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Gosport Model Yacht and Boat Club is now one of the largest and most active clubs in the UK

Located just a stone throw away from our crew car park is one of the UKs oldest and most thriving model yacht and boat clubs. Haslar Marina is very proud to support The Gosport Model Yacht and Boat Club (GMYBC), a partnership that started just before their Vane A Class Nationals Week in 2018. The boating lake, just to the north of the marina, first originated as a mill pond during the reign of Charles II and is shown on maps from 1678. It changed to a cockle pond in 1751, and then, with the enthusiasm locally for sailing, particularly with the J Class yachts coming out of Camper & Nicholson’s yard in Gosport, model yacht racing began there in the 1890’s with the GMYBC forming in 1913. Since its start, when many of the suited owners would have their staff run around the lake for them, the sport has seen many changes, not least with the introduction of the radio controlled classes in the 1970’s. The most enduring class is the Vane A Class Yacht, which is the largest of the models, with weights between 12 to 20 kg and lengths up to 2.1m long. These were first raced formally in 1923, and the class still thrives today. The concept of the Vane A Class is that you set the boat up from the end of the lake for either an upwind or downwind match race. The skipper will set up the mainsail, self-tacking jib, and even a spinnaker for the downwind races, and then hot foot it around the lake as their yachts glide away. The skipper will rely on crew for when the boat ‘banks’ to tack or re-trim the boats. A lot of fun is to be had, and it is quite an active sport with the miles that the skippers and crew will pace during these events. Our support enabled the Club to cut the weed ahead of their national event – a crucial activity before racing! As always, we are very keen to see the youth participation in these events increase, where many principles of bigger boat sailing can be learnt, and inspire future generations on the water. In 2018 there was a fleet of twenty boats racing through the week for the National Championship, the Scrutton Cup, plus five more for the mid-week Yachting Monthly Cup. The Championship enjoys considerable status in the model yachting world; the fleet included past national champions in numerous classes, including full sized boats.

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2022 Vane 36 National Championship Report and Results

• Racing Reports , Vane 36

Vane 36 National Championship 16th and 17th April 2022 at Gosport MYBC

For our first major Free Sailing event of the year, Gosport Model Yacht and Boat Club’s Walpole Lake looked amazing, sparkling in the sunshine with a variable ESE/ SE wind which, for a few races on Sunday, became a glorious easterly beat and run! On Saturday, an underlying breeze, on the light side of medium, fluctuated in strength sufficiently to require some sail changes. By Sunday morning the breeze had increased, although it seemed from a steadier direction, skippers found they had to manage settings to accommodate nuances at different points of the lake. By the afternoon there was more wind, and many changed down sails.

Originally there were 18 boats entered, but two were withdrawn leaving a strong fleet of 16. There were a mix of designers with designs going back over half a century up until hot off the blocks this year. Designs were from nine different designers. The competitors, representing eight clubs, were aged between 10 and the late 70’s and included at least half a dozen former/current National champions from a range of classes. There were families of three generations participating, as well as parents with children, and also siblings racing together. Overall, there were 7 juniors and several youngsters in their late teens. It was noticeable how their skills have developed over the years, which is vital because they are the future of Free Sailing.

By the end of the first day, the results were close with Peter Fothergill and Paul Edwards one point ahead of Dave and Amber Geldard. Chris Harris was only two points behind them. Snapping at his heels were Lewis and Russell Wyeth ahead by one point from their Dad and Grandad, Shaun and Graham Wyeth. The freshening wind conditions on Sunday morning saw Peter and Paul drawing out their lead and maintaining their supremacy on the upwind legs. Shaun and Graham improved to 2nd place and Chris and Lewis in 3rd and 4th respectively. However, it was not cut and dried. The winds were stronger at the beginning of the afternoon and successfully setting a guy (enabling boats to self-tack) became important. By the end of the day, Shaun and Graham, from being three points behind were a clear ten points ahead of Peter and Paul in second place. Chris Harris maintained a third position on countback and Lewis and Russell, were fourth.

Throughout the fleet there were some very close finishes. The leaders and more experienced sometimes lost points to less experienced skippers! There were a few resails resulting from collisions, several when spinnakers were able to be deployed. In one notable case two boats collided very shortly before the finishing line and had to go all the way back for a resail! A number of restarts were necessary following collisions close to the start. Fifteen races were achieved, so every skipper sailed every other skipper.

Competitors and the race team, the latter with many members from the club’s radio fleets, were thanked by the Race Officer, Jacque Cook for participating in what was a very successful and amiable weekend. Those who assisted the skippers that were racing without mates were particularly thanked as they increased their leg work to cover the boats: great stamina! There was a special vote of thanks to Cassie Wyeth who provided an amazing range of freshly baked cakes which were greatly appreciated. Prizes were awarded by the Vice Commodore, Darin Wigg and as it was Easter, everyone was awarded chocolate! Brilliant photographs by Gill Pearson are available to download, a great record, thank-you, Gill.

Prize Winners 1st Place: Shaun Wyeth and Graham Wyeth 2nd Place: Peter Fothergill and Paul Edwards 3rd Place: Chris Harris 4th Place: Lewis Wyeth and Russell Wyeth Junior: Oliver Stollery Veteran: Derek Priestley ARGE Eric Meighen (The All Round Good Egg Award)

Final Results c/b = count back

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