Notice of Race: event 1
Venue: Bristol Corinthian YC, Axbridge
Date: 17 June 2006

Animals attack with a squad of 15
The Axbridge Animals played host to the first SWn T15 inter-club event for 2006, welcoming the T15 CO to Bristol Corinthian YC with lots of sunshine - but unfortunately no wind! With plenty of time to set up the event, there was still time for the wind to kick in before activity got underway on the water.

Registration was getting busy; as the clubbers kept rolling in it was clear that there would be a good entry for the first event of the season. The Animals fielded a full squad of 15 and newbee team, the Wimbleball Wombles, brought 8 sailors to swell the 3.5m fleet - both fantastic results. It was great to see three other clubs also in attendance; one club who was new to the inter-club scene - welcome to the SCOEC Screamers; regulars, the Croft Farm Flyers (though with some new faces), and finally, a return for the Waterland Wonders, who failed to make an appearance in 2005 but were up for it in 2006. All in all a great turn-out…so much so that numbers nearly doubled those of previous first events in the zone; a massive 33 T15 clubbers were set for some action.

With a few ripples on the water but not enough wind to disturb the flags, two marks were set up for some paddling fun before lunch, hoping for the wind to fill in later. Guy Irvine from Croft Farm won the first race and Womble, Betty Kincova took line honours in the second. As the race finish was way down the lake there was a lot of repositioning of kit required ready for the afternoon session and by the time this was completed the BBQ, which had been set up by Commodore Paul Hipwell, was cooking well and a big queue was forming. Thanks to Paul and all his helpers for a splendid meal of wicked burgers, cool salads and hot dogs.

The fleet of 33 consisted of several novice windsurfers, some of whom were only a few weeks into T15 clubbing, so the fleet was divided into two groups for the afternoon. Newcomers were set a course across the wind and back. This was quite testing with the wind switching to cross-onshore, meaning a close reach to the turning mark. The Wimbleball Wombles dominated but the Animals secret weapon, Eve Heaslip, did her best to spoil their plans.

The more experienced sailors sailed a two-lap triangle. The wind direction was good for a start between the pontoon and the leeward mark with a finish boat on the other side. Bella Jezard took line honours in race three with Georgia Heaslip, 3^rd, splitting the Finch brothers in an all Animals top four. Tom Davies from Waterland, sailing in the 5.5m on a Techno did well to finish 5^th overall, his best result of the day. The best 4.5m sailor was Animal Rosie Hodgeson with Laurel Townsend from SCOEC Screamers, top 3.5m sailor.

The next race saw the same four Animals scrapping over the top places while Techno sailing, 5.5metre SCOEC Screamer, Harry Clark, finished 5^th. The 6^th place went to 4.5m sailor Zoe Masters; will she one day emulate her World Champion brother, Ali, I wonder? Best 3.5m was Barnaby Beauchamp who put in consistent results all day.

The last race of the day saw Bella Jezard re-establish her dominance over the Finches in an Animal one, two, three. Georgia Heaslip lost her fourth spot when she was passed on the line by Bran Chambres from SCOEC. Newcomer to the inter-club scene, Helen Brown from Waterland posted her second 6^th place of the day; an excellent performance considering her lack of experience.

At the prize presentation Paul Hipwell thanked T15 Platinum and Gold sponsors Neilson, Tushingham and Bic along with all the local club sponsors. He particularly thanked Club Coaches, mums and dads, for supporting the event, Ady Davies for scoring and Geoff for organising the event. Accepting the Winning Team trophy on behalf of the Animals T15 Head Coach, Bob Shillito said, "We have seen some great racing here today and a very high standard of windsurfing from all the clubs. I look forward to seeing you all at the next event at Croft Farm on 8 July."

If you can’t wait until then, the third event in the Grand Prix series takes place at Roadford Lake over the weekend of 1/2 July. This will be a great event and is ideal for all regular inter-club sailors. Contact Geoff or Ady for more details.

Team Winners
Axbridge Animals (Bic)

Report written by
Geoff Pook (RYA T15 CO - SWn Zone)

We are the Champions!
West Kirby Warriors
T15 Champions 2008

Congratulations!

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(previous courses in 2008)

Mount Batten Centre - Plymouth
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend course: 27/28 September 2008
Closing date: 5 September
Cancelled: lack of candidates

Lakes Leisure - Windermere
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend course: 30/31 August 2008
Closing date: 15 August
Fully booked

James Hamilton Heritage Park - Glasgow
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend course: 30/31 August 2008
Closing date: 15 August
Cancelled: lack of candidates

Gwent Adventures - Wales
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend course: 9/10 August 2008
Closing date: 25 July
5 candidates on course


Grafham Water Centre - Cambridgeshire
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend course: 5/6 July 2008
Closing date: 30 June
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6 candidates on course

Wimbleball Lake - Somerset
Course type: Racing Instructor
Midweek course: 3/4 July 2008
Closing date: 30 June
4 candidates on course


Roadford Lake - Okehampton
Course type: Racing Instructor
Midweek Course: 4/5 June 2008
Organised by South West Lakes Trust
Fully booked


Carsington Watersports - Derbyshire
Course type: Freestyle
Weekend Course: 3/4 May 2008
Fully booked


Carsington Watersports - Derbyshire
Course type: Racing Instructor
Midweek Course: 1/2 May 2008
6 candidates on course


Mountbatten Centre - Plymouth
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend Course: 12/13 April 2008
Cancelled: lack of candidates

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