Team racing at the Wilson Trophy 
Thirty two teams (including eight from USA, Canada and Ireland) took part in the Wilson Trophy, one of the major annual three-boat team racing events at West Kirby last weekend. Winds were light throughout the weekend, but each team completed twelve races in Fireflies using the "Swiss League" format, before the top eight teams went through to the quarter finals.

Four current 420 sailors - Kate Macgregor (crew), Matt Rainback (crew) Ben & Tim Saxton (helms), plus Claire Lasko (helm) and Katy Jones (crew), - were in the Grafham Gremlins team who finished tenth overall, up from 22nd place last year.

Other 420 sailors spotted at the event included Guy & Sam Brearey (Portsmouth Uni - 9th), Owain Matthews (Hilbre Highlanders - 16th), Milly Hughes & Adam Richards (Sheffield Uni - 26th) and Sophia Parkinson (BUSA Ladies - 31st).

Overall winners were Silver Panda from New York, current World Champions and defending Wilson Trophy champions. We have also spotted golden oldie 420 sailors, Ben Field leading the West Kirby Hawks to ensure a UK podium place and Dominica Lindsey of the Society Ladies (what else!)

2008 Worlds & Junior Euros team plans 
The first team email has been sent to all those who have been offered team places, but some of the email addresses may not be correct. If you have been offered a team place, but haven't received the team email from Peter Saxton, please let him know (by email!).

2008 team places announced 
Following completion of the GBR 420 Selection Trials at Highcliffe last weekend and Bala three weekends ago, after eleven races in a mixture of wind conditions ranging from 3 knots to 25+ knots, the following sailors have been offered team places:

2008 Open World Championships – Athens
James Rusden and Joe Williams
Ben Saxton and David de Boltz
Ben Palmer and Piers Strong
Matt Rainback and Simon Foskett
Owain Matthews and Tim Saxton
Phil Sparks and Ben Gratton
Peter Irwin and David Kohler

The top five pairs have also been offered places at the 2008 Junior European Championships in Zadar, Croatia.

2008 Ladies World Championships – Athens

Imogen Stanley and Kate Macgregor
Lucy de Boltz and Millie Parkin
Rebecca Kalderon and Rosie Sibthorp
Hermione Stanley and Hannah Mitchell
Jenny Lennon and Katherine Kimber
Anna Burnett and Flora Stewart
Sarah Hickman and Megan Fileman

The top two pairs have also been offered places at the 2008 Junior European Championships in Zadar, Croatia.

“young cat” James Ellis makes 2nd ISAF bid 
Our James Ellis, Bronze helm at 420 Junior Euros 2006 & 2007 ISAF Youth Bronze in the 29er, is competing for ISAF selection again, in the SL 16 at the multihull Eurocat event in Carnac, France.

Allam takes first MR Qualifier 
Robbie Allam, with Adam Richards in his crew, won the first Match Racing Qualifier, with a clean sweep of the round robin.

Tim Gratton 21st out of 172 on the water at Glyn Charles 
Tim Gratton was the leading 420 Class member in the Glyn Charles Pursuit on Saturday in a Feva with Chris Taylor, an excellent result! Other current and former 420 members we found were: Tristan Jaques, Nikki Birrell, Neil Baker & James Hughes, Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton (in a 420), Paul & Caroline Maxfield and Jess Derbyshire & Georgie Andrew (in a 420). You may find more (for results click above).

Miles Palmer's Y&Y Report from Bala 

2008 Match Racing Series gets underway 
Robbie Allam, Ben Pym, Seb Ripard and Andrew Shaw are the former 420 sailors who will be captaining teams in the first of the 2008 RYA National Match Racing Series at Queen Mary this weekend. These will be the first teams to set out this year to topple former 420 helms, Nick Cherry and Lucy Macgregor, who are current and past National and Women’s Champions, at events in the autumn.

Meanwhile, have you thought about putting a team together for the Youth Match Racing Championships, right after this year’s 420 Nationals? Notice of Race, Entry Form and preliminary details regarding training are on our Events Calendar, but watch RYA Match Racing for updated information.

Photos from Bala 
Charles Ainsworth has now put over 240 photos from the Bala event on display on the IBI Sailing website. Click on this article header for a direct link, or go to www.ibisailing.co.uk

Rusden & Williams pip Saxton & de Boltz at Bala 
James Rusden & Joe Williams won the Bala Open, the first of the two Selector events on countback from Ben Saxton & David de Boltz (both on 7 points). Ben Palmer & Piers Strong finished 3rd on 15, with Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett 4th on 23 and Owain Matthes & Tim Saxton 5th on 26. The first women were Imogen Stanley and Kate MacGregor on 30 points and 6th overall.

For the full story see the Event website.

Mirror sailors enjoy “trapeze fun & fantastic coaching” at Class Training 
Sue Kalderon writes: The 420 class open training at Itchenor went well last weekend weekend. Thirteen boats registered, ranging in ability from circuit 420 sailors coming from as far a field as West Kirby and Plymouth to less experienced sailors moving up from the Mirror National Junior Squad, as well as local Chichester Harbour sailors. On Saturday, coaches Neil Marsden and Ian Martin kept the young sailors calm, smiling and sailing as the wind blew up to a force 5/6, whilst the sailors gained excellent boat handling experience, and the safety boats had fun righting the inverted boats of the less experienced sailors and returning the lee shore visitors to the main channel. Sunday started brighter and calmer and the boats had a four hour session on the water. "All the boats had visibly improved by the end of the weekend", remarked a safety boat driver. "We learnt a lot. It was fun being on the trapeze" said Charlotte and Izzy Fitzgerald. "It's great that the 420 Class and Itchenor help us to make the step from Mirrors into 420s...the weekend was good fun and the coaches were fantastic" commented Hugo Sloper. Thumbs up from these sailors making the transition from the Mirror NJS to 420s.

Analysis of Equipment used by the top ten teams at the 2008 RYA Youth Championships 
An analysis of the equipment used by the top ten teams at the recent RYA Youth Championships, prepared by the Sailing Secretary, is attached. This is along the lines of the equipment analyses issued by ISAF after each Olympics. If you are a member of a team where there is a gap in the information, please contact Peter Saxton / click on General Enquiries on the Email Links in the menu so that the table can be completed. A copy of the analysis will be retained on the Technical page.

Mighty Makey’s Bristol are BUSA MR Champions 2008 
Tom Makey, with trusty James Wade in his crew, won the BUSA Match Racing Championships at Queen Mary SC on Sunday (news broke here!). Viktor Ogeman of Bath, with our Mark Stockbridge, was 2nd; Sam Pearson of Solent (with Nick Blevins, BUSA 2008 Keelboat Champion helm) was 3rd; and Robbie Allam of Cardiff (with Chris Sanders) was 4th.

Our Mark Stockbridge is to join GBR 1 for the FISU World University Match Racing Championships in Gdansk, Poland later in the summer. [When we did a 'Where are they now?' survey back in 2005, Mark responded saying that he was sure no-one would be interested in a 420 "non-superstar". Well, we were....and are very pleased to bask in his uni sailing glory too, thanks. Non-superstars welcome here!]

Pearson holds off Makey on Day 1 at BUSA MR Finals with a perfect score-line 
Sam Pearson of Solent, with Nick Blevins, bowman, won 6 or his 6 races on Saturday at Queen Mary on the first day of the BUSA Match Racing Championships Final. Tom Makey, with James Wade on board, Otters both, but now Bristol Uni, are in 2nd with 5/6. Robbie Allam, possibly missing Maia Walsh, but with Chris Saunders to give 420-trained support, is 3rd for Cardiff.

6 of the 8 helms in the competition and 15 of all the sailors are 420 ppl. We have also spotted Adam Richards & Amelia Hughes of Sheffield, Ben & Sam Brearey of Portsmouth, Seb Ripard of Southampton, Mark Stockbridge of Bath, and Elliott Parsons, James Kitt & Alex Shanahan of Exeter.

Who was Eric Twiname and what is his trust? 
He learnt to sail at Bassenthwaite, captained his Uni sailing team, and then BUSA, team-raced in Europe and the USA, won championships in GP14s, Lasers and Int Canoes, profoundly influenced sailing organisation, esp. the Racing Rules, and entertained hundreds of sailors on Clubhouse pianos. To some of our elders and well, maybe, betters who knew him, that, and a great deal more about him, is well known.

To most sailors though, especially younger ones, the name Eric Twiname is well known, but maybe we are not always quite sure why. Almost certainly all 420 sailors will have raced in the junior classes at Eric Twiname Championships. Many 420 sailors have also competed in the annual Eric Twiname Team Racing Championships – at Junior or Youth levels, or both (of course, we hope that a team of 420 sailors will win this year….again!). Team Racing being a particular interest of Eric Twiname, the Trust has also supported the book and the provision of Fevas at Spinnaker and West Kirby. Our Class, like many others, has had the benefit of ET RIBs as support boats. And many will have sailed in Twiname-donated dinghies (including 420s) at their clubs. Individual sailors, through Optimist Bursaries or individual grants (Ben Ainslie included, in his earlier days) have been supported and continue to reach the Olympics.

The Eric Twiname Trust, originally financed by Eric’s Dad, Alec (Eric’s mother, Hazel, is the Patron), has produced an information note about the Trust, particularly reminding us about how individuals and organisations may either donate or apply for funding (they seem to hint that they particularly welcome individual sailor initiative!). For our part we pay tribute to the work of the Trust and to the very real impact this independent funding and support provides. Please print and circulate the attached information note - at your club or among other sailors.

Saxton & de Boltz and Stanley & Macgregor win 420 titles at Youths 
Ben Saxton & David de Boltz won the Championship, and Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor won for the Women.

Top 10:
1 Ben Saxton & David de Boltz 16 points
2 Owain Matthews & Tim Saxton 17 pts
3 Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton 21 pts
4 James Rusden & Joe Williams 21 pts
5 Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor 26 pts
6 Peter Irwin & David Kohler 28 pts
7 Hamish Stone & Chris Proffitt 51 opts
8 Ben Palmer & Piers Strong 53 pts
9 Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett 60 pts
10 Tom Kinver & Charlie Makepeace 62 pts

Karenza Morton filed her Report and included the following:
"At Hayling last year Ben Saxton (Baldock) was winning a boy’s 29er bronze while David de Boltz (Danbury) was sailing a single-handed Radial. But since teaming up in the 420 last summer the pair have gone from strength to strength and landed the overall RYA Youth Nationals prize with an impressive display at Pwllheli.

"Leading from day one, Saxton, 17, and 18-year-old de Boltz were made to work for their title on the final day however as a win for Owain Matthews and Tim Saxton, and a discarded eighth for the eventual winners saw them edge the gold by just a point.

"Imogen Stanley (Stanton St John, Oxon) and Kate Macgregor (Poole) were never in danger of seeing their 420 girls title float away on the North Wales waves as they secured their second successive Championship with a massive 68-point advantage."

