Remember the Team Selection Series comprises the Winter Championships, the RYA Youth Nationals (no age restriction) and the Spring Championships. To be eligible for selection you must enter all 3 events. NOR, draft SIs and Team Selection Notice now available
CLOSING DATE MARCH 8TH

Venue confirmed. More Info.

The 32 teams to compete in this year’s prestigious international Wilson Trophy have been selected. Many, so far, have not named their team members. Nevertheless, we have already identified fourteen GBR 420 alumni. Chris Carden, Hattie Marsden, James Wade & Megan Fileman for Bristol University; Tom Mallindine & Tim Saxton for BUSA; Owain Matthews for Hilbre Highlanders; and Guy Brearey, Ian Dobson & Alex Beddoes for Southampton Male Voice Choir (probably sopranos). Apparently, James Goss, Ian Roberston, Nick Males & Elliott Parsons for Qwerty are held in reserve….but how can this be?...uni TR legends in their lifetime, surely! It is a relief though to find that we have no “old BUMS”….so far!

See Y&Y report and Event Website.

Nicola Newman reports on the weekend in Portland, concluding that the Class is in a health state and predicts an interesting season ahead.

Neil Marsden has been appointed RYA 420 National Youth Squad Head Coach. Just in case you haven’t experienced Neil’s coaching, he has been GBR Class Head Coach for the last three years, as well as being an internationally leading 470 sailor. It is not everyday that we can congratulate one of our current members of the Fleet and the reigning Inland Champion helm on his promotion! Oh dear!.... ‘spose we will have to call him ‘Sir!’ now. Well done, Sir!

Lucy Macgregor (420 World Ladies Silver helm, 2004), Ally Martin (420 ISAF Youth Worlds Bronze helm, 2003) and Annie Lush celebrate top ranking in latest ISAF Women’s Match Racing listings.

Anna Burnet & Flora Stewart led the largest fleet at Tiger (well, with the Laser 4000s, that is) in 10th overall out of 165+. Just behind were Tom Gillard & Rosie Sibthorp and Sarah Alton & Katie Tomsett were 14th.

Our Stu Bithell was 2nd overall in a Merlin! ….and Claire Walsh & Jas Husband were 12th in an RS200. And other top 30 420 sailors included: Mike Wood & Hugh Brayshaw (21st in a 420), Jonny McGovern & Christian Birrell (in their 470), Matt Burge (24th in a Fireball) and Maria Stanley & Charlie Makepeace (30th in an RS200).

NB revised text in light of revised provisional results posted at 19.15.

Tom Gillard & Rosie Sibthorp are leading the 420s after Saturday’s two races according to the Rutland SC posted results in 12th overall. Mike Wood & Hugh Brayshaw are running 2nd 420 (21st overall) and Anna Burnett & Flora Stewart 3rd (23rd overall….out of 160!).

And our Stu Bithell is 1st in a Merlin, former 420 Ladies Euro Champs, Claire Walsh & Jas Husband are 9th in a RS200, Charlie Roome & Dave Steed 16th in a RS800 and Matt Burge is 18th in a Fireball.

But what will happen in Sunday’s pursuit?

Many 420 sailors were at Northampton SC for the Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy last weekend, well, we counted 15 anyway. But the only actual 420 – a brand, spanking new one on its first competitive outing with Tom Gillardof P&B and Christian Birrell – was 4th in the 60-boat double-hander fleet (getting back into the swing for the Tiger, Tom?). Ian Dobson was 2nd in a Merlin – apparently the “light & fickle conditions” gave the Merlins the edge over the Fireballs - but Josh Pistol & Piers Strong – evidently safely back from their 420-surfing trip to Haifa – were also testing out new equipment, their Fireball. Ben Palmer & Konrad Weaver were racing their 470, while Will Kennedy, back from Buenos Aires, was out in his trusty Cadet. And we had at least seven more of our guys in the asymmetrics. Ben Saxton & Holly Scott were 2nd, in Ben’s RS200, only beaten by a Cherub. Grand old men of the Class, Charlie Roome & Dave Steed (recently back from downunder…..for the skiing in Hampshire apparently?!) in an 800 and the Rusdens, James & Will (reunited from across the academic divide!) in a 200, as was Millie Parsons! See Results and Y&Y article.

420s are the largest class pre-emtry for the Tiger at Rutland this weekend – hardly surprising, there has been at least one 420 sailor in all but four of the winning boats in 16 years (62% of the winning sailors). It is back to its ‘normal’ time of year (after last February’s snow and postponement to July 2009, when many 420s were on the international circuit - but 'our' Emma Clarke made sure we were in the winning boat again (and went on to crew the winning boat at the Endeavour)!).

