logo_sailing.gif (826 bytes) Sailing

Update

PETER Whipp, captain of the Isle of Man sailing team at this year's NatWest Island Games, has taken delivery of 20 new laser class dinghies, purchased through sponsorship from Manx Telecom.This will be the first time in the history of the Games that every competitor in the sailing events has had a brand new boat in which to compete.

'This sets a completely new standard and the same standard as the Olympic Games', said Peter. After the Games the boats will stay in the Island and will be used to train talented young sailors through the Manx Telecom Laser Academy which is currently being establish. 'It will bring local young sailors a unique opportunity to train for future Games and should transform the sport in the Island in years to come,' Peter added.

Details

THE sailing events in next year's NatWest Island Games have received a major sponsorship boost. Manx Telecom has donated £20,000 towards the purchase of 20 International Laser Class dinghies. The £20,000 cheque was handed over by Mike Cook, director of customer services at Manx Telecom. The equipment will be shipped over to the Island in a container shortly before July's event. This will ensure that every competitor will be supplied with a brand new boat for the first time.
Following the Games, local sailors and clubs will have the opportunity to buy these boats.

The Lazers are all identical, at 13 foot long and around 10 inches wide, and under competition rules it is forbidden to alter the boats in any way.
Competitors must use the hulls, spars, foils and sails provided although they are allowed to use their own tillers, tiller extensions, mainsheet ratchet blocks, rope controls and compasses. However, all equipment, with the exception of the compasses, will be available.

Boats will be launched from the beach and, owing to the length of Ramsey Bay, full-sized courses with one mile beats can be set while still avoiding the main tidal streams.
It is proposed that sailing competition will be take place from Sunday through to Thursday and eight races are scheduled for each class. If five races are held, participants will be able to discard their worst result. A minimum of three races must be sailed in each event to complete the series.

The Isle of Man's two standard rig sailors were selected at the Island Dinghy championships in August. Peter Whipp and Mike Pridham have been chosen to represent the host nation in that class.
Trials for the radial event were held in October as many of the class's prospective sailors were unable to participate at the dinghy championships. Jennie Kneale and David Batchelor will be the Manx sailors in that competition.

After the Island Games, the dinghies will be used to train young sailors in the Island for future international competition.
Peter Whipp, co-ordinator for sailing at the Games, said: 'This very kind sponsorship from Manx Telecom has made my dream of everybody competing in identical new boats a reality. '
'As a bonus, the boats offer local young sailors a unique opportunity to train for future Games and should transform the sport in the Island in years to come.'

Ramsey is the Island's second largest town and sits in the largest bay. The size of the bay enables us to set full-sized courses with 1 mile beats and still keep out of the main tidal streams.

Around 14 islands are expected to contest the two single-handed international Lazer classes, the standard rig event and the radial rig competition.
Both events are open to a mixed entry, although the radial rig is smaller than the standard version and therefore aimed at lighter competitors and women.
Gibraltar and Aland did not send sailors to Gotland in 1999 but are to compete in the Manx event.

Every island is entitled to enter two people for each of the two classes, to give four in total. However, it is not permitted for someone to compete in both events.
For the first time, there is going to be a team competition in addition to the two individual events. The best three results from each island's four participants will be used to determine the team medal.


The Lazers are all identical, at 13 foot long and around 10 inches wide, and
under competition rules it is forbidden to alter the boats in any way.
Competitors must use the hulls, spars, foils and sails provided although
they are allowed to use their own tillers, tiller extensions, mainsheet
ratchet blocks, rope controls and compasses. However, all equipment, with
the exception of the compasses, will be available.
Boats will be launched from the beach and, owing to the length of Ramsey
Bay, full-sized courses with one mile beats can be set while still avoiding
the main tidal streams.
It is proposed that sailing competition will be take place from Sunday
through to Thursday and eight races are scheduled for each class. If five
races are held, participants will be able to discard their worst result. A
minimum of three races must be sailed in each event to complete the series.
The Isle of Man's two standard rig sailors were selected at the Island
Dinghy championships in August. Peter Whipp and Mike Pridham have been
chosen to represent the host nation in that class.
Trials for the radial event were held in October as many of the class's
prospective sailors were unable to participate at the dinghy championships.
Jennie Kneale and David Batchelor will be the Manx sailors in that
competition.
It is anticipated that all the sailing competitors will stay in a hotel in Ramsey. The boats will be launched from the beach and although this is within walking distance of the hotel transport will be available for this purpose and to take competitors to Douglas (16 miles / 25 kms) to watch other events, meet up with fellow Islanders, or for recreation.

The competition will be in brand-new Laser dinghies following the prescribed format of a maximum of two competitors from each Island in each Standard and Radial rigs. The provision of these boats has been made possible through the very kind sponsorship of Manx Telecom. No competitor may compete in both classes. All the hulls, spars, foils, and sails will be brand-new and the supplied equipment must be used. Competitors may bring their own tillers, tiller extensions, mainsheet ratchet blocks, rope controls and compasses but with the exception of compasses these items will be available.

8 races are scheduled for each class. So long as 5 races are sailed for either class then competitors in that / those class(es) will discard their worst result. For both classes a minimum of 3 races must be sailed to complete the series. The schedule below is flexible in that the Race committee may change it and if necessary hold races on Friday.

Refreshments will be available at the boat park and in addition Ramsey is well served with shops and restaurants. There will be social events laid on during the week including a closing dinner on the Thursday evening.

H.W.

Sunday

1306

Standard Race 1

1100

Standard Race 2

ASAP

Radial Race 1

ASAP

Monday

1342

Radial Race 2

1100

Radial Race 3

ASAP

Standard Race 3

ASAP

Tuesday

1424

Standard Race 4

1100

Standard Race 5

ASAP

Radial Race 4

ASAP

Radial Race 5

ASAP

Wednesday

1500

Radial Race 6

1200

Radial Race 7

ASAP

Standard Race 6

ASAP

Thursday

1548

Standard Race 7

1200

Standard Race 8

ASAP

Radial Race 8

ASAP

Sailing Co-ordinator:
Peter Whipp