Helena Lucas & Nikki Birrell for Beijing 
RYA have announced today six of the nominations for the GBR Team to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Helena Lucas, former 420 Youth Squad sailor and narrowly beaten to the 470 nomination at the 2004 Athens Olympics, will sail the 2.4mR single-handed keelboat. And recent 420/470 helm, Niki Birrell will sail with Alexandra Rickham in the SKUD-18. woop!

420 sailors help Southampton & Cambridge to BUSA TR victories 
Ali Haylett of Bristol Uni has filed her full report on the recent BUSA Team Racing Championships (attached). We are pleased to see that 420 sailors were in the winning and leading teams, as well as spread throughout the participating university sailing teams. We just get everywhere!

Mixed (up) teams:
1. Southampton: Ben Ainsworth & Ian Dobson
2. Bristol 2: Chris Carden & James Wade
3. Southampton 2: Tom Sain
Ladies Championships:
1. Cambridge: Sophia Parkinson
2. Oxford: Pippa Girling
3. Edinburgh: Charlotte Lawrence & Katie Mackenzie

A quick skim through the entries revealed that a seriously large gathering of 420 randoms went team racing at Oxford SC last week: Mark Stockbridge of Bath, Tom Makey, Hattie Marsden, Nick Males & Emily Kidd of Bristol, Alice Darling of Cambridge, Pippa Wilkinson & Robyn Phillips of Durham, Tom Mallindine, Stephen Videlo, Peter Matthews, Elliot Parsons, Jodie Green, Alex Shanahan, Alice Currey & Kate Allam of Exeter, Jonny Frazer, Antonia Bull, James Sparrow & Selena Knight of London, Meg Baker, Nikki Stewart & Roger Carter of Glasgow, Lucy Cripps & Alix Caiger of Leeds, Oren Richards & Ned McNulty of London, Kathryn Bradley & Emma Norris of Newcastle, Guy Brearey, Becky Hyde & Sam Brearey of Portsmouth, Nicola Brook & Clare Best of Southampton and James Goss of Warwick. But there may have been more, or less…..you know, students and paperwork….! (but we are assured that Bristol's returns were spot on – gold star to Bristol to go with the silver medal?). No doubt we will be told about who is missing!

Ocean Images - from Pwllheli 
As promised everyone was in the thick of it last week, the excellent images supplied to us (again) by Richard Langdon of Ocean Images (the official photographer to Skandia RYA Team GBR) are now posted on the Photo Archive. These are, of course, reduced to a low resolution suitable for web use and are good for our purposes. High resolution images can be sourced from Ocean Images.

Pippa shares in third back-to-back Yngling title at Euros 
Former 420 National Champion (Youth World Champion in the 29er, Bronze in ISAF Youth Worlds in the 420 and European 420 Champion), Pippa Wilson, with Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb, has just added the Yngling European Championship title in her run-up to Beijing.

Josie Gibson takes 4th at ISAF Womens MR Champs 
Former 420 & 470 sailor, Josie Gibson (who was back in a 420 with us in 2006), with former 420 sailors Rachel Larman and Bex Marriott aboard, just reached the Semi Finals at the World Match Racing Championships in New Zealand.

Peters & Fitzgerald and Peters & Lasko selected for ISAFs 
In the 29ers, no change in the top-four order on the last day, so current and former 420 Class members in all four top boats!

We congratulate James Peters & Edward Fitzgerald on winning and on their selection as the GBR men’s entry in this year’s double-hander at the ISAF Youth Championships.

We also celebrate with Frances Peters & Claire Lasko on their 2nd overall! …..and on their selection to the GBR team for the ISAF World Championships in August. For anyone new to the 420 Class, these two are experienced 420 sailors. Frances & Claire were Feva National Champions together in 2005 – beating various Peters, Stevens and Saxtons on that occasion! – and Frances helmed the winning boat in last year’s Youths, so she is well deserving of this year’s Selection for the ISAFs.

We wish both teams well in Denmark.

Karenza Morton, reporting on the Youth Champs, says: "James Peters (Hayling Island) and Ed Fitzgerald (Chichester) have produced almost a flawless week’s racing to claim both the 2008 RYA Youth Nationals overall and boys’ 29er crowns. The duo won six of the 10 races in the series to romp to overall glory by eight points from James’ elder sister Frances and Claire Lasko (Thame, Oxon). However in claiming overall silver, Peters and Lasko are 2008 29er girls’ champions, Frances successfully reclaiming the title she won at Hayling Island in 2007".

Karenza Morton’s give the full news on the ISAF Youth team selections announced tonight.

We await confirmation after Prizegiving, but it looks like….. 
Ben Saxton & David de Boltz seem to have retained their top slot to the end – but by only one point from Owain Matthews & Tim Saxton, who scored a bullet to finish on 17 points. Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton were 3rd, but on =21 points with James Rusden & Joe Williams.

Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor are showing at 4th overall on 26 points having had a 2–place advantage over Peter Irwin & David Kohler in the last race. But there can be no doubt that they are the Women’s 420 Youth Champions for 2008, with Hermione Stanley & Hannah Mitchell in 2nd and Amy Seabright & Sophie Pearson in 3rd.

It seems to be all about brothers & sisters, but maybe we had better await final confirmation from someone at the prizegiving.

Jenny C-J looks for feedback 
8.00: "Well someone has clearly been very bad - today our challenge is visibility as well as very little wind!!!"

09.17: "We are releasing the sailors to the beach but not to go on the water yet".

And the mystery of the anonymous blogger deepens, or is all revealed?! Maybe the early starts and the dark humour should have been giveaways. Could it be Jenny C-J?

Anyway, Jenny wants to hear from anyone watching. ....by the way, mystery blogger, we are still waiting to hear how "naughty" was naughty with the 420 fleet on Tuesday!

Mystery blogger speaks out at Jury's "mean" use of 'DNE'. ....and retrns to domestic duties in the Event office.

Jury protest mean description and seek cuddly redress.....twitchy sailors (not surprised!).......blogger has direct line to Bridge!.....but visuals threatened by fog bank.

14.33: "420s have misbehaved and had a general so they cant get a 2nd rac due to the time constraints they are on their way in" - oh 420s!!

16.36 "No protests yet so we are planning a 17.00 prize giving"

16.37: "This is Jenny signing off for this championship"

Thanks Jenny (outed at last), super blogger to the sailing world! Really helpful to us back home trying to work out what was going on and full of humour! Safe journeys home to all sailors, supporters and organisers. Hope you are back next year, Jenny.

Saxton & de Boltz hold the lead at the Youths into the final day 
Ben Saxton & David de Boltz have a 4 point lead into the final day at Pwllheli with Owain Matthews & Tim Saxton 2nd on 20 points. With a 1st and 7th in today's two races, Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton are on 26 pts, one ahead of James Rusden & Joe Williams, who had to discard a 12th in race 7, but finished 1st in the last race. Peter Irwin & David Kohler finished the day on 29 points, one ahead of the leading women, Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor. They, in turn, have a 25 point lead over the next team and 66 points over the next women’s team. So some duals to be fought on the final day, wind willing!

Peters, Peters, Lasko, Mon and Diamond lead the 29ers 
The top four 29er helms into the final day at the Youth Championships are current or former 420 Class members, as is the leading women's crew.

Frances Peters & Claire Lasko, long-term 420 sailors, have a 16 point lead over their nearest rivals among the women. And the helm of that boat, Becky Diamond, is also a former 420 sailor; she and her crew have a 19 point lead over the next female team.

Meanwhile, among the men, sometime 420 members, James Peters and Bleddyn Môn, are helming the first and third placed teams overall with 10 and 13 points respectively, Bleddyn and his crew having a 17 point lead over the next male team.

We wish James, Frances, Claire, Bleddyn & Becky all the best for the final day’s sailing and in their bids for selection to the GBR Team for this year’s ISAF Youth World Championship.

Wind for Royal Visit 
09.27 "All courses reporting 6 to 7 knots so we are going on time". Princess Anne is expected!

Lot of news today on the “unofficial” blog thingy, but little sailing – Karenza single-handedly pushes BBC van on beach (powerful when stressed!), police arrived, more suits than wetsuits, sun shining, suits getting sticky, Princess in gin palace, Welsh now to blame for sunshine apparently….but sailing?…not a lot, 420s reached leeward mark (Ben in front, with Phil close behind), but then the news stopped, or the wind dropped…

14.25: ”....the blue course will be the last to get the wind but they are ready for when it comes” …..well, that's encouraging.

oh, there are results to Race 7 posted (must have finished after all!)….looks like there is a Scottish challenge…

16.48: Looks like they are still racing. Armchair (web) observers are taking bets (Cheltenham just finished races) on the identity of the author of the unofficial blog. Our favourite is Liv - esp after the remarks about Karenza's beach activities, the sticky suit brigade and all the hard work to be done in the office!

Richard Langdon delivers some great images 
Thanks to Richard Langdon, Skandia RYA Team GBR’s favourite photographer, for some great images delivered to us tonight. We feature some on the News page and will transfer these to the Photo Gallery in due course. Meanwhile, to access high resolution photographs, go to Ocean Images website.

Saxton & de Boltz hold the lead at the RYA Youth Championships 
Ben Saxton & David de Boltz finished on top for a second day of racing at Pwllheli. Owain Matthews & Tim Saxton are in 2nd on 14 pts. Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton, with bullets in races 5 & 6, and James Rusden & Joe Williams, both go into day 4 on 18 pts. Meanwhile, Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor, with a whopping lead in the women's championship, and Peter Irwin & David Kohler are each on 20 points.

RYAs Karenza Morton writes: ".......Among the other defending champions strengthening the stranglehold on their crowns are Imogen Stanley and Kate Macgregor who head their nearest rivals for the 420 girls title by a massive 42 points. Ben Saxton and David de Boltz are enjoying a great regatta, discarding just a fourth place, to lead the 420 class overall.

"Two wins today for RYA Youth Nationals 420 debutant Phil Sparks with Ben Gratton saw them recover from the disappointment of race three disqualification to move up to third with Owain Matthews and Tim Saxton sat in second at this stage"

Sounds pretty dire in Pwllheli today, but what are the "naughty" 420s up to? 
10.00 "Indefinite postponement" ....only 3 - 4 kn and "damp outside"....so no tropical sunshine today.

08.23: "..... it is likely that we'll change the order of the starts to SL16s then Standards, then 420s - cos the 420s are being naughty!" ???

11.17: "....rumours are they have force 4 in Holyhead". Rumour...Youths move to Holyhead?

14.55 420 Race 4 start All Clear

15.16 420 Race 4 at first gate 53303, 53327, 53229, 53117, 52871

15.50 420 Race 4 53303, 53327, 52871, 53229

Hey, some excitement at last!

