then Valentine, and headed down the long long run hoping that the wind held and the tide didn’t start to turn. Weeden went low, Conway slightly higher seeking some more breeze in the yacht moorings, and avoiding the tide which was just changing direction. Valentine followed Conway with Lloyd Williams in close contention. As the leaders rounded, Valentine was in 3rd and had done his maths, just needed to hold 3rd to take the overall win regardless of where Conway finished. Conway wasn’t done yet though and pushed Weeden hard all the way to the upwind finish, and another 100m or so and he would have taken the lead, though Weeden held on. 1st Weeden, 2nd Conway, 3rd Valentine
Valentine had sealed the overall win with 2 x Wins and a 3rd, Conway in 2nd with a steady and consistent string of 3 x 2nds, and Weeden taking 3rd with a win and 2 x 3rds, so just 2 points separating the top 3. Great close racing throughout the week, not allowing anyone to relax or take overall control, and good banter between the D-Zeros and Hadron’s and even better racing between the two classes. Maybe the RYA should take note that the handicap probably are incorrect for both classes and something more 1035ish would be better. Anyway, roll on 2026, lets hope for more D-Zero’s and more Hadrons, and maybe the lonely Aero 9 will have seen sense or been able to join the fold ?? Thanks to HISC and Chichester Harbour Federation for hosting, and to Bentley Walker and Chichester Harbour Gin for sponsoring, and to all the competitors who made it a great week on and off the water !
Report by David Valentine, D-Zero 66
Photo credits to Peter Hickson
Results
Place Class Sail No. Sailor Club R1 R2 R3 R4 Total
1 D-Zero 66 David Valentine ESSC 9 1 1 3 5
2 Hadron H2 193 Andy Conway Felpham SC 2 2 7 2 6
3 D-Zero 312 Tim Weeden ESSC 6 3 3 1 7
4 D-Zero 313 Ian Lloyd Williams ESC 3 4 6 4 11
5 D-Zero 136 Christopher Flewitt Locks SC 15 5 4 6 15
6 Hadron H2 176 Paul Walker Shoreham SC 7 7 5 9 19
7 D-Zero 333 Liz Potter West Kirby SC 4 13 9 7 20
8 Hadron H2 107 Steve Kelsall CYC 5 11 15 5 21
9 D-Zero 234 Max Jones ESC 1 6 15 15 22
10 D-Zero 151 James Jenkins ESC 15 8 2 15 25
11 Hadron H2 115 Ian Payne CYC 8 9 10 8 25
12 D-Zero 311 Simon Boylin ESSC 10 10 8 15 28
13 D-Zero 362 Marcus Chavasse ESC 11 12 15 10 33
14 D-Zero 186 Bob Jarvis ESC 15 15 15 15 45
Harken D-Zero National Championships - Lee on the Solent - July 2025
Attending your class National Championships is simply a must do. These events are about far more than who ends up on the podium. They are a fantastic opportunity to get up the learning curve and socialise with fellow class sailors, with classes willing and eager to embrace new members, and the rigging and tuning tips invaluable. Indeed, you may learn more in a few days of class racing than you would in weeks of club sailing.
The D-Zero is one such class. A broad spectrum of sailors, and in terms of sailing... perhaps one of the best kept secrets in the sailing industry. The D-Zero is a joy to sail with refined design from Daniel Holman years ahead of its time. On your first event sailors struggling will find the boat practically rigged for you and if you have any difficulties, David Valentine the D-Zero UK dealer, is always on hand for any spares or advice.
This year's Nationals were held at Lee on the Solent Club with Tom Southwell and the club officers & team running around to make everyone feel just as welcome at the venue as the class does. The racing was dominated by three sailors: Adam Cockerill, Ian Baillie and Ian Morgan but everyone in the fleet had a story to tell with Kathyrn Clark, Principal Race Officer, ably running the racing with her team both on and off the water.
Day 1 and the plan was to start the racing before the strongest of the sea breeze kicked in. After a short delay race 1 started in light winds and a huge left shift. Jon Emmett won the pin and led at the windward mark but with the wind returning to the previous direction for the second beat rather than a long port tack it was an even course. Emmett sailed to mark 1 rather than mark 2, and the rest of the fleet sailed to the correct mark. Local legend Tom Southwell made no mistake to take the race win from Adam Cockerill and John Bassett.
Race 2 and both the wind and the current really kicked in. On the 2nd beat the tidal differential made a huge difference and Emmett grabbed the lead, only to get the lay line wrong. Ian Ballie, one of the class's most experienced sailors, made no such mistake, staying inshore longer, and a quick hitch gave him the lead. Emmett took 3 attempts to get around the mark including a turn, whilst Ian Morgan again showed how easy it was to get round a windward mark! Adam Cockerill closed the gap, and it looked like all 3 sailors would pass Emmett and he had to be content with fourth, a result he would discard in the end, such was his consistency in the series.
Race 3 and perhaps the windiest race of the day saw Emmett lead at the windward mark from Morgan. At the bottom mark Morgan gybed away to give Emmett more room but an unforced boat handling error from Emmett saw contact and spins. On returning ashore Emmett found only one turn was required - should have read the sailing instructions! Ian Ballie grabbed the race win from Morgan, something which was going to prove crucial in the overall series. With a third for Cockerill keeping him in the hunt.
Coming ashore was quite an experience (with the waves dumping on the beach), especially for those used to inland waters or large harbours to launch out of. The recovery team and other D-Zero sailors more used to shore dumps couldn't have been more helpful and with the South Westerly blowing directly on shore safe launch and recovery was only possible by working as a team to lift and carry boats (and sailors) out of the waves.
Day 2, with the wind from a similar direction and strength but crucially building an early decision and sensible decision was made to postpone racing to the following day with sailors enjoying snooker, pitch and putt/crazy golf and general food, drink and socialising!
Overnight (and going into the final day) the lead was between the two Ian's separated by a single point, but I think we all want to know what Adam Cockerill had for breakfast that day!
Day 3 - Cockerill started near the pin end and in control, tacking perfectly on the first shift. He really didn't look back, applying a loose cover to Ian Morgan with Ian Baillie some way behind. Emmett overtook Baillie on the final run but the top three had their presence stamped all over the event in a master class of how to race a D-Zero The second race of the day saw more of a tussle as the breeze started to build. Crucially Ian Morgan beat Ian Baillie to put the pressure on Super Sunday with 2 races to go. Cockerill had by now laid down the gauntlet with his two out of two race wins in the day and meant a three-way tie between the three of them.
Race 3 and things got interesting. The breeze lightened, and a left shift shortly after the start meant that those who carried on left had a line of pressure taking them straight to the mark, with Emmett leading from the left and pointing at the correct mark, Valentine chasing hard in second though short-lived on the run and was caught by some lighter sailors. When Emmett tacked, he finally managed to sail around the course correctly. Crucially Cockerill who had tacked off too early before the pressure, pulled back up to 2nd on the downhill and second beat, with Baillie third whilst Morgan sailed his discard (sixth). Now things got interesting as was down to two sailors - Cockerill and Baillie. Morgan could be beaten into second apparently on countback, and if Baillie won, Cockerill would need to be in the top four.
The final race saw a difference in opinion with the top end sailors starting more towards the pin end, or perhaps simply keeping an eye on each other! Emmett started by the committee boat and tacked immediately to escape the tide and pulled well ahead. Unfortunately, he just carried on going, well past the lay line. Perhaps he enjoyed reaching, perhaps he needed to go to Specsavers or perhaps he just wanted to spend as much time racing the D-Zero as possible.
Meanwhile the battle for the Championships was happening further ahead between those who knew how to sail around the course in minimal distance and it was perhaps fitting that the finishing order of the final race was the finishing order overall and was again super tight, so tight Morgan got attacked by the final mark but even after a spin the order remained 1st Adam Cockerill, 2nd Ian Baillie, 3rd Ian Morgan.
Winning three of the four races on the final day Adam Cockerill was a worthy Champion and the whole event finished with sandwiches and cake and perhaps a beer or two. The event timing couldn't have been better because no sooner had sailors gathered in doors for prize-giving than the heavens opened and then the rain, as if on cue, stopped the moment prize-giving had finished allowing sailors to return home, several as far as Scotland where the 2026 Nationals will be held in Dalgety Bay, the end of June. Hope to see you there!
Thanks to Harken for a considerable prize bundle, supported by dzero.co.uk for some spot prizes.
And huge thanks to all the LOSSC team from PRO & team, to Safety boats, to the caterers and bar, and all that welcomed the D-Zero Class.
A special award was presented to Nigel Austin, the "Storky" Trophy in memory of Alistair "Storky" McLaughlin, a keen D-Zero sailor (as well as several other classes) who was always keen to help improve sailors of all levels, and could share his wisdom on how to spot dark wind patches, or what controls to use when, and how with his lightweight frame could still keep the D-Zero flat in any wind.
The more you listened the more info Storky gave, so only fitting that it was presented to Nigel Austin, Cransley Sailing Club who had improved significantly from 29th at last year's Nat's to this year's 15th place and who was inspired by Storky on just a couple of occasions. Thanks to Martin Latimer, a good friend of the Stork, for the idea and commissioning, and to David Summerville for making the award by hand.
First Lady was presented to Kim May-Papailiou, who despite her light build and using the reduced-size black sail, completed every race and finished 25th overall out of 34 racers. Kim hopes for more ladies to join her to sail the fantastic D-Zero.
And finally of note, Tim Humphries finished in a very credible 11th place sailing the reduced-size "black" sail, proving the benefit for lighter sailors, and that not everything is about size.
Lastly, a post-championships message was sent to all racers and D-Zero sailors from Adam Cockerill, the new D-Zero National Champion, which is believed by many to sum up the D-Zero Class spirit:
24 hours on.... the legs have nearly recovered, office hands certainly not!! I really hope you all got home easily and safely.
What great racing in a great venue hosted by a great club with fantastic race management, so thank you to all that were involved making it happen.
After some further reflection of the Nationals I wanted to reiterate why this class is just awesome and special in comparison to many previously sailed in....fantastic high quality fun close racing in a boat that's very enjoyable to sail is certainly a factor but most importantly you the people.
A picture sent to me today I think sums up the ethos to its core. The shot of Ian Baillie who was leading the Nationals talking to me about how to go faster...we were swapping notes and taking pictures of each other's boats on the Sunday morning prior to going to battle.
I think I speak for everyone that sharing info brings up the quality of the fleet and encourages more people to enjoy our boat to its fullest and or get them into the class.
So here is an open offer should anyone have any questions on my boat or rig set up just ask away, there are many successful ways to sail our great boat so I am sure mine is not the only way but happy to help if I can. Ask on this thread, a private message or in the boat park...
Thank you all again for making me feel so welcome in my second year in the class and all the congratulatory messages, already looking forward to next year's Nationals... I will try to get to the Endeavour and represent the class as best I can! Personally had a few mates off the back of my own social posts ask about joining the fleet so let's keep building it and having fun together...
Overall Results:
Attending your class National Championships is simply a must do. These events are about far more than who ends up on the podium. They are a fantastic opportunity to get up the learning curve and socialise with fellow class sailors, with classes willing and eager to embrace new members, and the rigging and tuning tips invaluable. Indeed, you may learn more in a few days of class racing than you would in weeks of club sailing.
The D-Zero is one such class. A broad spectrum of sailors, and in terms of sailing... perhaps one of the best kept secrets in the sailing industry. The D-Zero is a joy to sail with refined design from Daniel Holman years ahead of its time. On your first event sailors struggling will find the boat practically rigged for you and if you have any difficulties, David Valentine the D-Zero UK dealer, is always on hand for any spares or advice.
This year's Nationals were held at Lee on the Solent Club with Tom Southwell and the club officers & team running around to make everyone feel just as welcome at the venue as the class does. The racing was dominated by three sailors: Adam Cockerill, Ian Baillie and Ian Morgan but everyone in the fleet had a story to tell with Kathyrn Clark, Principal Race Officer, ably running the racing with her team both on and off the water.
Day 1 and the plan was to start the racing before the strongest of the sea breeze kicked in. After a short delay race 1 started in light winds and a huge left shift. Jon Emmett won the pin and led at the windward mark but with the wind returning to the previous direction for the second beat rather than a long port tack it was an even course. Emmett sailed to mark 1 rather than mark 2, and the rest of the fleet sailed to the correct mark. Local legend Tom Southwell made no mistake to take the race win from Adam Cockerill and John Bassett.
Race 2 and both the wind and the current really kicked in. On the 2nd beat the tidal differential made a huge difference and Emmett grabbed the lead, only to get the lay line wrong. Ian Ballie, one of the class's most experienced sailors, made no such mistake, staying inshore longer, and a quick hitch gave him the lead. Emmett took 3 attempts to get around the mark including a turn, whilst Ian Morgan again showed how easy it was to get round a windward mark! Adam Cockerill closed the gap, and it looked like all 3 sailors would pass Emmett and he had to be content with fourth, a result he would discard in the end, such was his consistency in the series.
Race 3 and perhaps the windiest race of the day saw Emmett lead at the windward mark from Morgan. At the bottom mark Morgan gybed away to give Emmett more room but an unforced boat handling error from Emmett saw contact and spins. On returning ashore Emmett found only one turn was required - should have read the sailing instructions! Ian Ballie grabbed the race win from Morgan, something which was going to prove crucial in the overall series. With a third for Cockerill keeping him in the hunt.
Coming ashore was quite an experience (with the waves dumping on the beach), especially for those used to inland waters or large harbours to launch out of. The recovery team and other D-Zero sailors more used to shore dumps couldn't have been more helpful and with the South Westerly blowing directly on shore safe launch and recovery was only possible by working as a team to lift and carry boats (and sailors) out of the waves.
Day 2, with the wind from a similar direction and strength but crucially building an early decision and sensible decision was made to postpone racing to the following day with sailors enjoying snooker, pitch and putt/crazy golf and general food, drink and socialising!
Overnight (and going into the final day) the lead was between the two Ian's separated by a single point, but I think we all want to know what Adam Cockerill had for breakfast that day!
Day 3 - Cockerill started near the pin end and in control, tacking perfectly on the first shift. He really didn't look back, applying a loose cover to Ian Morgan with Ian Baillie some way behind. Emmett overtook Baillie on the final run but the top three had their presence stamped all over the event in a master class of how to race a D-Zero The second race of the day saw more of a tussle as the breeze started to build. Crucially Ian Morgan beat Ian Baillie to put the pressure on Super Sunday with 2 races to go. Cockerill had by now laid down the gauntlet with his two out of two race wins in the day and meant a three-way tie between the three of them.
Race 3 and things got interesting. The breeze lightened, and a left shift shortly after the start meant that those who carried on left had a line of pressure taking them straight to the mark, with Emmett leading from the left and pointing at the correct mark, Valentine chasing hard in second though short-lived on the run and was caught by some lighter sailors. When Emmett tacked, he finally managed to sail around the course correctly. Crucially Cockerill who had tacked off too early before the pressure, pulled back up to 2nd on the downhill and second beat, with Baillie third whilst Morgan sailed his discard (sixth). Now things got interesting as was down to two sailors - Cockerill and Baillie. Morgan could be beaten into second apparently on countback, and if Baillie won, Cockerill would need to be in the top four.
The final race saw a difference in opinion with the top end sailors starting more towards the pin end, or perhaps simply keeping an eye on each other! Emmett started by the committee boat and tacked immediately to escape the tide and pulled well ahead. Unfortunately, he just carried on going, well past the lay line. Perhaps he enjoyed reaching, perhaps he needed to go to Specsavers or perhaps he just wanted to spend as much time racing the D-Zero as possible.
Meanwhile the battle for the Championships was happening further ahead between those who knew how to sail around the course in minimal distance and it was perhaps fitting that the finishing order of the final race was the finishing order overall and was again super tight, so tight Morgan got attacked by the final mark but even after a spin the order remained 1st Adam Cockerill, 2nd Ian Baillie, 3rd Ian Morgan.
Winning three of the four races on the final day Adam Cockerill was a worthy Champion and the whole event finished with sandwiches and cake and perhaps a beer or two. The event timing couldn't have been better because no sooner had sailors gathered in doors for prize-giving than the heavens opened and then the rain, as if on cue, stopped the moment prize-giving had finished allowing sailors to return home, several as far as Scotland where the 2026 Nationals will be held in Dalgety Bay, the end of June. Hope to see you there!
Thanks to Harken for a considerable prize bundle, supported by dzero.co.uk for some spot prizes.
And huge thanks to all the LOSSC team from PRO & team, to Safety boats, to the caterers and bar, and all that welcomed the D-Zero Class.
A special award was presented to Nigel Austin, the "Storky" Trophy in memory of Alistair "Storky" McLaughlin, a keen D-Zero sailor (as well as several other classes) who was always keen to help improve sailors of all levels, and could share his wisdom on how to spot dark wind patches, or what controls to use when, and how with his lightweight frame could still keep the D-Zero flat in any wind.
The more you listened the more info Storky gave, so only fitting that it was presented to Nigel Austin, Cransley Sailing Club who had improved significantly from 29th at last year's Nat's to this year's 15th place and who was inspired by Storky on just a couple of occasions. Thanks to Martin Latimer, a good friend of the Stork, for the idea and commissioning, and to David Summerville for making the award by hand.
First Lady was presented to Kim May-Papailiou, who despite her light build and using the reduced-size black sail, completed every race and finished 25th overall out of 34 racers. Kim hopes for more ladies to join her to sail the fantastic D-Zero.
And finally of note, Tim Humphries finished in a very credible 11th place sailing the reduced-size "black" sail, proving the benefit for lighter sailors, and that not everything is about size.
Lastly, a post-championships message was sent to all racers and D-Zero sailors from Adam Cockerill, the new D-Zero National Champion, which is believed by many to sum up the D-Zero Class spirit:
24 hours on.... the legs have nearly recovered, office hands certainly not!! I really hope you all got home easily and safely.
What great racing in a great venue hosted by a great club with fantastic race management, so thank you to all that were involved making it happen.
After some further reflection of the Nationals I wanted to reiterate why this class is just awesome and special in comparison to many previously sailed in....fantastic high quality fun close racing in a boat that's very enjoyable to sail is certainly a factor but most importantly you the people.
A picture sent to me today I think sums up the ethos to its core. The shot of Ian Baillie who was leading the Nationals talking to me about how to go faster...we were swapping notes and taking pictures of each other's boats on the Sunday morning prior to going to battle.
I think I speak for everyone that sharing info brings up the quality of the fleet and encourages more people to enjoy our boat to its fullest and or get them into the class.
So here is an open offer should anyone have any questions on my boat or rig set up just ask away, there are many successful ways to sail our great boat so I am sure mine is not the only way but happy to help if I can. Ask on this thread, a private message or in the boat park...
Thank you all again for making me feel so welcome in my second year in the class and all the congratulatory messages, already looking forward to next year's Nationals... I will try to get to the Endeavour and represent the class as best I can! Personally had a few mates off the back of my own social posts ask about joining the fleet so let's keep building it and having fun together...
Overall Results:
Harken Largs One Design Regatta May 2025
Greetings from Zippy the D-Zero, weary from my 516 mile round trip to Largs at the weekend. It was the yearly spring one-design regatta, sponsored by both the local Largs Chandlery and Harken, who make my sleek, efficient body parts. I arrived on Friday afternoon, to a windless Clyde: a theme that would pretty much set us up for the weekend. But hey, the sun was shining, it was very hot for Scotland in May - 22 degrees and the boat park was filling with boats from across the country.
A group of three ILCAs had travelled the 415 miles over 18 hours from the Shetland Islands. I rushed over to say hello and they greeted me in their local dialect, asking if I was the Fil Sket they'd read so much about. I rushed away to consult my compendium of Northern Scottish Obscure Boat Languages, to discover that means "High Spirited" but also includes a bit of mischief too. Och Aye, I think that's me alright.
More boats arrived; from Aberdeen to Tewkesbury, the Solway, Loch Ryan, Loch Earn, Oban, the Medway and Stokes Bay. By Saturday, there were 57 boats on the slipway preparing to launch and head off to two separate racing areas.
Me and my clan of eight other D-Zeros set off to the North course where a light and jaunty zephyr had established itself. We had been issued with the first start, jointly with the seven ILCA 7s. After a short delay, a quadrilateral course was set up for us by RO Steve Thompson.
Then we started to search for clear and consistent wind to get us away from the fleet. After a mid-line start, Jon Bassett took the lead, with Ian Baillie and Niel Ritchie not far behind. I was fourth to the windward mark after bagging the pin end start.
On the reaching leg, I went high looking for the wind, but Finley Briggs went low, closing the gap and passing me and Ian on the running leg. Still leading, Jon looked back anxiously as the following pack closed his lead on the short-lived gust of wind from behind.
Further back, Ruary Williamson from Dalgety Bay had been messed up on the start by the ILCAs and was now engaged in battle with Richard Bryant from Annandale.
On the second lap Jon increased his lead, sailing smart and fast by spotting the patches of wind. I kept up with the chasing group, burning up the turbo booster on the downwind leg to sneak into 3rd place behind Niel and chased very closely for a winning three-way photo finish from Finley and Ian.
Race two followed shortly after, with the same course and slightly more wind, but patchier and hole-ier.
On led from Ian and Niel at the first mark and I caught up downwind to round in third behind Niel after the first lap. After the leeward mark. Niel tacked off and fell into a huge hole; conveniently led there by Jon, who had tacked away just before it. Finley was challenging me for third place and put in an extra tack, which worked against him as the wind shifted in my favour by the mark.
I held onto second place, closing on Jon and increasing the distance from the chasers on the downwind legs. The boats behind were close to each other in two groups, with local Largs helms Calum McCrindle and Stuart Moss battling for eighth and ninth place in the tricky light wind conditions not so suited to their style of sailing.
The wind died away as the last boats finished and we boats headed home for a shower and chat, whilst the Owners enjoyed the warm sunshine with beer and excellent pizzas collected from the Courtyard Bistro.
After a night of windy, cool Easterly breeze, we woke the next morning to a now-familiar view of no wind, very little wind in the wrong places and the little wind disappearing back to no wind.
The Race Team decided to get all of us hungover boats out of bed and our even more hungover Owners kitted up in wetsuits in the hot morning sunshine. Then the flags went up and down and up again and the wetsuits came on and off and on. The youth played in the water on the slipway and they finally abandoned the racing for the day.
That meant Jon Bassett was crowned our winning D-Zero fleet with two firsts. I managed a second place with my Owner, Liz Potter. In third was Niel Ritchie. A special mention to our youth sailor Finley Briggs in fourth place, racing his brother's boat for the first time. Awesome job Fin!
In fact, the youths were well represented across all the fleets, with fourteen Under 18s competing over the weekend.
Thank you to my heroine Julia for organising everything as usual. She really is a star. Thank you to the sponsors, to the ROs, rescue boats, results teams, bar staff and the teams who prepare the RIBs, anchors, flags, crew lunches. Its an endless ask from many, many volunteers and we love you all dearly.
Thank you, my fellow competitors, on the water and off. It's a pleasure to be with you.
Until next time,
Zippy Zero 333
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 Pts
1st 306 Jon BASSETT Largs SC 1 1 2
2nd 333 Liz POTTER West Kirby SC 3 2 5
3rd 326 Niel RITCHIE Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC 2 4 6
4th 300 Finley BRIGGS Largs SC 4 3 7
5th 233 Ruary WILLIAMSON Dalgety Bay SC 6 5 11
6th 336 Ian BAILLIE Dalgety Bay SC 5 7 12
7th 189 Richard BRYANT Annandale Sailing Club 7 6 13
8th 236 Calum MCCRINDLE Largs SC 9 8 17
9th 251 Stuart MOSS Largs SC 8 9 17
Greetings from Zippy the D-Zero, weary from my 516 mile round trip to Largs at the weekend. It was the yearly spring one-design regatta, sponsored by both the local Largs Chandlery and Harken, who make my sleek, efficient body parts. I arrived on Friday afternoon, to a windless Clyde: a theme that would pretty much set us up for the weekend. But hey, the sun was shining, it was very hot for Scotland in May - 22 degrees and the boat park was filling with boats from across the country.
A group of three ILCAs had travelled the 415 miles over 18 hours from the Shetland Islands. I rushed over to say hello and they greeted me in their local dialect, asking if I was the Fil Sket they'd read so much about. I rushed away to consult my compendium of Northern Scottish Obscure Boat Languages, to discover that means "High Spirited" but also includes a bit of mischief too. Och Aye, I think that's me alright.
More boats arrived; from Aberdeen to Tewkesbury, the Solway, Loch Ryan, Loch Earn, Oban, the Medway and Stokes Bay. By Saturday, there were 57 boats on the slipway preparing to launch and head off to two separate racing areas.
Me and my clan of eight other D-Zeros set off to the North course where a light and jaunty zephyr had established itself. We had been issued with the first start, jointly with the seven ILCA 7s. After a short delay, a quadrilateral course was set up for us by RO Steve Thompson.
Then we started to search for clear and consistent wind to get us away from the fleet. After a mid-line start, Jon Bassett took the lead, with Ian Baillie and Niel Ritchie not far behind. I was fourth to the windward mark after bagging the pin end start.
On the reaching leg, I went high looking for the wind, but Finley Briggs went low, closing the gap and passing me and Ian on the running leg. Still leading, Jon looked back anxiously as the following pack closed his lead on the short-lived gust of wind from behind.
Further back, Ruary Williamson from Dalgety Bay had been messed up on the start by the ILCAs and was now engaged in battle with Richard Bryant from Annandale.
On the second lap Jon increased his lead, sailing smart and fast by spotting the patches of wind. I kept up with the chasing group, burning up the turbo booster on the downwind leg to sneak into 3rd place behind Niel and chased very closely for a winning three-way photo finish from Finley and Ian.
Race two followed shortly after, with the same course and slightly more wind, but patchier and hole-ier.
On led from Ian and Niel at the first mark and I caught up downwind to round in third behind Niel after the first lap. After the leeward mark. Niel tacked off and fell into a huge hole; conveniently led there by Jon, who had tacked away just before it. Finley was challenging me for third place and put in an extra tack, which worked against him as the wind shifted in my favour by the mark.
I held onto second place, closing on Jon and increasing the distance from the chasers on the downwind legs. The boats behind were close to each other in two groups, with local Largs helms Calum McCrindle and Stuart Moss battling for eighth and ninth place in the tricky light wind conditions not so suited to their style of sailing.
The wind died away as the last boats finished and we boats headed home for a shower and chat, whilst the Owners enjoyed the warm sunshine with beer and excellent pizzas collected from the Courtyard Bistro.
After a night of windy, cool Easterly breeze, we woke the next morning to a now-familiar view of no wind, very little wind in the wrong places and the little wind disappearing back to no wind.
The Race Team decided to get all of us hungover boats out of bed and our even more hungover Owners kitted up in wetsuits in the hot morning sunshine. Then the flags went up and down and up again and the wetsuits came on and off and on. The youth played in the water on the slipway and they finally abandoned the racing for the day.
That meant Jon Bassett was crowned our winning D-Zero fleet with two firsts. I managed a second place with my Owner, Liz Potter. In third was Niel Ritchie. A special mention to our youth sailor Finley Briggs in fourth place, racing his brother's boat for the first time. Awesome job Fin!
In fact, the youths were well represented across all the fleets, with fourteen Under 18s competing over the weekend.
Thank you to my heroine Julia for organising everything as usual. She really is a star. Thank you to the sponsors, to the ROs, rescue boats, results teams, bar staff and the teams who prepare the RIBs, anchors, flags, crew lunches. Its an endless ask from many, many volunteers and we love you all dearly.
Thank you, my fellow competitors, on the water and off. It's a pleasure to be with you.
Until next time,
Zippy Zero 333
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 Pts
1st 306 Jon BASSETT Largs SC 1 1 2
2nd 333 Liz POTTER West Kirby SC 3 2 5
3rd 326 Niel RITCHIE Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC 2 4 6
4th 300 Finley BRIGGS Largs SC 4 3 7
5th 233 Ruary WILLIAMSON Dalgety Bay SC 6 5 11
6th 336 Ian BAILLIE Dalgety Bay SC 5 7 12
7th 189 Richard BRYANT Annandale Sailing Club 7 6 13
8th 236 Calum MCCRINDLE Largs SC 9 8 17
9th 251 Stuart MOSS Largs SC 8 9 17
Shifty conditions for the D-Zero Open at Grafham Water Sailing Club
17/18th May 2025
Report by John Aston
21st May 2025
The Grafham D-Zero Open, expanded to a two-day event this year, took place over the weekend of 17–18th May in glorious conditions. Held alongside the Hadron H2 Inlands and RS600 Inlands, the weekend brought together three dynamic fleets for some fantastic racing.