For any newcomers, the Rutland Challenge for the John Merricks Tiger Trophy has been an important part of our calendar since the Tiger was won by John Merricks & Ian Lovering in 1994 (in a 420). Former Class Champion, John Merricks, won Olympic Silver with Ian Walker in the 470 in 1996, but died tragically in a car accident whilst competing in the 1997 Melges 24 European Championships in Italy a year later. The John Merricks Sailing Trust was set up “to provide help to those young people who display similar drive, talent and commitment to sailing as John, but who perhaps themselves need support to set them on their way to fulfilling their dreams”.

Fleet racing on Saturday and pursuit on Sunday. Oh and 420 sailors do not usually need reminding that this is also the social highlight of the winter, very much a John Merricks affair! For further information, see Event Website. And former 420 Class Chairman, Dick Saunders, has recently posted articles on Yachts & Yachting online: “Ian Walker to talk at the Tiger Trophy” and “Weather window looking favourable for the 17th Tiger Trophy”

If you haven’t entered yet, that’s OK, even on the day, just rock up and see that the 420 fleet takes honours!

After a 100% sweep through the Miami OCR, even beating Claire Leroy (the only MR helm ranked higher in the World at the moment) in the semis, Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Ally Martin faced a drop in wind on the final day and got tangled in some rope....and Doncaster girl and Olympic Radial gold medallist, Anna Tunnicliffe, won the Women's Match Racing.

Lucy Macgregor & Ally Martin (Mss 100%), Nic Asher & Elliott Willis and Niki Birrell lead the 420 sailors. Miami OCR Results

The International 420 Class Rules have been amended with effect from 1 March 2010, as posted by ISAF on 19 January. Reference should always be made to the ISAF Class Rules page
for the current, definitive Rules, so we retain links to the relevant page on our Technical page. Click here for the International 420 Class Rules 2010 and for the Amendment Sheet 2010

The 2010 sailing ISAF World Cup series kicks off in earnest this week with some of Britain’s top sailors among the 640-strong entry for the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta. And look how many of our 420 sailors will be there, even one that we have seen in the boat since the last Nationals! We wish them good racing.

'Our' Sarah Ayton is standing in for Pippa Wilson, and current 420 sailor Nick Rogers will also be sailing the 470 along with Nic Asher, Elliot Willis, Luke Patience, Stuart Bithell, Katrina Hughes and Phil Sparks. Dave Evans and Ed Powys, one-time 420 Class artist-on-the-water, will be sorting the 49er fleet. And we hope that Lucy Macgregor and Ally Martin will be on form in the Women’s Match Racing, Helena Lucas in the 2.4mR, Niki Birrell in the SKUD and Andrea Brewster in the Radial. Pretty versatile these 420 sailors!

[just in case you think Iain Percy is a rather senior ex-420 sailor, former GBR National Champion crew (with Pippa Wilson), John Gimson, with Ed Greig, took a very creditable 41/73 in a field of some very experienced and successful Star sailors]

Former GBR 420 sailor (and double Olympic Gold medallist too), Iain Percy, with Bart Simpson, is on the bring of Gold at the Star Worlds at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Event Website, Sail-World and World Regattas. 'Percy Almost Champion' (Wednesday night)

Tom Gillard, 2007 Junior Euro Champ, came 4th in the British Sailing Battle of the Classes 2010

....and wins, of course!

Congratulations to our Marina Brassington, James Brown, Antonia Bull, Aaron Cooper, Nicola Curwen, Michaela Boughton, Mark Lees, Matt Reid and Tom Smedley who have been selected. Press Release

Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton are presented with the YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year Award 2009 by Ben Ainslie at the London Boat Show. Sophie Hamilton is awarded Young Sailor in the Thames Valley and Callum Airlie is Young Sailor of the Year in Scotland..

Congratulations to Christopher Brewer on his silver at the Cadet Worlds at Buenos Aires and to Will Kennedy who took 7th. Christopher also won the Rotary International trophy for best placed helm not from the host country and the Ellis Trophy for best placed helm under 15. Well done, guys!

With better wind, three races were in the bag on final day at Grand Prix Vila de Blanes 2010. Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley, with a 2 and 3 and discarding their OCS in R1, came through to take the bronze step on the podium and a declaration of "femenina absoluta". And Annabel Vose & Megan Brickwood, new to 420s in the latter part of last year and up against several experienced and successful teams, notably the Austrian women and last year’s bronze winners from Barcelona, managed to hold on in 6th overall at the end of a full day’s racing.