Off again: 16.17 420 Race 5 at gate 52871, 52759, 53158, 53229, 53303

Rumours of 32kn gusts at Pwllheli this morning 
"10.36 Still no racing - there are huge 4ft waves and 30 kts - we are hoping the wind may drop and the sea calm down when the tide changes!! No chance of races before midday". Click above for today's unofficial blog on the official website.
We are always happy to receive unofficial news, photos, gossip....! (click on General Enquiries or e-m: 420@mbecks.co.uk)

12.35: no 420 racing before 16.00. But rumours of "Tropical sunshine now!" at Pwllheli - so there are some compensations!

14.05 - no 420 racing today.

Saxton & de Boltz lead into Day 2 at Youths 
Ben & David ended day 1 at the 2008 RYA Youth Nationals at Pwllheli Sailing Club with 7 points, while Owain Matthews & Tim Saxton are in 2nd on 10 pts. James Rusden & Joe Williams, Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor, and Peter Irwin & David Kohler are all on 13 points, in that order on countback.

No doubt we will be getting on-the-spot reporting soon, but the results just went up! (20.18).

Karenza Morton’s press report (20.37) says “debutant 420 helm Phil Sparks, sailing with Ben Gratton, .....having taken 4-1 to lead after the first two races, were disqualified from race three to end the day 10th overall. Ben Saxton, and David de Boltz’s consistent 3-3-1 puts them at the top of the board with Imogen Stanley and Kate Macgregor the top ranked female pair in fourth overall”.

Gibson and Farrell head duel charge in NZL for Women’s MR Worlds 
Former 420 helms Josie Gibson and Gemma Farrell lead GBRs two teams competing in the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship this week in New Zealand. RYA Racing Comms Off, Karenza Morton reports: “Bethan Carden, a member of the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme, is doing the bow for Programme mentor Farrell in what will be her first Match Racing World Championships. (Bethan)…from Lymington said: ‘It means a great deal to be involved in this event. I was heavily involved in the RYA Youth Programme in 420s but after that found it hard to continue sailing at a high-level without doing an Olympic campaign. It is really nice to get back to serious competition. We are hoping for a decent result but we know we are facing really, really tough competition and we're aware we're still pretty early on in our match racing careers so we will be looking to learn as much as we can from other people’."

Our Hannah does good at Takapuna 
Former 420 sailor Hannah Diamond is among a great team of GBR Youth Laser Radial sailors at the Youth Radial Worlds in New Zealand, she scored 11th overall!

Tiernan & Lehane 2008 Irish (ISA) National Youth Champions 
Stephen Tiernan (Poole YC & GBR 420 Class) & Rob Lehane (Royal Cork and Kinsale YCs) won the 2008 ISA National Youth Championships in Schull, South West Ireland. Tim Ó Laoire (GBR 420 Class) & Brian Kelleher of Howth and the Royal St George YCs were 2nd and Jane Butler & Jenny Andreasson were 3rd and are Women’s Irish National Youth Champions.

Measurement process at the Youth Championships 
Here's some advance information about the measurement process for those of you attending the Youth Championships next week. Please make sure that:

1. The centreboard is removed, but bolt put back in the centreboard case.
2. All mast rigging is removed from the boat, including shroud plates.
3. The rudder blade is removed from rudder stock.
4. All ropes, elastics and wires are removed from the boat, except those fastening in toe straps.
5. Compass and bracket removed from the boat.
6. Hatch covers left with the boat.
7. Hull dry, with all water removed form the cockpit floor and buoyancy tanks.
8. Mast, boom and spinnaker pole brought to measurement tent.
9. Measurement certificate to be shown.
10. Mainsail, jib and spinnaker, all pre-measured.
11. 8m tow rope, minimum 8mm diameter

The 420 measurement is being led by Don O'Donnell.

Pre-event sailing at the Youth Championships 
The RYA have just posted a note on the event website saying:

"Any competitor who wishes to sail on Saturday 29th March or Sunday 30th March must sign out at the Regatta Office (in the Plas Menai Room) before they go afloat and sign back in at the Regatta Office when they come back ashore.

You will need to leave a contact mobile number and nominate a person who will be watching you whilst you are afloat."

Other key times to note, according to the Notice of Race, are:

1. Registration at the Event Office from 1300:1700 on Saturday and 0900:1600 on Sunday

2. Measurement on Sunday from 0900:1600 - we are hoping to provide more informaiton on the measurement process and timings in the next few days.

Highcliffe Easter Regatta 
All four scheduled races were held at the Highcliffe Easter Regatta, in shifty offshore winds varying from zero to 15 knots.

In Race 1, James Rusden & Joe Williams won on the water, but were later disqualified for hitting a mark, allowing Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor to take first place, followed by Ben Saxton & David de Boltz and Lucy de Boltz & Milly Parkin. Race 2 started in almost no wind, with most competitors struggling to cross the start line against the tide. Saxton & de Boltz had an early lead, but were caught in a flat patch on the run, allowing Stanley & Macgregor and Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett to overtake, before they retook second place at the finish, behind Stanley & Macgregor.

On Monday, the wind was more steady in strength, around 12-15 knots, with a big course out in Christchurch Bay. Race 3 was won by Ben Palmer & Piers Strong ahead of Stanley & Macgregor, with Owain Matthews & Tim Saxton taking third place. With the discard coming in after four races, Stanley & Macgregor had won the event, but there was close competition in Race 4 for the minor places. Rainback & Foskett led round every mark to claim the win and thrid place overall, with Saxton & de Boltz taking another second place in the race, to give them second overall.

With 23 entries, the event provided a good opportunity to get used to sailing at Highcliffe, one of the venues for the Team Selection trials in early May, and competitors were fortunate to miss most of the bad Easter weather. Thanks to Highcliffe Sailing Club for all their onshore and on-water support, and to the safety boat crews for braving the cold weather!

PS If you have lost either a Banks top cover, or a dental retaining brace (!) at Highcliffe, please contact Saron Rusden on 01202 480 566

420 helms scoop the podium at BUSA Yachting Nationals 
Nick Blevins of Southampton Solent, with Ben Pym in his crew won the BUSA Yachting Nationals decisively today (retaining the title at Solent for another year). Sam Pearson, with Toby Harris and Chris Doe, also from the student yachting honey-pot, Solent Uni, took second, while Ian Dobson, turning his hand to keels again, took the third place on the podium, with Ben Ainsworth, Aaron Cooper & Georgie Blaver-Mann.

We identified (just a quick scan!) an impressive 10 helms and 15 crew in the 31 boats participating in the event who came through the 420 Class. 7 of these helms were in the top ten, also including Simon Wheeler of Southampton, Tom Smedley of Cambridge, Chris Witty of Solent and James Goss of Warwick. Sorry if we missed anyone!

Summer training camp - Grafham Water SC 
Full details of the 420 Summer Training Camp at Grafham Water SC are now available at the event website (click on the header to this article).

The training runs for six days from Monday 28 July to Saturday 2 August and costs £149 per person. Everyone is welcome, especially those sailors transitioning from junior classes, and those looking to improve their racing skills ahead of the Nationals.

Entry is limited to 24 boats, with a coaching ratio of 1:6 boats (or better!), with top 420 coaches lined up to make the most of your week, so sign-up NOW!

2008 Team Selection Trials 
The event website for the 2008 Team Selection trials on 19-20 April (at Bala) and 3-5 May (at Highcliffe) is now live and ready to accept your entries! These are open events and are two of the five major events of the UK 420 calendar. We encourage entries from all UK 420s, and visitors from overseas.

Entry fees need to be received by 11 April (one week after the Youth Championships) to avoid the late payment supplement.

Ben Pym to captain Red at the Red Funnel 
John Merricks Sailing Trust has loaned 52-footer “Red” to the Volvo RYA Keelboat programme this year. She will make her eagerly-awaited first competitive outing with the programme at the Red Funnel Easter Regatta next weekend (21 – 23 March).

And a 420-helm, Ben Pym, will captain her. RYA Keelboat Southern Squad member, Ben Pym, 19, said: “The TP52 is simply awesome. For 52ft, it is incredible how responsive she is, and how easily you can achieve double speed figures. We have a long way to go before we will be highly-competitive but we will learn a lot getting there and have fun doing so. This opportunity simply does not happen anywhere else.”

Launched in 2003, the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme aims to provide the opportunity for talented young sailors aged between 16 and 24 to break into the highly-competitive world of keelboat sailing. There are 47 sailors in the three 2007-08 Programme squads - National, Southern and Northern. Ben is one of twenty (at the last count) 420 sailors on the Programme, together with four other 420ppl who are ex-members of the Programme and who mentor the current ones!.....another option for your sailing career, maybe?

"Try a 420" - this Saturday!! (15 March) 
If you want to try a 420 (crewing, helming or both!), learn more about the boats, the training and the events, or you’re looking for a sailing partner, then go to the class website at www.420sailing.org.uk and click on “Events” for more details. Quite a few bookings were taken at the Dinghy Show, but for those of you who are more “last minute”, the forecast is looking good (9-12 knots and reasonably warm), so book up now!

There will be plenty of 420s training at both venues on Saturday, so you’ll get to meet some of the sailors, parents and coaches (and it’s free!).

Just four days to go....closes Sunday! 
hey, hurry up and get your entry in for the Youths.....well, Nathan and Josh just did (just as well, its happening in Wales!). PS remember to have your membership cards with your measurement certificate!

2008 RYA Youth Nationals: Entry deadline is Sunday next!!! 
Karenza Morton of RYA Racing Communications writes: "Sailors still to enter the 2008 RYA Youth National Championships and Trials are reminded they have until SUNDAY 16 MARCH to get their entries in. The 2008 Championships are being staged at Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club from Saturday 29 March to Friday 4 April and are guaranteed, as always, to attract the top under 19 racers in the country to do battle in North Wales.

"To enter now visit RYA Racing Events. No entries will be accepted after midnight on Sunday 16 March......

"Sailors who have already entered for the event are asked to check that their entry has been confirmed by checking the online entry list. If your name does not appear on the entry list, you should contact Jenny Campbell-James immediately on 01243 641176."

Double celebration: Msg Bd used & Rachel returns! 
This is not serious 420 news as such, but percy is celebrating the return of Rachel, the golden 420 helm of yesteryear and a new post on the Message Board after six months of quiet! Like dobbo last August, she is looking for an RS200 (is this what our former top guys go sailing in these days?) – any ideas anyone? Sorry rach, they all went to Facebook, Bebo….

Birrell’s Olympic SKUD bid takes another step toward Beijing 
Niki Birrell, former GBR 420 and 470 helm, with Alex Rickham took another step toward Beijing selection with a Bronze at the Midwinters in St Petersburg, USA, following their first outing and 5th at the Olympic Classes’ Rolex Miami in January.

