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In this issue
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 The Bank Holiday weekend, on 25th and 26th May was dedicated to a new series, the Whitsun Challenge.
It is a mini-series similar to the A&O Regatta in August. The competition spans 8 races over two days, with 2 races back-to-back in the morning and another 2 races in the afternoon.
Well, that's the theory... In practice, Sunday morning greeted us to a glorious sunshine and not much wind at all. Nevertheless, many boats took to the water and lined up on the start line. The wind became lighter and, after lunch, some people decided to call it a day. Fighting the tide to get round a mark for 20mns is not everyone's idea of fun, apparently.
After lunch though, the wind increased to a gentle F2 for the first race then to a steady Force 3, giving those who decided to go afloat anyway the best racing of the day!
At the end of the first day, each fleet had a clear winner with Paul Lynch/Jo Brown in the RS200 in the fast fleet; the slow fleet results were dominated by Alan Simmons in his faithful Streaker.
Complete change of scene on the Monday as we experienced "proper" Bank Holiday weather: impressive waves pounding the beach, strong winds and a generous amount of rain. However, our hardy sailors weren't deterred by such trivial matters and enough went out to get a race going.
In the slow fleet, Jim, Alan and Joey went out and Joey was the first to go, after getting into irons several times with his Topper. Alan took the start and retired quite promptly, with spray in his beard and teeth clenched on the pipe. Jim saw there was no one left to play with and left the race shortly afterwards.
In the fast fleet, Roger and Kate capsized a couple of times and realised they weren't totally in control of their Laser>>, so decided to call it a day. Mind you, they were absolutely flying over the big waves. Paul and Jo were given a fair chance since Mark and Brad in the 400 didn't hear the start gun and started with the slow fleet. Despite this, they caught up with the 200 quite fast, keeping the spinnaker at home, and ended up first on the water and second on handicap.
The rescue boat crew were pooling their savings to try and bribe them not to race the second race. As it was, Jo had drunk enough salt water for the day and Mark was quite happy to go back to shore as well. The safety boat picked up the marks and went back to dry land.
"Drowned rats" was the look of the day.
All results are on our results page.
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Good turnout for the Topper Open
A very light NE wind was replaced by a gentle SW f2 sea breeze, just in time for the first race at the Lancing S.C. Topper Open & SE Traveller on Sat 31st May. 25 helms, including 17 visitors, started race 1 after one general recall. Jonty Freeman was first to the windward mark gaining an impressive early lead; however Will Street and Clive Jackson proved faster downwind creating a leading trio. Jackson then led up the second beat and went on to win ahead of Street and Freeman. Race 2 was sailed back to back and Jackson led from the start, finishing ahead of Street and Oliver Machell.
In the afternoon two more races were sailed in similar conditions. Jackson risked a port end flier, and again took an early lead. However by lap 2 Charlotte Fenn had worked through the fleet to take the lead, going on to win ahead of Jackson and Street. In the final race several helms tried to repeat the port end start tactic, but failed to make it. Street led the first lap, but again Jackson overhauled him downwind on lap 2, going on to win ahead of Freeman and Street. Age proved no barrier in this event, with adults taking 1st and 4th places, both helming dinghies that were themselves nearly 25 years old!
Article by Nick Muggridge, Fleet Captain, published in Yachts & Yachting.
Photo gallery by Warwick Baker available on his own website www.warwickpics.co.uk. Contact Warwick via the order form to obtain prints.
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Laser open - good Lancing SC presence
21 Laser Standards and 5 Radials took part in the Lancing SC S.E.Grand Prix Open Meeting on Sunday June 1st. Race Officer, Barry Goacher, did well to get four races completed on a day when the light wind continually threatened to die away.
Race 1 saw local helms Chris Foster and David Trout get away to a first lap 1,2, before Frensham Pond's Ian Gregory pushed through to take the win. Lancing's Jimmy Carter and David Trout took places 2 and 3.
Race 2 was dominated by visiting helm Sergio Messina from Chipstead Sailing Club. His upwind boat speed held off Lancing SC's Sean Dwyer and Jimmy Carter.