Sarah Alton & Katie Tomsett had a stronger final day, including a 6th and a 7th to finish 11th overall. Matt Wallis & Tarra Gill-Taylor were 16th and Jess Lavery & Georgie Mothersele 21st. Lucky lot, all that pre-training and an event in a warm place….well. warmer than here!

"Team Manager Carla reports wind at 07:30 this morning! I assume this is on the water ....." - issued by Vose Communications Inc. at 09.00. [meanwhile, comms delayed at web HQ - shovelling heavy snow here at 07.30 - hot airs would be welcome! ....suggest the Team Managers take a break in N Africa after prize giving!(ed)]

Monday 15.30 UTC: Provisional Results from Race 2 posted. Race 3 (2nd race of Monday) abandoned. The guys are coming off the water.

Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley take a 4th, while Annabel Vose & Megan Brickwood are on 4th overall (and on equal points with the Charles boys from CN El Balis in 3rd) with a 6th in today's race.

Results above are a downloaded copy up to Race 2 (provisional), but for most up-to-date and accurate info. go to Event Website

Will Kennedy's Race 8 win brings him back up to 6th in the standings, while Christopher Brewer holds on 4th and Jess Quinlan seems glued to 21! Good luck guys for the last four races....we look forward to hearing more about sailing on the Rio de la Plata.

All seven Skandia Team GBR squad boats competing in the 49er Worlds this week will have former GBR 420 sailors on board – eight were regular members (Stevie Morrison, Ben Rhodes. Chris Draper, Peter Greenhalgh, Paul Brotherton, Dave Evans. Ed Powys and Richard Mason) and three more (John Pink, Rick Peacock & Alain Sign) have competed in our Championships in the past - almost all in the last decade!!

Sunday afternoon Team Report from Blanes: "Slightly warmer than yesterday, but, unfortunately, no wind. Racing cancelled & so the team has gone to train with / against the French".

At last the training, registration and measurement were done, and the 29-boat fleet took to the water for the first race at Blanes this afternoon. Annabel Vose & Megan Brickwood scored a fifth! - all the boats ahead of them 420 veterans, at least of the 2009 Junior Europeans. With 8 knots and an east wind, Tim Gratton & Ed Riley were 7th, Matt Wallis & Tarra Gill-Taylor 12th, Sarah Alton & Katie Tomsett 17th and Jess Lavery & Georgie Mothersele 24th. Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley were OCS.

See Results. Up-to-date information may be found on the Event Website and photographs from Alfred Farré can be found on the event website and at Alfred Farré’s flickr. See also the main CV Blanes website.

Søren Kjaer responds from the frozen waters of Roskilde Fjord (where it is -10c and they are snug indoors thumbing nostalgically through their Garda Worlds photo album) says “Funny about the Danes looking for a party - definitely Danish girls have a tendency to appear where it is sunny and drinks are good, but to my knowledge they are not in Blanes ? ! :-) (apparently they have had an attractive offer from a certain 420 coach in Napoli) [maybe the Blanes Team Managers should institute Class membership card checks to deal with gatecrashers in future, though a bottle of seasonal Gløgg might be an acceptable alternative entry fee (ed)]

Today’s blog via Robert Vose, GBR team communicator in Blighty: “Again sunny, 19c and good wind. Slight confusion in the translation of the menu last night, the caviar for dinner was in fact Carva (Spanish Champagne). So perhaps it was Provincial after all.

“The Team decided to celebrate the New Year’s Day by adding a swim to their morning routine. However, it was so cold even the run back did not warm them up. Richard unfortunately could not go for the swim as he had to go into town for the bread. It appears consumption of bread has doubled since arrival, as the sailors work out how much energy they need to last them through to tea time without starving out on the water! Yesterday, they beat over to North Africa….well almost, 2 ½ miles at least.

“Plans for an early night were high jacked by the Danes arriving with a bottle. Only Ed, Georgie and Matt saw the New Year in, rest went to bed early.

“Neil and Richard heavy on dark strong coffee this morning ! So we think the score is 1 – 0 to the Danes.

“Sailing at noon for another 5 hours on the water. Tonight early to bed as regatta starts tomorrow”.

Good luck, Team GBR. ….and if there really are Danish 420 sailors there, watch out on the water, they are formidable!

God dag, Søren, glad Nytår al dansker 420 sømænd (diplomatisk, eller hvad)? [ed]

Jessica Quinlan, having BFD in R6, maintains her pre-New Year position, while Will kennedy loses a few places, having to discard R7.