"Try a 420" days 
Each year, ex-junior classes sailors are interested in joining the 420 class, and some would like to try a 420 before making the final decision. To follow on from the Dinghy Show on 1/2 March, we have organised a "Try a 420" day at Oxford SC and Staunton Harold SC (Derbyshire) on Saturday 15 March.

If you know anyone who might want to try a 420, please tell them about this opportunity - more details are available on the Event Calendar. We are planning to arrange other "Try a 420" days later in the Spring.

Dinghy Show - London - 1st & 2nd March (update) 
We now have about 15 people who have volunteered to help on the 420 RYA Youth stand at the Dinghy Show - thanks to you all! We have some vacanices still in the 1400 to 1600 slot on Sunday, and a couple of spare tickets, so please sign up NOW if you can help.

Click on the header to see who is helping!

Lost track with all the online entries? 
Ever wondered when you can sign up for an event? Or did you sign up ages ago but cannot remember if you paid or not?

Well help is at hand. With numerous clubs and classes using EventAssistant for their online entry, you can now see all these events by going to www.sailingevents.info (click on link above)

You can now see which events have online entry and when they will go live. Events you can enter are highlighted a bit lit an airport departure board.

At the top, you can enter a surname and see all the events by name that you have entered (this will includes others from your family as well as those who share your surname).

You can filter the results by using "Surname;Firstname" to limit the sailors listed. Firstname is a wildcard search using the Firstname you have supplied so that "Lasko;P" will find ALL Laskos whose first name starts with "P" . "Lasko;Jan" with find Lasko Jan and Lasko Jane and Lasko Janet ...

Hope you find this utility useful
Jan

Brearey for Portsmouth leads qualifiers at QMSC 
Guy, with Sam in the crew, lead the way for Portsmouth Uni at the 2nd MT qualifier for selection for the BUSA finals on 12/13 April, together with Seb Ripard’s Southampton and Robbie Allam’s 420-star-studied team for Cardiff. Sounds like the work was done on Saturday in the round robin - they called it a day at lunchtime with very light winds, by all accounts. You heard it hear first! Results

BUSA Match Racers converge on Queen Mary 
Another weekend’s MR coming up at QMSC, with forecast low temps (extra insulation, guys!). 420 hopes lie with Robbie Allam, Chris Sanders & Maia Walsh of Cardiff (Robbie must be a favourite – he’s been mixing it with the international MR scene and with Maia and Chris on board…!). But some teams have 420-trained sailors to even the odds: Jeremy Fowke of Exeter 1, Matt Day of Strathclyde, Alice Currey with Exeter 2 and Will Rusden of Warwick 2 (Warwick and Exeter are big on this stuff, so no worries having fresher super-star sailors in the 2nd teams, they may beat the 1st!). And veteran Guy Brearey is leading Portsmouth (though no team members yet announced! – this is not a single-handed exercise, Guy!). The hot tip for the one the bookies missed: Mirror World Champion, Anna MacKenzie leads Birmingham in her first year!

Some nice footage from the Tiger 
Thanks, Giles!

New talent call for Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme 

Saxtons win pursuit & lead 420s at Tiger 
Ben and Tim won the pursuit and took 5th overall at the Tiger Trophy. Anna Burnett & David Kohler were tenth overall in a field of nearly 200. Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett were 13th and Ben Palmer & Piers Strong, 14th. Our men in a Fireball, Peter Gray & Simon Forbes were 9th overall.

For a detailed description of the 420s at the event see Miles Palmer’s YachtsandYachting.com report

Niki Birrell leads the Brits in Miami 
At their first event in the Skud 18, our Niki Birrell, with Alexandra Rickham, have completed the Rolex Miami OCR in 5th and led the GBR entry – a good start for their campaign for Paraolympic selection!

RYA opens entries for Youth Nationals 
Karenza calling (see Press Release)..….“the entry deadline is Sunday 16th March 2008 and no entries will be accepted on or after this date” The on-line entry is at RYA Racing Events .

Nasher & Elliott score again! 
In spite of a pretty massive crash in Race 8 and Elliott being taken to hospital and losing a day’s sailing, Nick Asher and Elliott Willis (who took the 470 World Championships for GBR in China in 2006, a GBR first for 18 years) won again at Melbourne today. Nick & Elliott are former GBR 420 National Champions (and Optimist Champs too!). Christina Bassadone, also a former 420 National (Ladies)Champion and 420 World Ladies Champion, took 7th with Saskia Clark in the Women’s World 470 Championship.

Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy - Northampton SC 
Around 130 boats met at Northampton SC on Saturday 26 January for the annual Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy, in aid of Asthma UK. The forecast of strong winds looked good for the three 420s sailing in the 57 boat double-handed symmetric fleet, and with sunshine as well, the day gave lots of thrills and spills.

James Rusden & Joe Williams (Highcliffe/West Kirby) showed excellent form to win both races, by a margin on handicap of nearly three minutes in Race 1 (sailed in a gusty 22-25 knots) and over a minute in Race 2 (when the wind had dropped to only 15-18 knots). The P&B Fireball of Dave Wade & Ben McGrane were second in both races. Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett (Poole/Staunton Harold) finished 9th overall with a 7th (despite capsizing) and 14th, and newcomers Roseanna Yeoward and Hannah Jones (Rhosnaigor/Staunton Harold) finished 45th overall, having retired from Race 1.

420 Open Training at Oxford SC - 19/20 January 
It was encouraging to see twelve boats take part in the Open Training at Farmoor reservoir, the home of Oxford SC last weekend, with lead coach Neil Marsden ably assisted by Chris Witty.

The wind was 15-20 knots all weekend, and the training focussed on upwind and downwind boat handling around P-courses. Despite numerous capsizes, the sailors made considerable progress towards boat-handling perfection, through many hours on the water.

Thanks to Oxford SC for their hospitality and catering, and to parents for kitting-up and assisting on the coach boats.

The next Open Training is at Pwllheli on 16/17 February, with lead coach Callum MacDonald, the RYA 420 National Coach, and is open to all 420 class association members.

Tiger Trophy - 2/3 February - Rutland SC - update 
Late on the 21 January, there are twenty two 420s entered for the Tiger Trophy at Rutland in a few weeks time, out of an entry so far of 156 boats, so there should be some good fleet racing inside the handicap event.

There's an excellent social on Saturday night, being held this year at Rutland Sailing Club rather than in Oakham. There is an entry limit, so enter now if you're planning to attend (click on the header). All the profits from the event go to the John Merricks Trust.

Easter racing at Highcliffe 
The 420 class have been invited to join the Easter Trophy club event at Highcliffe Sailing Club on Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th March (Easter weekend). However, there's an entry limit of 30 boats, so enter online soon (click on header)!

The plan is to have two races each day, providing good preparation for the second weekend of the Worlds Team Selection Trials at Highcliffe in early May.

Tom & Ims in the RYA Raymarine Young Sailor Line-up 
Earlier, we said: "Spot the malcontents! ('inclined to rebellion' [OED]....surely not!....well, they are 420 sailors, after all!)", but maybe we should be all formal about it!

We congratulate 12 year old Laurence Greenough, who was awarded the prestigious title of Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year 2007 at the Collins Stewart London Boat Show. Laurence lost a leg in a boating accident in May 2006 but was back sailing just two months later in an unmodified boat. A member of the Plymouth Youth Sailing Club, Laurence took part in the Topper Travellers in the South West Zone in 2007 and also competed in the NSSA National Regatta where he finished 15th Topper out of 76.

Shortlisted for the overall award our Tom Gillard, the versatile helm from Sheffield Viking SC, who, with Sam Brearey of Fishers Green SC, are 420 Junior European Champions, was the Regional winner from Sheffield, Yorkshire and Humberside.

Imogen Stanley of Oxford SC, who, with Kate Macgregor of Poole YC were the Women's Bronze Medallists at the 420 Junior Europeans 2007, was the Thames Valley winner nominated by her region.

Apparently the goodie bag was pretty awesome, including a handheld VHF radio!…..possibly a Raymarine VHF, maybe? (no, its not for you, Carla!) ...fetching pink tops...

Grafham Grand Prix results 
Over 160 boats took part in the GGP on Sunday 30 December, with 53 in the "Slow" fleet including five 420s. The wind was more than forecast, starting with a westerly 9 mph, decreasing during the day and two races were completed.

The Merlin Rockets dominated the slow fleet, comfortably taking the top seven places, with the first 420 sailed by Ben Saxton & David de Boltz in 15th overall. Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett were 20th, closely followed by Ben Palmer & Piers Strong in 23rd. Young Matt Foskett with Adam Walker fininshed 43rd and Jane & Anne Sceales were 52nd, having missed the start of Race 2.

In the fast fleet, Tim Saxton with guest crew Colin Rainback in a 49er were 4th overall out of 32, beaten by an International 14 and two B14s. In the Medium Fleet, Peter Gray & Simon Forbes in a Fireball finished 8th overall and 4th in class out of 12.

Cherry reaches finish line aboard Hugo Boss II 

Cherry dresses up on Hugo Boss for Sydney-Hobart 
Former 420 helm and MR Champion, Nick Cherry, together with Rachel Howe, members of the RYA Volvo Keelboat programme, have been in Sydney to train and are now somewhere en route to Hobart in the Sydney-Hobart race aboard Volvo Hugo Boss II [see RYA Volvo Keelboat Sailing Press Release].

‘Southampton University graduate Cherry, 22 (said): “I have completed the Round Britain and Ireland Race and Fastnet Race on the Programme’s Farr 45 John Merricks but Hugo Boss II will be the biggest boat I have raced on and this will be the most high profile and challenging offshore race I have participated in. I have been watching old Volvo Ocean Race videos for as long as I can remember so I cannot wait to start sending her down massive waves in the sun all the way to a big party in Hobart!”’.

Imagination was strained to believe the story (photographic evidence provided) that our Nick could have achieved the sartorial heights attained by the Hugo Boss crew on the start line – but then we remembered his 420 social training, especially fancy dress at the Nationals! (after all he says he does parties too!).

See Event Website and Sail-World.com.

Venues for 2008 Selection Trials now fixed 
There are five days of racing scheduled to select the teams to represent Great Britain at the 420 World Championships in Athens, and the Junior European Championships in Zadar, Croatia in summer 2008.

We've chosen two venues which will be unfamiliar to most 420 sailors and they should provide a mixture of tricky inland windshifts and big open sea racing.

The first event is two days at Bala SC in North Wales (19-20 April), and the second event is three days at Highcliffe SC near Bournemouth on 3-5 May.

Notice of Race and online entry will be live by mid-January.

Summer Training Camp (updated 15.12.07) 
Dates and venue have been agreed for the popular 420 Summer Training Camp. The event will be held at Grafham Water Sailing Club from Monday 28 July to Saturday 2 August.

We're finalising the coaches and costs at the moment - online entry is now live.

This is an ideal way for newcomers to the class to get started in the 420, as well as providing development for more experienced 420 sailors, so put it in your diary now!