While the D-Zero fleet had a modest turnout of 8 boats, the quality of sailing was high, with 6 local entries joined by enthusiastic visitors Gareth Tweedle from Emsworth and Terry Brooks from Oxford. Terry, a welcome new addition to the Class, raced in Gavin Fleming’s former boat—Gavin himself competing in the H2 fleet.
Thanks to the expert race management of Peter Curtis, the event ran smoothly with minimal inter-fleet interference, ensuring enjoyable and fair racing for all. Overall, the weekend proved a great success, showcasing close competition and a strong sense of community across the fleets.
The wind on Saturday was around 8 to 10 knots with gust into the mid-teens, coming from the North. Peter Curtis warned competitors at the briefing to expect variability in wind direction and strength: how prescient he was! Over the weekend, whilst the mean direction remained fairly constant, there were frequent, sometimes sudden, shifts, and wind strength ranged from nothing to low teens. Peter set a trapezoid course with an upwind gate for all races.
In Race 1, Neil Washington, Colin Glover and John Aston had a close battle at the front with the lead changing a number of times. Neil Washington emerged the winner, with Colin second and Paul Murphy sailing through on the final reach to take third place.
In Race 2, John Aston pulled out a big lead on the second beat but was slowly hauled back by Neil Washington on the third beat and top reach. Neil, showing impressive downwind speed, broke through on the final run, to take first place again, with Gareth Tweedle third.
Race 3 started with a massive left shift just before the start. Neil read the conditions correctly, starting at the unfavoured Committee Boat end but in stronger breeze. When the wind shifted right again, he was able to tack and cross the fleet and held first all the way to the finish. Gareth was second and Paul Murphy third.
So, at the end of day 1, Neil was the clear leader with 3 first places.
Sunday started with similar conditions; a little colder maybe but wind pretty much the same as the previous day.
In Race 4, Colin Glover, Neil Washington and John Aston again battled it out at the front. Colin consolidated a lead on the second beat, which he maintained to the finish. John held on for second with Neil third, closely followed by Gareth in fourth place.
In Race 5, a starboard shift just before the start saw two boats OCS: John went back, Ben didn’t! Neil went left on the final beat into stronger wind and a favourable shift to take an impressive lead at the windward mark. However, the wind then died on the reach and filled in again on the run, allowing Colin to overhaul Neil to take the win. Gareth held on to take third place from John, recovering well from his premature start.
At the end of Race 5, Neil had the overall event won.
The start of Race 6 was a copy of Race 3 with another massive left shift at the start. However, this time the wind died completely shortly after the start. It re-emerged on the left-hand side of the course; Colin and John, having started at the pin end of the line, were able to get into it first and gain advantage. The conditions though remained light and fickle; at the end of the first beat John held a good lead from Gareth who had worked his way up to second ahead of Colin. The wind died even further on the top reach and first half of the run.
The inevitable then happened; it filled in from behind, bunching the entire fleet and enabling Colin and Gareth to close right up on John by Mark 3. John was just able to maintain the inside position at the mark and held on to win, the Race Officer mercifully shortening after one lap only. Colin broke through Gareth on the bottom reach to secure second place.
So overall, Neil was the winner with Colin and second and John third. The full results as below.
Thanks to Peter Curtis and the Race Team for putting on some excellent racing in really taxing conditions. Also, thanks to our fellow competitors from the RS 600 and Hadron H2 fleets: the combination made for a good event.
17/18th May 2025
Report by John Aston
21st May 2025
The Grafham D-Zero Open, expanded to a two-day event this year, took place over the weekend of 17–18th May in glorious conditions. Held alongside the Hadron H2 Inlands and RS600 Inlands, the weekend brought together three dynamic fleets for some fantastic racing.
While the D-Zero fleet had a modest turnout of 8 boats, the quality of sailing was high, with 6 local entries joined by enthusiastic visitors Gareth Tweedle from Emsworth and Terry Brooks from Oxford. Terry, a welcome new addition to the Class, raced in Gavin Fleming’s former boat—Gavin himself competing in the H2 fleet.
Thanks to the expert race management of Peter Curtis, the event ran smoothly with minimal inter-fleet interference, ensuring enjoyable and fair racing for all. Overall, the weekend proved a great success, showcasing close competition and a strong sense of community across the fleets.
The wind on Saturday was around 8 to 10 knots with gust into the mid-teens, coming from the North. Peter Curtis warned competitors at the briefing to expect variability in wind direction and strength: how prescient he was! Over the weekend, whilst the mean direction remained fairly constant, there were frequent, sometimes sudden, shifts, and wind strength ranged from nothing to low teens. Peter set a trapezoid course with an upwind gate for all races.
In Race 1, Neil Washington, Colin Glover and John Aston had a close battle at the front with the lead changing a number of times. Neil Washington emerged the winner, with Colin second and Paul Murphy sailing through on the final reach to take third place.
In Race 2, John Aston pulled out a big lead on the second beat but was slowly hauled back by Neil Washington on the third beat and top reach. Neil, showing impressive downwind speed, broke through on the final run, to take first place again, with Gareth Tweedle third.
Race 3 started with a massive left shift just before the start. Neil read the conditions correctly, starting at the unfavoured Committee Boat end but in stronger breeze. When the wind shifted right again, he was able to tack and cross the fleet and held first all the way to the finish. Gareth was second and Paul Murphy third.
So, at the end of day 1, Neil was the clear leader with 3 first places.
Sunday started with similar conditions; a little colder maybe but wind pretty much the same as the previous day.
In Race 4, Colin Glover, Neil Washington and John Aston again battled it out at the front. Colin consolidated a lead on the second beat, which he maintained to the finish. John held on for second with Neil third, closely followed by Gareth in fourth place.
In Race 5, a starboard shift just before the start saw two boats OCS: John went back, Ben didn’t! Neil went left on the final beat into stronger wind and a favourable shift to take an impressive lead at the windward mark. However, the wind then died on the reach and filled in again on the run, allowing Colin to overhaul Neil to take the win. Gareth held on to take third place from John, recovering well from his premature start.
At the end of Race 5, Neil had the overall event won.
The start of Race 6 was a copy of Race 3 with another massive left shift at the start. However, this time the wind died completely shortly after the start. It re-emerged on the left-hand side of the course; Colin and John, having started at the pin end of the line, were able to get into it first and gain advantage. The conditions though remained light and fickle; at the end of the first beat John held a good lead from Gareth who had worked his way up to second ahead of Colin. The wind died even further on the top reach and first half of the run.
The inevitable then happened; it filled in from behind, bunching the entire fleet and enabling Colin and Gareth to close right up on John by Mark 3. John was just able to maintain the inside position at the mark and held on to win, the Race Officer mercifully shortening after one lap only. Colin broke through Gareth on the bottom reach to secure second place.
So overall, Neil was the winner with Colin and second and John third. The full results as below.
Thanks to Peter Curtis and the Race Team for putting on some excellent racing in really taxing conditions. Also, thanks to our fellow competitors from the RS 600 and Hadron H2 fleets: the combination made for a good event.
| grafham_2025_results.pdf |
Yorkshire Dales Open / D-Zero Northern Championships 26-27 April 2025
A mixed forecast greeted the sailors, who mostly arrived on the Friday evening and several met up for a welcome meal in the Clarendon with a great Game Pie, hoping it was windy on Saturday...
Having heard of the news re Storky, a couple of beers were had with some cheers and thanks for the memories. Sail on Storky...
Breakfast baps were available for all sailors and the usual great welcome from our Yorkshire Dales hosts, however they had seemed to forget to turn the fans on as light winds seemed to be available, other than the underfloor heating in the changing rooms and comfortable sofas with a great view. Lunches were available for those wishing to fill themselves for the 3 back to back races delayed to the afternoon as wind was due to fill.
10 visitors & 1 home D-Zeros launched and followed the committee boat for a while as the wind started to steady from a reasonable direction though light and fluctuating up and down and round and round.
R1 under way with a little puff, Valentine, Daniels, Baillie and Southwell got up to the 1st mark with others closing behind, and then a long reach as we'd asked the RO for some but not that long, 2nd mark a few swops, back to another reach, and Valentine and Bassett seemingly going backwards as Potter and Jefferies glided past in the lessening breeze. Another downhill and a reach and a procession was formed. Baillie had worked his magic in the light stuff, with Potter taking second and Daniels had held onto 3rd. Despite the procession, most D-Zero's finishing closely with Stewart just passing Valentine, and new boy Kitchen finishing in 9th with Green and then local with his local awareness of shifts not working their magic.
R2 and Valentine had another good start, with Daniels close by with Southwell for company, Valentine suffered again in the reaches and downhills, unable to work out the shifts and little puffs of wind, though others worked them well with Daniels taking the bullet, close behind was Bassett followed by Southwell. Potter and Baillie fought it out to the end with similar results through the fleet for the others.
R3 with Bassett and Baillie heading off for the 1st mark, with Liz gaining followed by Jefferies. Valentine had some breeze from behind (careful...) and tried to squeeze into the gathered group at the downwind mark, and instead of shoving all to windward, used all the speed to try and wind his way through into the bundle at the mark, with several inside of others already inside. Valentine, Daniels and Jefferies had a tight squeeze with Valentine and Daniels doing turns as everyone unsure where 3 boats lengths were as no one could see the mark. Bassett and Baillie used it to their benefit and finished clear with Potter following in at 3rd.Kitchen overcame those spinning and took 5th.
With a dying breeze, the sailors headed for home slowly contemplating on what may have been, however Bassett and Baillie joined on points for the 1,2 overall with Potter taking 3rd. Headed for welcome showers, a drying of clothes and a great lasagne, and either sticky toffee pud or brownie and a few beers, all had plenty of stories of what happened or didn't happen, along with a few discussions on a couple using the leech to their benefit - no space for it in the D-Zero fleet so all was sorted by the morning with local boy making a comment at the brief...
R4 and Valentine had clearly benefited from the pasta loading or was it the glucose hit, and shot to the 1st mark, with Daniels and Southwell for company. As they rounded, a loud shout of protest and Daniels did some spins, those cheeky leech flicks had been noted ! Valentine and Southwell reached nicely for the 2nd mark in a hugely different breeze to the previous day and relished the speed. Bassett and Baillie weren't that far away so concentration was fully on, and at the 2nd mark, Jefferies went high and then low and managed to squeeze past Valentine on the next reach who'd gone low then high, Southwell took a swim at the mark as feet and ropes apparently don't always mix as something had given way and he shot for a quick repair on the shore. Valentine pushed Jefferies to the finish with a rapidly closing Bassett and Baillie. Daniels recovered well and took 5th with El Presidente Stewart for company. The close end pack of Potter, Green, Kitchen and Everitt not relishing the conditions clearly as much as others.
R5 with a good breeze holding with little shifts coming over the dam wall, and Valentine shot off again not to be caught until the last downwind mark where 5 others suddenly caught him on the reach. Valentine just got inside enough at the turn with Bassett, Southwell, Baillie, Daniels and Stewart fighting tack for tack on the last 100m upwind to the finish, who was going to take the gun and then who would be next. Valentine held on just, followed by Bassett and Southwell. That got everyone's hear rates up especially Valentine who'd held the lead for so long and certainly wasn't being complacent with his speed. 6 D-Zero finished within less than 10 seconds between them all, who doesn't like close racing?!
R6 and all to play for as things had now been fully mixed up, with probably only one or two points between the top 5 or 6. Valentine got away again, a light drinking night maybe had paid, or was it the great lasagne, for sure something was firing though Baillie wasn't having any of this nonsense and pushed hard all the way round, went a little high on the mid-reach, though came back under on the Z reach towards the finish managing to pull away from Valentine at the final mark and despite trying to use every bit of sail power couldn't gain enough on Baillie who took the win with Valentine in 2nd. Southwell followed up who had been trying to gain all the way round, with Daniels following in. Jefferies, Potter, Stewart and Everitt had bailed half way through as the conditions were pushing fitness throughout the race. Bassett unusually behind took 5th, with Kitchen and Green finishing the group.
Certainly the weekend had tested all sailors, some benefiting in certain conditions more than others, though all the racing was close, and one mistake allowed others to come through, you were never safe in the lead!
Baillie took it overall, with 1 point between 1st and Bassett in 2nd; and then the positions 3rd through 6th separated by 3 points, Daniels beating Southwell on countback from Valentine and Jefferies. Potter the first female and Grand Master.
Great thanks to YDSC for the event, with prizes from Noble Marine, dzero.co.uk and YDSC. This event never disappoints, so when's next year?
Photo Credits - Paul Hargreaves
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Club Category R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts
1st 336 Ian Baillie Dalgety Bay Sailing Club Master 1 ‑5 2 4 4 1 12
2nd 306 Jon Bassett Largs Sailing Club ‑5 2 1 3 2 5 13
3rd 224 Rohan Daniels Ogston Sailing Club 3 1 ‑7 5 6 4 19
4th 328 Thomas Southwell Lee on the Solent 4 3 6 (DNF) 3 3 19
5th 66 David Valentine Emsworth Slipper SC Master 8 7 ‑10 2 1 2 20
6th 345 Paul Jefferies Hunts SC Master 6 6 4 1 5 (DNC) 22
7th 333 Liz Potter West Kirby SC Female Grand Master 2 4 3 7 8 (RET) 24
8th 366 David Kitchen Dalgety Bay SC Grand Master ‑9 8 5 9 9 6 37
9th 358 Gordon Stewart NHSBC Master 7 9 8 6 7 (RET) 37
10th 344 Mick Green LLSC Master ‑10 10 9 8 10 7 44
11th 203 Chris Everitt YDSC 11 11 11 10 11 (RET) 54
A mixed forecast greeted the sailors, who mostly arrived on the Friday evening and several met up for a welcome meal in the Clarendon with a great Game Pie, hoping it was windy on Saturday...
Having heard of the news re Storky, a couple of beers were had with some cheers and thanks for the memories. Sail on Storky...
Breakfast baps were available for all sailors and the usual great welcome from our Yorkshire Dales hosts, however they had seemed to forget to turn the fans on as light winds seemed to be available, other than the underfloor heating in the changing rooms and comfortable sofas with a great view. Lunches were available for those wishing to fill themselves for the 3 back to back races delayed to the afternoon as wind was due to fill.
10 visitors & 1 home D-Zeros launched and followed the committee boat for a while as the wind started to steady from a reasonable direction though light and fluctuating up and down and round and round.
R1 under way with a little puff, Valentine, Daniels, Baillie and Southwell got up to the 1st mark with others closing behind, and then a long reach as we'd asked the RO for some but not that long, 2nd mark a few swops, back to another reach, and Valentine and Bassett seemingly going backwards as Potter and Jefferies glided past in the lessening breeze. Another downhill and a reach and a procession was formed. Baillie had worked his magic in the light stuff, with Potter taking second and Daniels had held onto 3rd. Despite the procession, most D-Zero's finishing closely with Stewart just passing Valentine, and new boy Kitchen finishing in 9th with Green and then local with his local awareness of shifts not working their magic.
R2 and Valentine had another good start, with Daniels close by with Southwell for company, Valentine suffered again in the reaches and downhills, unable to work out the shifts and little puffs of wind, though others worked them well with Daniels taking the bullet, close behind was Bassett followed by Southwell. Potter and Baillie fought it out to the end with similar results through the fleet for the others.
R3 with Bassett and Baillie heading off for the 1st mark, with Liz gaining followed by Jefferies. Valentine had some breeze from behind (careful...) and tried to squeeze into the gathered group at the downwind mark, and instead of shoving all to windward, used all the speed to try and wind his way through into the bundle at the mark, with several inside of others already inside. Valentine, Daniels and Jefferies had a tight squeeze with Valentine and Daniels doing turns as everyone unsure where 3 boats lengths were as no one could see the mark. Bassett and Baillie used it to their benefit and finished clear with Potter following in at 3rd.Kitchen overcame those spinning and took 5th.
With a dying breeze, the sailors headed for home slowly contemplating on what may have been, however Bassett and Baillie joined on points for the 1,2 overall with Potter taking 3rd. Headed for welcome showers, a drying of clothes and a great lasagne, and either sticky toffee pud or brownie and a few beers, all had plenty of stories of what happened or didn't happen, along with a few discussions on a couple using the leech to their benefit - no space for it in the D-Zero fleet so all was sorted by the morning with local boy making a comment at the brief...
R4 and Valentine had clearly benefited from the pasta loading or was it the glucose hit, and shot to the 1st mark, with Daniels and Southwell for company. As they rounded, a loud shout of protest and Daniels did some spins, those cheeky leech flicks had been noted ! Valentine and Southwell reached nicely for the 2nd mark in a hugely different breeze to the previous day and relished the speed. Bassett and Baillie weren't that far away so concentration was fully on, and at the 2nd mark, Jefferies went high and then low and managed to squeeze past Valentine on the next reach who'd gone low then high, Southwell took a swim at the mark as feet and ropes apparently don't always mix as something had given way and he shot for a quick repair on the shore. Valentine pushed Jefferies to the finish with a rapidly closing Bassett and Baillie. Daniels recovered well and took 5th with El Presidente Stewart for company. The close end pack of Potter, Green, Kitchen and Everitt not relishing the conditions clearly as much as others.
R5 with a good breeze holding with little shifts coming over the dam wall, and Valentine shot off again not to be caught until the last downwind mark where 5 others suddenly caught him on the reach. Valentine just got inside enough at the turn with Bassett, Southwell, Baillie, Daniels and Stewart fighting tack for tack on the last 100m upwind to the finish, who was going to take the gun and then who would be next. Valentine held on just, followed by Bassett and Southwell. That got everyone's hear rates up especially Valentine who'd held the lead for so long and certainly wasn't being complacent with his speed. 6 D-Zero finished within less than 10 seconds between them all, who doesn't like close racing?!
R6 and all to play for as things had now been fully mixed up, with probably only one or two points between the top 5 or 6. Valentine got away again, a light drinking night maybe had paid, or was it the great lasagne, for sure something was firing though Baillie wasn't having any of this nonsense and pushed hard all the way round, went a little high on the mid-reach, though came back under on the Z reach towards the finish managing to pull away from Valentine at the final mark and despite trying to use every bit of sail power couldn't gain enough on Baillie who took the win with Valentine in 2nd. Southwell followed up who had been trying to gain all the way round, with Daniels following in. Jefferies, Potter, Stewart and Everitt had bailed half way through as the conditions were pushing fitness throughout the race. Bassett unusually behind took 5th, with Kitchen and Green finishing the group.
Certainly the weekend had tested all sailors, some benefiting in certain conditions more than others, though all the racing was close, and one mistake allowed others to come through, you were never safe in the lead!
Baillie took it overall, with 1 point between 1st and Bassett in 2nd; and then the positions 3rd through 6th separated by 3 points, Daniels beating Southwell on countback from Valentine and Jefferies. Potter the first female and Grand Master.
Great thanks to YDSC for the event, with prizes from Noble Marine, dzero.co.uk and YDSC. This event never disappoints, so when's next year?
Photo Credits - Paul Hargreaves
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Club Category R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts
1st 336 Ian Baillie Dalgety Bay Sailing Club Master 1 ‑5 2 4 4 1 12
2nd 306 Jon Bassett Largs Sailing Club ‑5 2 1 3 2 5 13
3rd 224 Rohan Daniels Ogston Sailing Club 3 1 ‑7 5 6 4 19
4th 328 Thomas Southwell Lee on the Solent 4 3 6 (DNF) 3 3 19
5th 66 David Valentine Emsworth Slipper SC Master 8 7 ‑10 2 1 2 20
6th 345 Paul Jefferies Hunts SC Master 6 6 4 1 5 (DNC) 22
7th 333 Liz Potter West Kirby SC Female Grand Master 2 4 3 7 8 (RET) 24
8th 366 David Kitchen Dalgety Bay SC Grand Master ‑9 8 5 9 9 6 37
9th 358 Gordon Stewart NHSBC Master 7 9 8 6 7 (RET) 37
10th 344 Mick Green LLSC Master ‑10 10 9 8 10 7 44
11th 203 Chris Everitt YDSC 11 11 11 10 11 (RET) 54
Devoti D-Zero Report – Bough Beech Open – Saturday 12 April 2025
Saturday 12th April saw the 2nd event of the D-Zero national traveller series held at Bough Beech SC in sunny Kent.
4 visitors & 2 home D-Zeros were greeted by a light breeze twirling all over the place, though wind was forecast and would likely swing towards the dam wall
The RO briefed the assembled fleet of D-Zero, Finn and Streakers and readied us for a timely getaway as wind was forecast and would arrive.
As several Streakers amassed on the slipway, a few D-Zero’s struggled to get away and then lightly drifted to the start, however the RO wasn’t hanging around and got the Finn and D-Zero’s away on a 321, with several of the D-Zero fleet still to arrive. Tom Southwell who had just got to the line, capitalised on this and shot off up the beat when some were only just starting as he rounded the first mark. Note to self, get ready even earlier and launch and wait next time. However Sam Bedford who started last was awarded first despite a couple of laps, so who knows what the RO was doing or thinking. Kim May-Papailiou with her small rig was doing well on the first lap though the light breeze wasn’t enough and got overtaken on the second lap. Local Ian Patrick snatched second, followed by Gordon Stewart and Dave Valentine.
R2 underway now with everyone present and it was a close rounding at the first mark with Southwell, Patrick and Valentine close together with Stewart and Bedford pushing hard and a bit snakes and ladders could affect anyone. Southwell pulled round one mark and promptly took off with a good lead until the third lap when he got headed into the mark and Patrick and Valentine lifted in before him and managed to hold off Southwell to the finish.
Having waited for a good hour whilst the wind decided what to do, R3 finally got underway as breeze was starting to fill and had swung to a more steadier direction, with Southwell pulling away and holding off local boy Patrick all the way round the course. Valentine and Stewart were having a close race behind with Stewart just sneaking past Valentine on the last downwind and held to the finish. May-Papailiou having received a few tips on the smaller rig was making good use and pulled away from Bedford to finish ahead. Bedford more used to the sea was having a tough day in the office.
Last race, with wind having built a bit though still plenty of huge 30-40degree shifts (huge for sea sailors, average day for the locals and inland sailors), May-Papailiou made good use and pressured Patrick and Southwell who’d worked the shifts well and was again in the lead. Bedford decided enough was enough having been headed a couple of times and pushed to the back and bailed for the shore. Southwell took it from Patrick with May-Papailiou running in 3rd making excellent use of the smaller sail in a better breeze. Valentine just got the better of Stewart, and finished 4th and 5th, and headed for the shore to discuss the days challenges.
Results
Rank Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Nett
1st 328 Thomas Southwell LOSSC 1 (3) 1 1 6 4
2nd 335 Ian Patrick Bough Beech (2) 1 2 2 7 5
3rd 66 David Valentine Emsworth Slipper (4) 2 4 4 14 10
4th 358 Gordon Stewart NHBSC 3 4 3 (5) 15 10
5th 28 Kim May-Papailiou Bough Beech (5) 6 5 3 19 14
6th 126 Sam Bedford LOSSC 6 5 6 (7) 24 17
Saturday 12th April saw the 2nd event of the D-Zero national traveller series held at Bough Beech SC in sunny Kent.
4 visitors & 2 home D-Zeros were greeted by a light breeze twirling all over the place, though wind was forecast and would likely swing towards the dam wall
The RO briefed the assembled fleet of D-Zero, Finn and Streakers and readied us for a timely getaway as wind was forecast and would arrive.
As several Streakers amassed on the slipway, a few D-Zero’s struggled to get away and then lightly drifted to the start, however the RO wasn’t hanging around and got the Finn and D-Zero’s away on a 321, with several of the D-Zero fleet still to arrive. Tom Southwell who had just got to the line, capitalised on this and shot off up the beat when some were only just starting as he rounded the first mark. Note to self, get ready even earlier and launch and wait next time. However Sam Bedford who started last was awarded first despite a couple of laps, so who knows what the RO was doing or thinking. Kim May-Papailiou with her small rig was doing well on the first lap though the light breeze wasn’t enough and got overtaken on the second lap. Local Ian Patrick snatched second, followed by Gordon Stewart and Dave Valentine.
R2 underway now with everyone present and it was a close rounding at the first mark with Southwell, Patrick and Valentine close together with Stewart and Bedford pushing hard and a bit snakes and ladders could affect anyone. Southwell pulled round one mark and promptly took off with a good lead until the third lap when he got headed into the mark and Patrick and Valentine lifted in before him and managed to hold off Southwell to the finish.
Having waited for a good hour whilst the wind decided what to do, R3 finally got underway as breeze was starting to fill and had swung to a more steadier direction, with Southwell pulling away and holding off local boy Patrick all the way round the course. Valentine and Stewart were having a close race behind with Stewart just sneaking past Valentine on the last downwind and held to the finish. May-Papailiou having received a few tips on the smaller rig was making good use and pulled away from Bedford to finish ahead. Bedford more used to the sea was having a tough day in the office.
Last race, with wind having built a bit though still plenty of huge 30-40degree shifts (huge for sea sailors, average day for the locals and inland sailors), May-Papailiou made good use and pressured Patrick and Southwell who’d worked the shifts well and was again in the lead. Bedford decided enough was enough having been headed a couple of times and pushed to the back and bailed for the shore. Southwell took it from Patrick with May-Papailiou running in 3rd making excellent use of the smaller sail in a better breeze. Valentine just got the better of Stewart, and finished 4th and 5th, and headed for the shore to discuss the days challenges.
Results
Rank Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Nett
1st 328 Thomas Southwell LOSSC 1 (3) 1 1 6 4
2nd 335 Ian Patrick Bough Beech (2) 1 2 2 7 5
3rd 66 David Valentine Emsworth Slipper (4) 2 4 4 14 10
4th 358 Gordon Stewart NHBSC 3 4 3 (5) 15 10
5th 28 Kim May-Papailiou Bough Beech (5) 6 5 3 19 14
6th 126 Sam Bedford LOSSC 6 5 6 (7) 24 17
Emsworth Slipper SC – D-Zero Open Meeting Report
15 March 2025
A bright and breezy day met the 4 visitors and 8 locals for the early Open meet, some locals put off by the breeze and maybe the lack of heat in the sun, however the rest persevered and were quickly delivered to the race area courtesy of a healthy NE breeze. Yet again this was held with the Finn fleet, another sizeable fleet at Slipper and boosted by some Hayling locals who beat up the harbour to meet us.
R1 got under way, and Valentine rocketed off the line, chased hard by Cockerill and Tweedle and unusually Southwell behind. Some interesting shifts up to the first mark, however dealt with nicely by Valentine who was relishing in the breeze and feeling his winter fitness was paying off. Cockerill worked hard on lap 2 and overtook Valentine on the reach with Tweedle pushing closely behind. Simon Boylin was overeager at the start and took an OCS. Ian Patrick from Bough Beech was also doing well and keeping the locals honest and battling with ESC sailor Max Jones.
R2 and the wind hadn’t changed though still some big shifts catching a couple of sailors unaware as they waited between races and gave them a cold bath. Southwell made a good getaway chased by Valentine, with Cockerill and Tweedle in contention with Southwell leading to the finish, though Cockerill and Valentine got headed as they came into the finish and Tweedle tacked and jumped them both within a second of each other. Stewart and Bedford had some good battles on the way round though Stewart took 5th just ahead.
R3 and a couple of sailors decided enough was enough and headed back again after doing some circuits of their D-Zero’s caught out again by the shifts, and a warm bath was in order. It was not warm despite the sun. Valentine keen to make amends for the last race shot out of the blocks, Cockerill was caught off guard at the pin end with a shift and just managed to sail by on his side past the pin without touching with Bedford for company. Valentine took the first rounding with Tweedle hot on his heels and charging off down the reach dodging the yacht and the nav marks that ran in perfect alignment with the 2nd mark. Plenty of moves and counter moves as they ran down to complete the lap. Valentine worked the shifts hard on the next beat though Tweedle managed to overtake on the reach and hold onto the win. Cockerill and Southwell followed closely.
Final race and plenty of tired sailors though warmed by plenty of activity around the course, and mentally keeping tabs on the shifts. Valentine was on form again in the breeze and led the first lap, though Cockerill was working his magic on the next beat, with Southwell chasing Valentine for 2nd and 3rd, though Valentine managed to hold him off to the finish. Tweedle must have made an unusual error as was being hounded by another ESC sailor Max Jones though held on. Not many seconds between all positions, showing how close the racing was, and how the D-Zero’s performed in some big breeze. A hard close haul to the club wasn’t welcomed though gave a few to chat on what could have been and have a few laughs on the way back.
