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Held on 16^th June 2007 at South Staffordshire Sailing Club. (Report submitted by the Haynes Family of Carsington S.C.)

Light winds and the threat of rain throughout the day could have delivered a miserable event for the seventeen sailors who registered for the Midland Area Open Championship on Saturday 16^th June at South Staffordshire Sailing Club. However, the conditions were not as poor as had been forecast and although the winds were never more than force two, the rain held off for most of the day and there were smiles on the faces of all the competitors as they enjoyed the three races of the one day competition.

It was very much a day for these sailors to practice total concentration as the light wind was swinging and shifting as well as coming and going in strength. In the first race Rachel Lennox took the win with Lucy Childs second and it looked as though the event could be a re-run of last year when the girls dominated the results. However, after lunch Alistair Macaulay won the second race followed by Mark Powell in second and it was all to play for in the third race with Rachel Lennox, Alistair Macaulay and Mark Powell all on equal points. After a short break, and following a general recall, the third race saw a win for Joshua Haynes, the youngest competitor in the main fleet, who took the lead from the start and continued to increase his lead throughout the race. He was followed home by Alistair Macaulay.

So with all the races completed the scores relied on countback to split 3^rdand 4^th overall places but otherwise it was a points home win in the Seniors for Alistair Macaulay (14) with a nett 3 points, followed by Rachel Lennox (14) from Barnt Green SC, who was also first girl on nett 5 points, and Lucy Childs (14) from Northampton SC who was third with 8 points. The Juniors event was taken by Mark Powell (12) also from Barnt Green SC, who was a praiseworthy third overall on 6 points, followed by Oliver Chapman (11) from Norfolk Broads Yacht Club, who was again a creditable fourth overall also on 6 points, and Joshua Haynes (9) who sails at Carsington SC & Trent Valley SC and was 6^th overall with 9 points.

South Staffs SC member Helen Jones commented, “All of the races today provided great spectator entertainment as the sailors searched for the wind and worked hard to concentrate on their own race. When the second race results were in and we had three sailors on equal points it was compulsive viewing to see who would take the Championship in the last race of the day. It was definitely nail-biting stuff for the parents as much as the competitors.”

As I write this, the RYA Squads for 2006/2007 have been announced. I’m delighted to say that no fewer than 7 Barnt Green Optimist sailors have been chosen. Peter and Sarah Alton are in the National Intermediate Squad; William Lockett joins Mark Powell, Rachel, Charli, and Hannah Lennox in the West Zone Squad.

Barnt Green Snowflake sailors will see the West Zone squad in action, as the two training weekends in January and February will be held here.

It is time to say goodbye from the Optimists to Rory Jones and Jo Powell who have both got shiny new Laser 4.7s. We wish them well in their future sailing, and we hope to see them quite a lot at Barnt Green, despite Rory already earning a place in the National Laser 4.7 squad!

It has been a good summer series for the Optimists with up to 8 boats racing at any one time. For the first time in the history of Barnt Green Sailing Club, members of one family took first, second, and third in a series, so well done to Rachel, Charli, and Hannah Lennox for their success. Credit is also due to their racing manager and Mum, Ruth, who sacrificed her own summer sailing so they could achieve this.

As handicapper, I’m pleased to report that Hannah’s, and Jess Pickworth’s improvement was reflected in them receiving first and second prizes in the Handicap series.

At the Autumn working party, where I’m pleased to say 6 Optimist sailors were helping, I was struck by the fact that we now have at least 12 working Club owned “Oppies” which are good enough to take part in club races. I would like to encourage all members of the club to think how they might play a role in helping young sailors take the step from the Easter and August training and Katy’s Crew to club racing.

It can be a very daunting step for the young sailor. Every member on the water can help by being aware of this, by being aware the young sailor is there, and by being encouraging to them – Remember, the rules for our behaviour on the water are more important than the rules for when boats meet!

10 Barnt Green Optimists took part in the National Championships, which must be a record. The highlight has to be Lucy Best’s success in the Regatta Training Fleet. Well done Lucy! Others had a more frustrating time; Kieran Carter was unable to put his new boat through its paces on 2 days when strong winds kept his fleet ashore. Others had an enjoyable time but with a mixed bag of results; while Charli had to miss 2 days through illness, including a 3 race day.

Following tradition, Barnt Green parents helped out in many ways. Helen Alton played a key role on the principal committee boat – she’s one of those fortunate people who can be down below windshift tracking in all sea state conditions! Mike Powell and I did some scrutineering – I managed to weigh the National Champion instead of his boat, and I have to report he was hardly heavier than an Optimist hull. Ruth spent a long day doing results, a day on tallies, and a day mark laying. This was a fascinating experience when Mike and I assisted on other days as marks are now laid with GPS accuracy using mean wind direction and predicted boatspeeds – very impressive.

So, the 2006 season ends as it began for the BGSC Optimists. In good shape and looking forward.