The Yacht Club Argentino in Buenos Aires, the venue for the 420 World Championships 2011, is where three of the GBR 420 Fleet – Jess Quinlan, Will Kennedy & Christopher Brewer - are doing their stuff at the Cadet World Championships 2010. Melanie Kennedy reports: “….it's a superb place and so far a great event. However, conditions on the water are challenging with every race different from the last”. Melanie has already sent us some photos, which are featured in the Photo News.

...later, they party...."what a party!". Well when in Argentina....but, in our experience, GBR Cadets need no lessons on that front!

“Young” Vose files his final copy for 2009: “Another great day on the water [at Blanes, if you just joined us, you have to read the thread! (ed)] - sailing for 5 hours. Conditions, yet again, sunny, 20c and Force 3. Tonight the team are dining in on Smoked Salmon & Caviar with Chicken Provincial to follow [the French kind arrives tomorrow presumably – see further below (ed)]. Team managers are keeping actual plans for after dinner very secret. French and Spanish teams arriving tomorrow. So the partying tonight is with the Scandinavians. Thank you to 'Ed' for explaining who Elizabeth is, bit before my time! [I’ll lend you my first editions (ed)]. Happy New Year!”.

A quick check on Facebook suggests that double ESP National Women’s Champions, Carlota Massana & Anna Lobo and hearthrob, Jordi Xammar, & his crew, Joan Herp will be there....they're held up in a party in Barcelona at the mo!

…..and a happy and windy new year to all 420 sailors and supporters!

Our Chris Brewer is running 3rd and Will Kennedy 4th after five races at the Cadet World Championships at YC Argentino in Buenos Aires. Jess Quinlan is in 21st. New Year's Day is a lay day.

Tom Gillard & Sam Brearey won the “Medium” fleet at the Grafham Grand Prix in a Fireball, while Peter Gray helmed a Scorpion to 5th in the “Slow” fleet. See Results and Y&Y Report

Robert Vose, our communicator extraordinaire, writes on Wednesday evening: “The Team started the day at 8am with a run along the beach. Came ashore around 5pm after 4.5 hours on the water training with the other International teams. Jess & Georgie are now on supper duty, with help from Elizabeth David (did not realise she was in the team but understand her crew Marco Pierre White will be joining tomorrow). Rest of the team on bread duty, lunches and washing up. Annabel shocked as she assumed Waitrose delivered everywhere. Ed, Tim and Megan forgot sheets – yuk! -but now sorted.

Local market produce is very good and so it’s back to the apartment for strawberries and cake (steady on team managers - we don’t want them coming home with too many good ideas).

Several other teams also staying in the same apartment block so New Year could be a noisy affair.

[just in case anyone is not quite so knowledgeable about mid-20th century cookery writers as Ms/r Vose, Elizabeth David wrote Mediterranean Cookery in 1950. If Marco Pierre White is crewing, the “managers” may want to keep an eye out at the New Year's party – according to the Guardian he has had a wife for each of his three Michelin stars! (ed)]

Robert Vose writes (Wednesday): “Carla and Richard [having left in the night on Boxing Day] arrived in Blanes early Tuesday after leaving England UK on Boxing Day. It is understood they stopped in the Alps either due to navigational errors or for a quick skiing holiday (Pyrenees might have been more on route; excellent skiing! (ed)], which no doubt amused the locals as they were driving an RYA mini bus, towing six 420's and one pair of home made skis.

“The majority of the sailors flew with British Airways into Barcelona together with a large collection of iPods, docking stations & downloaded films (they have clearly not seen Neil's training schedule). They took the train from the airport into the city and then along the coast to Blanes.

“After settling in last night the team launched mid morning under the watchful eye of coach Neil Marsden. The weather in Blanes is reported to be sunny, 20c, F3 with significant waves, so very similar conditions to here in England”.

We think that the GBR Blanes team this year is: Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley, Annabel Vose & Megan Brickwood, Jess Lavery & Georgie Mothersele, Sarah Alton & Katie Tomsett, Tim Gratton and Ed Riley and Matt Wallis & Tara Gill Taylor

Last news received was that the Brits were out with the Austrians and Swedes for training…..and the busy Team Managers were…..lunching on the seafront!

Merry Christmas!

We carry news from Haifa below. Meanwhile, we hear it was very cold and windy in Palamós – so those 470 dudes will have been investigating Catalan culture or something. And then, we have received unconfirmed rumours that the RYA TR thingy that was on this weekend at Bough Beech has been abandoned to snow. Apparently the snow sports were good though.

