Budworth Sailing Club

BUDWORTH SNIPE OPEN

Budworth SC held it’s Snipe Open Meeting over the weekend of the 18/19^th September. The fleet of 22 included visiting boats from Blue Circle, Shoreham & Blackwater SC’s who bravely ventured north of Watford to experience the joys of northern pond sailing.

Three races were sailed on Saturday, the first two in a reasonable force 2 -3 breeze and the third in what eventually became a drift. Wins were shared between Phil & Emma Hackney, Steve & Alison Hubbard and Mark Antonelli crewed by Anita McSorley. Other notable performances included James Prestwich, 2^nd in race 1 and Ian Knight & Debbie Marshall who led for much of race 2 eventually finishing 2^nd despite having forgotten to write the course down!

The overnight lead was held by the Phil/Emma on 6 points with the Steve/Alison & Mark/Anita level on 10 points. The fleet enjoyed an excellent meal in the clubhouse on Saturday night prepared by Fleet Captain Pauline Penny, Michelle Ditchburn & Alison Hubbard followed by various team games including the building of replica Snipes.

A delayed start on Sunday morning allowed time for the wind to fill in and heads to clear! In Race 4 Steve & Alison established a significant early lead which they held to the finish despite Mark & Anita closing the gap to a boat length by the finish. In Race 5 it was Mark & Anita’s turn to establish and protect an early lead. The chasing pack included Roger Gardiner, Geoff Edwards & Rob Ditchburn with Geoff and Rob eventually taking 2^nd & 3^rd respectively.

With one race left to sail, the Phil/Emma, Steve/Alison and Mark/Anita all had a chance to win the event. After a general recall the fleet started at the second attempt and it was the Steve & Alison who led at the windward mark and proceeded to build a lead downwind. For two laps, things were looking good for a Hubbard victory, but eventually the pressure from the closing pack forced a couple of poor decisions on the downwind leg which allowed Mark & Anita through into the lead which they held to take the race and the event.

In his victory speech, Mark Antonelli paid tribute to the excellent race management team led by Steve Hayward and the hard work of many others which contributed to an enjoyable weekend for all who took part.

Overall Results:

Mark Antonelli & Anita McSorley BSC

Phil Hackney & Emma Hackney BSC

Steve Hubbard & Alison Hubbard BSC

Eric Paalman & Chris Newson BSC

Ian Knight & Debbie Marshall Shoreham SC

 

 

Written by Steve Hubbard

 

 

Event BSC OPEN 2010

Date 18 - 19 September 

Registered boats 21

Position Points

Sail No. Helm Crew Club Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Race 5 Race 6 Race 7 Race 8 Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Race 5 Race 6 Race 7 Race 8 Total Discard Total Points Position

