The British Moth Traveling Fleet returned to one of their favourite venues West Oxford Sailing Club for a double header Open-Meeting on May 5th and 6th. 13 Moths mustered and were joined by 8 Bytes in this joint Open weekend.

Apart from the cold, a tricky and unpredictable North Easterly breeze presented Race Officer Roger Postbechild a considerable challenge to set good courses. Ever jovial Roger coped admirably but had to use virtually every buoy at his disposal. Bless him !

Race 1, starting in a nice Force 3 breeze, saw Roger Witts [790] from Frampton-on-Severn S.C take the lead at the windward mark but a potential incorrect rounding saw him drop to 7th place for the first of the off wind legs. This error let fellow club mate Tony Latham [880] take the lead closely followed by Mark Wiltshire [872] Whitefriars S.C. , Andrew Perrott [834] Chippenham S.& C.C. and Ian Haywood [871] Frampton.

Latham headed the fleet for 3 laps but was caught by Witts and Haywood, with 2 laps to go both slipped by momentarily with Witts going on to take the win but Latham finished 2nd, Haywood 3rd and Perrott 4th. Richard Keefe [817] S.E.S.C.A. was 5th using a “Slim” sail proving yet again that it is not always appropriate to use a max sail.

With the breeze freshening a little Race 2 saw Latham lead again. Wiltshire and Perrott were in close attendance but both faded in the tricky conditions finishing 7th and 6th respectively. Both Witts and Graham Pope [828] – Severn S.C. did not figure in the early stages but slowly made ground on the leading pack.

However it was Pope who now had the measure of the conditions now after a mediocre first race 7th place, and passed Latham and was never headed again.

Latham sailing perhaps the best he has at an Open thus far hung on for 2nd with Witts close behind and unable to pass in 3rd. Haywood was 4th,and Gary Tomkins [862] S.E.S.C.A. was closing fast in 5th.

Furthest traveled Paul Thomas-Peter [784] Ripon S.C. was making hard work of the conditions ending up 9th; but this was an improvement on a first race 11th placing. Likewise Simon Hall [847]- Maidenhead S.C. was adjusting to a “new” boat and retired with essential adjustments needed but happy with the speed of the Boat.

The final race on Day 1 was won by likeable “La Pappa”, 2nd place went to Haywood who showed consistency and good speed all day and Witts 3rd after recovering from a very lack lustre start. Wiltshire scored his best position of the day in 4th after leading at the weather mark. Latham also made a bad start and was swamped but recovered to finish 5th for his discard.

Day 1 went to Graham Pope with the 3 Frampton boats of Witts, Latham and Haywood in respective placings. The ever dueling Wiltshire, Perrott and Keefe taking 5th,6th and 7th positions.

Day 2 was a two-race programme with no discards. A slightly lighter breeze but still coming from the North East prevailed but this time swinging and even more changeable. The welcome arrival of Rob Wilder and John Claridge ensured good racing was to come.

Race 1 saw Claridge [888] Royal Lymington S.C.lead the fleet with Wiltshire and Wilder in close contention on the very long corner-to-corner reach across the Lake. This pack pulled out a lead over the chasing fleet headed by Witts, Latham and Tomkins.

Claridge was quick and held onto the lead for almost 3 laps until he was “mugged” by Wilder and Witts and had to defend 3rd place to a fast closing Latham. Wilder won with Witts second, Wiltshire slipped back to 5th and Tomkins to 6th.

Prior to the start of the 2nd Race Witts broke a Tiller Joint and headed for an early shower and a Beer on the now sunny Veranda. Simon Hall hit the front and stayed there for a lap before being caught in one of the windless areas in the now unsettled conditions by Wilder.

Tomkins had his best result of the weekend as the wind continued to fade with a 2nd and Latham concluded a successful weekend with a 3rd. Thomas-Peter also chalked up his best result with a 4th place just ahead of a closing Claridge.

As for early race leader Simon Hall he slipped back through the fleet ending up 10th but still smiling at having breathed clean air for a lap !