The following further info. must have been submitted by a Stanley: “Bough Beech was snowed in. Understand Oxford, Claire Lasko, Plymouth, Isobel Gill Taylor, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Cambridge went tobogganing, but Swansea went sailing. After a false start and two hours on the M40, Swansea, led by Imogen Stanley, came back to Oxford, collected sister Maria as their team coach, recruited another sailor and spent the day in Magdalen's school boats at a very cold Farmoor. Today the third sister, Hermione, after some bribery, was recruited as well and the team are back - 50/50 Swansea/Stanley team for another day's training at Farmoor”. Keen, these Stanleys!

Pistol and Strong have sent us this dispatch from Haifa on Saturday: “Racing was cancelled today; news came in via a letter under the door of our hotel room at 7.00 this morning. However, being the strong hardy Brits we are, went down to the sailing club to see if sailing was at all possible. It was and great fun was had in 4 metre swell and about 15 knots. Some great pictures were taken. I (Josh) was knocked over by the boom while launching as we were swept backwards by a breaking wave. With Piers panicking about ending up on the rocks, I was quickly out of my daze and back sailing again to get out of the break water. They are confident racing will happen tomorrow so let’s hope the weather Gods smile kindly on us”. Thanks, we suspect, to Neil Pistol, we have the photos to prove our boys are up for it!

Meanhile, we also had a message from our ISR 420 sailor-from-Tel Aviv, Roni Abrahamer. saying: “I don't have great news; the regatta was delayed to the next weekend because of the weather. It is not usual; it happened in the past that few races were cancelled because of a bad weather but not the whole regatta! I know that the wind is not the only problem but the waves. Haifa Sailing Club is on shore, and not a marina, which makes it harder to get in and out to the sea when there are high waves. Although this problem is typical to the winter season, we didn't expect it to affect the whole three days of the regatta”.

See attached and Event Website for results etc

We heard a couple of days ago from our sailor-contact in Tel Aviv that the forecast for the Haifa Winter Regatta was not promising. Sure enough, the first news in from Josh Pistol & Piers Strong, tells the story: “One day down and there has been no sailing. Piers and I have spent the last day and a half trying to sort out the boat Haifa SC kindly lent us. Tuesday there was clear sunshine and light winds, but most of the day was spent recuperating from our over night flight. Wednesday we spent rigging the boat, which was finally completed under floodlight. We arrived down at the sailing club this morning in torrential rain and 35 knot winds. Sailing looked slim, and with the local knowledge of the race committee the decision was to abandon at 10.00 which was a wise decision, The rest of the day was spent seeing the sights in a wind-swept Tel Aviv. Let’s hope the winds will abate for tomorrow, will keep you updated, hopefully with some pictures”. We wish them better winds and look forward to hearing more.

Tim Gratton & Ed Riley, Mike Wood & Hugh Brayshaw and Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley, together with our man in the Radial, Tom Britz, have been chosen to participate in the prestigious, multi-Olympic sport National Talent Orientation Camp (NTOC) to be held at Loughborough University from 6 January, together with Youth Sport Trust Ambassador, Paul Goodison.

“Girls ashore at 16.00 before anyone else. Boys half an hour later, though not allowed to use their chosen slipway….
Many thanks to Anne-Marie, (Andreasson), the Irish Team Mum for getting everyone hot chocolate. Coach and sailors off to airport at 18.00. Trailer and kit sorted by 19.00.
All said and done a great time has been had by all and a huge amount learnt. The team owes Neil (Marsden) a massive debt for the way he has steered them through the regatta and especially such a different start line.
And the results are the proof because this is pretty smart set. Amy & Hermione 5, Anna & Flora 6, Jane & Jenny 7 Jo & Hannah 8. Tim & Ed 2, Mike & Hugh 4. Unfortunately James & Tim picked up a second black flag in te last race which pushed them down to 31, their finish position in that race 15 would have meant 7th.
21,40 - all now on their planes. Boats at Le Cannet”. Well done, guys....and thanks to the support team!

Provisional Final Results issued prior to Prize Giving Open Fleet and Women’s Fleet

as posted by Event Director on Facebook

Received 13.34: “100* shift and now breeze filling in from offshore. Girls in sequence. Outer loop. Leeward Amy 14, Anna 17, Jo 26. 5 – 10 kn in pockets from all over the place. Carnage at boys’ leeward – James 2, Tim 11, Mike 12”.