30226 Mark Antonelli Anita McSorley BSC 4 5 1 2 1 1 4 5 1 2 1 1 0 0 14 5 9 1

30617 Phil Hackney Emma Hackney BSC 1 3 2 3 OCS 4 1 3 2 3 22 4 0 0 35 22 13 2

26671 Steve Hubbard Alison Hubbard BSC 3 1 6 1 4 7 3 1 6 1 4 7 0 0 22 7 15 3

30834 Eric Paalman Chris Newson BSC 5 6 14 4 6 3 5 6 14 4 6 3 0 0 38 14 24 4

29164 Ian Knight Debbie Marshall Shoreham SC 6 2 4 8 7 6 6 2 4 8 7 6 0 0 33 8 25 5

29677 Graham Hoy Hannah Parker Blackwater 8 4 3 9 5 11 8 4 3 9 5 11 0 0 40 11 29 6

26996 Geoff Edwards Becky Partridge BSC 9 9 10 16 2 2 9 9 10 16 2 2 0 0 48 16 32 7

80226 Roland Antonelli Sarah Cotton BSC 11 7 8 6 12 9 11 7 8 6 12 9 0 0 53 12 41 8

30441 David Whitaker Jane Whittaker BSC 7 DNF 7 10 14 8 7 20 7 10 14 8 0 0 66 20 46 9

29411 Rob Ditchburn Michelle Ddditchburn BSC 15 13 5 17 3 17 15 13 5 17 3 17 0 0 70 17 53 10

30227 James Prestwich Lucy Bolton BSC 2 10 16 11 17 DNF 2 10 16 11 17 21 0 0 77 21 56 11

26734 Nigel Harrison Andrew Fullard BSC 10 14 15 14 10 15 10 14 15 14 10 15 0 0 78 15 63 13

28034 Jim Corbridge John/Sam Corbridge BSC 16 12 12 7 16 16 16 12 12 7 16 16 0 0 79 16 63 12

20557 Richard Lambert Peter Tipler Blue Circle 12 15 18 5 19 14 12 15 18 5 19 14 0 0 83 19 64 14

20023 Mike Andrews Paul Andrews BSC 18 18 13 20 8 13 18 18 13 20 8 13 0 0 90 20 70 15

29163 Pauline Penny Susan Robertson BSC 13 16 9 15 18 18 13 16 9 15 18 18 0 0 89 18 71 16

28639 Roger Gardner Jordan Lydiate BSC 17 17 19 18 9 10 17 17 19 18 9 10 0 0 90 19 71 17

25225 Steve Sharp Nicola Sharp BSC DNC DNC DNC 13 13 5 23 21 21 13 13 5 0 0 96 23 73 19

29970 Stephen Johnstone Myles Johnstone BSC DNF 8 17 19 11 OCS 20 8 17 19 11 22 0 0 97 22 75 18

29538 Roger Barnes Catherine Kelham BSC 14 11 11 DNC DNC DNC 14 11 11 21 21 21 0 0 99 21 78 20

27098 Steve Kelham Catherine Kelham BSC DNC DNC DNC 12 15 12 23 21 21 12 15 12 0 0 104 23 81 21

Enter number of starters for each race 19 19 19 20 20 20 0

Enter number of finishers for each race 18 18 19 20 19 19 0

CODE:

DNF Finishers +1 20 20 20 21 21 21 1 1

RAF Number of starters 19 19 19 20 20 20 0 0

DSQ No of starters + 10% 20.90 20.90 20.90 22.00 22.00 22.00 0.00 0.00

OCS No of starters + 10% 20.90 20.90 20.90 22.00 22.00 22.00 0.00 0.00

DNC No of registered boats 23 21 21 21 21 21 21 21

 

Stone Sailing Club: Friday 20th – Sunday 22^nd August

Stone Sailing Club hosted our Nationals this year, as they did in 2010. There was a ring of familiarity about the venue. Wind a plenty for the first two days which abated considerably on the last. More materially, we saw the same level of commitment and expertise from the race and shore teams and about which a very successful and enjoyable event was built.

Fifteen boats contested the nationals, including two teams of mixed nationalities, representing seven different Clubs, plus an entry from the Orkneys. Unfortunately Alison and Guy Welch were unable to participate on the last day due to a pressing issue at home and were missed, both on the water and ashore.

The first day was a boisterous affair with winds registering in the upper Beaufort force 4. The wind however was running with the tide and the water was not unduly disturbed. With an eye on a deteriorating weather forecast for Sunday, the race team ran an extra race, making three in total. Snipe newcomers, Andy Davis and Tom Pygall, dominated the first day’s racing; winning all races with considerable ease. Overnight three teams were tied for second place - Alan Williams and Liz Pike, Ian Knight and Graham Hoy and Sue and Steve Roberts, with Ian Marshall and Ewan Harris in close pursuit. There were a few retirements, the most significant of which were suffered by the Anglo-Franco team of Maxim Romain and Pete Wolstenholme.

As forecast, the second day was more windy. The Race Officer ventured out into the estuary to test the conditions and reported that the sea conditions were more disturbed than the day before and the winds quite significantly stronger. Considering the forecast was for the winds to increase further, the Club recommended that sailing be abandoned for the day and an extra race sailed on the last day. The proposal was accepted and which prompted a series of non-sailing events. The younger - and the young at heart - commenced a sailing regatta ashore which included many rules of uncertain origin and interpretation but which required each race to be sailed in close proximity to the bar! A game of rounders was organised on the green with support from local residents. Helms against crews. The first game was won in convincing style by the crews. For the second, the distance between the bases was reduced and which resulted in the opposite result (which might support the view that crews have to be fitter than helms!). After rounders came football. The most visible element of which was the skins team. The result was a triumph for youth with Ashley Smith scoring a hatrick…albeit for the losing team! However, in the final analysis, there were four winners; Luis Martin (best all-rounder), Graham Hoy (barefoot toe-punt specialist) and Team Davis/Pygall (there is no limit to their sporting abilities).

After the sporting events, practically the whole of the fleet lent their support to the repairs being undertaken by Romain/Wolstenholme. The repairs were sufficient to encroach upon the AGM. The solution was obvious. The AGM was therefore held in the dinghy park and contributors often emphasised their views with a flourish of a screwdriver or hacksaw. Of many issues under debate, their was considerable support for Pete Tipler’s presentation in favour of the 2013 Nationals being held in the Orkneys; so plan your holiday the year after next around a jaunt to the Northern Isles.

