AJAX 23 EAST
COAST FLEET
CLASS CAPTAIN'S REPORT 2003
The number of boats participating in races this year has been
particularly high. Average turns outs were as follows:
1997
2001
2002
2003
Spring Series
6.0
5.0
7.5
9.6
Summer Series
9.0
6.0
6.7
10.0
Autumn Series
10.3
8.0
8.7.
12.3
These figures are the highest I can recall in 22 years. This is
from a fleet
size of 22 boats some 14 of which are on the water and prepared
to race.
Of the remaining boats the following can be reported.
No.50 Mandalay - Purchased by Peter Nicholls and will be raced
next year.
No.52 Caprice - A
House - plans to be in the water next year.
No.57 Widgeon -
Geoff Bacon. Widgeon has the keel off to recoat and will race
next year.
If the above all work out as anticipated, and the existing boats
continue to
sail we could see turnouts of 15 or more boats next year.
A major improvement this year has been Richard Chenery's work in
circulating the results of races by e-mail, usually on the Monday
after racing. This has worked very well and has been much
appreciated by those competing.
The class is pleased to welcome Phillip Mayhew back into the
fleet having purchased Dionysius. Phillip has been
achieving excellent racing results. Welcome also to Charles Rice
who is sharing with Tony Blaxill on Prometheus.
Peter Nicholls
has purchased Mandalay and competed in the championships, he
intends to do the series races next year.
If any boat is up for sale please let the Class Captain know -
there are potential local buyers about.
To further these enquiries a 'taster' day is being organised for
both
prospective owners and crews on 26th October and you are asked to
support this new
venture.
Over 100 invitations have been sent to club members to see who is
out there.
The National Championship was held in July in Dovercourt Bay and
was won by Thunderer (John Williams) with Pegasus (David
Kerridge) second and Athena (David Liddington) third.
A total of 14 boats took part including two visitors from St
Mawes, Athena and Aquila (Lindsey Thomas and Cedric).
The Committee boat, Mary Rose, was once again provided by Alex
and Yolande Seton and was much appreciated. Yolande also
presented the prizes. A further feature of this year's East Coast
Championship was that the catering was all at the RHYC, and this
was regarded as a great success.
The second year of the new format for the Harwich Regatta
provided five good Ajax races. The series was won by Avocet
who received the Prosser Plate.
The Spring series was also won by Avocet,
The Summer series by Guillemot and
The Autumn series
by Mars.
Two RHYC boats went to Cornwall for Falmouth week. Vim scored a
second in the Wednesday race and Pegasus (helmed by Belinda
Kerridge on that day) won the Thursday race and finished third
overall out of 24 boats. I regret to report the loss of Vim
to the South West fleet (sold after Falmouth week).
The launching scheme continues to run although I must apologise
for yet again not undertaking the remake-galvanising project
during this year. It is now planned to redesign the trolley
in the light of the experience to date using some of the parts so
that a new frame can be sent to the galvanisers.
The improvers
trophy is awarded this year to David Pearce who as a new owner
did particularly well in the championships coming 5th over all.
2004 South West National Championship will be middle/end July and
Falmouth week 8th to 14th August.
I am very pleased to be able to finish my time as Class Captain
with the
class in such a strong state, and I would like to thank you all
for your help and
understanding
Good Sailing
David Kerridge
(Class Captain)