+ 14.09 (15.09 local time): At long last a race completed boys James & Tim 2, Tim & Ed 7, Mike & Hugh 16. The only comment from Neil is that it ios very hard for the girls. Next race underway 15.00".

Received 14.44: Last race nearly complete. Mike a6, James 17, Tim 28. Amy 7, other girls in the twenties. Chaos about to occur….” [unfortunately, message stopped here! (ed)]

Our correspondent reports being “coffeed up, but we are struggling to get enough into the coach [are they going sightseeing, or serving the “coach” with his morning dose of coffee? (ed)]. Dinner with the Irish girls last night [Jane and Jenny – all well there then, Jörgen! (ed)]. All now out in the course area. 340*, 5knts on the left, 3 knts on the right. Three very different days. Should be interesting”. Richard Hayward, Imperia, 10.20 Sunday.

Received 10.57: ”In sequence. General. Black flag. 50 over this time! No GBR pulled. In sequence again very light and shifty. Anything could happen. Yes, IRL girls really pleased to have our mob [another play on word? (ed)] for company and jenny’s Mum is keeping the bigger boys and coach in order [she does! (ed)]. Black flag – James & Tim pulled. Now going for girls start. Girls racing, just individual recall”.

Received 12.13: “Oh….er, seems Anna missed the switch to girls start, so 4 mins late. Windward Amy 4th. Very close at boys windward – Tim 13, Mike 28. 2nd windward - Amy 2, Jo 7 and, amazing, Anna 14. Going very light. Kytes hardly setting. 100m from final leeward, Amy leading….it race abandoned. Think same for boys”.

Richard writes from Imperia at 09.30: Sunday morning cloudy light breeze signal to launch ten minutes ago, and this is the scene. No launching. All teams fired up for a final day of perfecting the European starting system of being on course without being seen. Our coach estimates Saturday race one 65 Boats over, 17 pulled”.

See International 420 Class website for top ten listing and links

We have received the attached data, but not in a readily usable format, so had to do a lot of pasting! Apologies for the way they look, but maybe better than nothing!

See attached. The Open results we have are not in an uploadable format.

Of course, keep watching the Event Website Event Results page See Results page, but we have not find any as this is being posted at 21.00!

Received 16.35: “1st leeward: Tim 11, James 16, Mike 17, . Jo 6, AMY 8, Anna 14. Finish: Tim & Ed 7, Mike & Hugh 20s, James & Tim BFD. Jo 3, Anna 4, & Amy 7, Just waiting to see if Anna is being protested”

Organiser's PR person tearing hair because no results yet....we are on the case!.....

See PhotoNews

Received 10.12: “Good morning from Imperia. Chilly but beautiful sunshine. 5kts Northerly. Just launched. Very slow process. Three races today”.

Received 13.30: “Bit more breeze now. 230*. Should be more stable. In sequence. Black flag. General. 15 boats. Mike & Hugh unfortunately. 12.55 away, big bundle at com. 13.15 girls in sequence everyone at com. General. 13.30 girls away. No gbr. Tim & Ed 3rd at leeward. Tm & James further back owing to a very safe start. Jo 5 at windward mark. Leeward: Amy & Hermione 7, Jo & Hannah 8, Anna & Flora 14. Wind now 250*, 10 knts. Finish boat drifts below so boys finish in all directions. Hopefully, Tim & ed first, James & Tim about 20. Boys back in sequence. Girls in photofinish with 7, 8, 9”.

We just had a message - sent last night, but traffic from Imperia has been heavy! - and Richard Hayward is revealed, as our man-in-a-RIB at Imperia. This reads: "Friday race two, Tim first at windward...James down in the twenties after pitchpoling....Anna nails the pin...." - goes on with results we now have on line - "Flora knows good restaurant which proves good for coach and house parents to put world to rights and for Amy & Hermione to chat up the French team. Amy only slightluy embarrassed by the red rose she received. Good night from Imperia". So all good on Day 1. If we are slow today, it could be that ed. is going Christmas shopping! Back soon

Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley and Mike Wood & Hugh Brayshaw end Day 1 both in second, while Anna & Flora Rule on Day 1 at Imperia.

Provisional Women’s Results after R2 and Provisional Open Results after R2

....Jo Freeman & Hannah Mitchell in 2nd in R2....and Gratton & Riley take 3rd in the R2. All provisional, of course!

We are receiving a series of texts, without confirmed authorship (possible Reuters freelancer!) and undated, purporting to be from Imperia! So, one says boats approaching Marseille and another tells us about windward mark roundings in the first race! We somewhat doubt that the boats set off for Marseille across the Ligurian Sea this morning – and the practice race may also figure – so we invite your understanding until we have established the journalistic credentials of our anonymous correspondent and got things in order. meanwhile....your imaginatyion will fill any gaps.