Spring Open Training programme now live (updated 15.12.07) 
There are four Open Training events organised for early 2008, and booking is now available online (click on the header).

Venues are Oxford Sailing Club (19-20 January), Pwllheli Sailing Club (16-17 February) and Staunton Harold (near Derby) on 15 March. The Saturday training at Staunton Harold will be followed by a Winter Traveller event (trhee races back-to-back) on Sunday 16 March. The final training weekend in the Spring is at Itchenor SC on 12-13 April.

In each case, only 24 boats can take part, so make sure that you enter early!

Saxton & de Boltz score silver at IWR 
No doubt we will hear more from those with a line to the team at the Imperia Winter Regatta, but, meanwhile, the results are up (copies on our Events page). Ben and David pulled it back in spades today in this race-a-day event, with a 3rd in the final race – and split the Greeks!. Hopefully, we will get a podium shot in due course! And more de Boltz! Lucy, with super-crew Kate Sparks, took 9th in the Women’s fleet. Looks like foundations for serious campaigns

Imperia Winter Regatta 
Two British boats have travelled to Imperia for this year's event. Ben Saxton and David de Boltz are off to a good start finishing third in the first race of the day. Lucy de Boltz and Kate Sparks are competing in the ladies fleet.
Day 2 saw only once light wind race sailed. Lucy de Boltz/Kate Sparks finish 4th to move up to 10th. Ben Saxton/David de Boltz finish 22nd and lying in 8th.
Day 3 sees more light wind, but AP is down (10:30 UK time) with the hope of more racing to come.

Becca, Rosie and Hannah to orientate their talent! 
Our Rebecca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp, together with former 420 helm, Hannah Diamond are going to Loughborough in January, along with other RYA Youth Squad and Transition sailors. They are joining young talent in four other Olympic Sports – cycling, rowing, canoeing and triathlon - to work with Olympians, including Simon Hiscocks and Dame Kelly Holmes, at the Youth Sport Trust initiative, the National Talent Orientation Camp 2008.

Matt & Lucy ‘Believe to Achieve with Kelly Holmes’ 
Lucy de Bolt and Matt Rainback were among nine ‘Believe to Achieve with Kelly Holmes’ Sailing Scholars invited to lunch with double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes to mark their nominations under the Youth Sport Trust scholarship programme (see attached press release)

Images from End of Season 
Thanks to Tim Ó Laoire’s dad, we now have some more photos on the PhotoArchive

ISAF Youth Worlds 2010 
According to the ISAF website, the 2010 ISAF Youth Worlds will be held in Istanbul, Turkey.

The boys' and girls' two person dinghy events will be sailed in the 420 (and the boys' one person event will be in the Laser Radial). Great news for 420 sailors...... see the full announcement by clicking on the header.

Pippa Wilson & Paul C-J in Sarah Ayton’s MR win 
Pippa and C-J looked after 420 interests on the winning boat at the first of the RYA Wionter Challenge Match Racing series in the J80s at QMSC. Team Ayton beat Gemma Farrell in the Semis, in spite of her mighty 420 crew, Bethan Carden, Rachel Wigmore & Nick Cherry. Other 420 luminaries included Mark Stockbridge, Andrew Shaw, Tom Hodkinson & Nick Blevins, all in the top five.

Poole Winter Traveller 
The event website for the Poole Winter traveller being held on the 18th of November is now active. To help with planning rescue cover and catering please register your intention to attend.

LOST - BABY BLUE GUL SPRAY TOP 
Baby blue Gul spray top lost at the Grafham open training on 28 October. Please click above if you may know its whereabouts. Thank you!

Yeoman’s yomp it at Youths 
Team Itchenor (George Yeoman/Georgie Akin-Smith, Rob Struckett/Jeremy Williamson, Andy Shaw/Tom Hodkinson) had a decisive series of wins (11/11) to be 2007 Twiname RYA Youth Team Racing Champions at Spinnaker Sailing Club at the weekend. 420 honour maintained!
Results: Place/Team/Wins/Losses: 1 Itchenor 11/0; 2 West Kirby 10/1; 3 Sevenoaks A 8/3; 4 Magdalen College School 8/3; 5 Spinnaker 7/4; 6 Worcester NSSA 6/5; 7 Red Squirrels (Hamble) 5/6; 8 Sevenoaks B 4/7; 9 Yorkshire NSSA 3/8; 10 Kent NSSA 3/8; 11 Sevenoaks C 1/10; 12 Chipstead 0/11.

MR Team Macgregor takes 3rd at Hamburg 
With the highest percentage wins in the Round Robin, Lucy Macgregor with her team, Mary Rook, Sue Monson & Maria Stanley eventually came third in the 4th Ladies Only Match Race in Hamburg. Gemma Farrell, with trusty Bethan Carden on board, took 8th.

Rusden & Williams win End of Season 
James & Joe took the End of season regatta at Grafham by 5 points from Peter Irwin & David Kohler (15 pts), Ben Saxton & David de Boltz (18 pts), Stephen Tiernan & Rob Lehane (IRL) (19 pts) and Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett (21 pts)

Alison Rumball & Niamh O’Connell (IRL) (10th overall) were first women’s boat, followed by Becca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp and Sarah & Catherine Alton. Fuller story in the news item below (lot going on this weekend!)

Dobbo triumphs at BUSA again and Goss & Rusden lead the 420s – doing it with dolphins! 
Ian Dobson, with Katie Restall, again won the Handicap Fleet at the BUSA Nationals at WPNSA this weekend, while fellow 420 helm, Jo Brigg was 2nd – both in RS200s and for, well, Southampton, of course. The Sophies (you know, Weguelin & Ainsworth) were 4th – for Exeter. But our guys at Warwick, James Goss & Will Rusden were the leading 420, with Josh Rumbol & Claire Best of Southampton were right on their tales, while Rob Partridge & Alice Currey were looking after Exeter’s interests just behind them.

A special highlight was the appearance in Portland Harbour of a school of dolphins. This proved to be a distraction for some of the RIBs who evidently saw the potential scoop in the next Y&Y or Dinghy Magazine. We understand that boats seeking redress in respect of the alleged effects of their wash (dolphins or RIBs?) could not find witnesses who quite believed it all…!

We may learn more about the exploits of the 50-odd current and ex-420 sailors down at BUSA over the weekend (though there is no betting on it!), but the story is that Southampton won the team competition again, with Exeter, who won in 2004 & 2005, in 2nd. Post Event Press Release. Some images from the new camera of David Atkinson in the Photo Archive.

End of Season Championship - Grafham Water 
Saturday saw three races sailed in a NW F2/3. During the day the wind was tracking right, but there were a number of significant left shifts which caused distress to those stranded on the wrong corner.

50 boats had registered for the event, including a loyal contingient from Ireland who continue to provide high class opposition to our local boats.

James Rusden and Joe Williams are overnight leaders on ten points (2,6,2). Peter Irwin and David Kohler are in second on 15 points with Ben Saxton and David de Boltz in third on 18 points. Top overseas boat is in fourth (Stephen Tiernan / Rob Lehane). Top ladies crew are Alyson Rumball and Niamh O'Connell from Ireland.

Sunday morning saw the sailors arrive to low mist, which has since burned off. The church tower on the far side of the lake provides a great reflection in the water. Unsurprisingly, a postponement was hoisted at 10:30. Racing abandonned at 12 o'clock.

Macgregor’s Mighty Match Racers go to Hamburg 
Lucy Macgregor, Mary Rook, Bethan Carden and Maria Stanley – what a fantastic 420 line-up! – are off to Hamburg for the 4th Ladies Only Match Race at Hamburger Segel-Club (suppose Carly Burge will have to cover UWEs interests at the Fleet Racing Champs at WPNSA with Maria gone to Germany!). GBR 420 helms, Josie Gibson and Gemma Farrell’s teams took 3rd and 4th last year, so no pressure!

Depleted entry for Twiname Team Racing, but 420 hopes on Team Itchenor 
Meanwhile, some 420 Team Racers are off to Spinnaker to look after our interests in the RYA Twiname Youth Team Racing Championships. With the unfortunate clash of date this weekend, several of our top team racers are not available for the Twiname (notably the Grafham Gremlins who won last year and represented GBR at the Youth Olympic event in Australia). But we will be strongly represented by the Itchenor team (as usual! – George Yeoman, Georgie Akin-Smith, Andy Shaw, Tom Hodkinson & Rob Struckett, plus a mystery “tba” sailor). The Itchenor team – most of the current team are seasoned by years’ of experience from their annual duel with the Gremlins – won the Youth Champs in 2005 and were 2nd in 2006. But we have also spied some other 420 sailors taking part this year: Georgia Trapp of Sevenoaks B, Owain Matthews of West Kirby SC and a certain C Makepeace of Magdalen Coll Sch. Hopefully Spinnaker will provide the same excellent news and results service provided by Grafham and West Kirby in recent years.

50 420 sailors join the uni exodus to WPNSA for the annual BUSA Fleet Racing Championships this weekend 
We reckon the following randoms will be amongst them: Anna MacKenzie of Birmingham, James Goss (Warwick), Chris Carden (Bristol), Ewan Marshall & Hattie Marsden (Bristol), Sophie Morton, Alice Brotchie, Becca Partridge, Poppy Husband, Jonny Moss & Sophie White (Plymouth), Jay Whitehead, Guy Brearey, Tom Taylor & Sam Brearey (Portsmouth), Robyn Stock & Isobel Gill-Taylor (Oxford Brookes), James Thomas & Sam Carter (Brunel), Maria Stanley & Carly Burge (UWE), Chris Witty (Solent), Robyn Phillips & Pippa Wilkinson(Durham), Ian Dobson, Claire Best, Josh Rumbol, Jo Brigg, Alice Rook, Nicola Brook, Dave Brewer, James Foskett & Neil Crossuard (Southampton), Mark Stockbridge & Chris Sanders (Bath), Amelia Hughes (Sheffield), Steven Videlo, Elliot Parsons, Jodie Green, Tom Mallindine, Pete Matthews, Harriette Trumble, Kate Allam, Rob Partridge, Sophie Weguelin & Sophie Ainworth (Exeter), Harry Harris, Pip Holloway & Oli Woods (Bournemouth). Phew! Well, you may know more...

Parkstone Open Training - 10/11 November 
Online entry is now open for the third weekend of the 420 Open Training programme for 2007/8. Following successful weekends at Itchenor and Grafham Water, the next training takes place at Parkstone Yacht Club in Poole on 10 & 11 November. As it's name implies, this training is open to any members of the GBR 420 Class Association.

Neil Marsden is again the lead coach and there is a limit of 24 boats, with one coach per six boats. More details are available on the event page or click on the header of this article.