RO Mark Riddington presented the glassware and wine prizes from Emsworth Slipper to the top 5 overall – 1st Adam Cockerill, 2nd Gareth Tweedle on countback from Valentine, 3rd David Valentine, 4th Tom Southwell and 5th Sam Bedford both from LOSSC.
Results below and photos courtesy of Claire Power
15 March 2025
A bright and breezy day met the 4 visitors and 8 locals for the early Open meet, some locals put off by the breeze and maybe the lack of heat in the sun, however the rest persevered and were quickly delivered to the race area courtesy of a healthy NE breeze. Yet again this was held with the Finn fleet, another sizeable fleet at Slipper and boosted by some Hayling locals who beat up the harbour to meet us.
R1 got under way, and Valentine rocketed off the line, chased hard by Cockerill and Tweedle and unusually Southwell behind. Some interesting shifts up to the first mark, however dealt with nicely by Valentine who was relishing in the breeze and feeling his winter fitness was paying off. Cockerill worked hard on lap 2 and overtook Valentine on the reach with Tweedle pushing closely behind. Simon Boylin was overeager at the start and took an OCS. Ian Patrick from Bough Beech was also doing well and keeping the locals honest and battling with ESC sailor Max Jones.
R2 and the wind hadn’t changed though still some big shifts catching a couple of sailors unaware as they waited between races and gave them a cold bath. Southwell made a good getaway chased by Valentine, with Cockerill and Tweedle in contention with Southwell leading to the finish, though Cockerill and Valentine got headed as they came into the finish and Tweedle tacked and jumped them both within a second of each other. Stewart and Bedford had some good battles on the way round though Stewart took 5th just ahead.
R3 and a couple of sailors decided enough was enough and headed back again after doing some circuits of their D-Zero’s caught out again by the shifts, and a warm bath was in order. It was not warm despite the sun. Valentine keen to make amends for the last race shot out of the blocks, Cockerill was caught off guard at the pin end with a shift and just managed to sail by on his side past the pin without touching with Bedford for company. Valentine took the first rounding with Tweedle hot on his heels and charging off down the reach dodging the yacht and the nav marks that ran in perfect alignment with the 2nd mark. Plenty of moves and counter moves as they ran down to complete the lap. Valentine worked the shifts hard on the next beat though Tweedle managed to overtake on the reach and hold onto the win. Cockerill and Southwell followed closely.
Final race and plenty of tired sailors though warmed by plenty of activity around the course, and mentally keeping tabs on the shifts. Valentine was on form again in the breeze and led the first lap, though Cockerill was working his magic on the next beat, with Southwell chasing Valentine for 2nd and 3rd, though Valentine managed to hold him off to the finish. Tweedle must have made an unusual error as was being hounded by another ESC sailor Max Jones though held on. Not many seconds between all positions, showing how close the racing was, and how the D-Zero’s performed in some big breeze. A hard close haul to the club wasn’t welcomed though gave a few to chat on what could have been and have a few laughs on the way back.
RO Mark Riddington presented the glassware and wine prizes from Emsworth Slipper to the top 5 overall – 1st Adam Cockerill, 2nd Gareth Tweedle on countback from Valentine, 3rd David Valentine, 4th Tom Southwell and 5th Sam Bedford both from LOSSC.
Results below and photos courtesy of Claire Power
1st ever Europeans & 10th Nationals - 27-30 June 2024
Click here for Results
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Devoti Sailing D-Zero, the class held its first European Championship, combined with their 10th National Championship at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy from the 27th to the 30th June.
The Europeans were held over four days with the Nationals counting the final three days races.
Day 1
Race conditions for Day 1 and it was the sun and wind that had been promised by the D-Zero organising committee for the past year, champagne sailing. We were out in the bay, except, so were the Navy, which meant we were moved a further two miles east but on the plus side, that meant more waves.
Race one got underway into 20 knots and a steep lumpy sea and it was great to see fleet favourite Tom Southwell first to the windward mark, pursued by 2023 National Champion Ian Baillie, then Ben Flower and Roo Purves. The reaches were full on blast off with spray everywhere, Ben sailed very well to overtake both Tom and Ian by the finish, showing great speed, particularly upwind.
The next two races followed similar patterns, with Ben winning both and Ian second in both, Adam Cockerill scored a third then a fourth, Tom a fourth, then fifth, Roo, a fifth then third.
The fleet was then faced with a five mile upwind sail into an increasing wind across the bay, then back through the harbour, which took upwards of an hour and fifteen to complete. Comments on the day varied from “brutal” to “the best day ever”, but it had certainly sorted out the best in terms of boat handling and fitness.
Day 2
A bit less wind, 15 or so knots, a bit less sun but just as competitive throughout the fleet as race four got underway. We were out in the bay again but much closer to the harbour, so the waves were less challenging but the shifts more so. We still had the screaming reaches but control was easier and the lower wind strength meant that the bigger, stronger sailors were able to keep the power in better.
Ben Flower again showed the fleet the way to go in all three races, winning them in style. Behind, Adam Cockerill was finding his speed, likewise Roo Purves, with these two battling over second and third places, Adam scoring two, three, two, Roo with three, two, three. Ian Baillie and Tom Southwell were close behind and John Emmett, although struggling a bit upwind was showing impressive speed down the waves. Also beginning to show up near the top of the fleet were Scott Munro, scoring a six, then five before VAR caught him with an OCS. James Jenkins was also consistently quick with a couple of sevenths.
That evening was barbeque night and spot prizes, supplied by sponsors dzero.co.uk, Harken and Sailing Chandlery were awarded for various deeds and misdeeds but included top European, Stefan Halberstadt from Dortmund and “Dummy of the Day” Martin Latimer for falling out of his boat just before the finish line in two races, aswell as most improved going to Adam Cockerill.
Day 3
Much lighter wind but the sun was back at full strength. We were worried that we might not get any wind but after a short postponement, we were off, into the harbour this time because the Navy had booked the bay, with the light wind specialists itching to get at the big boys.
But at the top, not much had changed. Roo led at the top mark and this time he stayed there to win from Ben, with Jon Emmett third. Ian Baillie, although fourth on the water was OCS, as was David Bartlet in fifth. These places went to Tom Southwell and Rohan Daniels. Race eight and this time Ben was able to hold off Roo to record another win. Ian was third, Jon fourth. There were many sailors benefiting from the lighter, shiftier conditions, including Ellie Craig, Ben Hodges, Jon Bassett, Niel Ritchie and Max Jones, who all scored their best results so far.
Onwards with race nine and Roo, continuing to start well, go the right way and sail very fast, won again from Ben, Jon was third and Adam fourth. The race officer decided to bring the schedule forward and give us a fourth race, so the tired bodies went again and despite quite a large right shift near the end of the first upwind leg, it was the same sailors in the top positions but now Ben won from Roo, then Adam with Colin Glover in fourth.
A short sail back this time was appreciated by many and even without the aid of a calculator, it was worked out that Ben Flower had won both the DZero Euros and Nationals with a day to spare. A very worthy champion. Chilli night quickly followed, then the delights of the class AGM, where new chairman Gordon Stewart and Co-Chair Tom Southwell were elected, along with Rohan Daniels offering to manage the PR and social media. Much more important was the draw to win a new sail provided by North Sails. This was won by Martin Latimer but with huge generosity, he put it back to be redrawn, where it was won by Colin Clasper. Further spot day prizes were awarded to Ben Hodges for capsizing on the start line, Mike Grant for “resting” on the finish line, Colin Clasper for the most supported (aka strapped up) sailor, and the Race Officer Ian Bullock for working magic to get 4 races in.
Day 4
The concerns that there may be no wind at all were put to rest when a good dose of Scottish style rain brought along a light northerly, which allowed us to complete the final two races in challenging shifty conditions with some odd currents from the harbour mouth. Ian Baillie led at the windward mark from Adam Cockerill, who used the shifts better on lap two to record a popular win, Ian just managing to hold off Ben Hodges and Jon Emmett.
The final race and once again a clean start, with only the individual recall flag used. Roo showed his class again to lead from the first mark. Behind him, there was a great deal of place changing as the wind became a bit unstable. Jon Emmett scored his best result with a second, Adam third and Gareth Tweedle gaining his best result of the week in fourth.
There are many people to thank for making the Devoti Sailing D-Zero European and National Championships such a success, plus the D-Zero Class Association organising committee of David Valentine and Martin Latimer, main sponsor Sailing Chandlery, with thanks to Andrew Dowley, Harken for numerous prizes and vouchers, Charlie Cumbley at North Sails for the new sail for the raffle and Devoti Sailing for waiving the button fees plus other support, Phoenix Marine for the superb hand crafted trophies and dzero.co.uk for various spot prizes, spares support and assistance throughout the event.
The race team of Ian Bullock deserve a very special thank you for running a superb race series for us, for listening to feedback and making sure we had exactly what we needed to make our championship a success, aswell as his drone/video footage of the starts. Also, thanks to Richard Bowers and the administration and catering teams at WPNSA. And last but not least, the photos, video, and drone coverage from Lotte Johnson Film, who collaborated with Jon Emmett for some post-race interviews and media.
Finally, thanks to all the competitors who took part in the Championships. The racing was intensely competitive and close but there were no disputes that went to protest, penalties were accepted and turns were done, and we had no general recalls.
Sailwave results for Devoti D-Zero European Championship &<br>10th UK National Championship at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy<br>27th to 30th June 2024 2024
Click here for Results
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Devoti Sailing D-Zero, the class held its first European Championship, combined with their 10th National Championship at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy from the 27th to the 30th June.
The Europeans were held over four days with the Nationals counting the final three days races.
Day 1
Race conditions for Day 1 and it was the sun and wind that had been promised by the D-Zero organising committee for the past year, champagne sailing. We were out in the bay, except, so were the Navy, which meant we were moved a further two miles east but on the plus side, that meant more waves.
Race one got underway into 20 knots and a steep lumpy sea and it was great to see fleet favourite Tom Southwell first to the windward mark, pursued by 2023 National Champion Ian Baillie, then Ben Flower and Roo Purves. The reaches were full on blast off with spray everywhere, Ben sailed very well to overtake both Tom and Ian by the finish, showing great speed, particularly upwind.
The next two races followed similar patterns, with Ben winning both and Ian second in both, Adam Cockerill scored a third then a fourth, Tom a fourth, then fifth, Roo, a fifth then third.
The fleet was then faced with a five mile upwind sail into an increasing wind across the bay, then back through the harbour, which took upwards of an hour and fifteen to complete. Comments on the day varied from “brutal” to “the best day ever”, but it had certainly sorted out the best in terms of boat handling and fitness.
Day 2
A bit less wind, 15 or so knots, a bit less sun but just as competitive throughout the fleet as race four got underway. We were out in the bay again but much closer to the harbour, so the waves were less challenging but the shifts more so. We still had the screaming reaches but control was easier and the lower wind strength meant that the bigger, stronger sailors were able to keep the power in better.
Ben Flower again showed the fleet the way to go in all three races, winning them in style. Behind, Adam Cockerill was finding his speed, likewise Roo Purves, with these two battling over second and third places, Adam scoring two, three, two, Roo with three, two, three. Ian Baillie and Tom Southwell were close behind and John Emmett, although struggling a bit upwind was showing impressive speed down the waves. Also beginning to show up near the top of the fleet were Scott Munro, scoring a six, then five before VAR caught him with an OCS. James Jenkins was also consistently quick with a couple of sevenths.
That evening was barbeque night and spot prizes, supplied by sponsors dzero.co.uk, Harken and Sailing Chandlery were awarded for various deeds and misdeeds but included top European, Stefan Halberstadt from Dortmund and “Dummy of the Day” Martin Latimer for falling out of his boat just before the finish line in two races, aswell as most improved going to Adam Cockerill.
Day 3
Much lighter wind but the sun was back at full strength. We were worried that we might not get any wind but after a short postponement, we were off, into the harbour this time because the Navy had booked the bay, with the light wind specialists itching to get at the big boys.
But at the top, not much had changed. Roo led at the top mark and this time he stayed there to win from Ben, with Jon Emmett third. Ian Baillie, although fourth on the water was OCS, as was David Bartlet in fifth. These places went to Tom Southwell and Rohan Daniels. Race eight and this time Ben was able to hold off Roo to record another win. Ian was third, Jon fourth. There were many sailors benefiting from the lighter, shiftier conditions, including Ellie Craig, Ben Hodges, Jon Bassett, Niel Ritchie and Max Jones, who all scored their best results so far.
Onwards with race nine and Roo, continuing to start well, go the right way and sail very fast, won again from Ben, Jon was third and Adam fourth. The race officer decided to bring the schedule forward and give us a fourth race, so the tired bodies went again and despite quite a large right shift near the end of the first upwind leg, it was the same sailors in the top positions but now Ben won from Roo, then Adam with Colin Glover in fourth.
A short sail back this time was appreciated by many and even without the aid of a calculator, it was worked out that Ben Flower had won both the DZero Euros and Nationals with a day to spare. A very worthy champion. Chilli night quickly followed, then the delights of the class AGM, where new chairman Gordon Stewart and Co-Chair Tom Southwell were elected, along with Rohan Daniels offering to manage the PR and social media. Much more important was the draw to win a new sail provided by North Sails. This was won by Martin Latimer but with huge generosity, he put it back to be redrawn, where it was won by Colin Clasper. Further spot day prizes were awarded to Ben Hodges for capsizing on the start line, Mike Grant for “resting” on the finish line, Colin Clasper for the most supported (aka strapped up) sailor, and the Race Officer Ian Bullock for working magic to get 4 races in.
Day 4
The concerns that there may be no wind at all were put to rest when a good dose of Scottish style rain brought along a light northerly, which allowed us to complete the final two races in challenging shifty conditions with some odd currents from the harbour mouth. Ian Baillie led at the windward mark from Adam Cockerill, who used the shifts better on lap two to record a popular win, Ian just managing to hold off Ben Hodges and Jon Emmett.
The final race and once again a clean start, with only the individual recall flag used. Roo showed his class again to lead from the first mark. Behind him, there was a great deal of place changing as the wind became a bit unstable. Jon Emmett scored his best result with a second, Adam third and Gareth Tweedle gaining his best result of the week in fourth.
There are many people to thank for making the Devoti Sailing D-Zero European and National Championships such a success, plus the D-Zero Class Association organising committee of David Valentine and Martin Latimer, main sponsor Sailing Chandlery, with thanks to Andrew Dowley, Harken for numerous prizes and vouchers, Charlie Cumbley at North Sails for the new sail for the raffle and Devoti Sailing for waiving the button fees plus other support, Phoenix Marine for the superb hand crafted trophies and dzero.co.uk for various spot prizes, spares support and assistance throughout the event.
The race team of Ian Bullock deserve a very special thank you for running a superb race series for us, for listening to feedback and making sure we had exactly what we needed to make our championship a success, aswell as his drone/video footage of the starts. Also, thanks to Richard Bowers and the administration and catering teams at WPNSA. And last but not least, the photos, video, and drone coverage from Lotte Johnson Film, who collaborated with Jon Emmett for some post-race interviews and media.
Finally, thanks to all the competitors who took part in the Championships. The racing was intensely competitive and close but there were no disputes that went to protest, penalties were accepted and turns were done, and we had no general recalls.
Sailwave results for Devoti D-Zero European Championship &<br>10th UK National Championship at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy<br>27th to 30th June 2024 2024
Largs Harken One-Design Regatta - 18 & 19 May 2024
The weekend brought the Largs Harken One Design Regatta, with 17 D-Zeros converging from as far away as Emsworth to Aberdeen to be the largest class in the regatta’s 48 strong fleet.
As always you don’t always get what you want and the forecast of wall to wall sunshine wasn’t accompanied by the breeze. The first start time passed under the AP and a slipway full of overheating helms starring at the Clyde for optimistic signs of zephyrs. The collective will produced results, the AP dropped and the Largs regatta team’s fleet of RIBs scurried off to rapidly set the courses and get us away. Having a delay can encourage impatience and a hard fought start line caught out 3 over enthusiastic drivers, Roo Purves and Gavin Homer making the return but leaving Jon Bassett ploughing on to secure a plucky DNS and banking his discard early.
The race set a pattern of tightly fought marks and nip & tuck upwind and down and at the end the Stork wins, but being challenged by hard charging teenager Roo. Reports of close racing and finishing within touching distance of each other were heard across the water.
Race 1 was a good start but unfortunately the only race on Saturday as the wind dropped away to play hide and seek through the afternoon, so needs must, cold beer on the balcony in the sunshine with a stunning backdrop of the Clyde and it’s islands, it could be worse. Much talk of what tomorrow was bringing, and what could have been, and where some went well and others not so...
Sunday arrived with the forecasts showing less breeze, it didn’t look hopeful, but a dark line climbed up the channel from the south. 40 boats launched, marks and lines laid efficiently by the slipway and race support team and we’re back underway for Race 2. Clear air up the beat and find the pressure paid and at the end of it the Stork wins, pushed again by Roo. Back in the melee Slimb found out that grumbling at the Aberdonian in front whilst rear ending him, followed by a stylish slowmo 360 isn’t a winning mark rounding strategy, a good discard well secured.
A couple of the heavyweights (90-100kg sailors) in the fleet weren't suffering in the light stuff, and were still in the Top 5/10 and were challenging the flyweights (60-75kgs), another benefit of the D-Zero !
Race 3 kicked off with Martin Latimer delivering his best timed run to hit the line with pace at the gun, pity though he was still a boat length behind everybody else and the resulting general recall snuffed that nonsense out. Good effort though. Shock horror! at the end of this one the Stork didn’t win, knocked off his perch by Roo. The RO stated how we were so close finishing and seconds dividing many, the close racing benefit (or not) of the D-Zero.
Smooth turnarounds by the RO and into Race 4, clearly there’s going to be some needle at the front and the last race to determine the event. Tight everywhere and particularly at the gybe marks with 3 and 4 boats abeam claiming water and rights. At the last windward mark the plaintiff cry of a stork could be heard echoing across the Clyde asking Roo if he’d like to do a wee penalty turn; natural order restored, the Stork wins.
Plaudits and thanks to the Largs race team and supporting volunteers, 4 good races in difficult conditions to deliver a very successful event. congratulations to Storky, discarding a clearly unacceptable 2nd to win the event and take the crown for Scottish D Zero champion. Thanks to Harken again for their support.
This was a great warm up for the Euros / Nationals at the end of June in Portland, if you haven’t already entered yet you should, don’t miss out there’s still time to make it a 50 boat fleet.
See you all in Portland.
Report : thanks to Simon Limb
Photos : thanks to Glenn Andrews
The weekend brought the Largs Harken One Design Regatta, with 17 D-Zeros converging from as far away as Emsworth to Aberdeen to be the largest class in the regatta’s 48 strong fleet.
As always you don’t always get what you want and the forecast of wall to wall sunshine wasn’t accompanied by the breeze. The first start time passed under the AP and a slipway full of overheating helms starring at the Clyde for optimistic signs of zephyrs. The collective will produced results, the AP dropped and the Largs regatta team’s fleet of RIBs scurried off to rapidly set the courses and get us away. Having a delay can encourage impatience and a hard fought start line caught out 3 over enthusiastic drivers, Roo Purves and Gavin Homer making the return but leaving Jon Bassett ploughing on to secure a plucky DNS and banking his discard early.
The race set a pattern of tightly fought marks and nip & tuck upwind and down and at the end the Stork wins, but being challenged by hard charging teenager Roo. Reports of close racing and finishing within touching distance of each other were heard across the water.
Race 1 was a good start but unfortunately the only race on Saturday as the wind dropped away to play hide and seek through the afternoon, so needs must, cold beer on the balcony in the sunshine with a stunning backdrop of the Clyde and it’s islands, it could be worse. Much talk of what tomorrow was bringing, and what could have been, and where some went well and others not so...
Sunday arrived with the forecasts showing less breeze, it didn’t look hopeful, but a dark line climbed up the channel from the south. 40 boats launched, marks and lines laid efficiently by the slipway and race support team and we’re back underway for Race 2. Clear air up the beat and find the pressure paid and at the end of it the Stork wins, pushed again by Roo. Back in the melee Slimb found out that grumbling at the Aberdonian in front whilst rear ending him, followed by a stylish slowmo 360 isn’t a winning mark rounding strategy, a good discard well secured.
A couple of the heavyweights (90-100kg sailors) in the fleet weren't suffering in the light stuff, and were still in the Top 5/10 and were challenging the flyweights (60-75kgs), another benefit of the D-Zero !
Race 3 kicked off with Martin Latimer delivering his best timed run to hit the line with pace at the gun, pity though he was still a boat length behind everybody else and the resulting general recall snuffed that nonsense out. Good effort though. Shock horror! at the end of this one the Stork didn’t win, knocked off his perch by Roo. The RO stated how we were so close finishing and seconds dividing many, the close racing benefit (or not) of the D-Zero.
Smooth turnarounds by the RO and into Race 4, clearly there’s going to be some needle at the front and the last race to determine the event. Tight everywhere and particularly at the gybe marks with 3 and 4 boats abeam claiming water and rights. At the last windward mark the plaintiff cry of a stork could be heard echoing across the Clyde asking Roo if he’d like to do a wee penalty turn; natural order restored, the Stork wins.
Plaudits and thanks to the Largs race team and supporting volunteers, 4 good races in difficult conditions to deliver a very successful event. congratulations to Storky, discarding a clearly unacceptable 2nd to win the event and take the crown for Scottish D Zero champion. Thanks to Harken again for their support.
This was a great warm up for the Euros / Nationals at the end of June in Portland, if you haven’t already entered yet you should, don’t miss out there’s still time to make it a 50 boat fleet.
See you all in Portland.
Report : thanks to Simon Limb
Photos : thanks to Glenn Andrews
D Zero Open Meeting - Hunts SC 12th May 2024
Visitors from Grafham SC and North Herts EBSC were greeted with the forecast light wind and nice sunny weather for the Hunts D Zero Open.
Seven boats started the first race, which saw local Jon Cowper 42 go info the lead of the (complicated) course, followed by Gary Tompkins 158 who made a navigational error on the 2nd lap and then retired. Jon held onto his lead, followed by John Aston 3 and Gordon Stewart 358. Gavin had a DNF and didn't restart for the day.
The 2nd race (back to back)was sailed in similarly light winds being led by most of it by Gary. Paul managed to get by on the last lap, and only just managed to hold Gary off to take the win.
After lunch the wind filled in quite nicely with Paul taking an early lead. He decided it would be a good idea to dramatically kite the boat to windward on the dead run, then decided it would be an even better idea to go for a swim. This handed the lead to Jon who held on to win followed by John A with Paul recovering to 3rd.
The 4th (back to back) was sailed with John A leading the way round followed by Gary. Paul and Jon C managed to pass him but couldn't catch John A.
The racing was very close all day, and so we're the results with Jon C winning the Open by beating John A on countback.
A big thanks to R/O Richard Christmas for setting good courses and running the meeting well. Also thanks to the Rescue boat team and the galley for keeping us fed and watered.
Result Sailor Sail No. R1 R2 R3 R4 Total
1 Jon Cowper 42 1 3 1 3 5 points
2 John Aston 3 2 4 2 1 5 points
3 Paul Jefferies 345 4 1 3 2 6 points
4 Gary Tompkins 158 DNF 2 5 4 11 points
5 Gordon Stewart 358 3 5 4 5 12 points
6 Adam Wright 361 5 6 6 6 17 points
Visitors from Grafham SC and North Herts EBSC were greeted with the forecast light wind and nice sunny weather for the Hunts D Zero Open.
Seven boats started the first race, which saw local Jon Cowper 42 go info the lead of the (complicated) course, followed by Gary Tompkins 158 who made a navigational error on the 2nd lap and then retired. Jon held onto his lead, followed by John Aston 3 and Gordon Stewart 358. Gavin had a DNF and didn't restart for the day.
The 2nd race (back to back)was sailed in similarly light winds being led by most of it by Gary. Paul managed to get by on the last lap, and only just managed to hold Gary off to take the win.
After lunch the wind filled in quite nicely with Paul taking an early lead. He decided it would be a good idea to dramatically kite the boat to windward on the dead run, then decided it would be an even better idea to go for a swim. This handed the lead to Jon who held on to win followed by John A with Paul recovering to 3rd.
The 4th (back to back) was sailed with John A leading the way round followed by Gary. Paul and Jon C managed to pass him but couldn't catch John A.
The racing was very close all day, and so we're the results with Jon C winning the Open by beating John A on countback.
A big thanks to R/O Richard Christmas for setting good courses and running the meeting well. Also thanks to the Rescue boat team and the galley for keeping us fed and watered.
Result Sailor Sail No. R1 R2 R3 R4 Total
1 Jon Cowper 42 1 3 1 3 5 points
2 John Aston 3 2 4 2 1 5 points
3 Paul Jefferies 345 4 1 3 2 6 points
4 Gary Tompkins 158 DNF 2 5 4 11 points
5 Gordon Stewart 358 3 5 4 5 12 points
6 Adam Wright 361 5 6 6 6 17 points
Zippys report on Annandale D-Zero Open - 27 & 28 April 2024
It's a big hello from Zippy the D-Zero in my first report of this year. The event was the D-Zero Northern Championships, held at a new venue for us at Annandale Sailing Club, 4 miles West of Lockerbie in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
The nearby local town of Lochmaber was a key player in the Wars of Independence between the Scots and the English in the 13th century and clearly, there was more than just a bit of sailing at stake last weekend, with four Scottish entries and four English competitors fighting for glory and the Northern Championship Trophy!
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Tony Wadlen. In the briefing, Race Officer Chris Nurney advised us all of the hazards we might encounter, including a submerged pipe surrounded by rocks, an Island with submerged causeway that we were not to cross on any account and plenty of oozing mud at the bottom of the shallow Loch, should we capsize. There was something else about "no turtles", but I was already putting together my plan of entertainment for the weekend.
The wind on Saturday was light and a tad shifty. I set up a strong lead, with my awe-struck helm Liz Potter. On the third lap, final beat, with the finish line in sight, I stumbled onto the pipe rocks and Owner had to get out in calf deep water to turn me around, after lifting my foils and having lots of Words. There, I watched most of the fleet pass. Life sucks, folks.
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Tony Wadlen. After my little Horn "Pipe" dance, I rejoined the back of the fleet and saw Jon Bassett win the race from Tom Southwell (the longest distance traveller at 371 miles) and our home club host D-Zeroist Richard Bryant in third.
The second race started with a new course; slightly shorter up the loch to suit the lighter winds. Those light winds shifted often to shuffle the D-Zero pack order, but the stars of this show were Gordon and Billy McCarlie. I watched in great amusement as Gordon tried to tack on top of Billy. Like a handbrake turn it was, in slow motion.
Of course Billy continued to power on and up, until Gordon's boom joined Billy on the side deck, then in his cockpit, then in his sail. By sheeting out to avoid a capsize, Gordon steered Billy's boat into a graceful pirouette; a Pas de Deux. With the dance competition hotting up, I was looking to collect a fourth, only to be pipped by Richard and Gordon Stewart on an unbelievably unfair wind bend to leeward of me.
It never came my way. Just ahead of me, Jon, Ian and Tom scraped through the finish line on the old wind. Yeah, life sucks.
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Tony Wadlen. A new course went up for Race 3. Jon had used up a fair bit of luck and now sailed at the back of the fleet for a while. Tom and Ian took the lead to finish first and second and I snuck in behind them with a handy third.
That concluded the day of the ballet pumps and twinkle toes dance contest, with the Scots (Jon) and English (Tom) drawn on 6 points apiece.
The Owners gulped down an ale on the slipway and were treated to a fabulous curry in the clubhouse, thanks to the club members catering team!
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Stephen Hinton-Smith. By Sunday, the wind had increased, turned 180 degrees and was now strong enough to warrant some hiking.
In race 4, Gordon won the pin from Ian, who was called OCS. Tom took the lead from Gordon, whilst Richard worked his local knowledge to deal with the blustery wind shifts. Ian, returning to re-start, worked his way through the fleet. Elsewhere, the dancing theme continued. Billy, going upwind on port tack, enabled his mast to do a Highland Fling with Tom's mast (heeled, going downwind on starboard). There was a pirouette as part of this routine of course.
The race was won by Tom, with Ian finishing a credible 2nd after his OCS. In third was Richard.
