Best wishes and happy sailing, Bill

The four Redwings were practically the 'slowest' boats in the fleet of 26 that included various RS400s. 600s. and the crazy 700s. - single-handed with an asymmetric spinnaker!, they are mad! - various Lasers and a single National 12. The event was dominated by the RS and 29er dinghies, when they could stay upright in the breezy conditions that swept through on Easter Sunday. A solitary 49er, sailed by erstwhile Redwing sailor Ben Jones, spent its entire time capsized and was even returned to the harbour on its side with twin trapeze wires frapped firmly round the rest of the rig! However when all the laughter died down it was Mike Stace and Deanna Morton in 'Sallyforth' that got amongst the prizes by being the first Redwing taking sixth place overall. See Dave Bowen's Update for more on the Tenby sailing scene.

The garages have been cleared of a summer's junk; Helen has even had hers re-roofed (as her Birthday present!). Bill is primed & ready (Well I think he is) to work on R178 'Venus'. Major Work I believe; redecking, repairing the centreboard casing & the transom, Oh! sorry Bill didn't I mention the transom is leaking? (Only because you sit so far back! Ed.) R221, 'Discretion', thank goodness, seems to be in reasonably good order so varnishing seems to be the order of the day. That's my job, Helen seems to think I can be trusted on that one. Attended Tenby's presentation dinner again & had a really great time. A certain Mr Squibbs once again seemed to collect a substantial number of the trophies. Including the one he & Helen won in my boat, I thought he might have let her collect it but never mind he did buy the drinks.

The following night we attended the Arden S.C. do; this was Helen's Birthday (still only 21?), another good night. All this good food is doing the diet no good at all, but Helen keeps dragging me to the gym.

My Midlands club, Arden, is in the process of moving (due to landlord problems) only, as it happens, about 400 yards down stream, but this still involves a lot of demolition & rebuilding. We are currently slithering around in the mud (courtesy of the floods) reclaiming all the building materials we can. A winter of activity in the water more than on it is envisaged as we have been unable to design a self building landing stage. Thank goodness it's here at last, a chance to sail after a long layoff, not that I haven't kept busy. Well I've kept your Hon Sec fully occupied, 'Venus' R178 is now resplendent with a new deck, while below the waterline we hope to have plugged the most obvious leaks. However her water-tightness, or otherwise remains to be tested, as she is still in the garage while my inland club struggle with the weather in there attempts to make their lovely NEW FIELD into a sailing club. To date we have just laid the foundations for the retaining wall on one side of the slip. Once this is completed we can start work on the landing stage, hope fully the will be no further floods though as I write it is raining heavily. 'Discretion', R221 is now at Tenby and was ready for the Easter Regatta, more about this later. Bill Dowell has decided to join us so 'Pintail' R228 is also at Tenby, this I'm sure will lead to some close racing among the Tenby fleet. Currently Bill is trying out a variety of crews as Nick has other things on his mind having just become a Dad. I am sure you will all join Helen and myself in sending congratulations to Nick and Kate.

The winter training programmme was going well until Christmas, we had lost weight while the gym work and swimming was adding strength, after the festive break everything seemed to go to pieces. Helen and I both had a virus then I followed it up with a severe throat infection, leading to a couple of days in hospital and a couple of months off work, I was banned from talking for two weeks (this lasted two days). So we arrived in Tenby for the Easter weekend just as unfit as we were before.

Tenby had a good turnout of 29 boats for the Easter Regatta; most of them plastic flying machines. This meant that apart from one Enterprise the Redwings were the slow boats in the fleet. I think being at the back of the fleet was a novel experience for the others, I'm used to it still. With sunny but windy conditions all weekend a good time was had by all, except possibly an RS 700 and a Laser 4000 who both broke their masts! The Redwings that entered did really well with Mike Stace and Deanna Morton, R195, finishing 6th, Bill Dowell, & Nan D'Ortez R228, 8th and Rolly Squibbs with various crews, R244, 9th, unfortunately I let the side down some finishing 22nd, this was however better than last year when I failed to complete a race. On the Tuesday while Bill and Helen were moving some fittings on Discretion I discovered what a cunningham is for (You don't say! Ed..) , my skills are becoming boundless I don't think.

I've heard over the grapevine that Looe are having some good turnouts, with lot's of wind and capsizes. Also whilst looking over the Treasurers shoulder I noticed another Crabb added to the membership, are they trying to set up a "Mafia" of their own? I got this thought from watching the video of the 1984 championships at Looe. I must have watched it non-stop for a week, most of you haven't changed but the hair seems a little lighter in colour and quantity, and the sailing skills are just as good. There is one person on the tape who has definitely changed, sorry Ben (Crabb), do you still like ice cream Ben? On that note I will close, wishing you all fair winds and moderate seas.

Frisk's new home will be Lyme Regis Sailing Club and apparently visiting Redwings will be made more than welcome.

If you need accommodation please let me know as soon as possible or contact Cary Rickards direct on Fishguard 01348 872453 Please bear in mind that Fishguard is not keen on camping at 'Sowetto' this year!

And a thought...