The evening was a great success. There were stories aplenty, including Luis’ proposals to the attractive barmaid, a YouTube worthy disco dance-off competition between the on-shore sailing racers and more, all lubricated by Highland Park malt whisky donated by Malcolm Tipler.

The third day required an early start – which was not in best keeping with the events of the previous night. However, all made the first race, though a general recall helped for some. The actual start of the first race was marked by a strong tide pushing competitors over the line. It was business as usual for Team Davis/Pygall and who maintained their pace in the (relatively) lighter conditions. Other teams made their presence felt. Brian Gregory and Luis Martin found their true form with a 2nd and a 3rd, whilst Richard and Debbie Marshall demonstrated far too much pace for a relatively inexperienced pairing. Andy and Carol Gibson revealed their normal form with a 2nd in the last race. The race for second place was however resolved in favour of Williams/Pike and who were far and away the most consistent of the fleet after Davies/Pygall. Of the remainder, Team Roberts sneaked ahead of Teams Knight/Hoy and Marshall/Harris. The final results are set our below but fail to capture the good spirit of the event. Team Davies/Pygall were satisfied to take home the majority of the silverware, leaving the prizes, including those donated by DB Marine, to the rest. A new perpetual trophy, the Deadweight Award, was awarded this year in recognition of special skills which were not of positive value to performance. For 2011, three candidates had made a play but the award went to Cecile Gregory for repeated and in one case quite spectacular exits from her boat.

Despite demonstrating all the hallmarks of superhero status, it was comforting to hear that Andy Davis was suffering from sore limbs by the end of racing. However, it transpired this was a reaction to his long innings at the rounders game!

Andy Davis’ acceptance speech noted the warmth of the Snipe fleet and it summed up what is so special about the Snipe fleet.

The Queen Mary system is a means of scoring where helms can quickly get into the top set but then still have to work hard to get into the top 3 and stay there! Basically points are awarded for beating other boats that are ahead of you or are close behind in the overall league. How close behind is determined by the average turnout so far plus an arbitrary factor - the latter being decided at the start of the season or series.

In the late 80’s points were calculated and score sheets filled out by hand. Later a program was written, by David Alexander, to  automate this to some extent. It is now desired that the scores are placed on the Internet to make them more accessible to club members and to promote the QM system in general.

I took on this challenge and late in 2010 produced an Excel version of the QM system based on formulas only. However talking to various people it became clear that there were different interpretations of the ’system’. To this end I have put what I now know down in good old black and white for your perusal and to promote discussion or eventually come to a consensus.

I believe that Phil is also involved in developing a new system for all fleets. that would make the Excel version obsolete but the system described below, once ratified, would still apply!

regards,

Miles

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Average Turnout
============
The average number of boats per race can be calculated in one of several ways including:
- at the end of the previous days racing.
- after an individual race
- before an individual race
- on completion of today’s racing
=Boats Turned Out So Far / Total Races So Far.

Rounding can be applied here to give a whole number or can be applied later after calculating the Handicap.

Handicap Factor
=============
A low factor (under 1) favours lesser sailors but who sale frequently to build up points. A factor above 1 favours sailors who often win but who sail less often. BSC has, I believe, used a Handicap factor of 0.8 for a number of years. Although a HF of 1.0 was used in 1988 when Stan Hackney typed up his notes and examples.

Handicap
========
Handicap = Average Turnout x Handicap Factor

In practice how Average Turnout is calculated and when & where Rounding is applied does not affect scoring greatly. Someone has to win and as long as we all play by the same rules it matters little.

Scoring Points
============
A - Each boat starting the race is awarded 1 point for turning out.

B - Each boat disqualified loses its starting point (i.e. scores zero).

C - A boat retiring scores an additional 1 point off each disqualified boat that at the start of the race…….H.

D - A boat that finishes the race scores 1 point off every boat that it beats (including Retired and Disqualified) that at the start of the race has a total points score equal to or greater than (the boats score minus the Handicap).

E - DNS a helm/crew that Did Not Sign is effectively disqualified from the race. See club rules in the handbook.

F - There is no minimum number of boats to form a quorum. One boat finishing the course and not being disqualified will be awarded the one starting point only - there being no other boats to beat!

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“It blew hard on the first day, and the fleet got thrashed by Taxi. Blew harder on the second day so we played rounders, football and flew kites. On the third day it blew anything from Beaufort four to one and so we got thrashed by Taxi. His discard was the first race, which he won. “James Prestwich