Race 3 resulted in a win for visitor Rob Cage of Bewl Valley SC. Good tactics saw him hold off strong challenges from Sergio Messina (CSC) and Paul Lynch (LSC).
With a different winner in each of the first three races, the fourth was bound to decide the event. A return to form by Ian Gregory (FPSC) gave him the race and event. Andy Carter (LSC) and Rob Cage (BVSC) were close behind.
The Radial fleet was dominated by Jon Emmett of Weirwood SC, who won all four races. He didn't have it all his own way though as he was pushed hard at times by Hayley Goacher (Lancing) who took 3 second places and a third.
Article by David Trout, Fleet Captain, published in Yachts & Yachting.
Photo gallery by Warwick Baker available on his own website www.warwickpics.co.uk. Contact Warwick via the order form to obtain prints.
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Sponsored stroll in support of the RNLI
 On Sunday 8th June, Gavin and Jade welcome everyone young at heart to a sponsored stroll along the seafront. Primarily targeted at the younger members of the club, the walk/ride/stroll will get to Mermaid Café first, where people can collect a sticker. Then they'll head East towards Widewater where more stickers will be given. Finally, it's back to the club for a final sticker, an ice-cream and a well-deserved barbecue, open to everyone. For more details, see the topic in the Lancing Sailing Club forum. There are also talks of a sandcastle competition for the morning. See you there!
News update
After a very successful event, Gavin writes:
On Sunday 8th June, a group of the under 10s from Lancing Sailing Club organised a sponsored stroll for the brave volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The youngsters walked three miles on a hot sunny afternoon to the west end of Beach Green, Lancing to the east end of Widewater, Shoreham and returned to the Club. They were encouraged by the promise of getting a sticker at both ends and an ice-cream once back to the club.
Funds were raised towards the new RNLI lifeboat and the building of the boathouse at Shoreham station.
The children raised £150 through sponsorship, donations by members and proceeds from a barbecue. Most children said they "would have prefered to be in the sea", and suggested a sponsored splash or surf next time!
A cheque will be presented to the RNLI in the coming weeks.
Pictured from left to right: Maëlle, Blake, Maisie, Noah, Eloise, Jade, Jack the dog and Charlotte.
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Over the last few years, our ill-fated Youth Regatta has been blown off 4 times and, even if it took place last year, conditions were quite hairy for our youngsters. Let's hope that this year will be the exception and that the weather will be perfect (you know, that elusive steady SW force 3 with bright sunshine...).
The regatta is a series of races open to everyone under 19 years old. No harsh competition, it's a relaxed event where everyone is having a lot of fun! There's no restriction on classes of boats either, although the Toppers should make the bulk of the fleet.
Briefing is at 12.30 on Saturday 28th June and the start of the first race is due to be at 1pm. Prizegiving is scheduled at 5pm, after the "Bring-a-friend" afternoon and before the pursuit race at 6pm. It's going to be busy that day!
The organisers are still after volunteers to fill in the key roles. If you are free that Saturday and you'd like to help, please contact Jim (Sailing Secretary) on 07725 227966 or Mark Jackson (Youth Coordinator) on 01273 703 512.
A volunteers list is on the board in the clubhouse foyer.
Many thanks.
Running alongside as the youth regatta is the Bring-a-Friend event. Contact those neighbours and friends you have been promising to take for a sail and get them to experience the fun and friendly atmosphere of the club. Take them out in your boat or let other members take them out. (Social in the evening) Give them a call now to give them some notice.
Starting at 6.00pm is a Pursuit race. This format of racing proves very popular. The slower boats start first and the faster boats start later and have to try and catch up in a set time limit. Catch the end of the sea breeze on a Mirror or a Topper and you can leave all the big boys standing!
To finish the evening off you can all enjoy the social in the evening. It's called "Pie and a Pint" because it sounds good, but it ought to be "Pie and tipple of your choice". Whatever you're drinking, it's going to be a good evening. Even if you cannot make the sailing come along and have a great time.
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