A great weekend, good sailing and good fun on and off the water. Superb hosts and special mention to Roger Postbechild, Donna Radford and Tina Hardyment for their hard work over the weekend.

Next Open will be the first River Open in the B.M Open Meeting Season at B.A.S.C.,Saltford Nr Bath on May 13th…..

BMBA – Fixtures

Results:

WOSC Open 2012 Day 1

WOSC Open 2012 Day 2

SAIL MEASUREMENT RULE AMMENDMENT

Dear BMBA Member,

It has become apparent that some of the recent sail designs being supplied to the British Moth Class are not adhering to the class sail measurement rule as intended due to the current wording of rule 11 (c) – (v) as stated below:

“ The distance between the leading edge of the luff rope to the aft edge of the headboard and sail shall not exceed 120mm, measured at right angles to the aft side of the mast. “

We would therefore like to give notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held after the Staunton Harold SC open meeting at Staunton Harold SC at 4:00pm to discuss the proposed amendment to the current rule which is attached on the second page of this letter

Yours sincerely

Rob Wilder

Chairman BMBA

Click [here] to download the letter.

(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Bury St Edmunds Suffolk

28/29 April 2012

Report by Abby Freeley

The weather did its worst but 8 sailors ventured out on Lackford Lake over the weekend and had some very good sailing. Our travellers came from London, Hertfordshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to sail 3 races on Saturday. The wind was such that Paul Lohr (Welwyn Garden city SC) missed the first time signal and was sadly late for the start, and Mike Steele (SESCA) and Roger Witt (Frampton) bothmissed out the start/finish gate, leaving Tim Lupton of Bury St Edmunds but sailing now at Hunts SC, Steve Seargeant ( ?will check which Club), Mark Wiltshire (Whitefriars SC) and Gary Tompkins (SESCA) to contest a windy race. Steve was on the inside of Tim at the last mark but in the dropping (yes, it did) wind Tim got ahead.

Tim Lupton (1), Stephen Seargeant (2), Mark Wiltshire (3) Gary Tompkins (4) and Paul Lohr (5)

The second race was over a different course with everyone starting together, and sailing the correct course. Although the places behind changed Tim Lupton led the fleet around the Lake where he learnt to sail, chased by Gary and Roger, who overtook Gary and was catching Tim but not fast enough. Mike Steele, sailing Lappet for the second time, struggled with Abby’s rigging (and she is very happy with his tuning adjustments) and her centreboard which wouldn’t go down quite far enough

Tim Lupton (1) Roger Witt (2) Gary Tompkins (3) Steve Seargeant (4) Mike Steele (5) Mark Wiltshire (6) Paul Lohr (7)

For race 3 the fleet were joined by Ed Deacon (Hunts SC) sailing Laura Lee generously loaned by Dennis Miles (Staines SC). Ed has recently bought an International Moth (low rider) and struggled to remember how to make a British Moth go. Roger Witt had now got in gear and had a good race with Tim Lupton. Mark Wiltshire got hit by a Pike (well, that is what he says) and broke the rudder downhaul. Paul Lohr had much the same trouble in much the same place (nasty, those big fish) and they both retired.

Roger (1) Tim (2) Steve (3) Mike (4) Gary (5) Ed (6)

Saturday saw the return of Rock of Ages (Tim Skelton and Paul…) to entertain us with an hour of blues based music before the tired and emotional sailors retired to their ‘camp sites’ in SESCA members houses.

Sunday, if anything, was wetter, colder and windier but still Roger, Tim, Gary, Mike, and Mark were joined before the start by Abby sailing Laura Lee for 10 mins before falling in. She was not to be the only one. Mike Steele, getting to grips with Lappet led the fleet for the first lap until Tim’s greater experience in a Moth reeled him in. One particular mark saw very shifty conditions and they influenced the race considerably. On the 3rd lap there was a split in tactics on which way to approach. Tim got it right and never looked back, Mark caught up with Mike, Gary fell in – and he was not the only one. Mike was planing up the long reach catching Mark when sadly the gust died and the boat went in to windward – and no, Moths won’t pick you up the way a Laser will. Since the centreboard was still jamming (ed. now repaired) he could not get the boat upright and had to be recovered. The watchers on shore had a great time watching the boats coming back to the s/f gate (which again sadly Roger missed) wondering if the submarining bows would ever pop up.