On my way back to the start line for Race 5, I noticed Tom's boat having a little lie down, whilst Tom was enjoying a gentle swim. It was an endearing image. Little did I realise that there was some boaty wardrobe malfunction going on and Tom was trying to bodge a piece of rope for a clew tie-down.
I know it was a bodge, because I saw it explode whilst Tom was to leeward of me at the start. There were Words. Slightly different to the ones my Owner used, but the tone was the same. Tom limped his boat back to base for some A&E treatment (9 hour waiting list!), so that was the end of his Championships.
Back on the race course, Jon, Gordon and Ian pushed ahead to establish a good lead in front of Richard, Billy, Me and Mick. On the last run, the wind ran out for the leaders, whilst we brought our own wind to the party. There was a bit of a Ceilidh at the leeward mark and a few pointy noses were inserted where they weren't due, but Jon held on to win from Gordon and Ian.
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Stephen Hinton-Smith. By the last race, the wind shifts were violent and sudden. A huge header caused chaos on the start, but we tacked off sharply. From here, I could see Mick Green walking his boat over a submerged group of rocks, presumably looking for a nearby castle or something. Mick looked like he was attempting some sort of break-your-ankle-between-the-rocks dance, which should have seen his entry validated in the competition. I yelled some encouragement, but the wind whisked my words away.
On the final downwind leg, I was doing okay and looking for a best result of day, so Owner chose to retract an unwise chunk of foil and apply some mega-heel for some superwhizz.
Before I could say "I don't think so, Mrs", there was a load bang (my mast whacking the water) and much laughter from all those around us. I sunk my mast head underwater in shame, until the new sail was sunk a foot deep into the muddy sediment below.
It was one of the best spas I've had yet. Once I'd scooped my irate Ownership up, I tried to share the experience with her by showering great clods of gloop from my mast onto my decks and on her head. Appreciation is not always her thing, but she smelt great for the rest of the day.
Meanwhile, Ian was finishing the final race with his first win, followed by Jon in second. Next over the line was Billy, with a satisfying Do-Si-Do port cross over rival Gordan; poetic justice for the earlier misdemeanour.
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Stephen Hinton-Smith. So ended a weekend of racing, with Jon Bassett crowned as Northern Champion and with Ian Baillie in second and Richard Bryant in third.
In the greater scope of things, the Scots took the first three places to put a comma behind 700 years of scrimmage in Dumfries and Galloway. Sorted.
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts
1 306 John Bassett Largs 1 1 4 1 1 2 6
2 336 lan Baillie Dalgety Bay 4 2 2 2 3 1 10
3 189 Richard Bryant Annandale SC 3 4 5 3 4 5 19
4 328 Thomas Southwell Lee on the Solent 2 3 1 5 9 9 20
5 358 Gordon Stewart NHEBSC 7 5 7 4 2 4 22
6 265 Billy McCarlie Largs 6 8 6 6 5 3 26
7 333 Liz Potter West Kirby 5 6 3 7 6 7 27
8 344 Mick Green Leigh & Lowton 8 7 8 8 7 6 36
It's a big hello from Zippy the D-Zero in my first report of this year. The event was the D-Zero Northern Championships, held at a new venue for us at Annandale Sailing Club, 4 miles West of Lockerbie in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
The nearby local town of Lochmaber was a key player in the Wars of Independence between the Scots and the English in the 13th century and clearly, there was more than just a bit of sailing at stake last weekend, with four Scottish entries and four English competitors fighting for glory and the Northern Championship Trophy!
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Tony Wadlen. In the briefing, Race Officer Chris Nurney advised us all of the hazards we might encounter, including a submerged pipe surrounded by rocks, an Island with submerged causeway that we were not to cross on any account and plenty of oozing mud at the bottom of the shallow Loch, should we capsize. There was something else about "no turtles", but I was already putting together my plan of entertainment for the weekend.
The wind on Saturday was light and a tad shifty. I set up a strong lead, with my awe-struck helm Liz Potter. On the third lap, final beat, with the finish line in sight, I stumbled onto the pipe rocks and Owner had to get out in calf deep water to turn me around, after lifting my foils and having lots of Words. There, I watched most of the fleet pass. Life sucks, folks.
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Tony Wadlen. After my little Horn "Pipe" dance, I rejoined the back of the fleet and saw Jon Bassett win the race from Tom Southwell (the longest distance traveller at 371 miles) and our home club host D-Zeroist Richard Bryant in third.
The second race started with a new course; slightly shorter up the loch to suit the lighter winds. Those light winds shifted often to shuffle the D-Zero pack order, but the stars of this show were Gordon and Billy McCarlie. I watched in great amusement as Gordon tried to tack on top of Billy. Like a handbrake turn it was, in slow motion.
Of course Billy continued to power on and up, until Gordon's boom joined Billy on the side deck, then in his cockpit, then in his sail. By sheeting out to avoid a capsize, Gordon steered Billy's boat into a graceful pirouette; a Pas de Deux. With the dance competition hotting up, I was looking to collect a fourth, only to be pipped by Richard and Gordon Stewart on an unbelievably unfair wind bend to leeward of me.
It never came my way. Just ahead of me, Jon, Ian and Tom scraped through the finish line on the old wind. Yeah, life sucks.
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Tony Wadlen. A new course went up for Race 3. Jon had used up a fair bit of luck and now sailed at the back of the fleet for a while. Tom and Ian took the lead to finish first and second and I snuck in behind them with a handy third.
That concluded the day of the ballet pumps and twinkle toes dance contest, with the Scots (Jon) and English (Tom) drawn on 6 points apiece.
The Owners gulped down an ale on the slipway and were treated to a fabulous curry in the clubhouse, thanks to the club members catering team!
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Stephen Hinton-Smith. By Sunday, the wind had increased, turned 180 degrees and was now strong enough to warrant some hiking.
In race 4, Gordon won the pin from Ian, who was called OCS. Tom took the lead from Gordon, whilst Richard worked his local knowledge to deal with the blustery wind shifts. Ian, returning to re-start, worked his way through the fleet. Elsewhere, the dancing theme continued. Billy, going upwind on port tack, enabled his mast to do a Highland Fling with Tom's mast (heeled, going downwind on starboard). There was a pirouette as part of this routine of course.
The race was won by Tom, with Ian finishing a credible 2nd after his OCS. In third was Richard.
On my way back to the start line for Race 5, I noticed Tom's boat having a little lie down, whilst Tom was enjoying a gentle swim. It was an endearing image. Little did I realise that there was some boaty wardrobe malfunction going on and Tom was trying to bodge a piece of rope for a clew tie-down.
I know it was a bodge, because I saw it explode whilst Tom was to leeward of me at the start. There were Words. Slightly different to the ones my Owner used, but the tone was the same. Tom limped his boat back to base for some A&E treatment (9 hour waiting list!), so that was the end of his Championships.
Back on the race course, Jon, Gordon and Ian pushed ahead to establish a good lead in front of Richard, Billy, Me and Mick. On the last run, the wind ran out for the leaders, whilst we brought our own wind to the party. There was a bit of a Ceilidh at the leeward mark and a few pointy noses were inserted where they weren't due, but Jon held on to win from Gordon and Ian.
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Stephen Hinton-Smith. By the last race, the wind shifts were violent and sudden. A huge header caused chaos on the start, but we tacked off sharply. From here, I could see Mick Green walking his boat over a submerged group of rocks, presumably looking for a nearby castle or something. Mick looked like he was attempting some sort of break-your-ankle-between-the-rocks dance, which should have seen his entry validated in the competition. I yelled some encouragement, but the wind whisked my words away.
On the final downwind leg, I was doing okay and looking for a best result of day, so Owner chose to retract an unwise chunk of foil and apply some mega-heel for some superwhizz.
Before I could say "I don't think so, Mrs", there was a load bang (my mast whacking the water) and much laughter from all those around us. I sunk my mast head underwater in shame, until the new sail was sunk a foot deep into the muddy sediment below.
It was one of the best spas I've had yet. Once I'd scooped my irate Ownership up, I tried to share the experience with her by showering great clods of gloop from my mast onto my decks and on her head. Appreciation is not always her thing, but she smelt great for the rest of the day.
Meanwhile, Ian was finishing the final race with his first win, followed by Jon in second. Next over the line was Billy, with a satisfying Do-Si-Do port cross over rival Gordan; poetic justice for the earlier misdemeanour.
D-Zero Northern Championships at Annandale - photo © Stephen Hinton-Smith. So ended a weekend of racing, with Jon Bassett crowned as Northern Champion and with Ian Baillie in second and Richard Bryant in third.
In the greater scope of things, the Scots took the first three places to put a comma behind 700 years of scrimmage in Dumfries and Galloway. Sorted.
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts
1 306 John Bassett Largs 1 1 4 1 1 2 6
2 336 lan Baillie Dalgety Bay 4 2 2 2 3 1 10
3 189 Richard Bryant Annandale SC 3 4 5 3 4 5 19
4 328 Thomas Southwell Lee on the Solent 2 3 1 5 9 9 20
5 358 Gordon Stewart NHEBSC 7 5 7 4 2 4 22
6 265 Billy McCarlie Largs 6 8 6 6 5 3 26
7 333 Liz Potter West Kirby 5 6 3 7 6 7 27
8 344 Mick Green Leigh & Lowton 8 7 8 8 7 6 36
Devoti D-Zero Report – Bough Beech SC Open – Saturday 13 April 2024
Saturday 13th April saw the 2nd event of the D-Zero National Traveller series held at Bough Beech SC in sunny Kent.
8 visiting & 2 home D-Zeros were greeted by a freshening SW from the dam wall with the sun threatening an appearance.
RO & 600 Nat champion George Smith briefed the assembled masses warning of a healthy breeze and begging please don't infringe the anglers.
Competitors scurried to get afloat along with fellow fleets Finns & Streakers making for a lively race area.
R1 presented a port biased line close’ish to the bank with aforementioned anglers strategically positioned to port.
Tom Southwell arrived at the pin and stayed there all day creating a circle of terror for anyone thinking similarly.
The Morgan sails D-Zero class flag dropped and we were away clean with Southwell and the port enders having to tack & cross to avoid the obstructions.
Bough Beech offered the usual snakes & ladders but Southwell navigated the maze first with David Valentine snapping at his rudder, Gordon Stewart & Paul Jefferies in the mix rounding the top onto a cracking if shifty reach then a long tactical run. Staying by the lee and crucially staying in the breeze gained places. The leading pack of 4 pulled out a lead with Southwell commanding the race, Jefferies, Stewart & Valentine trading places but finished in that order.
R2 saw a similar start, but without anglers allowing a few boats to bang hard left in search of the elusive Bough Beech port layline lift. Not to be disappointed on this occasion Tim Humphries on blue rig sneaked in from the far left in front of Southwell & Valentine leaving starboard layliners double & triple tacking. Southwell showing superior downwind pace quickly reasserted dominance, Stewart, Humphries, Jefferies, Valentine & Tim Weeden all chasing hard to finish in that order.
Lunch intervened allowing competitors to bulk up on Pauline's pasty & beans ready for another helping of toenail withering hiking.
R3 started breezy with a port shift tempting many to bang off right at the earliest opportunity
Tragically for some left was not delivering but Valentine delivered a storming right hander with Southwell, Stewart & Humphries arriving some time later from the left.
Breeze properly on now, with pasties helping keep glass under carbon, Valentine & his heavy duty hiking strap held his lead from the closing Southwell, Stewart, Humphries & Jefferies all gasping along behind.
By R4 the breeze seemed to have abated slightly. Kim May-Papailliou, Hannah Hutchings, Ian Patrick & Tim Weeden decided 3 windy races was plenty punishment leaving a reduced fleet.
Then the status quo of start line order was thrown into turmoil by a fearless John Cowper sitting on top of Southwell at 30 seconds resulting in a kerfuffle at the pin, reducing the fleet still further and allowing Humphries & Valentine unfettered access to the line. Humphries held on to play the size not important card and round first closely followed by Valentine & Gordon. After a bit of place swapping the order into the penultimate bottom rounding was Valentine , Humphries, Gordon, however things got confusing for a bit resulting in Humphries re-rounding slowly and Valentine doing twirls thus gifting Gordon a comfortable lead and a good belly laugh all the way round to the finish, Humphries Valentine & Jefferies bringing up the rear.
A great day of almost champagne sailing in spring sunshine with tight competition. Thanks to George Smith & the race team, all the rescue & beach volunteers & Pauline for cooking. Looking forward to being invited back to Bough Beech next year
Saturday 13th April saw the 2nd event of the D-Zero National Traveller series held at Bough Beech SC in sunny Kent.
8 visiting & 2 home D-Zeros were greeted by a freshening SW from the dam wall with the sun threatening an appearance.
RO & 600 Nat champion George Smith briefed the assembled masses warning of a healthy breeze and begging please don't infringe the anglers.
Competitors scurried to get afloat along with fellow fleets Finns & Streakers making for a lively race area.
R1 presented a port biased line close’ish to the bank with aforementioned anglers strategically positioned to port.
Tom Southwell arrived at the pin and stayed there all day creating a circle of terror for anyone thinking similarly.
The Morgan sails D-Zero class flag dropped and we were away clean with Southwell and the port enders having to tack & cross to avoid the obstructions.
Bough Beech offered the usual snakes & ladders but Southwell navigated the maze first with David Valentine snapping at his rudder, Gordon Stewart & Paul Jefferies in the mix rounding the top onto a cracking if shifty reach then a long tactical run. Staying by the lee and crucially staying in the breeze gained places. The leading pack of 4 pulled out a lead with Southwell commanding the race, Jefferies, Stewart & Valentine trading places but finished in that order.
R2 saw a similar start, but without anglers allowing a few boats to bang hard left in search of the elusive Bough Beech port layline lift. Not to be disappointed on this occasion Tim Humphries on blue rig sneaked in from the far left in front of Southwell & Valentine leaving starboard layliners double & triple tacking. Southwell showing superior downwind pace quickly reasserted dominance, Stewart, Humphries, Jefferies, Valentine & Tim Weeden all chasing hard to finish in that order.
Lunch intervened allowing competitors to bulk up on Pauline's pasty & beans ready for another helping of toenail withering hiking.
R3 started breezy with a port shift tempting many to bang off right at the earliest opportunity
Tragically for some left was not delivering but Valentine delivered a storming right hander with Southwell, Stewart & Humphries arriving some time later from the left.
Breeze properly on now, with pasties helping keep glass under carbon, Valentine & his heavy duty hiking strap held his lead from the closing Southwell, Stewart, Humphries & Jefferies all gasping along behind.
By R4 the breeze seemed to have abated slightly. Kim May-Papailliou, Hannah Hutchings, Ian Patrick & Tim Weeden decided 3 windy races was plenty punishment leaving a reduced fleet.
Then the status quo of start line order was thrown into turmoil by a fearless John Cowper sitting on top of Southwell at 30 seconds resulting in a kerfuffle at the pin, reducing the fleet still further and allowing Humphries & Valentine unfettered access to the line. Humphries held on to play the size not important card and round first closely followed by Valentine & Gordon. After a bit of place swapping the order into the penultimate bottom rounding was Valentine , Humphries, Gordon, however things got confusing for a bit resulting in Humphries re-rounding slowly and Valentine doing twirls thus gifting Gordon a comfortable lead and a good belly laugh all the way round to the finish, Humphries Valentine & Jefferies bringing up the rear.
A great day of almost champagne sailing in spring sunshine with tight competition. Thanks to George Smith & the race team, all the rescue & beach volunteers & Pauline for cooking. Looking forward to being invited back to Bough Beech next year
Chichester Harbour Race Week
Notes, comments and thoughts from the Slipper race team…
Day 1 and breeze was forecast, with an early start for all racers with 1st starts at 1025, so breakfast was early, some even down at 7am, yes 7am for sail racing!
Kit on, boats rigged and 15 knots average, with a true SW direction, we were starting across Pilsey Bank for Series B, and down near the Thorney corner for Series A. Series A starts were pushing hard against the tide, though the pin end looked tasty and a sprint across to East Head, however just before the start of the 3rd start for the D-Zero’s and Hadrons (total 14) they quickly moved the bias of the pin end, so a fast reset to the mid-line. Valentine started well and bolted for the East head shore, chased hard by ESC’ James Jenkins, and the two didn’t look back, with Valentine taking the first bullet of the week in the increasing breeze. Simon Boylin took a swim in his D-Zero in the waves, and decided an early bath was a really smart move.
Some exciting sailing on the way through the waves over the Winner Bank breaking onto the East head shore, and having the Mengham mark boat for Series B wing right in the line for the Series A wing mark – some great close-up photo opportunities could have been had, but no.
Nick Mason had taken a “sickie” in his Phantom, Richard Sharp in the following start to the D-Z’s in his Finn came home 5th having worked hard in the wind and waves. Andrew Gould finished 2nd in the Asy Handicap fleet with his Musto Skiff, sailing an extended circuit to the first 4 starts of Series A. Mikey T and Helen Moore in her first ever Chi race Week pulled their RS200 into 8th. Unusually Mark Riddington was pushed into 2nd place in the Aero 7’s by a Felpham sailor (its ok, he’s had words with himself and was promising more for tomorrow), and Tom Kennedy also in an Aero 7 was 4th. Claire Power came home 6th in her Aero 5, being challenged by plenty of breeze. Josh Pope in his ILCA 4 (Laser 4.7 for the traditionalists!) ignored his lighter weight and won his race.
Allegedly Sean Curtis was absent on day one, as when he read the tea leaves at breakfast, there was an image of his 300 pitchpoling! Wise move maybe…
Off to Slipper for a Spanish sports drink or two, purely for vitamin and carb replenishment (so says our local Olympic physio) at “Home” to review the day that was! According to one non-sailor, every night at “Fed Week” is a Friday night, which is fine if you’re not sailing, mentioning no names Rick K???
Plus, we had to discuss WHO will be in the Slipper Team, that took at least another one or two sports drinks to discuss…
Day 2, Team selected – Valentine, Riddington, Gould, Josh Pope and Sharp. No pressure then Team, Go Slipper! A slightly lower breeze than Monday, this time with a lower 8-9 knots and from a more Westerly direction, leading to queries on where to start – do you run down the Pilsey/Stocker Bank, or do you go to East Head, then bang right. Some of the 15s went to East Head and popped out at the windward mark years ahead of the rest of the fleet. Valentine went down the bank on the right-hand side, which also worked, though had to push hard against the Hadrons.
However, D-Zero 66 held on despite being pushed and being kept honest by a Locks SC D-Zero and a Hadron on the downhills, though kept it ultra flat on the last beat to take another bullet. Simon Boylin worked hard in his D-Zero and came home 10th, where the mid fleet racing was close and intense. Nick Mason came 22nd in his Phantom in a busy fleet, Sean Curtis came 30th without his 300 trying to kill him, Richard Sharp had a much better day and took 2nd in the Finn, Andrew Gould in the Musto came 3rd, Mikey T and Helen in the 200 hugely improved to 5th, Mark had another 2nd and more words of improvement from Andy maybe needed – something like, “get to the front and stay there”, or “go faster than others” ! Tom K slipped one place to 5th, too many bacon sarnies in the lighter breeze maybe? Claire improved by two places in her Aero 5 to a 4th, and Josh Pope had a frustrating day with an apparent lack of pointing and slipped into 5th.
Some of Team Slipper headed to Mengham RSC in the evening to win back the Quiz Cup where apparently “we wuz robbed” a few years ago and Andrew was up for reclaiming the prize and eat a sausage or two! Andrew was over-excited as the music round was the Eighties.
Day 3 and very light winds forecast, southerly 3-4knots, though forecast was to increase. Valentine, as many know absolutely loves lightwind sailing and is well-known as a specialist in these conditions or NOT, with a super lightweight build and we don’t mean the boat! so pressure on… just wish it was wind pressure…
Starting from down near Mill Rythe for Series A, and the middle of Pilsey Bank for B’s, a general postponement on the beach and then more at the start areas. Flags up to go, so we were away. In the A’s do you go pin end and starboard tack across Pilsey or Committee boat end and run up the edge of the bank avoiding the tidal stream. Valentine went Committee end and managed to pull a lead, watching a Hadron at the pin and running towards a darker patch just off East Head slowly moving 20 degrees west. The breeze came in and a 3-knot increase, with Valentine being kept honest all the way round by a Hadron and a Locks D-Z, though managed to pull away on the last beat again to take his 3rd bullet.
Simon Boylin had decided that a day at home was well worth building the brownie points and getting some stuff done. Nick Mason had a better day and came 15th, Sean had a much better day and came 26th improving nicely, Richard Sharp was working hard and came home 3rd building more points, whilst Alex Thorsby with plans to just race 3 days and win all came 11th, Andrew Gould also 3rd, Mikey T and Helen slipping to 5th, Mark Riddington flew into a 1st place benefiting from all his lightwind skills and practice, with Tom K in 11th, Claire doing superbly and coming 2nd, so improving 2 places every day, no pressure there then ! Josh Pope came a consistent 5th.
Notes from the Whats App Slipper feed were as follows, and I’m not making this up: “Watching Mark fix Sean’s mast today with literally a knife and fork was priceless this morning, never have I seen such anquish, like watching Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel with a roller from Wickes”, and “the Slipper boat bimbling reached new heights today especially with Thomsons 80grit and compass sanding block”. “I do think Michelangelo is a bit OTT, maybe more Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen” and lastly “today was a great example of why this stuff should never be done in a dinghy park unless it is an emergency” IF you want to witness more of this, get your entry in for the 60th Anniversary next year!!
Team Slipper went off for a curry in the evening to chat and replenish as wind was due on Thursday, one way or the other!! Pressure off for Valentine who had won the D-Zero, Hadron H2 and Aero 9 class with 3 wins, and was very happy. More Whats App, and “rhetorical question, though obviously the guys who eat pies does pay off” and “I said we should have put Claire in the team! too much modesty”.
Day 4 with a good 12 knots from the East, forcing most sailors to get inshore along Thorney as close as they could. Valentine rocketed off the start and worked his way up the middle of the Bank and using the tide to get to windward, with a 200m lead, tacked right and reached off at pace to East Head, and then the wind dropped with the fleet piling in behind. As the wind softened, Valentine held it in the top 3 being overtaken on the run, though kept in touch. Max from ESC in his D-Zero took the inshore line which has an eddy as the tide runs out to help you go East, where Valentine didn’t want to just follow, so went more towards the middle, and lost out at the line and took 2nd. Simon Boylin back into 10th mid fleet, Nick in his Phantom came 21st, Sean not far behind in 27th so the 300 can be tamed at times, Richard came home 8th with Alex T just behind in 9th, Andy took another 3rd, Mikey T had apparently tried to sink Helen and abandoned or was just an excuse to get to the bar earlier stake his place and get ready for the Band.
Some went home, some stayed at the bar and waited for the Band and refreshed themselves very early.
Day 5, Valentine had gone off to watch helicopters and other winged things, though had tricked Andrew with a flippant comment of “I can’t be bothered to sail Friday having sewn it up early”. Andrew’s face for a moment was of seething contempt… only for a moment then realised he was being joked.
Mikey T is now known to be a soothsayer, as he had refreshed himself so much at the bar on Thursday, as Big Al said “he’s yet to surface from his pit yet” though obviously knowing that the wind was too much, and the event was going to be called off! After much delay and pondering on the beach and the race hut, the flags were hoisted and the racing abandoned, except for the Elites who had already left the shore.
Prizegiving was, ahem, a little delayed and Team Slipper decided to abandon the dinghy park also, though Tom K and David back from watching flying things collected the plates and pleased to hear that Slipper had been awarded 2nd place overall in the Interclub series. Just one point in it between that and 1st place, so maybe next year we’ll win again!!
Notes, comments and thoughts from the Slipper race team…
Day 1 and breeze was forecast, with an early start for all racers with 1st starts at 1025, so breakfast was early, some even down at 7am, yes 7am for sail racing!
Kit on, boats rigged and 15 knots average, with a true SW direction, we were starting across Pilsey Bank for Series B, and down near the Thorney corner for Series A. Series A starts were pushing hard against the tide, though the pin end looked tasty and a sprint across to East Head, however just before the start of the 3rd start for the D-Zero’s and Hadrons (total 14) they quickly moved the bias of the pin end, so a fast reset to the mid-line. Valentine started well and bolted for the East head shore, chased hard by ESC’ James Jenkins, and the two didn’t look back, with Valentine taking the first bullet of the week in the increasing breeze. Simon Boylin took a swim in his D-Zero in the waves, and decided an early bath was a really smart move.
Some exciting sailing on the way through the waves over the Winner Bank breaking onto the East head shore, and having the Mengham mark boat for Series B wing right in the line for the Series A wing mark – some great close-up photo opportunities could have been had, but no.
Nick Mason had taken a “sickie” in his Phantom, Richard Sharp in the following start to the D-Z’s in his Finn came home 5th having worked hard in the wind and waves. Andrew Gould finished 2nd in the Asy Handicap fleet with his Musto Skiff, sailing an extended circuit to the first 4 starts of Series A. Mikey T and Helen Moore in her first ever Chi race Week pulled their RS200 into 8th. Unusually Mark Riddington was pushed into 2nd place in the Aero 7’s by a Felpham sailor (its ok, he’s had words with himself and was promising more for tomorrow), and Tom Kennedy also in an Aero 7 was 4th. Claire Power came home 6th in her Aero 5, being challenged by plenty of breeze. Josh Pope in his ILCA 4 (Laser 4.7 for the traditionalists!) ignored his lighter weight and won his race.
Allegedly Sean Curtis was absent on day one, as when he read the tea leaves at breakfast, there was an image of his 300 pitchpoling! Wise move maybe…
Off to Slipper for a Spanish sports drink or two, purely for vitamin and carb replenishment (so says our local Olympic physio) at “Home” to review the day that was! According to one non-sailor, every night at “Fed Week” is a Friday night, which is fine if you’re not sailing, mentioning no names Rick K???
Plus, we had to discuss WHO will be in the Slipper Team, that took at least another one or two sports drinks to discuss…
Day 2, Team selected – Valentine, Riddington, Gould, Josh Pope and Sharp. No pressure then Team, Go Slipper! A slightly lower breeze than Monday, this time with a lower 8-9 knots and from a more Westerly direction, leading to queries on where to start – do you run down the Pilsey/Stocker Bank, or do you go to East Head, then bang right. Some of the 15s went to East Head and popped out at the windward mark years ahead of the rest of the fleet. Valentine went down the bank on the right-hand side, which also worked, though had to push hard against the Hadrons.
However, D-Zero 66 held on despite being pushed and being kept honest by a Locks SC D-Zero and a Hadron on the downhills, though kept it ultra flat on the last beat to take another bullet. Simon Boylin worked hard in his D-Zero and came home 10th, where the mid fleet racing was close and intense. Nick Mason came 22nd in his Phantom in a busy fleet, Sean Curtis came 30th without his 300 trying to kill him, Richard Sharp had a much better day and took 2nd in the Finn, Andrew Gould in the Musto came 3rd, Mikey T and Helen in the 200 hugely improved to 5th, Mark had another 2nd and more words of improvement from Andy maybe needed – something like, “get to the front and stay there”, or “go faster than others” ! Tom K slipped one place to 5th, too many bacon sarnies in the lighter breeze maybe? Claire improved by two places in her Aero 5 to a 4th, and Josh Pope had a frustrating day with an apparent lack of pointing and slipped into 5th.
Some of Team Slipper headed to Mengham RSC in the evening to win back the Quiz Cup where apparently “we wuz robbed” a few years ago and Andrew was up for reclaiming the prize and eat a sausage or two! Andrew was over-excited as the music round was the Eighties.
Day 3 and very light winds forecast, southerly 3-4knots, though forecast was to increase. Valentine, as many know absolutely loves lightwind sailing and is well-known as a specialist in these conditions or NOT, with a super lightweight build and we don’t mean the boat! so pressure on… just wish it was wind pressure…
Starting from down near Mill Rythe for Series A, and the middle of Pilsey Bank for B’s, a general postponement on the beach and then more at the start areas. Flags up to go, so we were away. In the A’s do you go pin end and starboard tack across Pilsey or Committee boat end and run up the edge of the bank avoiding the tidal stream. Valentine went Committee end and managed to pull a lead, watching a Hadron at the pin and running towards a darker patch just off East Head slowly moving 20 degrees west. The breeze came in and a 3-knot increase, with Valentine being kept honest all the way round by a Hadron and a Locks D-Z, though managed to pull away on the last beat again to take his 3rd bullet.
