SYC hosted the first Hurricane Open event of the year on the 21st and 22nd of May. The Club welcomed twelve travelling crews from Essex, Yorkshire and Hampshire, joining eight from the home club.

Saturday dawned with no wind and glorious sunshine. Holding the boats ashore for an hour gave time for some needed boat-fettling and allowed the sea breeze to build. Keen to get some races in before the tide dropped, the 20 Hurricanes drifted out but were soon greeted by a solid force 3-4 blowing up the river.

As the 2021/2022 Winter Training comes to an end, SYC reflects on a very successful season's programme. Run for the first time over the 2021/2022 winter, the structured race training sessions were designed to improve junior sailors' skills, and keep them developing (rather than going backwards) over the winter period when many don't sail.

23 children signed up to what was an over-subscribed programme, with 13 day-long sessions planned between November and April. In the event, only one of the planned sessions was cancelled due to weather.

On the 11th-15th of April the RYA held the Youth Nationals in Pwllheli on the north west coast of Wales. Representing Starcross were Izzy Smith and Tesni King, both crewing on Nacra 15s.

Following on from the racing format review, the Sailing Committee is now intending to review the approach to course setting for club races. Good courses are critical to the success and enjoyment of our racing at SYC but, as many sailors commented during the race format review, we often do not make best use of the estuary or fully consider the conditions when setting race courses. Whilst the Committee believes that we can improve course setting, this is not a criticism of anyone who undertakes OOD duties and we do need to be mindful that most sailors only do a couple of duties each season.

Another consideration is that one of the objectives from the racing format review is to facilitate shorter courses for the slow handicap fleet, particularly on days with lighter winds and strong tides. Also, given that asymmetric and fast handicap fleets will now be sailing the same course, we need to ensure that these fleets are given courses which include a run whenever possible and, on occasion, are set a windward / leeward course. Finally, whilst the wind and tidal conditions can sometimes be difficult, we also need to ensure that the courses for all fleets include a true beat (windward) leg.

A huge thank you to the large number of people who turned up today (2 April) for the Spring Work Party. Lots done.

• Although near high water, the foreshore was cleared of gravel and large logs.
• Material for repair and partial renewal of the Laser racks was accurately cut to size by a team of experts and one set of ramps made up. The Laser Fleet have agreed to finish the work of refurbishment, thereby prolonging the useful life of the racks.
• Someone cleared and tidied the Bosun’s shed - thank you. Plenty of room for storage again.
• Two more picnic tables that have been in storage since last October were assembled and placed outside the Clubhouse ready for use.

The Galley Committee, in the process of preparing food for this evening’s Fitting Out Supper, took time out to provide doughnuts, tea and coffee, so thank you to them too.

A very successful morning and much appreciated.

Exe Sails & Covers Starcross Steamer 2022

The annual Starcross Steamer took place on the 27th of March on the Exe estuary. With Starcross Yacht Club celebrating its 250th year, the sun shone and the wind blew, creating some very summery conditions for the first day of British Summer Time.

The Steamer consists of a classic pursuit race format, the slowest boat being chased down by the faster boats. First off was a Firefly, followed by the other 67 entrants ranging in speed up to an RS800, in a giant 2.5 hour game of chase. The Steamer forms part of the South West Sailing winter series with a series of pursuit races held at clubs all over the South West.

Proof, if it was needed, that all sailors like a nice piece of cake! The ladies did an amazing job over a very long day, with so many others contributing cakes and time. Thanks to all of them!

Sailors are reminded that it is a requirement of the racing rules of sailing (RRS) that boats display a sail number. Several boats have been racing at SYC with either no sail number, or with a different sail number to the one they have signed on with for that race. This causes confusion for OODs and makes their task more stressful on busy days. It is also difficult to support within our RaceManager software.

The Sailing Committee has reviewed the situation and has decided to introduce the following amendment to section 7 of the SYC Sailing Instructions –

“Race Officers shall score boats racing without a distinguishing number, or with a different number to the reported number, as DNC with no requirement for a protest hearing.  This changes RRS Appendix G, 4”

This amendment comes into effect from the start of the Spring series. It is the responsibility of each sailor to ensure that their boat complies with section 7 of the SYC Sailing Instructions, but this amendment does not preclude a request for redress if there are exceptional circumstances e.g. sail numbers blown off on the way to the start line.

Please note that it is possible to change your sail number when signing on to the Race Manager system. If you are unsure how to do this, you must report the number you are sailing with to the OOD who can then amend this within RaceManager (please bear in mind the OOD may be busy).

The full SYC Sailing Instructions can be found here.