Many apologies for the slowness on the correspondence front and my absence from the scene. This has been caused, chiefly, by your Hon Sec being in a state of wedded-bliss since 14th August last year! You see I took the step on ensuring that I had a crew close at hand for the rest of my life by marrying her. Despite being busy with another house move and children who are also sailors, Nan and I are determined to be at Looe this year for the champs. Thank you to Helen Williams for collating the reports for the 2004 championships from reports prepared by race winners. Most will have seen it probably since it was published in the Yachts and Yachting magazine and also online but it is reproduced here for the record.

In this issue are dates for this year's championships and advance notice of a possible regatta in France and North Devon especially for Redwings.

I need more interesting stuff for your Newsletter please, please send me some copy for the next (Spring) edition.

Best wishes and happy sailing,
Bill

Tenby

Looe

The 2005 National Championships are being held at Looe sailing club from 20th to 26th August. The Notice of Race and Entry forms will be published in due course but it is advisable for visitors to get accommodation booked a s soon as possible since it is still well in the summer season. i.e. school holidays. Redwings from the far corners of the British Isles will all be coming to Looe for the highlight of the sailing season.

Have a look at www.LooeCornwall.com for places to stay (Many thanks to Simon Cole for this excellent lead)

Championships 2006 have been confirmed as being at Tenby, sharing with the Tasars - a great bunch, we have sailed with them on a few occasions before, I believe. The exact dates are yet to be confirmed as we go to press.

Our Chairman, Cecil, has been in negotiations with Simon Pascoe, who is based in France, about the possibility of holding a competitive sailing event at Quiberon in Brittany. It has been estimated that if the Redwing fleet set off from Looe with a fair wind the crossing should only take 26 hours.. no, seriously, an event has been in planning for some time where, like the Scilly Isles Championships, a ferry crossing would be made and a regatta organised down in beautiful Brittany. To keep the cost to something reasonable and to avoid peak season and the demands that puts on the local facilities it would be necessary to hold such an event in September. A minimum number of ten vehicles/trailers qualifies for a ferry group discount If there is sufficient interest then this is a real possibility. Cecil has done a lot of work already and he would value your comments, suggestions or feedback on this exciting prospect

Another possibility for later this season is a Redwing 'open meeting' at North Devon Yacht Club. They are disappointed that we are not holding the championships there this year but would appreciate a fleet of visiting Redwings. This type of event used to be popular in years when the Championships were 'at home' and we will organise something if there is sufficient interest. Again it is likely to be a late summer or early autumn event to avoid clashes with events already planned.

And Finally�

RYA Dinghy Sailing Show