TOPIC:

The Maidenhead Open kicks off the season on Sunday 13th April. This year we are considering offering a "Silver Fleet" prize in addition to the Open prizes.
This would be aimed at those who are new to the class or the less experienced who perhaps would not otherwise enter an open meeting. Racing would be a single fleet start but separate prizes.
Does this appeal? We would welcome your thoughts and any indication of interest. We are not quite sure what the exact qualification criteria will be, any suggestions on how to classify entrants would be appreciated, it will be along the lines of first open meeting or has not finished in the top 50% at the nationals. Obvious ringers will be filtered out.
As the Lyme tuning weekend is much later in the calendar this year, we are going to run a tuning/training session on the day before the open, on Saturday 12th April.
This will primarily be aimed at the Silver fleet people but the day will be tailored to suit those who turn up, all you experts are welcome to come so we can video how it should be done.
Depending on conditions and numbers, we can include:

• Boat set upOn the water exercises
  Boat handling
  • Starts
  • Mark rounding
  • Tacking/Gybing etc
• Video analysis
• On-board video (in boat or mast head)Video of rig set up.

All are welcome especially if you are coming to the open on the following day. Costs will be minimal to cover lunch (from the local chippy).

JohnW2008-02-06 23:10:24

John



Can Nicole and myself add our thanks for a great weekend. In particular my thanks for your time on Saturday trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear - the old lady was noticably quicker on Sunday!

Well done on the running of both the excellent training day and yesterday's Open - and you managed second place as well! It was good to match against other albacores and find out how much there is still to learn. I hope to be able to come to one or two of the other Opens during the year but meanwhile Blue Jay is back in to the 'boathouse' for a few finishing touches and then a few more hours on the water to sort out the wrinkles.

Again thanks and comiserations to your members with the damaged boat I hope they are back on the water soon,



Albacore Andy

GBR A7525

Blue Jay

20 boats raced at the Maidenhead Open - a record for recent years. Well done to Norman Halstead and Ruth Birkett who won the event and Andrew Pearce with Ian Simpson who took the Silver Fleet prize.
The full results are online at:
www.maidenheadsc.org.uk/main/results/AlbacoreOpen08.html
A full report and photos from the event will be online as soon as possible.
A big thank-you to all those who traveled from far and wide to make the event so well attended. I hope you all enjoyed the weekend.
JohnW2008-04-13 19:02:27

Warm weather and fair winds have been booked for both days. Maidenhead Wind Guru forecast

Can't make the Saturday (wedding to go to) but fully intending to be there on Sunday - even if I'm not on top form [img]smileys/smiley18.gif[/img]



Lets hope the snow has cleared up by then! I do remember a few years ago getting seriously sunburnt at Maidenhead Open so lets go for a repeat of that!

Hi John



We intend to join you for both days, but will have to bring our winter boat as i haven't finished revarnishing the inside of "This way up"



What time does the training session start on saturday?



Paul

Hi John



Despite my best efforts, both of the other boats from TSC have had to cry off this weekend so it will just be us in the Fairey Alb 1443 'Twinkle'. However we're still keen to come to both days. Can you advise the start time for the Saturday?



Cheers

The notice of race for the Maidenhead Open is now up on the club website. see: www.maidenheadsc.org.uk/
We anticipate perhaps as many as 20 boats for the open with interest expressed as follows:
10 MSC boats 3 Thames SC boats 2 South Cerney (Norman + 1 other). 7525 'Blue Jay' - Andy Pearce ("Albacore Andy") 6654 'Dog Woof' - James Blackburn 6416 Wallace Nicholls 6936 'Shadow' - Phil ("MrGin") 7992 'White Spirit' Jerry Rook (possible?)
Any more I have missed?
We will be awarding a "Silver Fleet" prize. The exact criteria for the Silver fleet will be decided on the day, but it is to encourage those who are newer or less experienced in the class and perhaps do not do many open meetings.
I will post more information on the Saturday Training Day (for those interested) at the weekend.

Thats great news.
That will ensure that we will be able to award a Silver Fleet prize in the Open as I hope to get a couple of Maidenhead boats who qualify for the Silver fleet sailing too.

John



The Thames sailing club contingent aim to turn up on mass for the Sunday. As most of us are novices and relatively new to Albacores, I will try to persuade all along on the Saturday. We now have 3 Albacore and are hoping soon to be joined by a 4th.

Will try not to put petrol in the diesel this year. Hopefully we'll be there!

My crew has got a pass out so we should be there



Phil

A6936

Shadow

John I have already blocked off 12/13 April on the calendar. Her indoors has also been informed so looks like a definite from me! Hope I can get the boat ready in time,



Albacore Andy

GBR A7525

Blue Jay albacore andy2008-02-07 10:21:37

Many thanks for your time and patience, it was worth the trip.


hope to keep the brake off!!



regards



Paul