Gray & Forbes win Fireball Youth Champs (with 420 Euro Champs backup!) 
Peter Gray & Simon Forbes, our men from Staunton Harold, won the Fireball Youth Championships (2nd at the Open meeting) at King George SC. 420 Junior European Champions, Tom Gillard & Sam Brearey were 2nd. Its called 420 domination! Full Results.

Grafham Winter Traveller - 28 October 
NB Results now posted - click on this header or see "Results".
Nineteen boats entered the one-day Winter Traveller at Grafham Water on Sunday 28 October, with event coaching from Neil Marsden. Strong winds were forecast for the event, and this proved to be accurate, with a gusty south westerly of about 20 knots, dropping to 12 knots in the lulls and rising to 28 knots in the gusts.

A large trapezoid course was set for the morning race, which saw seven boats manage to finish, and eleven retirements, mainly as a result of multiple capsizes. There was little change in the wind for the afternoon, and a smaller triangle and sausage course was set. Some sailors decide that it was best to watch from the shore, but fifteen boats started although only six managed to finish the course.

Tim Saxton and his lightweight crew Catherine Alton weren't the fasted boat upwind, but they didn't capsize, trawl the kite or break anything, resulting in comfortable victories in both hour-long races. Ben Palmer and Piers Strong had a few dramas but counted a 2nd and 3rd to take second overall, with a steady performance from Nathan Bailey and Fred Jones (4th and 5th) giving them third overall. In fourth place, sailing the oldest boat in the fleet, were Jamie Lambe & Chris Griffiths, showing the benefit of two days of training with Neil Marsden & co.

Thanks to all the safety fleet for making it possible for the sailors to get some valuable heavy weather sailing experience.

Adam Richards leads at BUSA MR Qualifier 
The first of two BUSA Match Racing Qualifiers were held at the weekend - at Royal Northern & Clyde YC - and Adam Richards of Sheffield Uni helmed the leading boat. Adam, of Royal Lymington YC, a former 420 sailor, was seen aboard Robbie Allam's boat at last year's JP Morgan at QMSC. His crew included Corinthian Otter, Amelia Hughes. There is always intense rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and the Glasgow team, packed with 420 talent (Megan Baker, Roger Carter & Nikki Stewart) took 3rd. Lotte Lawrence's Edinburgh 1, with Katie Mackenzie on board, was fourth. The second Qualifier will be at QMSC on 16th/17th February, and the Finals will be there on 12th/13th April [nb dates subject to confirmation]. Have all 420 Uni sailors entered their teams?!

Grafham Open Training Report - 26/27 October 
Eighteen 420s had an excellent two days of training at Grafham Water SC on Friday and Saturday. Coached by Neil Marsden, Ian Martin and Dan Scheiber, the sailors had light wind practice on Friday (3-4 knots) and then moderate winds (10-15 knots) on Saturday. The major focus for the three groups was on boat handling, finishing off with some short races.

Oxfordshire schools 
Three 420s turned out in the 25 strong field at the annual Oxford Schools Regatta held at Famoor Resevoir (Oxford SC) on the 13th October. Guy Stephens and Nick Bennett-Jones won the event decisively winning ALL the races and discarding a first. Joss Culbertson and Jordan Reeve finished 10th and Guy Scott/ Olly Morse finished in 16th.

Entries for the End of Seasons - 3/4 November 
We already have 42 entries for the End of Seaons event at Grafham Water.

In accordance with the Notice of Race, entries can only be made online, but we've extended the deadline to Sunday 28 October as some sailors are away over half term. If you plan to attend the event, please enter online NOW!

Entries received after 28 October will only be accepted at the discretion of the GWSC.

Itchenor Open 
Ben Palmer and Piers Strong win Itchenor Open with local sailors William Kalderon and George Cooke in second and Josh Pistol and Pete Lawrence in third. Jenny Lennon and Katherine Kimber only sailed on Sunday, but showed their pace with two firsts and a second.

Team Cherry wins MR Champ again! 
Former 420 helm, Nick Cherry won the RYA National Match Racing Championships for a second time, beating fellow 420 sailors Andrew Cornah and Mark Campbell James (twice Champion previously). We counted 20 current and past 420 sailors in the Finals: Nick Cherry, Andrew Cornah, Mark Campbell-James, Tom Heywood, Ed Males, Andrew Shaw, Tom Hodkinson, Nick Blevins, Lucy Macgregor, Nicky Macgregor, Bethan Carden, Tom Smedley, Maia Walsh, Mary Rook, Pippa Wilson, Joanna Brigg, Ben Saxton, Tim Saxton, Tom Davidson and Catherine Alton. Maybe you can see more!

420 sailors go keelboating 
The RYA just announced the selections for the 2007-08 Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme include many 420 sailors (past & present). National Squad: Bethan Carden, Nick Cherry, Nicky Macgregor & Jez Fowke. Southern Squad: Catherine Alton, Ben Pym, Charlotte Savage, Maia Walsh, Chris Sanders, Josh Rumbol, Sam Brearey, Tom Davidson & Tom Smedley. Northern Squad: Sophie Esson, Charlotte Lawrence, Andy Tunnicliffe, Anna & Katie MacKenzie. And they even get ex-420 sailors as mentors: Ben Field, Sam Carter, Gemma Farrell & John Gimson.

Lost property at Inlands 
If you are the person who mentioned losing your phone…..or you are missing a cool bag…..please contact Valerie at the Oxford SC - 01865 863201

Lucy gets 100% at Match Racing 
Lucy Macgregor, the 2004 Champ, helmed the winning team again today to become RYA Women’s Match Racing Champions 2007 on Portland Harbour with an unbroken string of bullets!. Mary Rook and her team took 2nd (and qualifies as second all-women boat for National finals next weekend), Gemma Farrell 3rd, Charlotte Lawrence 4th & Josie Gibson 5th. 100% helming by 420 sailors too! For results, click above and see RYA Press Release.

Saxton & de Boltz are 2007 Inland Champions 
Ben Saxton & David de Boltz won the Inland Championship at Oxford SC, Farmoor on 6 points with Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor in second and first women on 11 points. James Rusden & Joe Williams were in third on 13 points, just one point clear of Tim Saxton & Tom Taylor in fourth. Fifth place went to RYA Youth Champions Peter Irwin & David Kohler. See Event Website for further detail.

420 Inland Championships 
Follow the link: follow the event at Oxford this weekend.

The Sailing Instructions and a Schedule for the event are now available on the event website.

420 sailors to do battle at Women’s MR Champs 
Of the seven boats entered for this weekend’s Women’s Match Racing Championships at WPNSA, at least five of the helms are former top 420 sailors: Gemma Farrell, Josie Gibson, Lucy MacGregor, Charlotte Lawrence and Mary Rook And the boats have a galaxy of talent, a further ten 420 sailors, among the crews too: Bethan Carden, Bex Marriott , Harriett Trumble, Nicky Macgregor, Georgie Blaver-Mann, Katie MacKenzie, Alice Rook, Sophie Esson, Pippa Girling and Selina Knight.

After last weekend, our special correspondent on board, Phil Lawrence, was too overcome by the “eight straight races back to back on Sunday morning in 20knots…to (send) the match racing news!.... but the girls had a great time - racing Ben Ainslie & Ian Percy in the semi final was great experience, but a bit more difficult than the average race in the qualifiers!” [pity they won’t let Phil sail next weekend, but he will have no excuses for not submitting his copy (gossip) on time! (ed)]. Thanks to Peter Newton, we record the semis with an image on the Rolling Photos.

More 420 sailors qualify for MR Finals 
Ben Ainslie, with Ian Percy in his crew, won the final qualifier in the National Match Racing series at Weymouth at the weekend; the Women’s Championships are next weekend and the Finals the weekend after.

Matt Greenfield, with our man Mark Stockbridge on board, put Ben Ainslie under some pressure! – see RYA report attached. In third were Niall Myant’s team, which included one-time 420 sailor Tom Smedley. But fourth place was taken by Edinburgh Uni and Lymington’s Charlotte Lawrence, who had 420 sailors, Georgie Blaver-Mann & Katie Mackenzie, as well as a certain Phil Lawrence, on board – is this the well known contributor to this column? - surprised we did not get the inside info sooner!

420 Safety fleet 
Howard Williams is now the Class Safety officer. He is in the process of compiling a list of parents who possess RYA Powerboat Level II or above and are able to help in manning a safetey RIB. If you can help by providing a RIB, your own or have use of a club RIB, even better.

Please let Howard know by emailing him on howwilliams@uwclub.net or phone him on 0151 342 8970.

For the Inlands at Oxford we urgently require an additional RIB and some additional on the water helpers.

Many thanks

Our guys win ISAF Worlds – under 21 Team Racing Champs 
Celebrations in Valencia last night as the Team GBR3 became the first ever ISAF under-21 World Champion Team Racers….and in 420s too! We have spotted Elliott Parsons, James Goss, Maria Stanley and Stephen Videlo, but there may be more 420 Class members in amongst the champagne corks (see attached RYA report)…surely not!

Alan Guy, GBR Team Manager & RYA TR Committee Chair said: “The under 21 team GBR3 were fantastic, went from strength to strength. At one stage in the second gold league they finished up 5th in the world having beat GBR1, NZL1, IRL1 & AUS2”.

ISAF annual meeting - November 2007 - ISAF Youth Worlds classes 
As most of you will know, ISAF is the world governing body for the sport of sailing. Most of the big decisions affecting our sport are made at the annual conference, which is held in November each year.

Changes are made as a result of submissions made by national authorities (like the RYA), and one of the submissions concerns 420s which some of you might find interesting....

Submission 129-07 (click on the header for the link) submitted by the RYA suggests that the ISAF Youth Worlds boats from 2009 onwards should include the 420 (boys boat and girls boat) and the 29er (open crew), whilst dropping the cat.

Unsurprisingly, cat sailors don't like this (see the Y&Y web forum under "Dinghy Multihulls" for their comments), but it could be good for 420 and 29er sailing. If you support the RYA proposal, you might want to put a message on the Y&Y forum supporting the idea, to balance things up a bit? Go on - let them know what you think (but keep it civilised!!)

ISAF Annual Conference - part 2 - Team Racing 
Another submisison to the Annual Conference is 091-07 from the Lightning Class, suggesting that team racing should be one of the sailing events at the 2012 Olympics - in the UK. This would be quite a big change, but the 420 class has produced many good team racers, so it'll be interesting to see what happens in November.

Peter Gray & Simon Forbes win 2007 Symmetric Grand Prix 
Peter, recently retired (but not retiring!) Chairman of the 420 Sailors’ Committee and Simon (one of our more ‘senior’ sailors – used to crew with Niki Birrell) – our guys at Staunton Harold - have won the FastSail’s Symmetric Grand Prix at Rutland Water. They scored three bullets in their Fireball in the six-race series, led the thirty 505s, Fireballs, Flying Dutchmen, Hornet, Laser IIs (invited), Javelins and Ospreys and won a Superspars mast (some good prizes at Fastsail!). Pity this event clashes with other 420 events, as we are always welcome.