Simon Boylin had decided that a day at home was well worth building the brownie points and getting some stuff done. Nick Mason had a better day and came 15th, Sean had a much better day and came 26th improving nicely, Richard Sharp was working hard and came home 3rd building more points, whilst Alex Thorsby with plans to just race 3 days and win all came 11th, Andrew Gould also 3rd, Mikey T and Helen slipping to 5th, Mark Riddington flew into a 1st place benefiting from all his lightwind skills and practice, with Tom K in 11th, Claire doing superbly and coming 2nd, so improving 2 places every day, no pressure there then ! Josh Pope came a consistent 5th.
Notes from the Whats App Slipper feed were as follows, and I’m not making this up: “Watching Mark fix Sean’s mast today with literally a knife and fork was priceless this morning, never have I seen such anquish, like watching Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel with a roller from Wickes”, and “the Slipper boat bimbling reached new heights today especially with Thomsons 80grit and compass sanding block”. “I do think Michelangelo is a bit OTT, maybe more Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen” and lastly “today was a great example of why this stuff should never be done in a dinghy park unless it is an emergency” IF you want to witness more of this, get your entry in for the 60th Anniversary next year!!
Team Slipper went off for a curry in the evening to chat and replenish as wind was due on Thursday, one way or the other!! Pressure off for Valentine who had won the D-Zero, Hadron H2 and Aero 9 class with 3 wins, and was very happy. More Whats App, and “rhetorical question, though obviously the guys who eat pies does pay off” and “I said we should have put Claire in the team! too much modesty”.
Day 4 with a good 12 knots from the East, forcing most sailors to get inshore along Thorney as close as they could. Valentine rocketed off the start and worked his way up the middle of the Bank and using the tide to get to windward, with a 200m lead, tacked right and reached off at pace to East Head, and then the wind dropped with the fleet piling in behind. As the wind softened, Valentine held it in the top 3 being overtaken on the run, though kept in touch. Max from ESC in his D-Zero took the inshore line which has an eddy as the tide runs out to help you go East, where Valentine didn’t want to just follow, so went more towards the middle, and lost out at the line and took 2nd. Simon Boylin back into 10th mid fleet, Nick in his Phantom came 21st, Sean not far behind in 27th so the 300 can be tamed at times, Richard came home 8th with Alex T just behind in 9th, Andy took another 3rd, Mikey T had apparently tried to sink Helen and abandoned or was just an excuse to get to the bar earlier stake his place and get ready for the Band.
Some went home, some stayed at the bar and waited for the Band and refreshed themselves very early.
Day 5, Valentine had gone off to watch helicopters and other winged things, though had tricked Andrew with a flippant comment of “I can’t be bothered to sail Friday having sewn it up early”. Andrew’s face for a moment was of seething contempt… only for a moment then realised he was being joked.
Mikey T is now known to be a soothsayer, as he had refreshed himself so much at the bar on Thursday, as Big Al said “he’s yet to surface from his pit yet” though obviously knowing that the wind was too much, and the event was going to be called off! After much delay and pondering on the beach and the race hut, the flags were hoisted and the racing abandoned, except for the Elites who had already left the shore.
Prizegiving was, ahem, a little delayed and Team Slipper decided to abandon the dinghy park also, though Tom K and David back from watching flying things collected the plates and pleased to hear that Slipper had been awarded 2nd place overall in the Interclub series. Just one point in it between that and 1st place, so maybe next year we’ll win again!!
Zippy and friends enjoy the West Kirby and Dee SC Regattas.
Hello from a very hot Zippy the Dzero, steaming in the boat park after a delightful sunny weekend of cavorting around the cans with my DZero friends in our home Open meeting, which was also part of the West Kirby and Dee SC Regattas.
We actually started the event a day early, with a warm up race around Hilbre Island, which was not part of the open meeting, but involved a traditional DZero silver trophy, modelled on the large green channel marker HE4, which we usually round on the way. Previous winners of this cup have been Mick Green and latterly yours truly, so the race was on!
Hilbre Island perches welcomingly at the entrance of the Dee estuary, flanked by the smaller islands Middle Eye and Little Eye. The waters around them are so shallow that you humans can walk across the sand from West Kirby to them a few hours after high water.
Ian Baillie had driven all the way from Dalgety Bay, near Edinburgh for his first visit to my home waters, as did John Pickett from Leigh on Lowton. Gordon Stewart from Bedfordshire had been here before, but not around Hilbre and Mick Green from Lancashire was due to arrive for the weekend.
The wind Gods had set us a downwind start to the Islands, so we plotted our path in the shallows to avoid the very strong spring flood tide. The choice of shallows were multiple; mid-channel sandbanks or inshore? The mass fleet start included 20 other dinghies and a fleet of larger local keelboats; the Hilbre and Star classes, which started half an hour before us. In the light winds, the boats spread out quickly and converged again as we approached the Island. There, the options again were plenty. The turning mark at the far side of the Island was to be left to Starboard, but the Island was considered a mere obstacle!
Ian chose to follow the Falcon sailors on the shore side of the Island, which seemed to have less tide, but also less wind. Gordon hugged the estuary side of the Island and picked up a handy, speedy back eddy, which took him to meet Ian at the mark. I had stayed on the bank in the estuary in more wind, but adverse tide, so missing the sneaky back eddy.
Ian rounded first and, not having a clue what was going on, followed the Hilbre class boats on the estuary side homewards. Gordon rounded second and, not having a clue what was going on, went the opposite way to Ian.
I went around next and, having no clue at all what was going on, led Mick and John around the Island behind Gordon.
Ian had chosen wisely and shot off to our upwind mark, far up estuary from Dee Sailing Club. For the rest of us, it was the longest starboard tack in my living memory. By the time we had passed Dee, the wind had almost died and a stowaway spider had sewn the startings of a web between my mast and wind indicator.
Ian was by then home, showered and supping a cold beer on the slipway, minding our trollies. He won the dinghy race by an impressive 4 minutes in a race lasting over 2 hours from the second placed IC and nearly 17 minutes ahead of Gordon’s DZero and 22 minutes ahead of me. John wasn’t far behind, but failed to pass through the lap line and was kindly diverted back home by the rescue boat before the wind died and tide swept him around Hilbre Island for a second round.
Ian was duly presented with the HE4 trophy and the competitors lounged on the patio with a bbq in the sunshine, late into the evening.
The wind forecast for the entire weekend had looked very light, so the following morning our sailing sec, Mike Hartley kindly offered to run us a few races on the marine lake, to be used as a back up incase the wind failed to arrive.
We completed four short sprint races; 3 of which were won by Ian and 1 won by me. I ended the last race swinging on the pin mark by my rudder at the finish, trying to beat Gordon’s boat in a tiny gap that the wind didn’t allow me to use.
The Owners gathered for a coffee at Mick’s van and discussed the morning’s efforts. On the slipway, us boats all agreed that the Owners were getting the hang of starting by the last race.
By midday, the water had arrived and we tootled off to sea and a trapezoidal course set by RO Andrew Potter (Owner’s Owner and Commodore of DSC.)
Of all our starts so far, this had been John’s best one and his boat chose this moment to drop it’s halyard. It’s a trick I tried at the Brixham Nationals last year and was then met with a grumpy, angry helm, so not one I’d recommend. John managed the little problem well though and managed to re-hoist the sail, though it cost him some distance from the fleet.
Ian had a good start and set off crossing tacks with Mick until close to the windward mark, where one good tack by Ian inside Mick, who had overstood the mark slightly, got him through into first. Gordon was close behind Mick on the reach and I was chasing puffily behind. On the third running leg, I managed to sail through the three of them and held onto the lead until the next upwind leg, where Ian passed me as I tacked to cover Mick and Gordon. Mick’s boat had convinced him it was the finish after lap 2 and they eased off to practice a few tacks before realising the race was still ongoing. Back at the sharp end, it was Ian with the win from Me and Gordon.
The second race was led by Ian from the start, followed by Me.
Gordon managed to squeeze past me on the third lap to put me in third with Mick and John not far behind.
We boats were showered and returned to the boat park, whilst the Owners travelled to DSC for a huge regatta buffet, the day’s prizegiving and a stunning sunset on the cliffside above the Dee estuary.
On Sunday, it was the turn of WKSC to run the regatta. We would be using the 4 results from both regatta days (with 1 discard) as the Open Series decider. In the morning, us DZero’s had chosen to have another Owner training session on the lake. Lord knows they need it. There was no wind at all, so we sat around with our sails up whilst the Ownerdoms poked, pulled and sweated over us. Some adjustments were made and one alert Owner even noticed that my top batten wasn’t correctly inserted, Thanks Gordon! Mick then performed minor surgery involving a set of keys and a small screwdriver. All without anaesthetic and a kidney-shaped tray to catch the pieces.
By afternoon, a small and sufficient bit of wind had arrived. RO Mike Hartley set up a windward/leeward course close inshore to try to negate the effects of the very strong tide. It was a one-sided beat up the shore, where we all overstood the mark. Ian led the way, followed closely by Me, Gordon and John, finishing in that order too.
For race 2, the tide had slackened a little during the first lap and started ebbing more strongly for laps 2&3. We had a great first start, unlike poor Mick who was over the line and had to return through a tightly packed line of starters. I arrived at the windward mark first, only to be overtaken by Ian with superior downwind boat speed.
Gordon was not far behind and we had a battle for overall second place going on between us. With a crafty last run in the shallows out of the tide, I managed to defend our second place by 11 seconds. Behind us, John was having a tussle with a 420, who had rounded the leeward mark rather better, leaving him an awkward gap on the finish line. His boat stroked the committee boat with its boom as a parting gesture to a wonderful day’s racing.
Once ashore, the results were quite straightforward, with Ian winning, my Owner Liz in second, Gordon in third, Mick fourth and John in fifth.
Ian was presented with a new DZero perpetual trophy for the event. It is small and silver, acquired by Owner on Ebay especially for the occasion. If you look very closely, the inscription reads “Best Alsatian in Show”. A worthy winner indeed.
Many thanks to all the helpers, rescuers, feeders, RO’s, results team and most importantly the competitors, especially my DZero friends who travelled all this way to be with me.
Until we all meet again, stay sane and happy!
Zippy Zero here to edit.
Hello from a very hot Zippy the Dzero, steaming in the boat park after a delightful sunny weekend of cavorting around the cans with my DZero friends in our home Open meeting, which was also part of the West Kirby and Dee SC Regattas.
We actually started the event a day early, with a warm up race around Hilbre Island, which was not part of the open meeting, but involved a traditional DZero silver trophy, modelled on the large green channel marker HE4, which we usually round on the way. Previous winners of this cup have been Mick Green and latterly yours truly, so the race was on!
Hilbre Island perches welcomingly at the entrance of the Dee estuary, flanked by the smaller islands Middle Eye and Little Eye. The waters around them are so shallow that you humans can walk across the sand from West Kirby to them a few hours after high water.
Ian Baillie had driven all the way from Dalgety Bay, near Edinburgh for his first visit to my home waters, as did John Pickett from Leigh on Lowton. Gordon Stewart from Bedfordshire had been here before, but not around Hilbre and Mick Green from Lancashire was due to arrive for the weekend.
The wind Gods had set us a downwind start to the Islands, so we plotted our path in the shallows to avoid the very strong spring flood tide. The choice of shallows were multiple; mid-channel sandbanks or inshore? The mass fleet start included 20 other dinghies and a fleet of larger local keelboats; the Hilbre and Star classes, which started half an hour before us. In the light winds, the boats spread out quickly and converged again as we approached the Island. There, the options again were plenty. The turning mark at the far side of the Island was to be left to Starboard, but the Island was considered a mere obstacle!
Ian chose to follow the Falcon sailors on the shore side of the Island, which seemed to have less tide, but also less wind. Gordon hugged the estuary side of the Island and picked up a handy, speedy back eddy, which took him to meet Ian at the mark. I had stayed on the bank in the estuary in more wind, but adverse tide, so missing the sneaky back eddy.
Ian rounded first and, not having a clue what was going on, followed the Hilbre class boats on the estuary side homewards. Gordon rounded second and, not having a clue what was going on, went the opposite way to Ian.
I went around next and, having no clue at all what was going on, led Mick and John around the Island behind Gordon.
Ian had chosen wisely and shot off to our upwind mark, far up estuary from Dee Sailing Club. For the rest of us, it was the longest starboard tack in my living memory. By the time we had passed Dee, the wind had almost died and a stowaway spider had sewn the startings of a web between my mast and wind indicator.
Ian was by then home, showered and supping a cold beer on the slipway, minding our trollies. He won the dinghy race by an impressive 4 minutes in a race lasting over 2 hours from the second placed IC and nearly 17 minutes ahead of Gordon’s DZero and 22 minutes ahead of me. John wasn’t far behind, but failed to pass through the lap line and was kindly diverted back home by the rescue boat before the wind died and tide swept him around Hilbre Island for a second round.
Ian was duly presented with the HE4 trophy and the competitors lounged on the patio with a bbq in the sunshine, late into the evening.
The wind forecast for the entire weekend had looked very light, so the following morning our sailing sec, Mike Hartley kindly offered to run us a few races on the marine lake, to be used as a back up incase the wind failed to arrive.
We completed four short sprint races; 3 of which were won by Ian and 1 won by me. I ended the last race swinging on the pin mark by my rudder at the finish, trying to beat Gordon’s boat in a tiny gap that the wind didn’t allow me to use.
The Owners gathered for a coffee at Mick’s van and discussed the morning’s efforts. On the slipway, us boats all agreed that the Owners were getting the hang of starting by the last race.
By midday, the water had arrived and we tootled off to sea and a trapezoidal course set by RO Andrew Potter (Owner’s Owner and Commodore of DSC.)
Of all our starts so far, this had been John’s best one and his boat chose this moment to drop it’s halyard. It’s a trick I tried at the Brixham Nationals last year and was then met with a grumpy, angry helm, so not one I’d recommend. John managed the little problem well though and managed to re-hoist the sail, though it cost him some distance from the fleet.
Ian had a good start and set off crossing tacks with Mick until close to the windward mark, where one good tack by Ian inside Mick, who had overstood the mark slightly, got him through into first. Gordon was close behind Mick on the reach and I was chasing puffily behind. On the third running leg, I managed to sail through the three of them and held onto the lead until the next upwind leg, where Ian passed me as I tacked to cover Mick and Gordon. Mick’s boat had convinced him it was the finish after lap 2 and they eased off to practice a few tacks before realising the race was still ongoing. Back at the sharp end, it was Ian with the win from Me and Gordon.
The second race was led by Ian from the start, followed by Me.
Gordon managed to squeeze past me on the third lap to put me in third with Mick and John not far behind.
We boats were showered and returned to the boat park, whilst the Owners travelled to DSC for a huge regatta buffet, the day’s prizegiving and a stunning sunset on the cliffside above the Dee estuary.
On Sunday, it was the turn of WKSC to run the regatta. We would be using the 4 results from both regatta days (with 1 discard) as the Open Series decider. In the morning, us DZero’s had chosen to have another Owner training session on the lake. Lord knows they need it. There was no wind at all, so we sat around with our sails up whilst the Ownerdoms poked, pulled and sweated over us. Some adjustments were made and one alert Owner even noticed that my top batten wasn’t correctly inserted, Thanks Gordon! Mick then performed minor surgery involving a set of keys and a small screwdriver. All without anaesthetic and a kidney-shaped tray to catch the pieces.
By afternoon, a small and sufficient bit of wind had arrived. RO Mike Hartley set up a windward/leeward course close inshore to try to negate the effects of the very strong tide. It was a one-sided beat up the shore, where we all overstood the mark. Ian led the way, followed closely by Me, Gordon and John, finishing in that order too.
For race 2, the tide had slackened a little during the first lap and started ebbing more strongly for laps 2&3. We had a great first start, unlike poor Mick who was over the line and had to return through a tightly packed line of starters. I arrived at the windward mark first, only to be overtaken by Ian with superior downwind boat speed.
Gordon was not far behind and we had a battle for overall second place going on between us. With a crafty last run in the shallows out of the tide, I managed to defend our second place by 11 seconds. Behind us, John was having a tussle with a 420, who had rounded the leeward mark rather better, leaving him an awkward gap on the finish line. His boat stroked the committee boat with its boom as a parting gesture to a wonderful day’s racing.
Once ashore, the results were quite straightforward, with Ian winning, my Owner Liz in second, Gordon in third, Mick fourth and John in fifth.
Ian was presented with a new DZero perpetual trophy for the event. It is small and silver, acquired by Owner on Ebay especially for the occasion. If you look very closely, the inscription reads “Best Alsatian in Show”. A worthy winner indeed.
Many thanks to all the helpers, rescuers, feeders, RO’s, results team and most importantly the competitors, especially my DZero friends who travelled all this way to be with me.
Until we all meet again, stay sane and happy!
Zippy Zero here to edit.
Zippy Zero's Adventure at Menai Straits Regatta
Ahoy there Mateys! Gather round and let me spin you a tale of high winds, sandbanks, whirlpools and buoy blunders from the prospective of yours truly, Zippy the D-Zero 333. I’ve been through quite a fortnight of drama with my trusty Owner and skipper Liz Potter, at the Menai Straits Regatta in North Wales.
The Regatta has a long history, originally dating back to the 19th century, when daring sailors and their trusty vessels braved the swirling waters in search of glory. Over the years it has become a colourful tradition that celebrates both skilled sailing and the joy of camaraderie. Our escapades are just a drop in the vast ocean of tales that this regatta has witnessed. So here it is; the tale of the 2023 event from the little boat that was there.
The opening day was a blustery affair, run by the Royal Dee Yacht Club. I launched in the lee of Beaumaris Pier in a nice little breeze, which, within 20 metres became a honking, big wave, tidal 20-knotter.
Owner was delicately perched over my transom, tending to my rudder, when I careered off in a plume of spray and foam to let her know what we were really dealing with. The message from the engine room read “Rough passage ahead. Fasten bra straps. Remove dentures and sunglasses.” Luckily there were no false teeth or sunglasses, as the drizzle was making the visibility quite a challenge. Only two dinghies; me and the GP14 sailed by Tim and Paul Scott-Wilson plus a handful of keelboats braved the scary conditions. It was a very wet 34 minutes of ploughing beneath waves and flying over crests, which ended in a deafening bang. I checked my body parts and all were still intact. Owner was also in one piece and incredibly, still on board. Then I realised it was a canon and I’d finished. It was a win for me and a second for Tim.
The next morning was the turn of Bangor Town to run the races. We started from Beaumaris and raced towards the bridges on a windward/leeward course, finishing at the Gazelle Hotel. There, we had a wait in the shallows, whilst the race team started the sequence for the second race back to Beaumaris.
The overall results put me in second, just behind Tim’s GP14 who took the win, with Mark and Phil Finch coming third in their Wayfarer.
Tuesday had been a long day out at sea before starting out on the epic 20km race to Caernarfon through the Straits the following day. I was enjoying my snooze on the Green that night and was rudely awakened at 5am on Weds morning by Owner stripping off my cozy covers and whipping my trolley from underneath me like some cheap tablecloth trick. Off she went with all my stuff and trailer, to relocate my bits to Caernarfon ready for my planned arrival later that day. The wind was forecast to be light, so the organisers postponed the start by an hour to allow the big spring tide to work in our favour. It was awesome sailing beneath the first huge bridge and I gave the bridge pillars a lot of room as the tide swirled fiercely around them.
During the crossing of these tidal swirls, know as the Swellies, I gave my cockpit a thorough washout in the crazy whirlpools, which had kindly been provided for us, presumably by the Nelson Man on the plinth overlooking the water park. I also spent some time collecting foil-fulls of flowers (seaweed) for Owner in appreciation of her thoughtful spa treatment for me.
It was a beat for the next two hours and I’d already caught up with most of the keelboats from the previous half-hour of starts before we cleared the second bridge.
The Straits shot by in the ever-increasing current and my flower collection was now streaming out behind me like ribbons on a maypole. I barely had time to flap my leech at my friends at Port Dinorwic Sailing Club, before we were making the final approaches towards Caernarfon. The canons fired at me to signal the end of my day, giving me a 3rd place on corrected time behind the Finches Wayfarer in 2nd and Scotts GP in 1st. Caernarfon Castle is the home of the Royal Welsh Yacht Club, who were our hosts for the evening. They provided the competitors with a generous buffet after racing and the singing of the Welsh sailors could be heard from my overnight berth on the banks of the Aber Foreshore over the river.
The next morning it was the wind that was howling like an overenthusiastic sea shanty and we were back to some severe toestrap weather. Our race set off on a very long one-sided beat towards Y-Felinheli. All the handicap dinghies were quite close. Once we rounded the mark, I sped off on a broad reach, with my white-eyed owner rapidly becoming a no-eyed Owner as the spray increased.
After our long reach-by-braille, the wind shifted to give us a fetch and reaching course, where we were able to lose the rest of the fleet and win by a considerable margin. The Scotts GP was second, followed by the Finches in the Wayfarer and then the Albacore sailed by Andrew and Caroline Willatt in fourth.
The stories in the boatpark that night highlighted the trickier aspects the mark roundings behind me, as the tide strengthened. The Wayfarer and Albacore both struggled to lay the windward mark and had to tack several times to lay it. On the first approach, crew Phil of the Wayfarer called out to helm Mark “Have you seen the Star (boat) to the East?”. “Yes, I see it” said Mark. “Then follow the Star” said Phil. Unfortunately there were two Stars and Mark hadn’t seen the first one. By that time, they were one wise man and a few sheep short of making a neat bear away to duck its transom, so a slam tack was performed and another attempt to round the mark started. Needless to say, they were last to the Inn after sailing, with little gold left but plenty of mirth.
The next day, the wind was still blowing onshore, which meant a short beating and long reaching course and a repeat of the previous days racing. It was a little lighter, but still Zipping conditions and we went on to win that one too, with a repeat of Thursday’s finishing positions for the rest of the fleet too.
Storm Anthone was due the following day and the racing at Port Dinorwic was cancelled, meaning we’d wrapped up the first week’s series with a win overall. The boats were packed up and the Owners were treated to another evening of beer and food at the Castle, as they had every evening in Caernarfon. Well done RWYC – great hospitality!
I was allowed to rest on my trailer for the weekend before the start of week 2. A few more dinghies had arrived on the Green; another GP14, a Laser 2000 and three Yellow Perils – Fireflies from Liverpool University, which were being sailed by a selection of 9 students; recently graduated from American Universities, who had been on summer tour in the North of England competing in various sailing events. The Young Ones brought with them a wave of youthful positive energy and I loved them even more when they came to admire me in the boat park. They all promised to buy DZeros when they returned home mid-week.
The positive vibes on that Monday morning were short-lived for us.
After a great start, we made a final tack to round the windward mark, which was positioned on the edge of a visible sandbank.
I felt the telltale scrape beneath me. Yes, my friends, we had run aground! I imagined the sand grains chuckling to themselves as they held me captive for an extensively embarrassing time. Despite raising daggerboard and rudder, I just found another bit of land clinging on to me. Owner eventually got out into calf deep water and waded about a bit, whilst I built a sandcastle, ordered an ice-cream and played with the seagulls. By then we’d given the rest of the fleet a reasonable time to get away.
It took us an hour to get back with the pack and I worked very hard downwind to gain some distance ahead. There was more drama to come.
At the leeward mark, the keelboats were rounding it to starboard and I was reaching in on port to round to port. There was only one very slow Menai Strait One Design boat which seemed to be timed for trouble, but he still had a kite up and wasn’t looking like he was up for a neat mark rounding at all. Yeah, you know what I was thinking. Nippy Zippy right? I decided on a little prayer to help with proceedings but could only remember one and the words “Lead me not into temptation” didn’t seem very appropriate given the manoever I was about to perform, so I settled for “Deliver me from Evil”, which should at least keep my insurers happy.
I picked my wave and moment, carve gybed into the still available space beside the buoy and waved politely at Mr MSOD, who gasped as he saw me for the first time. I immediately tacked onto starboard and looked ahead to see the entire Fife fleet approaching me downwind on port tack – a sea of kites and masts and not a single face in view. The hailing was hopeless and my grey sail was in stealth mode. Owner held her nerve and weaved through them in a Zippy near-death experience, only remembering about the final turning mark (which we had since passed) once the horror was over. We tacked back and reached to the last mark, writing off the whole experience with a 5th place discard. The race was won by Jean Louis-Simmons in the GP14, followed by one of the Yellow Perils in a Firefly, sailed by Michelle Lahrkamp in second.
Third was the GP14 sailed by the Scott-Wilsons.
At last, one of my favourite days had arrived. It was the play with the Seals day and occasionally Puffins too, if in season. The wind was zephyringly light and we all hugged the shore before the start of the famous Round Puffin Island Race. There was a fierce tide running towards the Island, which was good, but not helpful for the start. We timed the 180 degree turn to run across the start line, allowing for a considerable safety margin, as an OCS was effectively game over. The Firefly sailed by Michelle had a spot on start and sped along with the tide to lead the dinghy race until just short of the Island, where they overstood the channel mark and lost ground reaching back. At this point, there were two slower keelboats ahead of me, which had started some half hour before.
I overtook both before Penmon Point and proudly led all of the fleets around the Island and home. I was not allowed to play with seals and the Puffins were on holiday abroad, but Owner shared her biscuit with me and spilt considerable coffee over my cockpit, so I guess we had a good time.
The handicap thing put us in 6th place and the 1st and 2nd places went to Yellow Perils of Michelle Lahrkamp and Ciara Rodriguez Horan – go ladies!!!
And in third place, the Finches Wayfarer enjoyed the long spinnaker run home.
Another day, more wind and the turn of Hoylake Sailing Club to run the racing. It was a low tide affair, with plenty of sandbanks on offer. My bucket and spade were unpacked by Owner, while she gave me a bit of a pep talk. Then we launched into the strong, still ebbing tide. A number of dinghies were OCS and we had to tack up the bank to make ground. The Scotts GP14 was braver than me and went further inshore beyond Bangor Pier to take a lead around the first mark. It was a dead run and very gusty, so I shot off with Owner holding on very tight. A glorious reach across the channel followed; all of 3 or 4 minutes of pleasure followed by another long beat up the sandbanks.
After 2 laps, I still hadn’t made enough distance from the GP, who took the win, followed by Lahrkamp in second and me in third.
The final day of racing was super light. We started after several postponements and inter-fleet confusion about whether mark 10 was part of our course or not. The extra buoy had appeared on the shore course boards before our start, but wasn’t on our dinghy whiteboard when we signed on. I sailed around to do a quick poll of what everyone thought and then, as we would likely be lead boat, decided not to include it. At the start gun, the Albacore sailed by Andrew and Kathryn Willatt found a very narrow conveyor belt of favourable tide and, like Aladdin on his magic carpet, he shot off into the distance, where he found some wind to increase his lead.
The rest of us bobbed around in no wind, gently floating on a bit of tide in the right general direction. I took Owner over to the right of the course, where I could smell a little breeze arriving and we took that with us to the windward mark, followed closely by the GP sailed by Jean-Louis and Izzy Simons and the Wayfarer.
Once around the mark, the Albacore went and parked up in the big hole that we all had been sitting in. I hung onto my breeze on the other side and the Simons GP followed not too far behind with the help of its kite. It was a long slow run to the next mark and any boredom was broken by unexpected events, such as the Milnes needing to cross me to go around mark 10 (which was grumpy because we’d boycotted it). The moment I gave him permission to pass me, the wind flipped around 180 degrees to a beat. We skipped off and his heavier keelboat did some sail-dancing, without moving its feet. It was a relief to see the shortened flag up, and the GP14 finished close enough behind me to finish first on handicap. The rest of the fleet wallowed some time longer, with the Laser 2000 of Stan van den Berg and Sheena picking up a third.
So ended the fortnight, as strong winds returned for the last 2 days causing abandoned races.
The event was won overall by Tim and Paul Scott-Wilson in their GP14, by one point from me and my Owner Liz Potter. Mark and Phil Finch came 3rd overall.
As Zippy, the D-Zero boat, I’ve weathered these humorous misadventures with my skipper Liz. And while victory may have eluded us this time around, the memories and laughter we’ve shared on the Menai Strait with our fellow boats and Owners will be forever etched into our fibreglass hulls or wooden planks and into our sailor’s hearts. Until the next regatta, fair winds and blue seas my friends!
Zippy Zero 333
[Editor - if you've got this far, the editor has had a word with Zippy whom apologises for a number of photos of old funny looking wooden boats and not super-sexy fibreglass foam sandwich, carbon-fibre and kevlar...]