Tim Lupton (1) Mark Wiltshire (2) Gary Tompkins (3) were the survivors.

Ed Deacon again joined the fun for the second race. Although Tim led pretty much from the beginning Mike was there behind waiting for an opportunity. The placing again changed hands frequently but finished up

Tim (1), Mike (2) Mark (3) Ed (4) Gary (5) .

With the outcome of both days decided the fleet all packed up their boats at the end of Race 2.

As they left the club later in the afternoon, the wind was dropping. By the time we had cleaned up, the sun was shining, there was a beautiful breeze and it was a lovely late afternoon. Ah Spring.

My thanks to all the weekend helpers: Mike Senior (Race Officer) Neville Bonham (assistant Race Officer) the two safety boat drivers (Chris & Tim) Fliss Elsom-Cooke (serving lunch and producing Rock of Ages), Richard and Sam Keefe (Race Reporting and Boarding house arrangements), Gary Tompkins – for bringing British Moths to Bury St Edmunds and carting all the gear and boats to SESCA

Abby

Results:

SESCA Open 2012 – Day 1

SESCA Open 2012 – Day 2

With the wind blowing from a northerly direction over Campion Hill and shifting wildly, Race Officer Mark Ellard made the best of an impossible task and set his first course of the day. An over enthusiastic fleet resulted in the first general recall of a race at Mid Warwickshire in living memory. Some of the fleet were still a bit keen as there were three individual recalls for the second start.

Once the fleet was clear Rob Wilder took the lead in the X Moth and remained there until the finish. There was quite a battle for second place between Tim Davison and Roger Witts in a new Claridge deep cockpit boat. Davison eventually broke clear to take 2nd and Witts finished third.

The leading boats had built up quite a lead over the back markers necessitating a shortened course. The fleet headed for lunch earlier than scheduled compounding a further crisis in the galley. The dinner ladies had gallantly overcome the Calor gas sneakily running out a little earlier and were now faced with a horde of hungry sailors. To their credit everyone had a tasty hot meal on time and got back on the water earlier than expected for Race 2.

The wind picked up considerably after lunch and a change of course was made to avoid the shifty drifty corners in the lee of the hill. This time the fleet got away cleanly first time. Ian Haywood hit the front and held the lead for 3 laps with Roger Witts lying second for two of them. Rob Wilder took the lead in lap 4 and Tim Davison moved into second spot. Haywood resolutely held onto 3rd place until the finish and a spirited performance from local boy Peter Lee put him in 4th place much to the delight of the home crowd!

The competitors stayed out for Race 3. First and second places were already decided and the battle was on for third place. The course remained unchanged and the sailing committee got to practice their general recall procedure once more. Fortunately the second start was clean. Tim Davison took the lead with Ian Haywood in hot pursuit. Rob Wilder was lying 3rd. As the race progressed Wilder stepped up a gear and eventually managed to hit the front and remained there until the finish. Davison kept Haywood at bay. Roger Witts finished fourth and Peter Lee’s good form continued with a fifth place.

The boats were packed up and it was time for tea and cakes. It was noted by the local members, who were expecting a cake fest the following day and were bitterly disappointed, that Moth sailors can hoover up the home baking with the best of them.

In addition to prizes for the first 3 boats, spot prizes were awarded to First Lady, Elaine Laverty and the Cadbury Heroes were awarded jointly to John Pickford and Simon Hall for accumulating the highest point score without counting a DNF or DNS!

Finally Mid Warwickshire Yacht Club would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped to make the event happen and for the excellent turnout of competitors, some who travelled a considerable distance, and made it all worthwhile. We hope to see you again next year!

Pictures:

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Results:

MWYC Open 2012

Fuel shortages did not keep 13 British Moths away from the first Open Meeting in the 2012 Somerville Traveller Series.  Visitors from Ripon, Bury St Edmunds, Tamesis, MWYC, Earlswood Lakes, Carsington and Whitefriars joined the 4 boats from Frampton.