Winter Traveller I at Grafham - 28 October 
Winter Traveller 1 follows on from the Open Training at Grafham, and is only a week before the End of Seasons at the same venue.

Up to 20 visiting 420s are invited to join club racing (two races) - if you want to enter, please sign up online.

The Class Association (using funding support from the RYA) has arranged for Neil Marsden to provide event support, via briefings and video debriefings.

420 Open Training at Grafham 26/27 October 
Online entry is now available for the Open Training at Grafham Water SC during half-term on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 October. Neil Marsden is lead coach again, and the training will give you an opportunity to sail at Grafham only a week before the End of Season event.

Inlands at Oxford 6/7 October - enter now!!! 
We already have 24 online entries for the Inlands at Oxford SC in a few weeks time. The entry fee is £28, but it goes up by £10 for payments received after 23 September, so make sure you have entered and paid before then!

If you need help finding a crew or helm, contact either Carla Stanley or Tony Mapplebeck and they'll try and help.

GBR 420 sailors go to ISAF TR World Champs….in 420s! 
Three teams, one with golden oldies Andrew Cornah & Ben Field and more recent 420 sailor Pippa Girling and one, the under 21s, with Elliott Parsons, James Goss, Maria Stanley and Stephen Videlo set off for RCN Gandia in Valencia this weekend for the 2007 ISAF Team Racing World Championships. Go well guys! See RCN Gandia Event and ISAF. websites .

Poole Youth Regatta 
Thirty one 420s took part in the Poole Youth Regatta on 15/16 September.

There were three races on Saturday in glorious sunshine and about 6-8 knots from the south east. Race one was won by Ben Palmer & Piers Strong with Ben Saxton & David de Boltz second after early leaders Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett were unsure how many laps to do! Races two & three were won by Saxton & de Boltz.

On Sunday, the temperature dropped as the breeze swung to the south west and increased to about 10-15 knots. Tim Saxton & Tom Taylor scored a 1-2-1, whilst Saxton & de Boltz scored 2 - 1 - (11) to take first place overall ahead of Saxton & Taylor. Phil Sparks & Ben Platten secured consistently good results to finish third overall, with Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor (first girls) in fourth and Palmer & Strong in fifth.

Thanks to all involved in running an excellent event for 230+boats and 300+ sailors. For full results, clik on the report header.

420 sailors in the reckoning at Topper Worlds 
OK, so we’re a bit slow…we were busy at 420 Nationals is our excuse….but we just caught up with the Gul Topper Worlds – a massive fleet of 173 Toppers let loose on Lake Garda again - in the last week of August. Ben Palmer, still up with the leaders, and Tom Weatherhead, improving on his 2006 result, looked after our honour with top-ten results overall and Marina Brassington was third woman. What’s more, Shona Ross was second and Isabel Quicke third in the Silver Fleet!

Busy time of year 
It's that frantic time of year - starting University or completing your UCAS forms. Others are just settling in to AS levels. Fortunately, not many exams at this time of year, so the 420 event and training calendar has a lot to offer. Please register as soon as possible to help with the event planning (and don't forget to renew your membership for 2007/8).

Ben Saxton & David de Boltz win at Lymington 
"Qingdao" like conditions (light / shifty winds with strong tides) tested the sailing skills of the 26 420s who attended the Harken Royal Lymington Junior and Youth Open. A total of four races were sailed (three on Saturday and only one on Sunday). Good starts and tactical prowess were required to gain three good counting results. After a tentative start Ben Saxton and David de Boltz made few mistakes to finish on four points winning the last two races. Tim Saxton and Imogen Stanley (a partnership of convience for this weekend) kept up the pressure to finish second counting a first, second and third. Lucy de Boltz and Claire Lasko sailed together for the first time, and kept their nerve to finish third overall (first ladies) counting (4, 5, 2) to finish just one point ahead of Hamish Stone and Chris Proffiitt (3, 3, 6) and Matt Rainback and Simon Foskett also on 12 points (4, 4, 4).
Many thanks go to Royal Lymington for running a good event in difficult circumstances and to Harken for its sponsorship of the event.

Class Open Training at Itchenor 
On the 22nd/23rd September the 420 Class is once again running Open training. Details and online registration are via the event website (Use above link).

Bow numbers - Poole, Inlands and End of Seasons 
We are using the SAME bow numbers for Poole, the Inlands and the End of Season championships as were allocated at the Nationals. If you did not take part at the Nationals, you will be allocated your Bow number at Poole. This one will also carry forward to the Inlands and EOS.

Bow numbers are allocated to a specific boat / sail number not helm

Inland Championships at Oxford Sailing Club 
The online entry system will be live from the 5th September. For more information visit the event website (use above link).

NEW Membership Year 
Have you remembered to renew your membership for 2007/8. The new membership year started on the 1st September! (See Membership on the left hand menu).

Youth MR photos from Paul Wyeth 
We have a small group of images from the camera of Paul Wyeth on the Photo Gallery. For further information go to www.pwpictures.com.

420 sailors fly the flag at Mirror Nationals 
Edward Grey & Hannah Mitchell, from the Royal Windermere, took 6th at the Mirror Nationals at Brightlingsea, while Hugo Sloper, of Itchenor, was in 7th place and Roseanna Yeoward of Rhosneigr BA, was 12th in a field of over 60 boats.

Poole Youth Regatta 
We have been asked to make you aware of the closing date for this event. At the moment 25 places have been reserved for the 420 class. After the 5th September, any places not taken will be re-allocated to other fleets where there is a waiting list. The Optimist main fleet has been allocated 80 places, 89 have paid and total entry is currently at 134. If you are planning to go, the please do not leave it to the last minute as you may be disappointed!

Lymington Open - 8/9 September 
Its that “open month” again, with the Nationals behind us and serious autumn/winter training, Class events and uni a few weeks off yet. Time to have some fun sailing on the open circuit, getting in some practice before the serious stuff starts. First off, unless you are doing the Belgian Open, it’s the Lymington Open on 8 & 9 September.

Team Saxton crowned Youth Match Racing Champions for 2007 
Press Report and Results

Rusdens are 2007 National Champions 
James & Will Rusden won the 2007 British National Championships decisively today at Hayling Island. Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor are Women's Champions and 2nd overall. In third place were Tim Saxton & Claire Lasko. Final results attached. Detail to be found on the event website (follow link on the item below).

News from the AGM! 
...well, if there is no sailing....!

Junior Europeans - Overall 
Only one race was sailed today. Singapore win the Open Title. The British team have had a very successfull event:

European results (excluding non-European boats):
1. Tom Gillard and Sam Brearey
2. Jonny Moss and Ben Muskett
5. Tim Saxton and Claire Lasko
7. Peter Irwin and David Kohler
10.Ben Saxton and James Foskett
17. Imogen Stanley and Kate Macgregor (3rd girls).
49. Kate Allam and Sarah Burge

Stll awaiting official results. The team is busy packing up and look forward to the Nationals at Hayling!

Claire & Jas win Gold. Tim & Claire win the Silver Fleet 
European Championships: Provisional Results just published
NB Ladies did 12 races and Open fleet did 11 + Qualifiers. Results just updated on Event Website (follow link) include the final Ladies' race. Everyone very busy here packing up and some celebrating! Remember these results are provisional and "subject to protest".

[In my day there were only two words for it: woop! woop! No doubt you will get a fuller story soon, but everyone seems to be packing up at the moment!]

Weguelin, Ainsworth & Ellis medal at ISAFs! 
Sophie Weguelin & Sophie Ainsworth scored a bullet in the final race at the ISAF Youths and took Silver (the winners were also experienced 420 sailors, like many others in the competition) - see Final Results – Women’s double-hander.
James Ellis and Robert Partridge won Bronze! - see Final Results – Men’s double-hander.
Well done our guys! RYA post-event Press Release.

The racing circuit is calling 
The exams are over so now is the time to dust off your 420s prior to the Nationals (have you entered?).

Next week sees a number of British boats travelling to compete at the French Nationals at Les Sables d'Olonne. Exact numbers won't be available until we get sight of results or an entry list. (We hope our local correspondents will provide us with updates).

For those of you remaining in the UK, Blackwater Sailing Club have organised a 420 Open meeting. Join the local fleet (quite large by all accounts) for a great weekend. Details are contained on their event website which can be accessed via the calendar.

Flanders Youth Regatta - Overall (British 1-2-3-5-7-8-9) 
This morning saw strong winds and torrential rain in Nieuwpoort. At 10 o'clock local time, the organisers decided not to run any further races. Final results have now been posted.

Last night the protest against the Rusdens was re-opened and their previous DSQ was overturned. Ben Saxton and James Foskett finished on a high scoring a 2nd and 1st to finish on 20 points, now four points behind this year's winners James and Will Rusden on 16 points (discarding their 15th in the last race). Peter Irwin and David Kohler in 3rd on 41 points picking up two unconstomary 16ths on the day. Marcq Brice and Jeremy Mion from France finished in 4th on 46 points. Claire Lasko and Tim Saxton (60pts) overtook Nina Keizer and Anneloes van Veen (65 pts) on the last day to finish 5th and 6th respectively. The British took the next three places with Hamish Stone and Chris Proffitt in 7th on 88 points, Tom Taylor and Joe Williams in 8th also on 88 points and Stephen Tiernan and Jamie Crapnell in 9th on 95 points. Belgian sailors Joeren Belis and Arnaud Blij rounded of the top ten with 112 points.

Other British finishers
13th Jack Yeoman, Matt Rainback
16th Charlie Makepeace, Sam Muskett
17th Jonny Moss, Ben Muskett
18th Josh Rumboll, Tom Davidson
19th Kate Allam, Sarah Burge
21st Mark Lees, Piers Strong
22nd Kate Macgregor, Catherine Schuster-Bruce
24th Jonathon House, Adrian Clay
26th Kathryn Kimber, Claire Dallimore
28th Jamie Knill, Lewis Rumbol
31st James Logan, Konrad Weaver
33rd Tye Wichard, Sarah Chowienczyk
35th Katie Chowienczyk, Taz Wichard

Tom Gillard 2nd at Streaker Nationals 
Congratulations to 420 Euros team sailor Tom Gillard on finishing second overall at the Streaker Nationals held at Filey last weekend. There were 53 entries, and the winner was "Mr Rooster" Steve Cockerill who successfully defended his title, whilst Tom improved from 3rd place overall in 2006.

Kieler Woche - Overall 
This year saw the 420 class increase its entries to 170 showing its continued popularity throughout Europe. It continues being the largest double-handed youth class in Europe.

The weather conditions have been very difficult throughout, and therefore only six races were sailed in total (5 round robin and 1 in Gold/Silver and Bronze fleets).

