The 2002 National Championships are almost here and if you have not entered yet then get in as soon as possible - you are not too late. There is an additional race this year with the Redwings being invited to take part in the Round Caldey Island race being organised by neighbouring Saundersfoot SC. This is a long-distance race and could be a real grueller especially as we have two championship points races back-to-back, to look forward to the following day! This is going to be fun!

Best wishes and happy sailing.

Bill

There has been quite a lot of preparation and tuning going on recently with the 'Nationals' looming; R195 has an ever present rig-tension gauge carried on board for instant use! In addition several new suits of sails have been much in evidence recently. So if there are any visiting hot-shots who think that the locals are going to be a walk-over had better look out the Tenby fleet is ready for you!

What a season its been for the Redwings in Looe, the first five positions being hard fought for with R224, Ben Crabb and crews Gummo, Godbolt, Jacko, Stilts, Gareth and Verity etc.etc. just a few points ahead of R242 Bud, Darlo, and the tape measure. These both hotly pursued by R245 the not quite fifty year old Colin and his lad John, who, after a rather indifferent start to the season, moved the mast back just 4 inches and are now back in the pack. The ever present popular duo, Roger and Dom, in R243 are still in with a chance and if the latter could keep his helm away from Spain who knows? These two have got the old bone shaker R183 with Geoff and Richard in hot pursuit and if the latter could keep his helm out of the water who knows? By the way, is that a windex on their centre plate? R226 with Tom and Gareth fell out with each other and I'm sorry to report that the old boy has been kicked out and has not been seen since. Way back and out of the reckoning are the Kinver brothers, who still get out there, have a go and just enjoy the wind in their hair! That is until there are light winds and then light weight Longman suddenly appears. Cecil and Deadley have made several appearances this year and made remarkable progress in the new boat Nightingale and have even managed to beat Geoff and Richard once!

Just you watch him go in Tenby. Roger's father Derek and crew Mark have had a quiet season but when they do get out there look out! They are like a pair of Jack Russells and only last week at the windward mark lying in first place, managed to reverse their boat into the bow of the pursuing R183! Which put pay to them. Next down the line comes R166 with the father and daughter team Richard and the lovely Hannah, who are doing exceptionally well, especially when Richard is away on the oil rigs! R198 owned by Mathew and Mandy has made one appearance this year and I fear that will be the last we will see of them as baby Burty has now got a new brother to beat up. Congratulations to them all! Last but not least comes R200 Harold and his crew 'Arthur Litre' who have done themselves proud considering the lack of communication between them. We all hope to see them on the water again next year. On a more serious note, it was so nice to see a new face on the victory rostrum when young Chris Godbolt supervised and directed by his 44 year old father Geoff came in first aboard R183, narrowly beating Bud by 9 minutes and Ben by 15. Geoff was first in the shower that night and has been ever since! On a final note, a big thank you to Janet, Barry, Brian Carvey and all their team who have given us a boat start for every race this year.

LOOK OUT TENBY HERE WE COME!

A "Proper" Redwing Sailor, - Looe, August 2002

A new dinghy sailing magazine has been 'launched' this year called, surprisingly, 'Dinghy Sailing'. It is dedicated simply to dinghy sailing - no surprises there - and offers a broader range of subjects around the sport than certain other publications that seem to only be interested in latest 'RSHere today-Fall apart tomorrow' stuff. Anyway, the publishers Seascape Media have offered Redwing Association Members a discounted 12 Month subscription. Simply telephone 02392 449700 or contact them on www.seascapemedia.co.uk and quote '06/Class offer'

There has been a steady stream of enquiries from people interested in our class of dinghy but too few boats available for sale in reasonable condition to whet their appetites.

If anyone knows of a Redwing for sale could they please let Bill know so that he can bring the 'For Sale' list up to date.

And a thought...

Kenneth Graham, 'The Wind in the Willows'.