The first regatta of the year for the Singapore SB3 fleet saw 80% of all the SB3’s in Singapore take to the water for the Tiger Cup Trophy over the weekend of March 6th and 7th. With a planned 11 race series it was going to mean long days on the water. The marina was a hive of activity before the 11am briefing with boats cleaned, new sails unrolled, and sun screen applied.

The fleet launched on Saturday to make the expected start time of 12:00 noon, in a sweltering 35°C. A slight delay and the fleet got away in a pleasant 8 knots of wind coming from the north east. As the boats moved towards the windward mark, the wind began to drop and the tide kicked in, within the space of a few minutes, the speedos were reading 0.0, and boats going backward in the tide. After letting the crews sweat it out for another 15 minutes the race office abandoned the race, leaving the 13 boats to whistle for the wind. Fortunately the wind did come and filled in from the south west.

With the wind steadying at a pleasant 12knots, the race office acted swiftly and got race 1 away, with a short 2x windwar / leeward course. With this event having the largest number of SB3’s on the water to date, getting a good start was imperative, so there was much jostling on the start line, and at the turning marks, with many boats having to complete 360 penalty turns. Race 2 and 3 saw the wind increase to 15knots causing a little more excitement when turning corners, with a number of boats seeing what tropical fish they could catch with their spinnakers. Compass Rising had to make a quick trip into the marina to replace a jib block, meaning they were carrying at 14th. A number of other boats incurred breakages, most notably Robin Young on Pyxis who broke the main halyard, putting an end to their days racing. The final race of the day saw the race officer decide to send the fleet 3 X round the course, catching Fabrice on Alidade out, as he was leading the race and heading fast for the finish when the rest of the fleet rounded the leeward mark and set off upwind. Saturday conclude with 2 wins for Alidade, 2 wins for Glasgow Kiss, 1 for Compass Rising and 1 win for Hullabaloo. Scumbag was showing bursts of impressive speed, as was Su Me, and the Dogs 3.

The fleet then made its weary way back to the marina, with many crews trying to get there body temperatures back to something sensible by drinking beer in the pool to try and rehydrate from a long day on the water. The drinks downtown was abandoned as the fleet sought to recover from a long, hot and tiring day on the water. Special mention must go to Sean Cox on Katana, who with ‘direction’ from the helm. Bill Lydens, went swimming 3 times during the day, once to wash the boat, once to free the spinnaker from the keep, and once to clear the windward mark tackle which they had fouled.

Sunday dawned another bright and pleasant day, with racing scheduled to start at 1:00pm and a briefing at midday the decision was taken to wait for the wind. The fleet launched at 1:30 and racing got away at 2:00pm. In a steady 10knots from the south west, with Race 7 completed, the discard kicked in and Bob Comstock on Compass Rising, discarding a 14th place, moved up the leader board.
Race 8, 9, 10 and 11 saw excellent close racing with tight fight for all positions in the fleet. Showing improved speed from Day 1 was the Dogs 3, and Bandit, who whilst fast in a straight line, were suffering at the turning marks sailing only 2 up. Somebody had had a word with the race officer and the final race of the day was kept to a standard 2 x windward / leeward.

On the conclusion of race 11 the fleet made their way back to the marina where the boats were put to bed, and the fleet cooled down with ice cold beer in the swimming pool. The prize giving was held in the swimming pool as the competitors sort shelter from the 35 degrees temperatures. Overall results showed how tight the racing had been with just three points separating the first three boats, and a tie for overall winner, with Bob Comstock on compass rising taking first place on countback from Wallace Cuthebertson on Glasgow Kiss, and Fabrice Piard in 3rd place. Scum bag finished 4th, Hullaballoo 5th and SuMe 6th

Thanks must go to Prakash, from Raffles Marina and to Koobs and the Race team for running an excellent regatta with little wait between races, and excellent course setting.

An often heard comment after the event was that this was “best racing that I have has in Singapore”, It is going to be a great year ahead for SB3 racing in Singapore. The Singapore SB3 fleet is going from strength to strength with an impressive number of boats on the water, the team from Tara sailing in the World Championships in Lake Garda in July and an active calendar of club and regatta sailing with the next weekend regatta will be held over the weekend of 22/23 May.

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Inland Championships Notice of Race
Inland Championships Entry Form
Inland Championships Sailing Instructions

Following the success of the 2009 Inland Championships at Rutland Sailing Club we are delighted to announce the entry details for the 2010 event which will be held at Rutland Sailing Club 2nd – 4th April 2010 (Good Friday – Easter Sunday!)

The first warning signal is at 1pm on Friday and you should be off the water by 3pm n Sunday. For those on the Hamble, Rutland is less than 3 hours away, so you can leave home on Friday morning and be back for Sunday dinner!

Nine races are schedules for the Championships (3-4-2 per day). There will also be an additional one off short “Ultimate Test Race” which will be on a different format, with separate prizes. This is not part of the Championship series.

There will be a Fleet Dinner (£11 per person) plus a entertainment with £200.00 worth of prizes donated by Gill International.

Entry is only £65 per boat if received by 29th March. There is a late entry fee.

Launching will be free and will be assisted by volunteers. And leave your outboards at home, you can’t use them on Rutland Water!

This event was greatly enjoyed by all last year, so be there!

The Clubhouse has good value accommodation that can be booked with the Club, www.rutlandsc.co.uk or phone 01780 720292 (not Tues or Wed).

For other information contact Richard Triffitt by PM (ref Triff) e-mail triffitts@btinternet.com or phone 01536 770311 or 07711 173804

Inland Championships Sailing Instructions

An event not to be missed……..Following the success of the 2009 Inland Chamionships at Rutland Sailing Club we are delighted to announce the entry details for the 2010 event.After their great success  last year the Inland Championships are again being held at Rutland Sailing Club for 2010.  To be held 2nd – 4th April, 2010, ie from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.
 
First warning signal is at 1pm Friday, and you should be off the water by 3pm Sunday.  For those on the Hamble, Rutland is less than 3 hours away, so you can leave home Friday morning and be back for Sunday dinner.
 
Nine races are scheduled for the Championship (3-4-2 per day).
Plus there will be an additional one-off short “Ultimate Test Race” which will be on a different format, with separate prizes.  This race is not part of the Championship series.
 
There will be a Fleet Dinner (price only £11pp), plus  an Entertainment, with £200 worth of prizes donated by Gill International.
 
Entry is only £65 per boat if received by 29th March.  There is a late entry penalty.
 
Launching will be free, and will be assisted by volunteers.  And leave your outboards at home – you can’t use them on Rutland Water!
 
T-shirts and free photos are being made available by Teamb4ego, see  www.tb4e.com.
 
This event was greatly enjoyed by all last year, so do be there.
 
The Clubhouse has good value accommodation that can be booked with the Club, www.rutlandsc.co.uk or phone 01780720292 (not Tues/Wednesdays)

For other info contact Richard Triffitt by PM (refer”triff”), email triffitts@btinternet.com,  or phone 01536770311, mobile 07711 173804.

The party is to celebrate the signing of a three year sponsorships agreement with Magic Marine. Magic Marine will support the SB3 Class in The Netherlands until the end of 2012. The sponsorship will climax with the SB3 European Championships in September 2012 in The Netherlands.

Beer and snacks will be served on the stand, number 04100 and all SB3 owners and crew are welcome.

If you are interested in buying an SB3 and wish to visit the Amsterdam Boat, please contact Claire at claire@sailcenter.nl who will be able to arrange complimentary tickets for you.