Birmingham Navy hits 'em where it hurts

The expeditionary force of the Birmingham Navy, whose headquarters are based at SSC, but who are widely copied in the midlands area, would like to submit the following report.

Having built up a reputation for navigational disasters, scratched topsides and shredded spinakers earnt by the weekend exploits of the ranks of the Birmingham Navy, the time had come to put this myth to the test (naturally using someone elses equipment).

So with this in mind, 5 doubty lads from the BN, 4 from SSC and 1 wannbe SSC from Solihull, set off for Port Solent to take on all the corporate and sailing might the southerners could throw at us.

Sunsail's attitude was typical - they insisted a paid hand from their own navy, you know the Royal one, was put on our boat to spy on us and wreck our plans. Richard Bailey a diver with the RN kept insisting on grabbing the wheel off Alan and trying to ram us aground, and though he did manage this once even before the racing had begun, we were not to be deterred.

And so to the mission. To take on a fleet of 13 matched sunfast 37s, using all the kit, in winds from F4-F6 over a series of 4 races over 2 days.

I suspect that in our heart of hearts we knew what the result would be (see picture left). With Jonathan's fatal attraction little wonder they were crashing into each other to get a closer look. Yes thats one of theirs not ours! A £2k reminder to learn the port and starboard rule.

As the racing progressed it was clear that Richard's loyalty could be bought for the price of a beer and a plate of fish and chips - from the 4 starts we made, he got us over the start line in 1st or 2nd 3 times.

Having unwittingly chosen the losing tack on the first long beat of the first race we found ourselves down at 6th at the leeward mark (course - triangle sausage). But with BN and RN brains and brawn on the job, 6th was made into 1st at the finish helped by a monumental course error by the lead boat who thought they'd finished but hadn't.

From then on the writing was on the wall and despite fielding only a complement of 6 against 8 on other boats in breezy conditions, the spinaker was tamed and a 3rd 3rd and 2nd followed - giving us a 2nd overall and qualifying for entry to the November regatta final.

The Birmingham Navy on this occasion was Alan (Maddog) Williams, Matt Daniels, Jonathan Haigh, Max Coleman and Matt Cyprus. Big credit to Richard Bailey, Royal Navy diver, champion dinghy sailor, round the world yachtsman and top bloke.

PS and no scratches!

Has Any One Seen The New Radio's?

To aid the the bridge teams in delivering a better safety boat service the club has purchased some two way radios.
These Radio's need to stay on charge when not in use as they will run flat over the coarse of a week.
They come with aqua bags and ear pieces which need to be used when on the water.
Any body needing help in using the radio's please ask my self, Greg, Dave Hall, Allan Coleman and we will be more than happy to help.

For security reasions I am not publishing the location of the sets and chargers but if any one needs to no there location please contact me directly: faz@fazaudio.com
or 07831 434675.

Thanks
Faz

Caption Competion (March)

Please add your Captions using the comments link.

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Ogston Pictures

Sunday 18 March

BREEZE ON

The first race was started at the slightly later time of 2.50pm, after waiting for the breeze to ease.

Faz (Internationalclaimed Sound Engineer) Led the fleet at the first mark, only to sit head to wind, capsize and cause mayhem. Once lapped by Jonathon in his Laser Faz gotr going, only to get his mainsheet wrapped around the mark. Afterseveral capsizes later he managed a lap, he was even lapped by our Commodore!!

After 2 laps both Alan Williams and James Hill capsizes between Hotel and Dam, only to get stuck in the mud. Mr C and Big Dave to the rescue towing them out.

What an afternoon of entertainment!!

Ogston Topper Open

Yesterday three of us attended the first Midlands Topper Open of the year at Ogston SC.

The wind was gusting between force three and five, but Meagn was the only one out of us that decided to reef.

In the first race both James and Megan retired and I came second.

In the second race Megan retired, James came fourth and I thought I had come second until I found out that the winner had been disqualifed for being over the start line so I won the race!

Megan decided not to go out in the third race. I had to go out if I wanted to win the open. But unluckly I capsised on the second lap and couldnt get it up again so I retired and James was the only one of the Sutton boats to finish the race, in sixth place.

Well done to everyone that attended and thanks to my dad, Mr Greg, Jane and Grandad for taking us.

Georgina. TFC

(Pictures to follow soon)

Club Open Day