Ahoy there Mateys! Gather round and let me spin you a tale of high winds, sandbanks, whirlpools and buoy blunders from the prospective of yours truly, Zippy the D-Zero 333. I’ve been through quite a fortnight of drama with my trusty Owner and skipper Liz Potter, at the Menai Straits Regatta in North Wales.
The Regatta has a long history, originally dating back to the 19th century, when daring sailors and their trusty vessels braved the swirling waters in search of glory. Over the years it has become a colourful tradition that celebrates both skilled sailing and the joy of camaraderie. Our escapades are just a drop in the vast ocean of tales that this regatta has witnessed. So here it is; the tale of the 2023 event from the little boat that was there.
The opening day was a blustery affair, run by the Royal Dee Yacht Club. I launched in the lee of Beaumaris Pier in a nice little breeze, which, within 20 metres became a honking, big wave, tidal 20-knotter.
Owner was delicately perched over my transom, tending to my rudder, when I careered off in a plume of spray and foam to let her know what we were really dealing with. The message from the engine room read “Rough passage ahead. Fasten bra straps. Remove dentures and sunglasses.” Luckily there were no false teeth or sunglasses, as the drizzle was making the visibility quite a challenge. Only two dinghies; me and the GP14 sailed by Tim and Paul Scott-Wilson plus a handful of keelboats braved the scary conditions. It was a very wet 34 minutes of ploughing beneath waves and flying over crests, which ended in a deafening bang. I checked my body parts and all were still intact. Owner was also in one piece and incredibly, still on board. Then I realised it was a canon and I’d finished. It was a win for me and a second for Tim.
The next morning was the turn of Bangor Town to run the races. We started from Beaumaris and raced towards the bridges on a windward/leeward course, finishing at the Gazelle Hotel. There, we had a wait in the shallows, whilst the race team started the sequence for the second race back to Beaumaris.
The overall results put me in second, just behind Tim’s GP14 who took the win, with Mark and Phil Finch coming third in their Wayfarer.
Tuesday had been a long day out at sea before starting out on the epic 20km race to Caernarfon through the Straits the following day. I was enjoying my snooze on the Green that night and was rudely awakened at 5am on Weds morning by Owner stripping off my cozy covers and whipping my trolley from underneath me like some cheap tablecloth trick. Off she went with all my stuff and trailer, to relocate my bits to Caernarfon ready for my planned arrival later that day. The wind was forecast to be light, so the organisers postponed the start by an hour to allow the big spring tide to work in our favour. It was awesome sailing beneath the first huge bridge and I gave the bridge pillars a lot of room as the tide swirled fiercely around them.
During the crossing of these tidal swirls, know as the Swellies, I gave my cockpit a thorough washout in the crazy whirlpools, which had kindly been provided for us, presumably by the Nelson Man on the plinth overlooking the water park. I also spent some time collecting foil-fulls of flowers (seaweed) for Owner in appreciation of her thoughtful spa treatment for me.
It was a beat for the next two hours and I’d already caught up with most of the keelboats from the previous half-hour of starts before we cleared the second bridge.
The Straits shot by in the ever-increasing current and my flower collection was now streaming out behind me like ribbons on a maypole. I barely had time to flap my leech at my friends at Port Dinorwic Sailing Club, before we were making the final approaches towards Caernarfon. The canons fired at me to signal the end of my day, giving me a 3rd place on corrected time behind the Finches Wayfarer in 2nd and Scotts GP in 1st. Caernarfon Castle is the home of the Royal Welsh Yacht Club, who were our hosts for the evening. They provided the competitors with a generous buffet after racing and the singing of the Welsh sailors could be heard from my overnight berth on the banks of the Aber Foreshore over the river.
The next morning it was the wind that was howling like an overenthusiastic sea shanty and we were back to some severe toestrap weather. Our race set off on a very long one-sided beat towards Y-Felinheli. All the handicap dinghies were quite close. Once we rounded the mark, I sped off on a broad reach, with my white-eyed owner rapidly becoming a no-eyed Owner as the spray increased.
After our long reach-by-braille, the wind shifted to give us a fetch and reaching course, where we were able to lose the rest of the fleet and win by a considerable margin. The Scotts GP was second, followed by the Finches in the Wayfarer and then the Albacore sailed by Andrew and Caroline Willatt in fourth.
The stories in the boatpark that night highlighted the trickier aspects the mark roundings behind me, as the tide strengthened. The Wayfarer and Albacore both struggled to lay the windward mark and had to tack several times to lay it. On the first approach, crew Phil of the Wayfarer called out to helm Mark “Have you seen the Star (boat) to the East?”. “Yes, I see it” said Mark. “Then follow the Star” said Phil. Unfortunately there were two Stars and Mark hadn’t seen the first one. By that time, they were one wise man and a few sheep short of making a neat bear away to duck its transom, so a slam tack was performed and another attempt to round the mark started. Needless to say, they were last to the Inn after sailing, with little gold left but plenty of mirth.
The next day, the wind was still blowing onshore, which meant a short beating and long reaching course and a repeat of the previous days racing. It was a little lighter, but still Zipping conditions and we went on to win that one too, with a repeat of Thursday’s finishing positions for the rest of the fleet too.
Storm Anthone was due the following day and the racing at Port Dinorwic was cancelled, meaning we’d wrapped up the first week’s series with a win overall. The boats were packed up and the Owners were treated to another evening of beer and food at the Castle, as they had every evening in Caernarfon. Well done RWYC – great hospitality!
I was allowed to rest on my trailer for the weekend before the start of week 2. A few more dinghies had arrived on the Green; another GP14, a Laser 2000 and three Yellow Perils – Fireflies from Liverpool University, which were being sailed by a selection of 9 students; recently graduated from American Universities, who had been on summer tour in the North of England competing in various sailing events. The Young Ones brought with them a wave of youthful positive energy and I loved them even more when they came to admire me in the boat park. They all promised to buy DZeros when they returned home mid-week.
The positive vibes on that Monday morning were short-lived for us.
After a great start, we made a final tack to round the windward mark, which was positioned on the edge of a visible sandbank.
I felt the telltale scrape beneath me. Yes, my friends, we had run aground! I imagined the sand grains chuckling to themselves as they held me captive for an extensively embarrassing time. Despite raising daggerboard and rudder, I just found another bit of land clinging on to me. Owner eventually got out into calf deep water and waded about a bit, whilst I built a sandcastle, ordered an ice-cream and played with the seagulls. By then we’d given the rest of the fleet a reasonable time to get away.
It took us an hour to get back with the pack and I worked very hard downwind to gain some distance ahead. There was more drama to come.
At the leeward mark, the keelboats were rounding it to starboard and I was reaching in on port to round to port. There was only one very slow Menai Strait One Design boat which seemed to be timed for trouble, but he still had a kite up and wasn’t looking like he was up for a neat mark rounding at all. Yeah, you know what I was thinking. Nippy Zippy right? I decided on a little prayer to help with proceedings but could only remember one and the words “Lead me not into temptation” didn’t seem very appropriate given the manoever I was about to perform, so I settled for “Deliver me from Evil”, which should at least keep my insurers happy.
I picked my wave and moment, carve gybed into the still available space beside the buoy and waved politely at Mr MSOD, who gasped as he saw me for the first time. I immediately tacked onto starboard and looked ahead to see the entire Fife fleet approaching me downwind on port tack – a sea of kites and masts and not a single face in view. The hailing was hopeless and my grey sail was in stealth mode. Owner held her nerve and weaved through them in a Zippy near-death experience, only remembering about the final turning mark (which we had since passed) once the horror was over. We tacked back and reached to the last mark, writing off the whole experience with a 5th place discard. The race was won by Jean Louis-Simmons in the GP14, followed by one of the Yellow Perils in a Firefly, sailed by Michelle Lahrkamp in second.
Third was the GP14 sailed by the Scott-Wilsons.
At last, one of my favourite days had arrived. It was the play with the Seals day and occasionally Puffins too, if in season. The wind was zephyringly light and we all hugged the shore before the start of the famous Round Puffin Island Race. There was a fierce tide running towards the Island, which was good, but not helpful for the start. We timed the 180 degree turn to run across the start line, allowing for a considerable safety margin, as an OCS was effectively game over. The Firefly sailed by Michelle had a spot on start and sped along with the tide to lead the dinghy race until just short of the Island, where they overstood the channel mark and lost ground reaching back. At this point, there were two slower keelboats ahead of me, which had started some half hour before.
I overtook both before Penmon Point and proudly led all of the fleets around the Island and home. I was not allowed to play with seals and the Puffins were on holiday abroad, but Owner shared her biscuit with me and spilt considerable coffee over my cockpit, so I guess we had a good time.
The handicap thing put us in 6th place and the 1st and 2nd places went to Yellow Perils of Michelle Lahrkamp and Ciara Rodriguez Horan – go ladies!!!
And in third place, the Finches Wayfarer enjoyed the long spinnaker run home.
Another day, more wind and the turn of Hoylake Sailing Club to run the racing. It was a low tide affair, with plenty of sandbanks on offer. My bucket and spade were unpacked by Owner, while she gave me a bit of a pep talk. Then we launched into the strong, still ebbing tide. A number of dinghies were OCS and we had to tack up the bank to make ground. The Scotts GP14 was braver than me and went further inshore beyond Bangor Pier to take a lead around the first mark. It was a dead run and very gusty, so I shot off with Owner holding on very tight. A glorious reach across the channel followed; all of 3 or 4 minutes of pleasure followed by another long beat up the sandbanks.
After 2 laps, I still hadn’t made enough distance from the GP, who took the win, followed by Lahrkamp in second and me in third.
The final day of racing was super light. We started after several postponements and inter-fleet confusion about whether mark 10 was part of our course or not. The extra buoy had appeared on the shore course boards before our start, but wasn’t on our dinghy whiteboard when we signed on. I sailed around to do a quick poll of what everyone thought and then, as we would likely be lead boat, decided not to include it. At the start gun, the Albacore sailed by Andrew and Kathryn Willatt found a very narrow conveyor belt of favourable tide and, like Aladdin on his magic carpet, he shot off into the distance, where he found some wind to increase his lead.
The rest of us bobbed around in no wind, gently floating on a bit of tide in the right general direction. I took Owner over to the right of the course, where I could smell a little breeze arriving and we took that with us to the windward mark, followed closely by the GP sailed by Jean-Louis and Izzy Simons and the Wayfarer.
Once around the mark, the Albacore went and parked up in the big hole that we all had been sitting in. I hung onto my breeze on the other side and the Simons GP followed not too far behind with the help of its kite. It was a long slow run to the next mark and any boredom was broken by unexpected events, such as the Milnes needing to cross me to go around mark 10 (which was grumpy because we’d boycotted it). The moment I gave him permission to pass me, the wind flipped around 180 degrees to a beat. We skipped off and his heavier keelboat did some sail-dancing, without moving its feet. It was a relief to see the shortened flag up, and the GP14 finished close enough behind me to finish first on handicap. The rest of the fleet wallowed some time longer, with the Laser 2000 of Stan van den Berg and Sheena picking up a third.
So ended the fortnight, as strong winds returned for the last 2 days causing abandoned races.
The event was won overall by Tim and Paul Scott-Wilson in their GP14, by one point from me and my Owner Liz Potter. Mark and Phil Finch came 3rd overall.
As Zippy, the D-Zero boat, I’ve weathered these humorous misadventures with my skipper Liz. And while victory may have eluded us this time around, the memories and laughter we’ve shared on the Menai Strait with our fellow boats and Owners will be forever etched into our fibreglass hulls or wooden planks and into our sailor’s hearts. Until the next regatta, fair winds and blue seas my friends!
Zippy Zero 333
[Editor - if you've got this far, the editor has had a word with Zippy whom apologises for a number of photos of old funny looking wooden boats and not super-sexy fibreglass foam sandwich, carbon-fibre and kevlar...]
D-Zeros at Yorkshire Dales Event
Report author is Paul Jefferies (and others), all photos are Copyright Paul Hargreaves
On a cold, cloudy summers day in Yorkshire a small fleet of D-Zeros gathered at Yorkshire Dales to have an Open meeting and celebrate D-Zero sailor Ed Deacon getting married. Numbers were a little depleted as several D0Zero sailors decided (for reasons we simply cannot fathom) to sail other boats at the event. Ed is also a prominent Vago sailor.
With a leisurely start time of 'after lunch' to allow those travelling from the festivities the previous day to recover the early arrivals had a great view of the RS400s doing their first 2 races. Did you know it is really easy to sail the perfect race when you viewing from an elevated platform....
After a lovely lunch prepared by the club the fleet launched and headed down to mark 11 in the north east corner. With seconds to go Rohan decided that there really was a gap between Paul (your roving reporter for day 1) and Gordon. Unfortunately for him said gap was closing resulting in Paul and Rohan getting a little too close for comfort with Pauls mainsheet and Rohans windex enjoying a loving emnbrace. In the ensuing mess both boats ended up of port infringing Richard who had sensibly held back and just managed to squeak through. With turns done Paul and Rohan set off after the rest of the fleet who had a reasonable lead by this point. Depsite their best efforts they simply could not catch Mick and Gordon who were having a good scrap at the front. Gordon took the gun with Mick close behind followed at a distance by Rohan and Paul who had managed to overhaul Gary and Richard.
Race 2 was a more civil affair on the start line. Paul got off the line well then proceeded to miss every shift and find every hole and was at the back by the windward mark. Thi time Rohan and Mick were getting away. With the wind becoming increasingly light and flukey anything could happen. Mick managed to get ahead of Rohan and took the gun with Paul a distant 3rd having found some pressure to overhaul Gordon Richard and Gary on the penultimate beat.
So overnight a delighted Mick Green led the meeting, could he hold it on Sunday where the forecast was certainly mixed with no 2 matching except for the fact that it was going to be wet, very wet!
We retired to the clubhouse for an excellent street food buffet laid on by the club and for more celebration of Ed and Gaynors nuptials. As the evening progressed things go very silly with a decidedly secondhand Vago boom being pressed into service as a 'boom of doom' (Steve Bolland you have a lot to answer for my friend).
Sunday dawned to wet and overcast conditions but with a good breeze blowing from the nrtheast. Unfortunately Paul had to retire from proceedings early to return home so the remainder of the competitors take up the story:
Race 3:
Gordon flew off the line followed closely by Rohan, Mick had messed up his timings and crossed a little way behind, Gary found himself lining up on the gate line instead of the start. Gordon rounded the windward mark first followed by Rohan a few boat lengths behind. The race officers had been kind to us with the 2nd leg being a lengthy reach down to number 7 (or was it supposed to be 8, the D-Zeros have previous form with those 2 marks), it was at this point Gordon decided to go sightseeing looking for the next mark leaving the door wide open for Rohan to take the lead heading to D, this was also a lovely reach leading into a pretty fruity Gybe mark with rs400’s and laser vagos on full plane sailing their windward leeward course, heading down to the leeward mark Rohan decided that he was going to gybe very badly and take a quick dip in the water. Gordon retook the lead and maintained this lead right up to the 2nd time round D where he got into a bit of muddle with his mainsheet, allowing Rohan to retake the lead and hold on to take the bullet, Gordon followed in 2nd followed by Mick in 3rd, Gary had retired from the race.
Race 4
The wind had picked up for race 4, with the 3 of us lining up for the start, it was once again Gordon flying off the start at the committee boat end who was first round the windward mark followed by Rohan and then Mick, the course had stayed pretty much the same so Gordon didn't need to do any sightseeing and led for the first lap. After 2 more very wet reaches Gordon once again got muddled up with his main sheet on the gybe mark, Rohan planed passed him down to the leeward mark where he stuffed up his gybe and took quite a big dip in the water much to Gordon's amusement, he opted for the safe tack round the leeward mark and went on to take the bullet, Rohan followed in 2nd and Mick in 3rd.
As the wind increased again Rohan had drank enough Yorkshire tea and decided to call it a day and after a brief discussion Mick and Gordon followed in.
Once the results were in it was a very happy Gordon Stewart who took the meeting from Rohan with Mick in 3rd place.
Thank you to Yorkshire Dales who once again showed why they are a great venue to visit both on and off the water and congratulations to Ed and Gaynor as well as thank you for putting some money in the pot to make it a great weekend of celebration.
Report author is Paul Jefferies (and others), all photos are Copyright Paul Hargreaves
On a cold, cloudy summers day in Yorkshire a small fleet of D-Zeros gathered at Yorkshire Dales to have an Open meeting and celebrate D-Zero sailor Ed Deacon getting married. Numbers were a little depleted as several D0Zero sailors decided (for reasons we simply cannot fathom) to sail other boats at the event. Ed is also a prominent Vago sailor.
With a leisurely start time of 'after lunch' to allow those travelling from the festivities the previous day to recover the early arrivals had a great view of the RS400s doing their first 2 races. Did you know it is really easy to sail the perfect race when you viewing from an elevated platform....
After a lovely lunch prepared by the club the fleet launched and headed down to mark 11 in the north east corner. With seconds to go Rohan decided that there really was a gap between Paul (your roving reporter for day 1) and Gordon. Unfortunately for him said gap was closing resulting in Paul and Rohan getting a little too close for comfort with Pauls mainsheet and Rohans windex enjoying a loving emnbrace. In the ensuing mess both boats ended up of port infringing Richard who had sensibly held back and just managed to squeak through. With turns done Paul and Rohan set off after the rest of the fleet who had a reasonable lead by this point. Depsite their best efforts they simply could not catch Mick and Gordon who were having a good scrap at the front. Gordon took the gun with Mick close behind followed at a distance by Rohan and Paul who had managed to overhaul Gary and Richard.
Race 2 was a more civil affair on the start line. Paul got off the line well then proceeded to miss every shift and find every hole and was at the back by the windward mark. Thi time Rohan and Mick were getting away. With the wind becoming increasingly light and flukey anything could happen. Mick managed to get ahead of Rohan and took the gun with Paul a distant 3rd having found some pressure to overhaul Gordon Richard and Gary on the penultimate beat.
So overnight a delighted Mick Green led the meeting, could he hold it on Sunday where the forecast was certainly mixed with no 2 matching except for the fact that it was going to be wet, very wet!
We retired to the clubhouse for an excellent street food buffet laid on by the club and for more celebration of Ed and Gaynors nuptials. As the evening progressed things go very silly with a decidedly secondhand Vago boom being pressed into service as a 'boom of doom' (Steve Bolland you have a lot to answer for my friend).
Sunday dawned to wet and overcast conditions but with a good breeze blowing from the nrtheast. Unfortunately Paul had to retire from proceedings early to return home so the remainder of the competitors take up the story:
Race 3:
Gordon flew off the line followed closely by Rohan, Mick had messed up his timings and crossed a little way behind, Gary found himself lining up on the gate line instead of the start. Gordon rounded the windward mark first followed by Rohan a few boat lengths behind. The race officers had been kind to us with the 2nd leg being a lengthy reach down to number 7 (or was it supposed to be 8, the D-Zeros have previous form with those 2 marks), it was at this point Gordon decided to go sightseeing looking for the next mark leaving the door wide open for Rohan to take the lead heading to D, this was also a lovely reach leading into a pretty fruity Gybe mark with rs400’s and laser vagos on full plane sailing their windward leeward course, heading down to the leeward mark Rohan decided that he was going to gybe very badly and take a quick dip in the water. Gordon retook the lead and maintained this lead right up to the 2nd time round D where he got into a bit of muddle with his mainsheet, allowing Rohan to retake the lead and hold on to take the bullet, Gordon followed in 2nd followed by Mick in 3rd, Gary had retired from the race.
Race 4
The wind had picked up for race 4, with the 3 of us lining up for the start, it was once again Gordon flying off the start at the committee boat end who was first round the windward mark followed by Rohan and then Mick, the course had stayed pretty much the same so Gordon didn't need to do any sightseeing and led for the first lap. After 2 more very wet reaches Gordon once again got muddled up with his main sheet on the gybe mark, Rohan planed passed him down to the leeward mark where he stuffed up his gybe and took quite a big dip in the water much to Gordon's amusement, he opted for the safe tack round the leeward mark and went on to take the bullet, Rohan followed in 2nd and Mick in 3rd.
As the wind increased again Rohan had drank enough Yorkshire tea and decided to call it a day and after a brief discussion Mick and Gordon followed in.
Once the results were in it was a very happy Gordon Stewart who took the meeting from Rohan with Mick in 3rd place.
Thank you to Yorkshire Dales who once again showed why they are a great venue to visit both on and off the water and congratulations to Ed and Gaynor as well as thank you for putting some money in the pot to make it a great weekend of celebration.
Sailing Chandlery D-Zero National Championships 2023
23rd – 25th June 2023 Nationals Race Report
What a weekend was had by all at the 2023 D-Zero National Championships, kindly sponsored by Sailing Chandlery
We were welcomed at the Llandudno Sailing Club with fine food and plenty of local ale, which was enjoyed but not over indulged (it is the National Championships after all). Thanks for the club’s support throughout the weekend where everything was always a positive.
Day 1 - Racing started on Friday afternoon and by this point the wind had filled in from the south and was blowing up to 30 knots I believe. There was one boat displaying the number 66 missing from the start line though, as David having been “bullied” the week before during a rugby match and a cut on his leg became infected so while we sailed to the start David sat in a hospital looking depressed at the trees blowing well in the breeze – read on as he didn’t do too badly overall and there’s always next year !!!
Race 1, Seeing everyone get a clean start, Jon Bassett led the way to the windward mark where he proceeded to do a 3 point turn to get around it after getting stuck in irons after his tack, this opened the door for Ian Baillie who didn’t look back and led the way to his first win of the weekend with Jon and Will Hitchman coming in for the remaining top spots. To give an indication of the conditions, out of the 26 boats that started there were 8 who retired due to the wind and sea state.
Race 2, The wind died a little for this one but not by much and the waves were picking up nicely (if you like that sort of thing), lots of drama on the first beat with Billy McCarlie taking a kiss from Zippy in a port / starboard altercation (think it was more like a Glaswegian handshake though! (Look it up if you have no idea what I am on about!!)) Luckily Billy was not sailing flat like he should so the impact did not make a clear hole in the hull so could continue, this was all going on whilst Ian gave a masterclass for anyone who could see him during this race which unfortunately was only likely for the rescue crews as he was so far in front that none of us could get remotely close to him to see where he had hidden the secret motor! So, Ian for the win with Jon and myself (Scott Munro) following on (a leg behind!!)
Race 3, With a freshening wind there were a few that decided two races for the day was enough for them and headed in, two brave souls headed back out from hiding onshore for one wild race and for the rest of us we set off again and whilst Ian wasn’t as far ahead this time he still pulled away to a considerable lead and the results were a duplicate from race 2 for the top three spots.
A well-earned evening Spag Bol, at LSC gave everyone a chance to recover and talk through the thrills and spills of the day, and the odd refreshment and more than a few IPA’s.
Day 2 - The wind had swung round a little to a SW and was blowing up to 38+ knots on the committee boat so the racing was postponed for an hour then a further 2 to try and let it settle. LSC provided some ham and cheese rolls to keep us all going, which was a great idea and very welcomed. The race organisers wasted no time getting back on the water to start racing again though and had pulled the race course right into the bay to try and get more sheltered wind by using some unique and long narrow courses. Some who had been enjoying a short re-fuelling stop at the local eateries ended up with a more Le Mans style start with running down the Promenade and slip to get onto the water and out to the race area (you know who you are!)
Race 4, With the race course beating into the bay the winds were incredibly shifty with large holes that needed avoiding! These conditions seemed to favour the pond sailors with Wil taking the win followed by Jon and myself.
Race 5, Another shifty race with another port / starboard altercation on the first beat with Simon Limb getting a Glaswegian handshake this time from James Jenkins! Unlucky for Simon that he obviously was sailing with a bit of windward heal at the time and this made a nice flat target for the D-Zero bow to punch though! All this was taking place behind the leader of the fleet for the race as the Stork (Alistair McLaughlin) took to the front to fly round for the win closely followed by John and Will.
Race 6, If you went right at the start that was wrong! If you went left this was right. Stork and David, I believe almost went up the pebble beach, though shot into the lead at the first mark. The wind was dying and this confused the already shifty conditions to make for interesting racing, with large holes appearing from nowhere to trap most of the fleet other than the leading 3 then a huge wind shift to the South seen us all with our heads on swivels looking for where the marks were being moved to by the Race Committee, it was confusing but they did a great job and gave us a fantastic last beat to the finish with plenty of shifts to get those further back up into the running again. The Stork took line honours again followed by Ian and myself.
Day 3 - Another fresh wind was there to help those involved in the Saturday night karaoke freshen up! The race course was pushed out to sea a little from Day 2 but still had us beating back into the bay with an SSW wind coming though. Two races to go and all to play for, it was tight in the top 5.
Race 7, Everyone was gunning for the perfect start but unfortunately for Ian and Gordon Stewart they were a fraction too eager and ended up with some OCS’s. It turned out to be a tightly fought race but ultimately Colin Glover took the win with Jon and the Stork following on.
Race 8, It all came down to this race for who would take home the coveted D-Zero National champion trophy!! The swell was building and with a nice stable wind and screaming reaches there were silly D-Zero grins all over the racecourse, some might have been grimaces though as muscles were starting to fade fast, and some only do grimaces and not grins anyway!! Ian didn’t get it all his own way with, Tin Man/ Dealer David leading from the start (he almost made it stick) and Colin making him work for the win but ultimately Ian took the win with David and myself following on. To explain how tight it all was, Colin went from 3rd to 10th on the last beat after one tack left him stuck in irons!! The new National Champion was even polite enough to apologise to David for beating him at the line having led for so long – that’s the sign of a true Champ
So that was it, the racing was done and dusted with Ian taking the glory for the year, which was very well deserved, Congratulations Ian Baillie – our 2024 SAILING CHANDLERY D-ZERO NATIONAL CHAMPION 2023.
Huge thanks to the following:
Sailing Chandlery for their support and prize sponsorship; Noble Marine Insurance for support to the Class; dzero.co.uk for providing spares support, fixing boats to keep sailors on the water and driving D-Zero’s throughout the UK; Georgie Altham @ Photoboat https://photoboat.co.uk/ for the fantastic photos; and lastly the D-Zero Class Association for organising the event.
See you all next year for the 2024 Europeans/Nationals and 10th Anniversary Celebrations at Weymouth😊
Written by Scott Munro – Overall 4th Place
Overall Results
Rank Name Sail No. Sailing Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 Total Nett
1 Ian Baillie 336 Dalgety Bay SC 1 1 1 (4) 4 2 (29) 1 43 10
2 Jon Bassett 306 Largs SC 2 2 2 2 2 (7) 2 (5) 24 12
3 Wil Hitchman 307 Carsington SC 3 5 6 1 3 3 (8) (9) 38 21
4 Scott Munro 353 Aberdeen &
Stonehaven YC (11) 3 3 3 (7) 4 7 3 41 23
5 Alistair McLaughlin 22 Largs SC 7 6 (8) 7 1 1 3 (29) 62 25
6 James Jenkins 151 Emsworth SC 4 (8) 5 5 (29) 8 4 4 67 30
7 Rohan Daniels 224 Ogston SC 9 4 (10) 8 8 (10) 9 6 64 44
8 Gordon Stewart 358 North Herts
East Beds 8 9 7 6 (29) 15 (29) 8 111 53
9 Paul Jefferies 74 Hunts SC 5 (15) (29) 12 5 14 6 14 100 56
10 David Valentine 66 ESSC (29) (29) 29 10 6 6 5 2 116 58
11 Paul Murphy 218 GWSC 10 7 9 (17) 13 (19) 10 11 96 60
12 Jon Cowper 42 Hunts SC (14) 11 14 13 11 11 12 (29) 115 72
13 Billy McCarlie 265 Largs SC 13 (16) 12 14 12 (18) 11 13 109 75
14 Martin Latimer 57 Largs SC (29) (29) 4 21 16 13 13 12 137 79
15 John Aston 3 GWSC (29) (29) 29 11 14 5 17 7 141 83
16 Colin Glover 351 GWSC 6 13 (29) (29) 29 29 1 10 146 88
17 Richard Bryant 189 Annandale SC (29) (29) 29 9 9 12 14 15 146 88
18 Mick Green 344 Rossendale
Valley SC 15 10 13 (19) 17 (21) 19 17 131 91
19 Liz Potter 333 West Kirby SC 16 12 15 18 15 17 22 20 135 93
20 Mike Grant 281 Largs SC 17 14 16 16 (19) (20) 16 16 134 95
21 Gary Tompkins 158 Hunts SC 18 17 17 20 20 (22) 21 (22) 157 113
22 Neal Sanders 192 GWSC 12 18 (29) (29) 29 29 15 19 180 122
23 Simon Boylin 311 ESSC (29) (29) 29 29 18 16 20 18 188 130
24 Dave Watkins 77 Chase SC (29) (29) 29 29 10 9 29 29 193 135
25 Simon Limb 160 Largs SC (29) (29) 11 15 29 29 29 29 200 142
26 Joe Constable 8 GWSC (29) (29) 29 29 29 29 18 21 213 155
27 Abby Freeley 115 Hunts SC (29) (29) 29 29 29 29 29 29 232 174
28 Andy McIvor 360 Blackwater SC (29) (29) 29 29 29 29 29 29 232 174
Special Prizes supported by Sailing Chandlery & Noble Marine:
Trophy/ Prize Awardee Club
Lanterne Rouge
- Endeavour Trophy Gary Tompkins Hunts SC
Hard Graft Award Mick Green Rossendale Valley SC
Joe Constable GWSC
1st Lady Liz Potter West Kirby SC
Impairment Awards Simon Limb Largs SC
Billy McCarlie Largs SC
(Re) Dress Award Paul Jefferies Hunts SC
Best Bollard Rounding Martin Latimer Largs SC
23rd – 25th June 2023 Nationals Race Report
What a weekend was had by all at the 2023 D-Zero National Championships, kindly sponsored by Sailing Chandlery
We were welcomed at the Llandudno Sailing Club with fine food and plenty of local ale, which was enjoyed but not over indulged (it is the National Championships after all). Thanks for the club’s support throughout the weekend where everything was always a positive.