Greeted by overcast clouds and temperatures a little lower than in recent weeks a light and shifty North East breeze predominated for most of the day.  However sight of the Sun in the afternoon helped Frampton live up to its Tropical tag !

The 1st race was dominated by Class Chairman Rob Wilder -881 who led from the start and took the winning gun by a comfortable margin.

Chasing were Andrew Perrott-834, Mark Wiltshire-873, Tony Latham-885 and Roger Witts-888. Witts was making hard work after a poor start and took some time to break away from this pack  getting caught several times before finally clearing on the final lap to finish 2nd. Latham was quick in his first Open in ”Same Same” and managed to secure 3rd just ahead of Perrott and Wiltshire.

With Wilder away in the distance and the chasing pack trying in vain to close the gap the back markers were struggling in the conditions as well as finding their way around the shallower areas caused by the reduced water level at Frampton.

With the breeze swinging and refusing to settle down OOD Brian Kitching re-positioned all the windward buoys prior to the start of Race 2.  Wilder again made a cracking start but this time Witts in the “on loan” John Claridge deep-cockpit boat “Blue One” was with him.  Perrott, Wiltshire, Richard Keefe-817 and Chris Latham-837-Frampton-on-Severn were also well placed at the windward mark.

Wilder relentlessly covered Witts for 3 laps before squeezing ahead and holding on for the win with Witts 2nd.  These two finishing some distance ahead of the pack; something that would cause them grief in Race 3 !

Perrott clearly benefitting from the Whitefriars Training weekend the week previous had a well deserved 3rd place with Wiltshire 4th, Keefe 5th and Chris Latham from the home club in 6th.

The Open finishing order was decided on these two results but the fleet stayed on the water for Race 3 – A personal handicap race where  starting positions were calculated by the OOD and his helpers.

Intended to be a fun race it was noticeable to all that everyone was trying very hard, none more so than Wilder and Witts who were heavily penalised and started 10 minutes after the first group !

The breeze had by now picked up a little but remainded variable and shifty.  Quick to capitalise was Frampton light weather expert Ian Haywood (7th in Race 1 and 9th in Race 2) who took full advantage and headed the Fleet never to be caught.

Furthest traveled entrant Paul Thomas-Peter – 784 Ripon S.C. was also going well and held 2nd place to the finish.  Tony Latham after a mid fleet finish in Race 2 got serious again and soon carved through earlier starters to assume 3rd position which he held to the finish.

4th and 5th places went to the MWYC visitors Pete Lee-860 and Elaine Laverty-850 respectively with regular visitor to Frampton John Pickford from Earlswood Lakes in 6th place.

As for the hard done by “W,s”(Wilder and Witts) they eventually caught the main pack and managed to finish in 9th and 10th positions and were still muttering about being nobbled until the Bar was opened !

Thanks to principal sponsor Stroud Brewery and a special mention and thanks to Chef Supreme Steve Kendall and OOD Brian Kitching and all his helpers.

Pictures:

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Overall Results – “The Suspense Trophy”

1st – 881 – “Proper Job” – Rob Wilder –Tamesis Club (1, 1)

2nd – 888 – “Blue One” – Roger Witts – Frampton-on- Severn S.C. (2, 2)

3rd – 834 – “Moonlight Mouse” – Andrew Perrott – Chippenham S.& C.C. (4, 3)

4th – 873 – “ Asbo” – Mark Wiltshire – Whitefriars S.C. (5, 4)

5th – 880 – “Same Same” – Tony Latham – Frampton-on-Severn S.C. (3, 7)

6th – 817 – “Painted Lady” – Richard Keefe – S.E.S.C.A.,Bury St Edmunds (6, 5)

7th – 837 – Cnris Latham – Frampton-on- Severn S.C. (10, 6)

8th – 871 – Ian Haywood – Frampton-on- Severn S.C. (7, 9)

9th – 850 – Elaine Laverty – Mid Warwickshire S.C. (9, 8 )

