With the Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy just completed, the SailJuice Global Warm-Up 2012 has passed the half-way stage and the focus now turns to this weekend’s John Merricks Tiger Trophy at Rutland Sailing Club Last year Andy Smith and Tim Needham dominated a windy Tiger Trophy, winning all three races on the Saturday and becoming the first team ever to win the £1000 prize that has been on offer for many years to any boat that could win every race at the Tiger. This weekend the forecast is unpredictable, with the prognosis changing by the day. It could be a drifter, it could blow a gale, but past competitors will know that it has to be extreme before the Tiger Trophy is cancelled.
Three races will be sailed back to back on Saturday with the fleet divided into fast and slow handicap but all sailing the same course. This enables average lap times to be established over the whole fleet and an overall winner decided. The annual Tiger Trophy Pursuit race on Sunday is non-discardable and has for many years been the downfall of some exceptional sailors. Already more than 100 boats have entered in advance and online entry closes at 2pm on Friday. To enter click here
We will be undertaking some major works to the clubs hot water system from Monday 13 February until Friday 24 February which will consist of replacing the current hot water storage tank, adding a new gas hot water boiler and a new pump system. The outcome of the work will be significantly higher hot water pressures which should make both gents and ladies shower experiences much more enjoyable!
There will obviously be some disruption while this work takes place which will include there being NO HOT WATER AT ALL from 13 – 24 February, which includes the weekend of 18/19 February. There is also likely to be NO RUNNING WATER AT ALL from Mon 13 – Wed 15 February while the works are started. Please be aware of this during this period; we are trying to ensure that there will be at least one electric shower available for both the ladies and the gents but this will be the maximum available and we would ask you to bear this in mind when you visit the club during this period.
A Rutland team took part in the Keelboat Team Racing Nationals held at Queen Mary Sailing Club earlier in January. This was a ‘white sail event’ so spinnakers were not used in the J80 yachts supplied by Royal Thames Yacht Club who are the annual hosts of this event for the Carmella Trophy. The format is ‘two boat team racing’ (teams of two yachts per club) 2 teams per race so there are four boats in each race. It’s a head to head challenge in each race with the boats slowing at marks and covering; attempting to trap opposition boats and allow your team mate to sail freely to the finish. Unless you manage to break away with a clear 1st and 2nd the 2 versus 2 boat format ensures a very exciting race with lots of action between the teams..
Just a reminder that there will be no club racing on Sunday 5 February due to the Tiger Trophy pursuit race taking place. Racing will resume as normal on Sunday 12 February
Please click here for more information on the club rules advisor course on 11 February. To register please contact the office on 01780 720292 or e mail