It seems to run like this (if the message order is correct!):

Msg 1: “Boats approaching Marseille. Have now shed the ice that built up overnight. 15* Sunny, v little wind. Should be at Nice at 15.00”

Msg 2: “Good sailing conditions Thursday, 10 – 18 knots, cloudy with some drizzle. Heavy rain overnight.. Friday 12.46 very little wind. Sun coming out AP just dropped. Now launching”

Msg 3: Race 1 1st Leeward mark: Boys – Mike/Hugh 9th, Tim/Ed 21, James/Tim 26; Girls: Anna/Fl;ora2, Amy/Hermione 3, Jo/Hanna 20. East. 20 –23 knots. 10 foot swell [this sounds like Imperia, must be genuine. They have the best coastguards! (Ed)]. Finish: boats in same order. Boys 4”

Anyone seen Jane & Jenny from Dublin?

We are seeking to establish direct contact with the Brits in Imperia. But welcome any contributions – news, boat park gossip and photos, as well as the serious stuff - Send Email or text +447831128747

Follow the results on the Event Website. But we are also carrying news on the International 420 website. Our old friend, Fabio Taccola, is taking photos and will also produce the 2009 IWR Calendar, but we would like to see yours!

Thanks to Philip Alton (see further link above), we have a PhotoGallery, as well as Rolling Photos on this page, from the End of Season. More images may reach us, and will be published!

Mike Wood & Hugh Brayshaw are the End of Season Champions 2009, taking the event from overnight leaders James Hayward & Tim Carter in the last race. Joanna Freeman & Hannah Mitchell held 3rd (and were first women), in spite of Josh Pistol & Piers Strong scoring a bullet in the final race and coming within a point of the podium.

Anna Burnet & Flora Stewart, taking advantage of some lower last race results among the women’s leading group at the event, moved up to 8th overall, ahead of Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley in 9th.

See provisional Final Results

See Lesley’s Blog and Event Website for latest results.

Congratulations to Sophie Hamilton, who has been named as Thames Valley Young Sailor 2009, wins the James Acton Trophy at Burghfield and gets to meet Paul Goodison. And 420 Selector, Nick Martin also got a Club award at the opening of their new Training Centre. Meanwhile, Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton, the Southern Young Sailors 2009, are Finalists for the YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year

Click above for 420 rogue list and links for further details.

Neil Marsden & Ben Gratton won the Inland Championships at Datchet Water, with Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley taking 2nd place, See Final Results and, for futher information, Event Website

While the 420 Fleet was at Datchet and Emma Clarke and various other current and former 420 sailors were busy at the Endeavour Trophy, Ben Saxton & Kate Macgregor were winning the RS200 Inland Championships at Grafham. Another listing of 420 names to conjure with! See RS200 Inlands Results

‘Interesting’ start of second race will mean that some teams are looking forward to a discard kicking in! Up-to-date news and results on the Event Website. Looks like news flashes are blowing off the water!

The AGM Minutes, Treasurer's Report and the 2008 Accounts are now posted on Class Matters

Click above for news item and see Full Results and Sue Kalderon’s Picasso Gallery!

(Handicap /Pursuit racing) open to all past and current Topper sailors over 16 in any centreboard dinghy. 5 + 6 September at Pitsford Lake Northants. A great chance to meet and compete with ‘old’ friends.

Damien de Brenac (YC Antibes) & Julien Lacaze (SN Bandol) lead after the first day’s three races at Port Blan in the French National Championships. Martin Aumont & Jean-Baptiste le Goubey (EV Cherbourg) are 2nd and Sam Robinson (West Kirby SC) & Peter Alton (Oxford SC) (GBR) are 3rd on equal points. Results are being posted on the Event Website.

"Eric of the Club's" report on the racing today and a further selection of his photos are posted on the International 420 website first.

Wednesday 15/09/08 19.30 GMT. More information may be found on: Youth Worlds on Facebook, Event Website and International 420 website

Ben & David have achieved 4th in the Qualifying Series at the 470 Junior Worlds, with help from Marlow Ropes and former 470 World Champion and Olympian, Andreas Kosmatopoulos. Follow the event and results at Event Website.

Day 1 and two races. Phil & Ben and Rebecca & Rosie have a great start at Buzios, Brazil.

For full information, see Results and ISAF News; regular updates and photos will appear on International 420 website.

