Budworth Sailing Club

Seven boats entered the Snipe Ladies and Junior event at Budworth Sailing Club.
Luckily the forecasted 1mph wind turned out to be 5mph with plenty of Sun. Two Junior Snipe teams, Tom Ditchburn crewed by Alex Sharp and Will Williams crewed by Tom Lancaster, were keen to fight it out between them. The start line was shared with another five ladies Snipe teams so the boys had to negotiate experienced and lesser experienced helms.
It soon became apparent that the boys had the upper hand and finished first and second alternatively in every race (five sailed in total). At times they were challenged by Deborah Love (crewed by Chris Campey). Deborah normally sails a Firefly but showed that she has mastered the Snipe and is able to sail at a very competitive level. The other ladies’ teams challenged each other and ensured that there was a good competition going for fourth and fifth place.
Two Snipes contained female helms with male crews. Although not being able to qualify the event proved an excellent learning experience for those and hopefully next year they will enter with a qualifying crew.

After race four the boys were level pegging with two wins each. The final race would determine the outcome. Until now Will Williams proved to be the better starter whilst Tom Ditchburn had the upper hand in open water benefiting from plenty of practise with Alex Sharp. The last race saw Will Williams leading Tom Ditchburn around the first mark. Tom managed to keep his head cool and Will didn’t cover him on the next beat. Tom rounded ahead of Will and on the reach Tom pulled a lead of about 4 boat lengths that Will couldn’t get back.

So Tom Ditchburn & Alex Sharp won the overall and Junior event with Will Williams & Tom Lancaster a worthy second. Deborah Love & Chris Campey came third overall and won the Ladies competition. Sarah Cotton crewed by John Love couldn’t qualify, thus second place went to Pauline Penny & Michelle Ditchburn.

One of the races saw 10 year old Charles Whitaker helming. He looked very comfortable and with a bit more practise he should be able to sail next year the whole event.

Thanks go to Snipers who were prepared to lend their priced possessions out to sometimes less, or more, experienced helms. Without this typical spirited Snipe behaviour the event might not be as successful. See you next year.

Eric Paalman
BSC Snipe fleet captain.

Budworth Sailing Club in Cheshire hosted the Snipe North West Championships on the 20th and 21st September attracting 28 entries from as far away as Shoreham S.C. Essex and Kent.

The weather over the weekend was hot and sunny with light fickle winds making for difficult and frustrating conditions for the competitors and race committee. Eight races were scheduled seven being started and completed.

In part due to the conditions but also as a result of the close racing there were five race winners with the husband and wife team of Phil and Emma Hackney winning three, their bid for overall success being hit by a disqualification in race six when over the start line under a surprise blag flag being used by the race committee following a number of recalls in the previous race.

It was however the consistency of Mark Antonelli and Susan Robertson with one race win and no finishes outside the top five who triumphed to win this event for the second time in three years.

*Top five results:*

1st Mark Antonelli crewed by Susan Robertson
2nd Phil Hackney crewed by Emma Hackney
3rd Alan Williams crewed by Liz Crouch
4th Eric Paalman crewed by Lynn Paalman
5th Ian Gregory crewed by Cecil Munoz

Full Results Here:

There is an excellent set of pictures from the Snipe Regatta (held at the end of May) now available to view in the picture Gallery!
Some strong wind encouraged exciting sailing, even if a few people also landed in the water!
Here is a sample…

What started out as a bit of a joke in Budworth SC bar was taken as a challenge by Mark Antonelli who decided it would be a good idea to sail around Anglesey in a Snipe in a day.

After discussions with several potential crews Pauline Penny was chosen as the only one brave enough / mad enough / with suitable life insurance to join him.

A date in June was set and preparations begun.

With a route in excess of 70 miles and two patches of sea, the swellies and the menai straights, which would test the most experienced helm in a big boat with gps and life raft, many thought that in a 14 foot dingy with no gps or onboard toilet they were mad.

Those that know them know they are!

Preparations included detailed analysis of wind, waves, tides and Google maps with the assistance of fellow Snipers and experienced helms: Roger Barns, Philip Barnes and Neil Martin. As motivation, or possibly in advance of needing them, sponsorship for the RNLI was raised in excess of £1500 and modern technology in the form of VHS radios borrowed - although as Mark is keen to remind electronic aids are not allowed by Snipe international racing rules and the radio therefore refused to work.

With a favourable weather forecast of sunshine, moderate force 4 -5 winds, and a drysuit borrowed from Ben Ditchburn for Pauline (better safe than sorry) they set out from home early on 4^th June. Their plans were nearly stopped by roadworks on the A55 but luckily (or unluckily if they were having second thoughts) they made their launch of 10am at Menai Bridge.

Having checked in with the Coast Guard they were off on their clockwise navigation of the island starting with a tricky bit through the swellies between the Menai and Brittania Bridges.

All went well although the gusty force 5 - 6 wind quickly tired both Helm and Crew.

Once around Abermenai Point things calmed down and Helm and Crew has chance to relax and do a bit of sunbathing before reaching South Stack at around 3pm.

Here it so very nearly all went wrong…..

Here the water was “funky” (Mark’s words not mine!) so he decided to try a “safe gybe” using techniques learnt sailing big boat - maybe wishing he was on one not in a small dinghy…. To cut a long story short Pauline ended up under the boat in the air pocket blissfully unaware that for quarter of an hour the tide was taking them back the way they had just come.

Mark finally gave up righting the boat on his own (he apparently doesn’t get much practice at recovering capsizes…) and asked for Pauline’s help (who won’t mind me saying does!) and the boat was finally up. A little while longer was required to untangle sheets and talk each other into trying again and this time they made it through - though this time Mark didn’t look quite as cool having lost his sunglasses in the process!

Now once again able to settle down Helm and Crew were able to enjoy afternoon tea (no jokes about Snipes and picnic baskets…) as they cruised across Holyhead Bay.
Avoiding the Irish Ferries Cat, they rounded Carmel Head at 5pm, and although the wind at times threatened to die, “him up there” had obviously decided they deserved a little help as they’d made it this far and kept on blowing as well as providing a big tidal boost close to Puffin Island.

The last leg along the straights sapped the last ounces of energy and will power as the wind dropped, glow sticks were attached to port and starboard sides of the boat (Pauline was obviously still up for partying), and numerous tacks were required to keep in the channel.

Finally at 10.20pm they drifted to the finish slipway to enjoy champagne, to phone the Coastguard to confirm he could keep his sponsorship money, and to Budworth SC bar where a group of supporters were awaiting news (or were disturbed from their evening’s drinking depending upon your point of view….).

I’m sure we’d all like to congratulate Mark and Pauline on their Epic Journey, and all sponsorship money is now due.

If you are considering “doing this at home” then a more detailed report is available from Mark or Pauline.

(Report By Emma)

Read more here…