10th – 784 – “Ruby Tiger” – Paul Thomas-Peter – Ripon S.C. (8, 10)

11th – 860 – P Lee – Mid Warwickshire S.C. (11, 11)

12th – 836 – John Pickford – Earlswood Lakes (12, 13)

13th – 838 – J Nixon – Carsington S.C. (DNF, 12)

Next Open – MWYC (Leamington Spa) – Saturday April 14th

The forecast good weather attracted 15 Boats with long distance participants from Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Suffolk. The weather, as it did most everywhere, exceeded everyone’s expectations with wall-to-wall sunshine and a perfect light breeze for such an event.

British Moth Training Weekend - Whitefriars S. C.

The event majored on ideal set ups and rig settings but for many it was pre-Open Meeting race practice. Help with tuning and tips on Rig setting and contols were by Rupert Whelan and Roger Witts.

A series of mini-races succeeded in sharpening everyone up and allowed each to gauge the benefits of the advice given against others at the event. Support and help for all levels is key to Moth Training events, whether front of the fleet, mid fleet or newcomers; all were represented in this very friendly Class.

British Moth Mini-races at Whitefriars S. C.

On show was the new Claridge Prototype/Demonstrator – Blue One (the Dinghy Show Boat) – it was tried by many and deemed to be quick and comfortable with its clean efficient layout.

How it felt sailing "Blue One"

The race practice has hopefully helped all who attended as the Open Meeting Season starts at Frampton-on-Severn on Saturday 31st March  – the first ranking event in the Class’s Traveller Series for the Somerville Trophy.

Thanks go to Whitefriars S.C. and Rupert Whelan in particular for the initial invite and his meticulous organisation.

Whitefriars is a popular Moth venue and will see the Class returning later in the year for a Somerville Trophy ranking Open Meeting.

Not 2 seasons old, made by Clark and Finished by Roger Whitts, looks very nice and works a treat.

Dimensions as follows:

Currently has slot gasket stuck onto side of board (As pre photo), increasing the thickness by a further 5mm (This can be removed easily without damaging the varnish!)

Would suit a long cockpit boat, but could be used on any moth. Has a couple of scuffs, but nothing a bit of t-Cut wouldnt sort!

Any questions please ask.

£100 – No Offers!

Contact Jon Cooper:  07910 002504

email: joneurope[at]hotmail.co.uk (relplace [at] with @)

The initial batch is a limited run and will be available on a “first come-first served ” basis.

Subject to interest and demand more will be ordered.

For more information and photographs [click here]

British Moth 80th Anniversary Baseball Caps in Stone/Dark Navy

Including the Tamesis Club and Welsh Harp Open Meetings (dates yet to be confirmed) there are a total of 18 qualifying Opens in 4 Zones.

5 in the Eastern Zone, 4 in the Midlands, 5 in the West and 4 in the Greater London area.

12 are hosted by Reservoir/Lake Clubs and 6 are River based[each zone has at least one River venue].

Please check the fixture list for open meeting dates.

Those opens that do not qualify for the Somerville trophy are as follows:

• March 24/25th Whitefriars S.C. – Classics & Moth Training Weekend
• June 2 – 5 Salterns S.C./Lymington Town S.C. – “Salty Weekend”
• July 7th Chippenham S & C.C.
• September 9th Staines S.C.

Qualification

There will be a total of 19 individual race results to count.

No more than 3 results are to count from any one venue.

Results from any zone may be included.

Each qualifier must compete in a minimum of 2 River or a minimum of 2 Reservoir/Lake events with 4 results counting from each category.

In the event of a tie the final positions will be decided from the results of the last race the tied competitors raced against each other[excl Nat Championship races]. If the tie can not be broken the preceeding race the tied competitors raced against each other will decide the final placings.

In the event of cancelled Opens or races, or if other external factors arise, the BMBA Committee may amend the qualifying conditions by written notice on the BMBA web-site.

Individual race Points will be awarded as follows….

1st — 0.75
2nd — 2.00
3rd — 3.00
etc

Retd — No of Boats + 1.00