Andrew Wishart & Liam Garrison are in 6th after two races at Nieuwpoort – light winds by the look of it. Results will be published first on the Event Website, and there will also be coverage on the Intl Class Website.

Ben Palmer & Konrad Weaver (GBR) were 9th at the Intervela on Garda.. Josh Pistol & Piers Strong were 13th and Mike Wood & Hugh Brayshaw 16th. Imogen & Hermione Stanley took 18th and Amy Seabright & Katrina Brewer were 22nd in a field of over 125.

See Gold Fleet and Silver Fleet for full results

With a win in the second qualifying race, Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton will be looking forward to an early start tomorrow, after a windless afternoon of no sailing on Thursday. Amy Seabright & Katrina Brewer also in the top 20, with a 5th in R1. Progress bulletins are being posted on the Intl420 site.

Our Lucy Macgregor, with Ally Martin and Mary Rook, won a place in the semi-finals in an exciting Repechage of hard-fought duels at Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand. Click above for Y&Y report and see Event Website....or Mary Rook's blog on Facebook!

Our news coverage from Kieler Woche 2009 is attached

Nick Cherry, Tom Smedley, Ben Pym & Josh Rumbol to race the Fastnet 2009

Our Jonny McGovern & Christian Birrell have taken 2nd overall in the 470 Men’s at the Kiel Olympic Classes event, from Nick Asher & Elliot Willis in 3rd and Neil Marsden & Ian Dobson in 5th. Our men from Exeter Uni, James Rusden & Rob Partridge, were 10th.

Serena and Kirstie report on the half term training run at Oxford SC by RYA 420 Head Coach, Callum Macdonald and organised by Richard Stanley.

Y&Y final Report

420 sailors all in the top ten again: Charlotte Fitzgerald 3rd, Edward & Beth Grey 4th, Chris Rust 4th, Hugo Sloper & Emma Spruce 6th and Harry Yeoward & Nick Elsdon 9th

Will Kennedy 1st, Christopher Tiernan 4th and Theo Bull 7th in a field of 82 Cadets at Stone SC

...."no-one roll gybes better than Tim & Chris"!

Charles Ainsworth has supplied some of his photos for the Photo Gallery. Further images may be found on IBI Sailing

Chew Valley hosted the final 420 Worlds Selector event over the 2nd and 3rd May 2009. With very light winds forecast the 38 boats arrived to a pleasant if a little shifty 5-8knt westerly

Recent new Class Member and Largs Youth Championships 420 sailor, Jamie Noyes, of East Lothian YC & St Mary's Loch SC, was third in the Topper Class at the 2009 RYA Eric Twiname Championships at Rutland Water SC.

After 18 races across a wide range of conditions The selectors announced the proposed team on Sunday 3rd May at Chew Valley Lake. The sailors are now making up their minds to accept these positions and the final make up of the team will be known on 12th May 2009.

New North Sails Tuning Guide posted on Technical page

Final Results. The event was held at Datchet Water SC, hosted by Brunel University Sailing Club, on behalf of BUSA and BUCS

See Y&Y Report.

….and former 420 crew (and Double Gold Olympic medallist) Sarah Ayton to be a Selector at the Youths.

NB Closing date for on-line entry for the RYA Volvo Youth Championships is Sunday, 29 March

The 2009, 420 selector series started at Weymouth with 45 teams eager to test their winter training skills. The first selector of three weekends each with 6 races, was held alongside the Olympic Class National Ranker. This was a great chance for the main of those aspiring sailors to see the next step in action....

The Notice of Race for the World Championships, to be held at Lake Garda from 27 July to 5 August, has now been published. Two new titles will be awarded at this event - International 420 Class Junior World Champion and International 420 Class Junior Ladies World Champion.

Ben Pym (Solent 1), Ed Moore & Robbie Claridge (Imperial) and Chris Witty & Nick Blevins (Solent 2) ensured 420s well represented on all three podium places and for the BUSA Match Racing Finals

Follow the Results here. Lucy Macg & Co. - straight 100% 11 wins in first round robin and Mr Pink in 2nd in 49ers.

The Notice of Race and RIBs & Volunteers information are also on our Events Calendar.

James Rusden won the Steve Nicholson Trophy last year. Is anyone going and able to help return the trophy on 24th January? If you are please contact Saron Rusden SARONRUSDEN@aol.com.

Mike Wood & Hugh Brayshaw and Beccy Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp piled on the thermals (hopefully!) and put the 420 in a very creditable 30/32 out of 177

Click above, and also see the Lucy Macgregor official website