Day 1 - Racing started on Friday afternoon and by this point the wind had filled in from the south and was blowing up to 30 knots I believe. There was one boat displaying the number 66 missing from the start line though, as David having been “bullied” the week before during a rugby match and a cut on his leg became infected so while we sailed to the start David sat in a hospital looking depressed at the trees blowing well in the breeze – read on as he didn’t do too badly overall and there’s always next year !!!
Race 1, Seeing everyone get a clean start, Jon Bassett led the way to the windward mark where he proceeded to do a 3 point turn to get around it after getting stuck in irons after his tack, this opened the door for Ian Baillie who didn’t look back and led the way to his first win of the weekend with Jon and Will Hitchman coming in for the remaining top spots. To give an indication of the conditions, out of the 26 boats that started there were 8 who retired due to the wind and sea state.
Race 2, The wind died a little for this one but not by much and the waves were picking up nicely (if you like that sort of thing), lots of drama on the first beat with Billy McCarlie taking a kiss from Zippy in a port / starboard altercation (think it was more like a Glaswegian handshake though! (Look it up if you have no idea what I am on about!!)) Luckily Billy was not sailing flat like he should so the impact did not make a clear hole in the hull so could continue, this was all going on whilst Ian gave a masterclass for anyone who could see him during this race which unfortunately was only likely for the rescue crews as he was so far in front that none of us could get remotely close to him to see where he had hidden the secret motor! So, Ian for the win with Jon and myself (Scott Munro) following on (a leg behind!!)
Race 3, With a freshening wind there were a few that decided two races for the day was enough for them and headed in, two brave souls headed back out from hiding onshore for one wild race and for the rest of us we set off again and whilst Ian wasn’t as far ahead this time he still pulled away to a considerable lead and the results were a duplicate from race 2 for the top three spots.
A well-earned evening Spag Bol, at LSC gave everyone a chance to recover and talk through the thrills and spills of the day, and the odd refreshment and more than a few IPA’s.
Day 2 - The wind had swung round a little to a SW and was blowing up to 38+ knots on the committee boat so the racing was postponed for an hour then a further 2 to try and let it settle. LSC provided some ham and cheese rolls to keep us all going, which was a great idea and very welcomed. The race organisers wasted no time getting back on the water to start racing again though and had pulled the race course right into the bay to try and get more sheltered wind by using some unique and long narrow courses. Some who had been enjoying a short re-fuelling stop at the local eateries ended up with a more Le Mans style start with running down the Promenade and slip to get onto the water and out to the race area (you know who you are!)
Race 4, With the race course beating into the bay the winds were incredibly shifty with large holes that needed avoiding! These conditions seemed to favour the pond sailors with Wil taking the win followed by Jon and myself.
Race 5, Another shifty race with another port / starboard altercation on the first beat with Simon Limb getting a Glaswegian handshake this time from James Jenkins! Unlucky for Simon that he obviously was sailing with a bit of windward heal at the time and this made a nice flat target for the D-Zero bow to punch though! All this was taking place behind the leader of the fleet for the race as the Stork (Alistair McLaughlin) took to the front to fly round for the win closely followed by John and Will.
Race 6, If you went right at the start that was wrong! If you went left this was right. Stork and David, I believe almost went up the pebble beach, though shot into the lead at the first mark. The wind was dying and this confused the already shifty conditions to make for interesting racing, with large holes appearing from nowhere to trap most of the fleet other than the leading 3 then a huge wind shift to the South seen us all with our heads on swivels looking for where the marks were being moved to by the Race Committee, it was confusing but they did a great job and gave us a fantastic last beat to the finish with plenty of shifts to get those further back up into the running again. The Stork took line honours again followed by Ian and myself.
Day 3 - Another fresh wind was there to help those involved in the Saturday night karaoke freshen up! The race course was pushed out to sea a little from Day 2 but still had us beating back into the bay with an SSW wind coming though. Two races to go and all to play for, it was tight in the top 5.
Race 7, Everyone was gunning for the perfect start but unfortunately for Ian and Gordon Stewart they were a fraction too eager and ended up with some OCS’s. It turned out to be a tightly fought race but ultimately Colin Glover took the win with Jon and the Stork following on.
Race 8, It all came down to this race for who would take home the coveted D-Zero National champion trophy!! The swell was building and with a nice stable wind and screaming reaches there were silly D-Zero grins all over the racecourse, some might have been grimaces though as muscles were starting to fade fast, and some only do grimaces and not grins anyway!! Ian didn’t get it all his own way with, Tin Man/ Dealer David leading from the start (he almost made it stick) and Colin making him work for the win but ultimately Ian took the win with David and myself following on. To explain how tight it all was, Colin went from 3rd to 10th on the last beat after one tack left him stuck in irons!! The new National Champion was even polite enough to apologise to David for beating him at the line having led for so long – that’s the sign of a true Champ
So that was it, the racing was done and dusted with Ian taking the glory for the year, which was very well deserved, Congratulations Ian Baillie – our 2024 SAILING CHANDLERY D-ZERO NATIONAL CHAMPION 2023.
Huge thanks to the following:
Sailing Chandlery for their support and prize sponsorship; Noble Marine Insurance for support to the Class; dzero.co.uk for providing spares support, fixing boats to keep sailors on the water and driving D-Zero’s throughout the UK; Georgie Altham @ Photoboat https://photoboat.co.uk/ for the fantastic photos; and lastly the D-Zero Class Association for organising the event.
See you all next year for the 2024 Europeans/Nationals and 10th Anniversary Celebrations at Weymouth😊
Written by Scott Munro – Overall 4th Place
Overall Results
Rank Name Sail No. Sailing Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 Total Nett
1 Ian Baillie 336 Dalgety Bay SC 1 1 1 (4) 4 2 (29) 1 43 10
2 Jon Bassett 306 Largs SC 2 2 2 2 2 (7) 2 (5) 24 12
3 Wil Hitchman 307 Carsington SC 3 5 6 1 3 3 (8) (9) 38 21
4 Scott Munro 353 Aberdeen &
Stonehaven YC (11) 3 3 3 (7) 4 7 3 41 23
5 Alistair McLaughlin 22 Largs SC 7 6 (8) 7 1 1 3 (29) 62 25
6 James Jenkins 151 Emsworth SC 4 (8) 5 5 (29) 8 4 4 67 30
7 Rohan Daniels 224 Ogston SC 9 4 (10) 8 8 (10) 9 6 64 44
8 Gordon Stewart 358 North Herts
East Beds 8 9 7 6 (29) 15 (29) 8 111 53
9 Paul Jefferies 74 Hunts SC 5 (15) (29) 12 5 14 6 14 100 56
10 David Valentine 66 ESSC (29) (29) 29 10 6 6 5 2 116 58
11 Paul Murphy 218 GWSC 10 7 9 (17) 13 (19) 10 11 96 60
12 Jon Cowper 42 Hunts SC (14) 11 14 13 11 11 12 (29) 115 72
13 Billy McCarlie 265 Largs SC 13 (16) 12 14 12 (18) 11 13 109 75
14 Martin Latimer 57 Largs SC (29) (29) 4 21 16 13 13 12 137 79
15 John Aston 3 GWSC (29) (29) 29 11 14 5 17 7 141 83
16 Colin Glover 351 GWSC 6 13 (29) (29) 29 29 1 10 146 88
17 Richard Bryant 189 Annandale SC (29) (29) 29 9 9 12 14 15 146 88
18 Mick Green 344 Rossendale
Valley SC 15 10 13 (19) 17 (21) 19 17 131 91
19 Liz Potter 333 West Kirby SC 16 12 15 18 15 17 22 20 135 93
20 Mike Grant 281 Largs SC 17 14 16 16 (19) (20) 16 16 134 95
21 Gary Tompkins 158 Hunts SC 18 17 17 20 20 (22) 21 (22) 157 113
22 Neal Sanders 192 GWSC 12 18 (29) (29) 29 29 15 19 180 122
23 Simon Boylin 311 ESSC (29) (29) 29 29 18 16 20 18 188 130
24 Dave Watkins 77 Chase SC (29) (29) 29 29 10 9 29 29 193 135
25 Simon Limb 160 Largs SC (29) (29) 11 15 29 29 29 29 200 142
26 Joe Constable 8 GWSC (29) (29) 29 29 29 29 18 21 213 155
27 Abby Freeley 115 Hunts SC (29) (29) 29 29 29 29 29 29 232 174
28 Andy McIvor 360 Blackwater SC (29) (29) 29 29 29 29 29 29 232 174
Special Prizes supported by Sailing Chandlery & Noble Marine:
Trophy/ Prize Awardee Club
Lanterne Rouge
- Endeavour Trophy Gary Tompkins Hunts SC
Hard Graft Award Mick Green Rossendale Valley SC
Joe Constable GWSC
1st Lady Liz Potter West Kirby SC
Impairment Awards Simon Limb Largs SC
Billy McCarlie Largs SC
(Re) Dress Award Paul Jefferies Hunts SC
Best Bollard Rounding Martin Latimer Largs SC
June 2023- East Lothian Yacht Club Regatta
Ok, here goes folks. First event report, from a first-eventer! East Lothian Yacht Club Regatta - an 80+ boat event with D-Zeros securing our own start with 6 boats on the entry list.
As background, I bought 111 last year and (despite there being another boat in the boat park at East Lothian) sailed alone last year in a handicap fleet. A number of work commitments and injuries have stopped me making open trips so far - so this was my first event lined up against other D-Zeros.
Saturday kicked off with an unbroken blue sky and a building sea breeze from 10-15 knots - certainly enough to get the thigh muscles working! We started on a shared line with the N12’s, Streakers (both having their Scottish Champs), lasers, and Aeros - with the D-zeros being somewhat frustratingly sandwiched in the middle of the starts despite being faster than some.
As a newcomer not knowing names very well, Race 1 kicked off with “Grey Hat” (Ian Baillie) and “Red Hat” (Stork) adopting an early (and ultimately unbreakable) pairing at the front. I managed to settle into a decent stride on the upwind and loosely hung on to their tails to the first mark, where my “learning curve” accelerated almost as fast as they did away from me. I was soon being hauled in by the others and put back in my place - and I realised I needed to learn to keep up downwind! Red Hat would win from Grey Hat, and I managed to hang on to a 3rd with very close pressure from the zippy, Mick and Bruce.
Race two saw the breeze up a bit, and a little more chop from the tide bringing a bit more
complexity to the upwind and keeping pace. Red and Grey were close for the entire race, with some of the other fleets bringing obstacles to weave around especially at the marks. Iain went on to win both remaining races and stamped a decent lead for the end of day one.
Sunday dawned with flat glassy calm and a light grey sky. After a brief postponement on the beach, the committee got everyone out to the start line in the very light 3-4 knots and tried to get a line setup. Given the tide due to build, the committee decided to wait for the breeze to fill rather than set everyone off into an upwind treadmill - but this turned out to be a decent two hour wait, only made somewhat bearable by good chat and a school of dolphins who put on a decent show right through the fleet as we waited.
When the breeze came, the starts rattled off and soon we were lining up for a gun in 6-8 knots. Storky demonstrated some fabulous height off the start to scupper my position and leave me suffering in his wake, whilst the lesser breeze wiped my weight advantage and I had to up my game again!
The delays in the start gave strong indication that the second race wouldn’t finish in time for the 3pm cutoff for a third race - but with all boats over the finish at 14:51, the race committee got straight into a new start sequence and (with a significantly fresher breeze and some decent waves coming through) we had to get one more race out of the tired legs and arms! The last race turned out to be an absolute corker - with the stronger breeze giving full flat-out reaches with the D-zeros weaving through the slower boats with ease and big smiles throughout! Ian took the final race bringing the top two level on points and needing a count back to separate, with Ian taking the overall event win.
On dry land, I was amazed how much interest the boat got. I was inundated with people from other fleets looking, asking, commenting. From “those things look great on the reaches” to “that rig looks great in the breeze” and so on. It’s definitely a boat that gets people talking. For me, a first event - I’m pretty happy with my consistency and had a superb weekend. More than that - I’m extremely grateful to Stork, Ian, Liz, Mick and Bruce who were so open and helpful with tips, answers to my questions and advice on getting more out of the boat. It’s really is a superb boat, and a superb bunch of people.
Hopefully we’ll see a few more of you next year at ELYC, and I’ll get myself sorted to get on the circuit a bit more!
Cheers
Andrew - D-Zero GBR111
(Note, there will be a correction to the scores with Liz having an RTD instead of DNC for race 5, meaning Liz will inch above Mick for 4th overall)
Photos and drone shots courtesy of Steve Fraser: https://www.flickr.com/photos/caledonian-schlepper/
Ok, here goes folks. First event report, from a first-eventer! East Lothian Yacht Club Regatta - an 80+ boat event with D-Zeros securing our own start with 6 boats on the entry list.
As background, I bought 111 last year and (despite there being another boat in the boat park at East Lothian) sailed alone last year in a handicap fleet. A number of work commitments and injuries have stopped me making open trips so far - so this was my first event lined up against other D-Zeros.
Saturday kicked off with an unbroken blue sky and a building sea breeze from 10-15 knots - certainly enough to get the thigh muscles working! We started on a shared line with the N12’s, Streakers (both having their Scottish Champs), lasers, and Aeros - with the D-zeros being somewhat frustratingly sandwiched in the middle of the starts despite being faster than some.
As a newcomer not knowing names very well, Race 1 kicked off with “Grey Hat” (Ian Baillie) and “Red Hat” (Stork) adopting an early (and ultimately unbreakable) pairing at the front. I managed to settle into a decent stride on the upwind and loosely hung on to their tails to the first mark, where my “learning curve” accelerated almost as fast as they did away from me. I was soon being hauled in by the others and put back in my place - and I realised I needed to learn to keep up downwind! Red Hat would win from Grey Hat, and I managed to hang on to a 3rd with very close pressure from the zippy, Mick and Bruce.
Race two saw the breeze up a bit, and a little more chop from the tide bringing a bit more
complexity to the upwind and keeping pace. Red and Grey were close for the entire race, with some of the other fleets bringing obstacles to weave around especially at the marks. Iain went on to win both remaining races and stamped a decent lead for the end of day one.
Sunday dawned with flat glassy calm and a light grey sky. After a brief postponement on the beach, the committee got everyone out to the start line in the very light 3-4 knots and tried to get a line setup. Given the tide due to build, the committee decided to wait for the breeze to fill rather than set everyone off into an upwind treadmill - but this turned out to be a decent two hour wait, only made somewhat bearable by good chat and a school of dolphins who put on a decent show right through the fleet as we waited.
When the breeze came, the starts rattled off and soon we were lining up for a gun in 6-8 knots. Storky demonstrated some fabulous height off the start to scupper my position and leave me suffering in his wake, whilst the lesser breeze wiped my weight advantage and I had to up my game again!
The delays in the start gave strong indication that the second race wouldn’t finish in time for the 3pm cutoff for a third race - but with all boats over the finish at 14:51, the race committee got straight into a new start sequence and (with a significantly fresher breeze and some decent waves coming through) we had to get one more race out of the tired legs and arms! The last race turned out to be an absolute corker - with the stronger breeze giving full flat-out reaches with the D-zeros weaving through the slower boats with ease and big smiles throughout! Ian took the final race bringing the top two level on points and needing a count back to separate, with Ian taking the overall event win.
On dry land, I was amazed how much interest the boat got. I was inundated with people from other fleets looking, asking, commenting. From “those things look great on the reaches” to “that rig looks great in the breeze” and so on. It’s definitely a boat that gets people talking. For me, a first event - I’m pretty happy with my consistency and had a superb weekend. More than that - I’m extremely grateful to Stork, Ian, Liz, Mick and Bruce who were so open and helpful with tips, answers to my questions and advice on getting more out of the boat. It’s really is a superb boat, and a superb bunch of people.
Hopefully we’ll see a few more of you next year at ELYC, and I’ll get myself sorted to get on the circuit a bit more!
Cheers
Andrew - D-Zero GBR111
(Note, there will be a correction to the scores with Liz having an RTD instead of DNC for race 5, meaning Liz will inch above Mick for 4th overall)
Photos and drone shots courtesy of Steve Fraser: https://www.flickr.com/photos/caledonian-schlepper/
May 2023 - Zippy at the Harken One Design Regatta, Largs
Hi there all! Here is the second part of my travelling adventures that I know you’ve all been waiting for. Just to recap, I’m Zippy the DZero reporting from the boat park back home at West Kirby Sailing Club after 11 days on tour of the North and Scotland. This part is about my adventures in Largs, where I had been entered in the Harken One Design Regatta.
I arrived in Largs a few days early, coming straight from the Northern Championships in Ullswater. The hospitality is always tops at Largs Sailing Club; home to probably the biggest D-Zero fleet in the country. I was invited to join in their club racing on Wednesday evening and a very pleasant night it turned out to be! Eight D-Zero’s raced in a mixed handicap fleet. A natty little start line set in front of the onshore race box and various hooters; lights; club buoys and a course which I just guessed at. It was like a teen disco – sweaty, heady, sometimes loud but all good fun.
The following Thursday morning was the big event prep day. It’s no small feat running this multi-class event, with some 60 boats entered overall. I must give a special mention to Julia Gibson, the Queen and High Priestess of Largs SC, who not only does 'officey' things in the clubhouse, but also comes out into the boat park to greet visitors like me and check that the security fencing is up to standard, keeping my fans and the press at bay. She also built me my own personal shower area opposite my berth and then scuttled off to organise food, coffee and The Men. I’m considering moving her onto my permanent staff list.
The other helpers that morning were numerous and included Dzeroists Billy and Janet Mc Carlie, Jon Bassett, Stu Moss and my Owner Liz Potter. They had a busy morning kitting out 8 ribs, a committee boat and the finish vessel with chains, warps, anchors, flags, recording stuff and repairing and inflating the massive buoys that we find it so hard not to hit.
By Friday, it was my turn for a warmup sail. The wind was very light and patchy and Owner announced in a “by the way” sort of way, that we were going to sail around the Isle of Cumbrae. She’d clearly been reading too much of Ken Fowler’s adventures in his RS Aero “Yoda”, who is just completing the circumnavigation of all 262 islands in England and Wales, raising £64,252 for cancer charities. If you can, please visit his website www.yodare.co.uk and donate to this incredible cause and journey. It’s been an epic in every way.
Back to my Owner and Cumbrae – there were a few notable differences between Ken’s mission and ours;
By 4pm, the wind had returned, so we set off for another little sail and rounded Cumbrae in 1 hour and 50 minutes. She then tootled off all triumphant to the clubhouse to quaff wine with the arriving visitor DZero sailors, only remembering to put my cover on inside-out as darkness fell. On my to do list is; Call Boatline, the RNLI, the coastguard and Julia.
Saturday heralded the start of the Largs Harken One Design Regatta. After an hour of windless postponement, 14 D-Zeros went to sea in a light breeze.
The wind was doing peculiar things and made some unexpected shifts. Willie Todd, Alistair (Storky) McLaughlin, Martin Latimer, and yours truly all went left, which was wrong if you wanted to get to the windward mark first. Willie somehow went far, far wronger than everyone else, which made it right and he got to the front of the pack. Storky had super-speed and used it to catch up and sail to the original windward mark on the second beat, which was also wrong, because there were actually two windward marks to keep up us out of Skiff traffic. As he approached the correct windward mark, he caught Simon Limb’s port tack D-Zero getting over friendly with Willie’s Starboard tack boat and suggested that someone do some turns so that he could pass by. Please. Meanwhile, Jon Bassett stayed out of trouble, sailed to the correct marks on each lap and won the race.
Race 2 saw a huge windshift that we were, once again, on the wrong side of. Storky took the lead and extended it to the horizon for a clear win. A closely packed fleet battled out the rest of the places, but the second beat changed to a fetch, making any place changes very tricky. Jon stayed ahead of the pack to finish second, followed by Ian Baillie and Richard Bryant.
By race 3, we had a minor onboard rebellion, as I was fed up with trailing at the back of the fleet. I took over as navigator, sail trimmer, flight controller and jellyfish liaison officer. We muddled our way up the first beat, rounding mid-fleet. The reach was fun and I really got into my element. By the run, I’d found some personal wind most humans would be embarrassed about. With Martin Latimer chomping at my wake, I overtook a number of boats, rounding the bottom mark behind Storky, Jon, Ian and Simon. Another good lap had me rounding the wing mark behind The Stork, where I was eyeing up his transom for my next assault. As it turned out Storky was OCS, giving me the win as I crossed the finish line. Close behind was Simon, followed by Jon and Ian.
There finished the racing for the day as the wind faded to nothing.
As it turned out, that was the end of the event, as Sunday was windless and racing was abandoned by midday. This meant we had no discards, which was tough on the OCS threesome of Storky, Scott Munro and our new junior sailor Finley Briggs (who’d put in a speedy 5th in the second race).
The points showed that Jon Bassett was our clear winner, Followed by Ian Baillie in second and Simon Limb in 3rd.
A great event enjoyed by all us boats and you Owners.
Thank you to the Club, the race teams, rescue boats and sponsors.
Zippy Zero 333
Hi there all! Here is the second part of my travelling adventures that I know you’ve all been waiting for. Just to recap, I’m Zippy the DZero reporting from the boat park back home at West Kirby Sailing Club after 11 days on tour of the North and Scotland. This part is about my adventures in Largs, where I had been entered in the Harken One Design Regatta.
I arrived in Largs a few days early, coming straight from the Northern Championships in Ullswater. The hospitality is always tops at Largs Sailing Club; home to probably the biggest D-Zero fleet in the country. I was invited to join in their club racing on Wednesday evening and a very pleasant night it turned out to be! Eight D-Zero’s raced in a mixed handicap fleet. A natty little start line set in front of the onshore race box and various hooters; lights; club buoys and a course which I just guessed at. It was like a teen disco – sweaty, heady, sometimes loud but all good fun.
The following Thursday morning was the big event prep day. It’s no small feat running this multi-class event, with some 60 boats entered overall. I must give a special mention to Julia Gibson, the Queen and High Priestess of Largs SC, who not only does 'officey' things in the clubhouse, but also comes out into the boat park to greet visitors like me and check that the security fencing is up to standard, keeping my fans and the press at bay. She also built me my own personal shower area opposite my berth and then scuttled off to organise food, coffee and The Men. I’m considering moving her onto my permanent staff list.
The other helpers that morning were numerous and included Dzeroists Billy and Janet Mc Carlie, Jon Bassett, Stu Moss and my Owner Liz Potter. They had a busy morning kitting out 8 ribs, a committee boat and the finish vessel with chains, warps, anchors, flags, recording stuff and repairing and inflating the massive buoys that we find it so hard not to hit.
By Friday, it was my turn for a warmup sail. The wind was very light and patchy and Owner announced in a “by the way” sort of way, that we were going to sail around the Isle of Cumbrae. She’d clearly been reading too much of Ken Fowler’s adventures in his RS Aero “Yoda”, who is just completing the circumnavigation of all 262 islands in England and Wales, raising £64,252 for cancer charities. If you can, please visit his website www.yodare.co.uk and donate to this incredible cause and journey. It’s been an epic in every way.
Back to my Owner and Cumbrae – there were a few notable differences between Ken’s mission and ours;
- It was Me, a highly tuned racing athlete involved in this foolhardy venture.
- There was no onshore support.
- No intensive planning, other than a 500ml bottle of water and a mobile phone, probably with a low battery and poor signal.
- Nobody knew about it.
By 4pm, the wind had returned, so we set off for another little sail and rounded Cumbrae in 1 hour and 50 minutes. She then tootled off all triumphant to the clubhouse to quaff wine with the arriving visitor DZero sailors, only remembering to put my cover on inside-out as darkness fell. On my to do list is; Call Boatline, the RNLI, the coastguard and Julia.
Saturday heralded the start of the Largs Harken One Design Regatta. After an hour of windless postponement, 14 D-Zeros went to sea in a light breeze.
The wind was doing peculiar things and made some unexpected shifts. Willie Todd, Alistair (Storky) McLaughlin, Martin Latimer, and yours truly all went left, which was wrong if you wanted to get to the windward mark first. Willie somehow went far, far wronger than everyone else, which made it right and he got to the front of the pack. Storky had super-speed and used it to catch up and sail to the original windward mark on the second beat, which was also wrong, because there were actually two windward marks to keep up us out of Skiff traffic. As he approached the correct windward mark, he caught Simon Limb’s port tack D-Zero getting over friendly with Willie’s Starboard tack boat and suggested that someone do some turns so that he could pass by. Please. Meanwhile, Jon Bassett stayed out of trouble, sailed to the correct marks on each lap and won the race.
Race 2 saw a huge windshift that we were, once again, on the wrong side of. Storky took the lead and extended it to the horizon for a clear win. A closely packed fleet battled out the rest of the places, but the second beat changed to a fetch, making any place changes very tricky. Jon stayed ahead of the pack to finish second, followed by Ian Baillie and Richard Bryant.
By race 3, we had a minor onboard rebellion, as I was fed up with trailing at the back of the fleet. I took over as navigator, sail trimmer, flight controller and jellyfish liaison officer. We muddled our way up the first beat, rounding mid-fleet. The reach was fun and I really got into my element. By the run, I’d found some personal wind most humans would be embarrassed about. With Martin Latimer chomping at my wake, I overtook a number of boats, rounding the bottom mark behind Storky, Jon, Ian and Simon. Another good lap had me rounding the wing mark behind The Stork, where I was eyeing up his transom for my next assault. As it turned out Storky was OCS, giving me the win as I crossed the finish line. Close behind was Simon, followed by Jon and Ian.
There finished the racing for the day as the wind faded to nothing.
As it turned out, that was the end of the event, as Sunday was windless and racing was abandoned by midday. This meant we had no discards, which was tough on the OCS threesome of Storky, Scott Munro and our new junior sailor Finley Briggs (who’d put in a speedy 5th in the second race).
The points showed that Jon Bassett was our clear winner, Followed by Ian Baillie in second and Simon Limb in 3rd.
A great event enjoyed by all us boats and you Owners.
Thank you to the Club, the race teams, rescue boats and sponsors.
Zippy Zero 333
May 2023 - Emsworth Slipper D-Zero Open - Results & Report
17 D-Zero's including 6 travellers descended upon sunny Emsworth with promises of a good F3, enticed by free entry fees, and quality racing from the locals...
A spicy 17 knot dead-run out to the race circuit challenged a few including Gordon whose halyard wasn't quite as high as it should have been, causing a quick detour to the visitors pontoon, and a couple of sailors to decide that the breeze was filling and maybe time to head for an early shower.
Race 1 underway, having let the general handicap series get away first in their race, with Tim, Andy and David pushing the pin end, Tim Weeden pinched up, Andy McIvor slowed and David Valentine managed to just pass them both, only to touch the putty 50 metres up, tack and then to be called starboard by Tom (aka Poster Boy), retack and Davids race went backwards quickly. Adam Cockerill, newbie D-Zero'ist, took a flyer on the start unbothered by others and led to the first mark. Close racing round mark 1, reaching across the harbour to 2, and a long downwind mixed things up, with some places changing, and David caught up a few nearly mounting a couple as they rounded mark 3 with a short reach to 4. Another local Ben Davis enjoying the conditions was putting in a good shift and staying in the mix. David had chased hard and taken some places only to try tacking quickly after the last mark, and went into irons dropping back a few places. However after a couple of laps, Adam took the bullet, James Jenkins 2nd, Tom 3rd and Gavin Fleming 4th.
