LDC Sailing, the new builder and distributor of the popular 2000 class, has launched a dedicated website www.2000sailing.com.
The site contains information about the specification and features of the new 2000s, which will be in production very shortly. New moulds are nearing completion on the Isle of Wight with the first boats due to be completed within a few weeks.
LDC Sailing has taken the opportunity to review all aspects of the 2000 with the class association committee, key racing sailors and representatives of some of the major sailing institutions that sail 2000s, such as the British Navy and Army. This review has lead to a number of minor improvements including fit-out details, inner side seat shape and sail cloth choice for the spinnaker and jib.
The RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series winners for 2013 were crowned following the final event of the three-weekend series at Hayling Island. The annual Series provides home-grown talents the chance for some early-season racing against Olympic and Paralympic classes competitors, and some of the British Sailing Team’s top performers.
Two weekends of racing at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in March and April had set the stage for a fitting series finale at Hayling Island Sailing Club, where honours were at stake in the 49er, 470, Finn and RS:X fleets.
Entries were slightly lower than usual, with a number of young British Sailing Team talents studying feverishly during this school and university exam season, but there was no shortage of talent on show across the two days of light wind racing.
470 Junior European silver medallists Mike Wood and Hugh Brayshaw were prevented from a clean sweep of weekend victories at the hands of Jonny McGovern and Ben Palmer, but their second place at HISC was enough to earn them the overall Series title for 2013.
Youngsters from across the country will be helping to inspire even more young people to get involved and progress in windsurfing after being selected as new RYA Team15 (T15) Ambassadors.
The 16 youngsters from the RYA Zone Squads are aged between 10 and 15 and were officially awarded with their ambassador certificates at the RYA Techno Easter Camp in Weymouth.
“We are delighted to announce our new T15 ambassadors. The role was created to recognise RYA Zone and UK Squad windsurfers who play an important part in the education of other T15 sailors, many of whom are new to windsurfing and windsurfing competition,” explains RYA National Windsurfing Development Officer Gillian Wright.
As successful ambassadors the youngsters will now help to develop their T15 club by promoting T15, the RYA Pathway and the RYA Zone Squad Programme. They will also become a point of contact for other young sailors who may need advice about how to move forward in the sport.
The T15 inter-club championship takes place regionally over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills. Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low. www.Team15.org.uk
Cowes Week Limited has reported that of the entries received to this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week to date, almost 20 percent are from overseas.
It’s no coincidence that in ‘odd’ years, when the Rolex Fastnet Race starts immediately after this historic regatta, international participation increases.
The boat with the longest journey to Cowes is the Australian Secret Mens Business 3.5, which was winner of the 2010 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race. Owner and skipper, Geoff Boettcher has competed in a total of 23 Sydney to Hobart Races but has never raced in either Cowes Week or the Fastnet Race.
Following the tragic death of Olympic gold and silver medallist Andrew Simpson after a training accident involving his Artemis Racing AC72 boat in San Francisco the RYA has given a tribute to this amazing sailor.
Simpson had become trapped underneath the boat and despite attempts to revive him, by doctors afloat and subsequently ashore, his life was lost.
After teaming up with Iain Percy in the Star in January 2007, the duo provided a glimpse of what was to come with a Worlds bronze medal that summer. But it was in Beijing 2008 where everything fell into place, with the pair producing a heroic last race display to claim their hugely poignant gold medal, which earned Bart an MBE.
London 2012 saw Percy and Simpson dominate the regatta, but a twist of fate in the final double points’ medal race denied them a second consecutive gold.
Our thoughts are with Andrew’s wife, Leah, their two young children, and his family and friends.
LDC Sailing, the new builder and distributor of the popular 2000 class, has launched a dedicated website 
The RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series winners for 2013 were crowned following the final event of the three-weekend series at Hayling Island. The annual Series provides home-grown talents the chance for some early-season racing against Olympic and Paralympic classes competitors, and some of the British Sailing Team’s top performers.
Youngsters from across the country will be helping to inspire even more young people to get involved and progress in windsurfing after being selected as new RYA Team15 (T15) Ambassadors.
Cowes Week Limited has reported that of the entries received to this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week to date, almost 20 percent are from overseas.