German sailors Florian Dziesiaty/Oliver Szymanski (22pts) win the event on tie break from Italians Federico Maccari/Rocco Vitali. In third (one point behind) the German ladies Katja Muller/Sandra Boschert.

The four British teams, using this event as training for the Europeans, all finished in the top 15.

6th Ben Saxton / David de Boltz 25pts
9th Claire Lasko/Tim Saxton 33.5 pts
12th Peter Irwin/David Kohler 37.5 pts
15th Imogen Stanley/Kate Magregor 42 pts

GBR 420s on summer tour in Europe 
We're pleased to report that the RYA are providing coach support for GBR 420s at Kiel Week (Mark Plummer), Flanders Week and the French Nationals (Callum MacDonald) and there will also be a support RIB at each of these events.

If you're planning to do the events at Kiel or Flanders please complete the online entry soon so we can see how many GBR boats are planning to attend - the event websites currently show three GBR boats for Kiel and six for Flanders.

Entry for the French Nationals is off-line (that means paper!) so please could you email peter.saxton@virgin.net to let me know if you plan to take part in that event.

2007 420 Nationals at Hayling Island SC 
The Notice of Race for the 2007 Nationals at HISC will be published on Friday 25 May. We also have the outline plans (and a budget!) for some social events at the Nationals, but we now need a "Social Committee" of maybe three or four sailors to put together some more detailed plans for the social events.

If you would like to be involved in this planning, please let me know by email at peter.saxton@virgin.net .

RYA Junior & Youth Coaches Course 
16 – 20 July, 2007 at WPNSA – see attached

Teams announced for Open, Ladies & Junior 420 Europeans 
We're pleases to announce that the following teams will be representing Great Britain at the Open, Ladies & Junior 420 European Championships this summer:

Open Europeans - Istanbul
Ben Saxton & James Foskett *
Jonny Moss & Ben Muskett *
James Rusden & Will Rusden
Peter Irwin & David Kohler *
Tom Gillard & Sam Brearey *
Tim Saxton & Claire Lasko *
Peter Gray & Gareth Evans

Ladies Europeans - Istanbul
Claire Walsh & Jasmine Husband
Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor *
Kate Allam & Sarah Burge *
Rebecca Kalderon and Rosie Sibthorp
Alice Brotchie & Jane Turner
Georgie Andrew & Milli Parkin
Nerissa Booth & Poppy Husband

(asterisk indicates teams also attending the Junior Europeans in Medemblik)

Saxton & Foskett win Poole 
There was no racing on Monday due to strong winds, so after 5 races on Sunday in the Poole Open (and some swimming practice by some), Ben Saxton & James Foskett won the event with 3 bullets and 8 points. James & Will Rusden finished second on 18, Jonny Moss & Ben Muskett on 23 and Tom Gillard & Sam Brearey on 28. On 39 points each were Ben Palmer & James Clark, Claire Walsh & Jasmine Husband and Peter Irwin & David Kohler, in that order on countback.

GBR team plans for Open, Ladies & Junior Europeans 
Provisional plans and budgets for the GBR teams attending the Open, Ladies & Junior European 420 Championships are published on the event pages on this website. A meeting will be held after the prize-giving at Selector 2 at Poole on Monday to provide more information.

Do you have a 420 for sale? 
There have been quite a few enquiries recently from people wanting to buy a secondhand 420, but there are only two advertised on the 420 website. If you have a boat for sale, please put the details onto the 420 website so that we can get more 420s sailing!

Also, we keep getting requests for second-hand bits - like sails, foils etc. . Why not check your sail lofts and boat hangars - there are Club sailors out there who would be interested! See Small Ads.

Crews and helms sought….for Poole Selector 2 and/or longer-term 
We are hearing of several sailors who are looking for opportunities to sail - in the Poole Open next week, to gain experience in the boat, to share your experience and have some fun this summer, and/or to plan a serious future campaign. Let us know if you think we may be able to help. Send Email with contact info. or be in touch with Chairman or Membership Sec – see Contacts page. Make another sailor happy today!

420 European Selector 1 
The first of two weekends for selecting the GBR teams to represent Great Britain at the upcoming Open European and Junior European Championships was held at Hayling Island Sailing Club on the 28/29 April 2007.

37 boats entered the series competing for 7 ladies crews for the 420 Open Ladies European Championship in Turkey and 7 mixed and all male crews for the 420 Open Europeans. In addition, 7 U19 places are available to the top two mixed/male and top two female crews with a further three youth boats selected from the overall results. This year's 420 Junior Europeans will be held in Medemblick, The Netherlands.

The selection process consists of 6 scheduled race at Hayling Island with a further 9 races scheduled at Poole Yacht Club on the 5th-7th May. One discard is applied for every six races sailed.

The first weekend proved very taxing, with the wind strength varying and large shifts being experienced throughout the weekend. A detailed description of the individual races can be found in the Hayling Island Open reports for days 1 and 2 .

After four races in the selection series the following boats are at the top of the leader board.

Results after 4 races

1. Ben Saxton / James Foskett 16 pts (Open Fleet)
2. Jonny Moss / Ben Muskett 18 pts (Open Fleet)
3. Claire Walsh / Jasmine Husband 33 pts (Ladies Fleet)
4. Peter Gray / Gareth Evans 38 points (Open Fleet)
5. Tim Saxton / Claire Lasko 42 points (Open Fleet)
6. James Rusden / Will Rusden 42 points (Open Fleet)

The men of Linlithgow Loch triumph again 
Peter Irwin & David Kohler, RYA 420 Youth Champions 2007. showed their consistent form by taking the Hayling Open event (Selector 1) with 7 points over the four races (with discard). Ben Saxton & James Foskett were 2nd on 9 and lead the two event Selector Series, to be decided over the (next) long weekend, 5 – 7 May at Poole YC. Jonny Moss & Ben Muskett were 3rd, on equal points with Ben & James, followed by Peter Gray & Gareth Evans, themselves just a point ahead of Claire Walsh & Jas Husband,

However, things shape a little different for the Selector Series, because the first Series discard does not kick in yet. So Ben Saxton & James Foskett lead over Jonny & Ben, with Claire & Jas, recently returned from their hot performance at the Spanish Nationals (and a wetter one at CIMA!) are in 3rd. But the discard, particularly of some BFDs in Races 2 & 3, should make a difference, as well as next week’s racing itself.

For Event website click above. Hayling Open Event Provis. Results and Series Provis. Results to Race 4 here.

Summary of Day 2 at Hayling Island 
Sunshine and around 9 knots met the sailors at the start of their second day of the Hayling Island Open. The fleet launched promptly at 09:55 hoping to complete 3 further races. Many of the boats were looking forward to the next race in order to be able to discard their worst result so far.

Given the difficult conditions yesterday, many of the boats were carry at least one score they would prefer to forget about.

Unfortunately, the breeze in the bay proved more challenging. After a recall on the first race of the day, the breeze went 30 degrees right and dropped to 2 knots. Fortunately, the breeze picked back up to 6 knots and the fleet were in a Black Flag start. (No mistakes this time!) ... (click on link for more).

Summary of Day 1 at Hayling Island 
Saturday (April 29th) saw forty-one 420s (including 3 Irish boats) arrive at Hayling Island Sailing Club for a two day open, which is also the first of two selection weekends for the 420 Open European Championships in Turkey and the 420 Junior Europeans in Holland.

The weather conditions looked very promising (as compared to the RYA Youth Championships two weeks ago). A NE breeze measuring 13 knots provided the ideal start to the day.

But the day would not turn out to be so straight forward. The wind during the day was generally going right, but large shifts (20 degrees and more) made for very tricky sailing conditions, with the corresponding high scores in what was a roller-coaster with a top 5 turning into a mid-twenties result and vice-versa.

For full report click on link above

Schedule for Selector 1 - HISC - 28/29 April 
The event website now has a schedule showing times and locations for registration, briefings etc.

RYA announces sailors selected for RYA 420 National Youth Squad 
Congratulations to the following sailors who have been selected to join the RYA 420 NYS:

Imogen Stanley & Kate MacGregor
Lucy de Boltz & Katherine Kimber
Jonny Moss & Ben Muskett
Ben Saxton & James Foskett
Owain Matthews & Joe Williams
Peter Irwin & David Kohler
Hamish Stone & Chris Proffitt
Ben Palmer & Tom Weatherhead
Jack Yeoman & George Yeoman

Management Committee meets 
The national Management Committee are meeting at Hayling at the weekend. Here are their February minutes.

"Ocean Images" at the Youth Nationals 
You will have seen that we had Rolling Photos up during the event, courtesy of the official RYA photographer, Richard Langdon. A full set of the low-re images supplied to us have been put in the Photo Archive. For the real thing, go to Ocean Images or call Marie.

Irwin & Kohler GBR 420 Youth Champs; Stanley & Macgregor, Women’s Champs 
Peter Irwin and David Kohler will be carrying the 420 Youth Champion trophy back to Scotland, while Imogen Stanley and Kate Macgregor are the 2007 420 Women’s Youth Champions. Final Results

Congratulations to Frances Peters & Hannah Diamond, Sophie Weguelin & Sophie Ainsworth and James Ellis in the 29ers – in fact, a lot of familiar names in the top 15 of the Gold Fleet!

Hey, and Tom Willis won the Laser Radials - awesome!

Breeze arrives too late 
All racing was abandoned at 12:30. The fleets had launched earlier in the day in the hope of getting in one race. For the 420s this would have enabled the second discard to kick in. By 11 o'clock the breeze had completely died. Just before 12:30 the flags had started to flutter at the club house, but the breeze had a long way to go before the fleets in the harbout would benefit from it. Being baked waiting for racing, the sensible decision was taken to bring them home.

Final results are as per last night.

Next major 420 event is the Hayling Open, the first of two weekends for the 420 Open and Junior European trials.

420 - Hayling Day 4 Summary 
Friday the 13th proved unlucky for some.

Four races were sailed in Hayling Bay in light and shifty conditions. Peter Irwin and David Kohler overcame the disappointment of their DSQ on Thursday by storming back with two 2nds and two 1st to lead the 420s on 17 points. Owain Matthews and Joe Williams also made the most of the day's conditions with a 1st, two 2nds and a 6th to take 2nd place on 27 points. Jonny Moss and Bem Muskett moved 1 point clear of last night's leader Tim Saxton and Claire Lasko who had a day they would prefer to forget. Matthew Rainback and James Foskett are keeping up the pressure on the boats just in front by finishing on 49 points, 4 points off 3rd.

The battle for the top girl's slot show British Youth Olympic Sailors Imogen Stanley and Kate MacGregor mover into 6th place with two 3rd places. The final race of the day became "personal" as Lucy de Boltz/Katherine Kimber and Imogen/Kate fought it out for a good starting position. Being "Friday the 13th" saw both of the black-flagged.

Saturday's race schedule has two races planned, although the wind forecast may mean NO racing on the d