Race 2 with the breeze strengthening, Adam and David got great starts, another local Max Jones and Gavin pushing hard to the 1st mark, Adam, then Max, Gavin and David, scorching across to the 2nd with Tom in reaching distance and Ian Patrick in the top 6 pulling away from the pack. 3 laps this time of the trapezoid, with David finding some downwind extra energy and pulling past Gavin fighting hard though David had the inside line at the 3rd, just behind Max. Max rounded 4th, tacked hard and hit some irons, with David managing to squeeze past followed closely by Gavin. Breezy upwind, Gavin got ahead of David, trying to close the gap on Adam, rounded Mark 1 hitting a wave and the boat stopping dead and hitting some irons, David reached past, as Gavin sorted himself though couldn't find quite enough on the downwind to overtake. Tom had some challenges after some bad habits picked up in the OK, and couldn't pull back enough. 1st Adam, 2nd David, 3rd Gavin, 4th Max, with Tom following up for 5th.
Race 3, a tad more breeze, with some extra waves as the wind swung more Easterly. Adam was being pushed by Gavin from the start, with David, Tom, Ian and Tim chasing hard. The tide was starting to change tactics as it started to ebb, and some interesting shifts up the long'ish beat where some legs looked to pay off better than others. Close rounding, deeper reaching across to 2, bunched a few up, and then a reach/run down to the 3rd. After 3 laps, Gavin was right on Adam's heels with Gavin tacking up to the finish just before Adam, forcing a quick tack and a drag race. Adam just took the bullet with less than a couple of seconds between Gavin. Tom and David were fighting it out, on the run, zigging and zagging to try and get some surfing going, though Tom took it from David, with Ian Patrick, a normal pond sailor relishing in the conditions beating James to 5th and 6th.
As the general handicap boats sailed off home, just the one start for the D-Zero's, and Adam had another great start though pushed hard by several - Tom, David, Gavin followed by Gordon who was back in the hunt, now the wind strength had subsided a bit. Tom and David fought down the first downhill again, with Gavin not far behind, though the first 3 were off and not wanting to be caught with only 2 laps. Fortunately the wind blew a bit on our reach and enabled us to build enough gap, and ended after some tough racing all round - Adam, Tom, David, Gavin and Gordon. Overall places were tied on a few places and after consulting the countback rules by our protest committee the results were as follows. Thanks very much to the RO team, it was the RO' Sean Curtis first event time as an RO, and photographer - @MichaelAustenPhoto, and to all the travellers coming down to challenge the locals. Maybe 2 days next year ? and bearing in mind another 17 were racing up at Largs, a good turnout from the D-Zero Class.
Results
Place Sail Number Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 Discard Total
1 199 Adam Cockerill ESSC 1 1 1 1 1 3
2 328 Tom Southwell Lee on Solent SC 3 5 3 2 5 8
3 66 David Valentine ESSC 9 2 4 3 9 9
4 183 Gavin Fleming Hunts SC 4 3 2 4 4 9
5 151 James Jenkins ESC 2 7 6 18 18 15
6 234 Max Jones ESC 5 4 9 8 9 17
7 335 Ian Patrick Bough Beech SC 14 6 5 9 14 20
8 319 Ben Davis TISC 6 13 8 6 13 20
9 312 Tim Weeden ESSC 7 8 7 7 8 21
10 358 Gordon Stewart NHEBSC 11 10 10 5 11 25
11 260 Gareth Davies ESSC 8 12 13 10 13 30
12 360 Andy McIvor Blackwater SC 10 9 11 15 15 30
13 268 Simon Robinson ESSC 12 11 14 11 14 34
14 114 Derrick Johnson ESSC 13 14 12 12 14 37
15 311 Simon Boylin ESSC 15 18 18 18 18 51
16 133 Jez Adams ESSC 18 18 18 18 18 54
17 186 Bob Jarvis ESC 18 18 18 18 18 54
17 D-Zero's including 6 travellers descended upon sunny Emsworth with promises of a good F3, enticed by free entry fees, and quality racing from the locals...
A spicy 17 knot dead-run out to the race circuit challenged a few including Gordon whose halyard wasn't quite as high as it should have been, causing a quick detour to the visitors pontoon, and a couple of sailors to decide that the breeze was filling and maybe time to head for an early shower.
Race 1 underway, having let the general handicap series get away first in their race, with Tim, Andy and David pushing the pin end, Tim Weeden pinched up, Andy McIvor slowed and David Valentine managed to just pass them both, only to touch the putty 50 metres up, tack and then to be called starboard by Tom (aka Poster Boy), retack and Davids race went backwards quickly. Adam Cockerill, newbie D-Zero'ist, took a flyer on the start unbothered by others and led to the first mark. Close racing round mark 1, reaching across the harbour to 2, and a long downwind mixed things up, with some places changing, and David caught up a few nearly mounting a couple as they rounded mark 3 with a short reach to 4. Another local Ben Davis enjoying the conditions was putting in a good shift and staying in the mix. David had chased hard and taken some places only to try tacking quickly after the last mark, and went into irons dropping back a few places. However after a couple of laps, Adam took the bullet, James Jenkins 2nd, Tom 3rd and Gavin Fleming 4th.
Race 2 with the breeze strengthening, Adam and David got great starts, another local Max Jones and Gavin pushing hard to the 1st mark, Adam, then Max, Gavin and David, scorching across to the 2nd with Tom in reaching distance and Ian Patrick in the top 6 pulling away from the pack. 3 laps this time of the trapezoid, with David finding some downwind extra energy and pulling past Gavin fighting hard though David had the inside line at the 3rd, just behind Max. Max rounded 4th, tacked hard and hit some irons, with David managing to squeeze past followed closely by Gavin. Breezy upwind, Gavin got ahead of David, trying to close the gap on Adam, rounded Mark 1 hitting a wave and the boat stopping dead and hitting some irons, David reached past, as Gavin sorted himself though couldn't find quite enough on the downwind to overtake. Tom had some challenges after some bad habits picked up in the OK, and couldn't pull back enough. 1st Adam, 2nd David, 3rd Gavin, 4th Max, with Tom following up for 5th.
Race 3, a tad more breeze, with some extra waves as the wind swung more Easterly. Adam was being pushed by Gavin from the start, with David, Tom, Ian and Tim chasing hard. The tide was starting to change tactics as it started to ebb, and some interesting shifts up the long'ish beat where some legs looked to pay off better than others. Close rounding, deeper reaching across to 2, bunched a few up, and then a reach/run down to the 3rd. After 3 laps, Gavin was right on Adam's heels with Gavin tacking up to the finish just before Adam, forcing a quick tack and a drag race. Adam just took the bullet with less than a couple of seconds between Gavin. Tom and David were fighting it out, on the run, zigging and zagging to try and get some surfing going, though Tom took it from David, with Ian Patrick, a normal pond sailor relishing in the conditions beating James to 5th and 6th.
As the general handicap boats sailed off home, just the one start for the D-Zero's, and Adam had another great start though pushed hard by several - Tom, David, Gavin followed by Gordon who was back in the hunt, now the wind strength had subsided a bit. Tom and David fought down the first downhill again, with Gavin not far behind, though the first 3 were off and not wanting to be caught with only 2 laps. Fortunately the wind blew a bit on our reach and enabled us to build enough gap, and ended after some tough racing all round - Adam, Tom, David, Gavin and Gordon. Overall places were tied on a few places and after consulting the countback rules by our protest committee the results were as follows. Thanks very much to the RO team, it was the RO' Sean Curtis first event time as an RO, and photographer - @MichaelAustenPhoto, and to all the travellers coming down to challenge the locals. Maybe 2 days next year ? and bearing in mind another 17 were racing up at Largs, a good turnout from the D-Zero Class.
Results
Place Sail Number Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 Discard Total
1 199 Adam Cockerill ESSC 1 1 1 1 1 3
2 328 Tom Southwell Lee on Solent SC 3 5 3 2 5 8
3 66 David Valentine ESSC 9 2 4 3 9 9
4 183 Gavin Fleming Hunts SC 4 3 2 4 4 9
5 151 James Jenkins ESC 2 7 6 18 18 15
6 234 Max Jones ESC 5 4 9 8 9 17
7 335 Ian Patrick Bough Beech SC 14 6 5 9 14 20
8 319 Ben Davis TISC 6 13 8 6 13 20
9 312 Tim Weeden ESSC 7 8 7 7 8 21
10 358 Gordon Stewart NHEBSC 11 10 10 5 11 25
11 260 Gareth Davies ESSC 8 12 13 10 13 30
12 360 Andy McIvor Blackwater SC 10 9 11 15 15 30
13 268 Simon Robinson ESSC 12 11 14 11 14 34
14 114 Derrick Johnson ESSC 13 14 12 12 14 37
15 311 Simon Boylin ESSC 15 18 18 18 18 51
16 133 Jez Adams ESSC 18 18 18 18 18 54
17 186 Bob Jarvis ESC 18 18 18 18 18 54
May 2023 - Ullswater Northern Championships Results & Report
Hello all, from Zippy the D-Zero, on tour for a double whammy of travellers events in the North. First up was Ullswater last weekend for the D-Zero Northerns. As a new venue on the D-Zero circuit, I was very excited to be packed up. There were promises of Great Lakes, spectacular scenery and many, many sheep.
There were further promises from Owner, to drive carefully and keep my wheels off the pavements and grass verges. In return, I promised not to capsize or challenge her poor sense of direction on the race course.
Twenty minutes into the journey, there I was, leaping over gutters onto the Liverpool pedestrians. A dry sail was not looking hopeful. Once at the venue, my frown melted away. Six other D-Zeros had arrived, coming from as far as Bedford (Gordon Stewart) and Aberdeen (Scott Munro); our sailing clubs spanning over 460 miles apart.
The first day had zephyringly light winds and, because my name also starts with Z, I claimed the day's racing as my own. All thoughts of dropping Owner in the drink were put aside for a carefree afternoon of capering on the quadrilateral course. The result was two convincing wins for me, with Owner as compulsory baggage. That left Gordon and Ian Baillie to take two seconds and two thirds respectively.
Futher down the fleet, Chris Everitt had to return to the shore before the first race, after rigging his new traveller with blocks upside down. These small mistakes are easily achieved by most Owners of all experience and ability. Mine is certainly no exception and has been known to set off in a partially rigged boat.
Perhaps I need to mention here the blonde moment she had in the campsite later, when placing her wetsuit boots on top of the front wheel of the camper van to dry. And then forgetting about them and driving off over them the next morning. I can only raise my eyebrows.
After the two light wind races, the RO Rick Boyce called a stop on the fickle wind sailing and postponed race 3 until Sunday.
The following morning, the wind had increased to 10-15 knots. A change of RO had been made and Harriot Pullman set up for the day's racing.
In Race 3, Ian made a clean break from the fleet after a clean and speedy start from the pin end on port tack. He went on to win from Scott, who had a close race with Gordon, who finished 3rd.
Mick Green's boat was busy performing 360s in response to its Owner's mark hitting rampage throughout the race. I caught a glimpse of the poor boat's raised eyebrows as I slipped past into 4th.
The wind continued to blow, so after the race whilst we were waiting for the fleets to finish, I took Owner to a quiet windless spot in the lee of some trees, where we could exchange pleasantries with some sheep I hadn't met yet. Gordon and Mick's boats came to join the party and it all got a bit close up, rafty and personal.
Mick's boat escaped at the 6 minute gun for race 4 and I broke free to hunt for wind at the last minute, sailing as fast as I could to the start line and crossing it as the gun went. Gordon's boat continued chatting away with the sheep, bobbling in a vacuum, which meant Gordon missed the start by several minutes.
Back up the fleet, disaster struck for John Pickett, as his kicker broke, resulting in a turtled capsize and injury to his hamstring. Fortunately the rescue crew were at hand to help out and all ended well. At the front end of the fleet, it was Scott who took the win from Ian, with me in third place.
The fleet came in for lunch and a warm up, returning for the last two races. Ian and Scott share out the firsts and seconds, with Gordon re-finding his form again with two thirds.
By now, two discards had been applied, leaving Ian and Scott on equal points. The deciding split was made on discards, giving Ian Baillie the Northern Championship Title and Scott Munro the runner up. Liz Potter was third, though it was all my hard work of course.
Thank you to Ullswater Yacht Club for being great hosts, particularly to the race teams for both days; Rick Boyce, Harriot Pullman, Kate Sargeant, Sam Smith and Chris Mulholland, plus the rescue teams, caterers and bar staff. We hope to come back next year!
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts
1st 336 Ian Baillie ‑3 ‑3 1 2 2 1 6
2nd 353 Scott Munro ‑5 ‑5 2 1 1 2 6
3rd 333 Liz Potter 1 1 ‑4 3 ‑4 4 9
4th 358 Gordon Stewart 2 2 ‑3 ‑5 3 3 10
5th 344 Mick Green 4 4 ‑5 4 ‑5 5 17
6th 203 Chris Everitt (DNC) ‑6 6 6 6 6 24
7th 314 John Pickett 6 7 (DNC) (DNC) DNC DNC 29
Please also see Yachts & Yachting Report
Hello all, from Zippy the D-Zero, on tour for a double whammy of travellers events in the North. First up was Ullswater last weekend for the D-Zero Northerns. As a new venue on the D-Zero circuit, I was very excited to be packed up. There were promises of Great Lakes, spectacular scenery and many, many sheep.
There were further promises from Owner, to drive carefully and keep my wheels off the pavements and grass verges. In return, I promised not to capsize or challenge her poor sense of direction on the race course.
Twenty minutes into the journey, there I was, leaping over gutters onto the Liverpool pedestrians. A dry sail was not looking hopeful. Once at the venue, my frown melted away. Six other D-Zeros had arrived, coming from as far as Bedford (Gordon Stewart) and Aberdeen (Scott Munro); our sailing clubs spanning over 460 miles apart.
The first day had zephyringly light winds and, because my name also starts with Z, I claimed the day's racing as my own. All thoughts of dropping Owner in the drink were put aside for a carefree afternoon of capering on the quadrilateral course. The result was two convincing wins for me, with Owner as compulsory baggage. That left Gordon and Ian Baillie to take two seconds and two thirds respectively.
Futher down the fleet, Chris Everitt had to return to the shore before the first race, after rigging his new traveller with blocks upside down. These small mistakes are easily achieved by most Owners of all experience and ability. Mine is certainly no exception and has been known to set off in a partially rigged boat.
Perhaps I need to mention here the blonde moment she had in the campsite later, when placing her wetsuit boots on top of the front wheel of the camper van to dry. And then forgetting about them and driving off over them the next morning. I can only raise my eyebrows.
After the two light wind races, the RO Rick Boyce called a stop on the fickle wind sailing and postponed race 3 until Sunday.
The following morning, the wind had increased to 10-15 knots. A change of RO had been made and Harriot Pullman set up for the day's racing.
In Race 3, Ian made a clean break from the fleet after a clean and speedy start from the pin end on port tack. He went on to win from Scott, who had a close race with Gordon, who finished 3rd.
Mick Green's boat was busy performing 360s in response to its Owner's mark hitting rampage throughout the race. I caught a glimpse of the poor boat's raised eyebrows as I slipped past into 4th.
The wind continued to blow, so after the race whilst we were waiting for the fleets to finish, I took Owner to a quiet windless spot in the lee of some trees, where we could exchange pleasantries with some sheep I hadn't met yet. Gordon and Mick's boats came to join the party and it all got a bit close up, rafty and personal.
Mick's boat escaped at the 6 minute gun for race 4 and I broke free to hunt for wind at the last minute, sailing as fast as I could to the start line and crossing it as the gun went. Gordon's boat continued chatting away with the sheep, bobbling in a vacuum, which meant Gordon missed the start by several minutes.
Back up the fleet, disaster struck for John Pickett, as his kicker broke, resulting in a turtled capsize and injury to his hamstring. Fortunately the rescue crew were at hand to help out and all ended well. At the front end of the fleet, it was Scott who took the win from Ian, with me in third place.
The fleet came in for lunch and a warm up, returning for the last two races. Ian and Scott share out the firsts and seconds, with Gordon re-finding his form again with two thirds.
By now, two discards had been applied, leaving Ian and Scott on equal points. The deciding split was made on discards, giving Ian Baillie the Northern Championship Title and Scott Munro the runner up. Liz Potter was third, though it was all my hard work of course.
Thank you to Ullswater Yacht Club for being great hosts, particularly to the race teams for both days; Rick Boyce, Harriot Pullman, Kate Sargeant, Sam Smith and Chris Mulholland, plus the rescue teams, caterers and bar staff. We hope to come back next year!
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts
1st 336 Ian Baillie ‑3 ‑3 1 2 2 1 6
2nd 353 Scott Munro ‑5 ‑5 2 1 1 2 6
3rd 333 Liz Potter 1 1 ‑4 3 ‑4 4 9
4th 358 Gordon Stewart 2 2 ‑3 ‑5 3 3 10
5th 344 Mick Green 4 4 ‑5 4 ‑5 5 17
6th 203 Chris Everitt (DNC) ‑6 6 6 6 6 24
7th 314 John Pickett 6 7 (DNC) (DNC) DNC DNC 29
Please also see Yachts & Yachting Report
April 2023 - Bough Beech Open Meeting Results & Report
Also viewable in Yachts & Yachting - D-Zero Open at Bough Beech Sailing Club (yachtsandyachting.com)
More photos also on Photos & Videos
Saturday 22nd April 2023 - The first D-Zero open of 2023 started with 7 sailors arriving from around the country to join Ian Patrick at his home club, though were met with almost no wind. Locals predicted the wind would come late morning so the first race would be postponed. No issue for the D-Zero’ists who checked over others boats, and then had a leisurely lunch and change, in readiness for 3 back to back races.
The RO got us under way at about 1330. Aston, Cowper and McIvor leading away
Photo 1 – R1 start 5 secs
A reasonable length beat in a light non-hiking breeze took us south towards the reservoir wall, and Andy McIvor in his new D-Zero was leading the pack with Valentine chasing hard, until the last 100m and then a huge windshift meant us tacking three times for the mark, whilst some of the others who’d gone left sailed over the top. Local Patrick then led the race having gone hard right from the start, with John Aston chasing hard all the way round. Gordon had split McIvor and Valentine, though with Jefferies behind followed by Tim H in his blue rig. The procession albeit close together stayed almost the same though Aston touched a wing mark, did a turn, though managed to catch Patrick up again on the run and were seperated by inches at the finish. 1st Patrick, 2nd Aston, 3rd McIvor
Photo 2 – R1 mid way
Race 2 got underway, with more breeze filling in nicely, meaning hiking was on and Valentine was hopeful though stuck at 30 seconds in a wind deadspot away from the line. At 5 seconds, Valentine charged to the line, though the door was shut by McIvor and a rapid reversal from Valentine avoided a bow shaped hole in the Committee boat. Cowper made a clean start down the pin end.
Photo 3 – R2 start
Crossing late, Valentine tacked hard right and drove hard to the windward mark leading Aston round and had pulled away from the rest of the fleet. Valentine held on for a while, though Aston rolled over ther top on the run having the benefit of at least 30kg difference taking effect. Not to be putoff, Valentine kept chasing hard until he was forced into a crash tack by a naughty Finn who was apparently racing but kept missing marks and letting go of his tiller when tacking.
Humphries was doing well in his blue rig, having overtaken Stewart and McIvor on the windier beat, only to lose the drag race on the reach and runs. Aston pulled away though Valentine kept it flat upwind and chased hard to take 2nd after 3 laps. Jefferies was catching having taken a wider route on the run though a nice reach into Mark 4 and overtaking a couple of others. 1st Aston, 2nd Valentine, 3rd Jefferies
Photos 4 & 5 – R2 DV1 & R2 Tim H Gordon
Race 3 and wind was up and down depending on the level of cloud or sun that rolled through, however no rain despite forecast yet. Fleet split again some hard left, some hard right. Valentine and Aston were seperated though neither paying off over the other, with Aston rounding first, closely followed by Valentine coming in from the right. It was a battle round most of the course with Valentine at times sitting on Aston’s transom after the beat only for Aston to pull away on the reach and runs. Valentine thought he’d done enough though the RO despite time pushing on went for another lap and the wind was dropping. Going up the centre seemed to work well till the last 50m and then a header knocked the benefit out of Valentines sails. Patrick, Stewart, Jefferies and Cowper then all caught just by the 2nd mark and Patrick and Stewart rolled over the top of Valentine, whilst Jefferies and Humphries going right with the hope of reaching past the 3rd mark. That blue sail was working well for Humphries even in the lighter downwind stuff – had he done enough to challenge the fleet.
Photo 6 – Race 3 John A
Stewart and Valentine watched Jefferies closely as his apparent rocking back n forth was not ooching or pumping but the dodgy wind coming off our sails – yeah, we’ll believe you. It was very very close round the final mark with a lot of D-Z’s in a very close space, however no pushing or shoving – well behaved lot ! A short stretch to the finish, who was going to take the 2nd place. Aston was away, and took the bullet. Jefferies and Patrick took the longer beat towards the Committee boat, Stewart followed, Valentine went for a quick tack round the mark and headed for the pin. A little header forced Valentine to tack though sailed across just ahead of Stewart to take 4th. Jefferies took 2nd just ahead of Patrick.
Results
Sail No. Helm R1 R2 R3 Total Nett
3 John Aston (2.0) 1.0 1.0 4.0 2.0
335 Ian Patrick 1.0 (7.0) 3.0 11.0 4.0
74 Paul Jefferies (7.0) 3.0 2.0 12.0 5.0
66 David Valentine (5.0) 2.0 4.0 11.0 6.0
360 Andy McIvor 3.0 5.0 (7.0) 15.0 8.0
358 Gordon Stewart 4.0 4.0 5.0 13.0 8.0
42 Jon Cowper 6.0 6.0 (8.0) 20.0 12.0
136 Tim Humphries (8.0) 8.0 6.0 22.0 14.0
Also viewable in Yachts & Yachting - D-Zero Open at Bough Beech Sailing Club (yachtsandyachting.com)
More photos also on Photos & Videos
Saturday 22nd April 2023 - The first D-Zero open of 2023 started with 7 sailors arriving from around the country to join Ian Patrick at his home club, though were met with almost no wind. Locals predicted the wind would come late morning so the first race would be postponed. No issue for the D-Zero’ists who checked over others boats, and then had a leisurely lunch and change, in readiness for 3 back to back races.
The RO got us under way at about 1330. Aston, Cowper and McIvor leading away
Photo 1 – R1 start 5 secs
A reasonable length beat in a light non-hiking breeze took us south towards the reservoir wall, and Andy McIvor in his new D-Zero was leading the pack with Valentine chasing hard, until the last 100m and then a huge windshift meant us tacking three times for the mark, whilst some of the others who’d gone left sailed over the top. Local Patrick then led the race having gone hard right from the start, with John Aston chasing hard all the way round. Gordon had split McIvor and Valentine, though with Jefferies behind followed by Tim H in his blue rig. The procession albeit close together stayed almost the same though Aston touched a wing mark, did a turn, though managed to catch Patrick up again on the run and were seperated by inches at the finish. 1st Patrick, 2nd Aston, 3rd McIvor
Photo 2 – R1 mid way
Race 2 got underway, with more breeze filling in nicely, meaning hiking was on and Valentine was hopeful though stuck at 30 seconds in a wind deadspot away from the line. At 5 seconds, Valentine charged to the line, though the door was shut by McIvor and a rapid reversal from Valentine avoided a bow shaped hole in the Committee boat. Cowper made a clean start down the pin end.
Photo 3 – R2 start
Crossing late, Valentine tacked hard right and drove hard to the windward mark leading Aston round and had pulled away from the rest of the fleet. Valentine held on for a while, though Aston rolled over ther top on the run having the benefit of at least 30kg difference taking effect. Not to be putoff, Valentine kept chasing hard until he was forced into a crash tack by a naughty Finn who was apparently racing but kept missing marks and letting go of his tiller when tacking.
Humphries was doing well in his blue rig, having overtaken Stewart and McIvor on the windier beat, only to lose the drag race on the reach and runs. Aston pulled away though Valentine kept it flat upwind and chased hard to take 2nd after 3 laps. Jefferies was catching having taken a wider route on the run though a nice reach into Mark 4 and overtaking a couple of others. 1st Aston, 2nd Valentine, 3rd Jefferies
Photos 4 & 5 – R2 DV1 & R2 Tim H Gordon
Race 3 and wind was up and down depending on the level of cloud or sun that rolled through, however no rain despite forecast yet. Fleet split again some hard left, some hard right. Valentine and Aston were seperated though neither paying off over the other, with Aston rounding first, closely followed by Valentine coming in from the right. It was a battle round most of the course with Valentine at times sitting on Aston’s transom after the beat only for Aston to pull away on the reach and runs. Valentine thought he’d done enough though the RO despite time pushing on went for another lap and the wind was dropping. Going up the centre seemed to work well till the last 50m and then a header knocked the benefit out of Valentines sails. Patrick, Stewart, Jefferies and Cowper then all caught just by the 2nd mark and Patrick and Stewart rolled over the top of Valentine, whilst Jefferies and Humphries going right with the hope of reaching past the 3rd mark. That blue sail was working well for Humphries even in the lighter downwind stuff – had he done enough to challenge the fleet.
Photo 6 – Race 3 John A
Stewart and Valentine watched Jefferies closely as his apparent rocking back n forth was not ooching or pumping but the dodgy wind coming off our sails – yeah, we’ll believe you. It was very very close round the final mark with a lot of D-Z’s in a very close space, however no pushing or shoving – well behaved lot ! A short stretch to the finish, who was going to take the 2nd place. Aston was away, and took the bullet. Jefferies and Patrick took the longer beat towards the Committee boat, Stewart followed, Valentine went for a quick tack round the mark and headed for the pin. A little header forced Valentine to tack though sailed across just ahead of Stewart to take 4th. Jefferies took 2nd just ahead of Patrick.
Results
Sail No. Helm R1 R2 R3 Total Nett
3 John Aston (2.0) 1.0 1.0 4.0 2.0
335 Ian Patrick 1.0 (7.0) 3.0 11.0 4.0
74 Paul Jefferies (7.0) 3.0 2.0 12.0 5.0
66 David Valentine (5.0) 2.0 4.0 11.0 6.0
360 Andy McIvor 3.0 5.0 (7.0) 15.0 8.0
358 Gordon Stewart 4.0 4.0 5.0 13.0 8.0
42 Jon Cowper 6.0 6.0 (8.0) 20.0 12.0
136 Tim Humphries (8.0) 8.0 6.0 22.0 14.0
April 2023 - Pleased to advise that Sailing Chandlery are offering the D-Zero Class members a 10% discount on everything except boats and boat packages. Please view the checkout code in the Members Only section.
April 2023 - A new website to show off the D-Zero Class Assoc properly, and also being very very simple to update and keep on top of.
March 2023 - A new system, WebCollect, for collecting membership subscriptions and also for National entries etc. Everything is being updated to make it easier and simpler to manage the Class, as we all just want to go sailing the D-Zero
February 2023 - The RYA Dinghy Show, displaying the standard D-Zero and also the new Black reduced sail...
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Devoti Sailing - factory website and the maker of the D-Zero, aswell as the D-One, the Finn Fantastica & Classic, Devoti ILCA, KDK Devoti Optimist, and many more...
UK dealer dzero.co.uk website - you'll see David the owner racing his own D-Zero, along with his van load of spares, and if you ask nicely, he'll even let you have a demo in his own boat...
Class Sponsors - Noble Marine. One of the best insurers on the market, when you need to claim, they pay out 99.9% of the time, and the David @ dzero.co.uk says they are really easy to deal with. Plus you get 10% off their insurance as a D-Zero Class Member...
D-Zero Supporters:
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Photoboat Photography - the best photos available - Photoboat
Paul Hargreaves Photography - the best photos from the North
North Sails - Racing Sails - Mainsails, Jibs, Genoas, Spinnakers | North Sails
Harken - Harken at the front | Harken
Spinlock - quality buoyancy aids - PFDs | Spinlock
Photoboat Photography - the best photos available - Photoboat
Paul Hargreaves Photography - the best photos from the North