Hi all, just wanted to let you know about a new event for 2007:

"The inaugural Symmetric Hikers Challenge event will be held at Rutland SC on the 14th-15th July. It will be a challenge event between non-trapeze classes with symmetrical spinnakers: Merlins, GP14s, Kestrels, Scorpions, Larks and the like.... Some people will know that an equivalent event (“Fastsail Symmetric Grand Prix”) for trapeze classes was started a few years ago and has been a great success. 

The idea is for a fun event with competitive racing and a big social on the Saturday night. The actual format will depend on how many boats we are able to attract from different classes but the initial response has been encouraging. In principle the plan is to have a mix of pursuit and handicap races, to even out any advantages for faster / slower classes, with competition between the classes – as well as having overall and class prizes spread down the fleets.

More details will follow soon."

Unfortunately this does clash with the end of Salcombe Week but if anyone can't make Salcombe for whatever reason then it would be great to see you at Rutland. The event has also been planned so that it is possible to qualify from Sundays racing alone so if anyone is feeling keen then they can always drop by for a pint and a sail (not necessarily in that order) after Salcombe.

Tom

I believe this event has been mentioned at the committee meetings, and is something we are going to endorse.

i suspect we'll go because we can't do salcombe.

Whilst the event conflicts with the latter days of Salcombe, I am confident that there wll be representative fleet at the event.

Count us oldies out (boats that is) as we'll be busy at Frensham

I can't do salcombe so if anyone wants a crew for this then I might be up for it. bit too much advance planning going on for my liking though so you'll have to get back to me nearer the time...

Quick update:

Superspar are offering a free mast for the overall event winner including an option for a carbon upgrade.

Fotoboat are offering free photos as prizes to 3 boats (1 each helm and crew). These prizes haven't been allocated yet but should be spread through the fleet.

More to follow soon.

The Larks will like the free superspar mast ;-)

I'll tell them you said that! 

Mind you, having seen the damage Taxi does to his boats this one might be useful to some of you...

Paintcraft are offering a £100 voucher for any of their services, so foils, re-varnishing, paint jobs, general repairs / touch ups etc. Anyone familiar with them will know the quality of the work but if not they have a stand at the boat show you can check out.

The current plan is for this to be awarded to the first wooden boat over 10 years old.

Count Spindrift in!!!!!

Good luck Martin. Do SuperSpars make Rater masts? I bet they are worried now!!

A Raters not eligible if they use a trapeze - this is a HIKERS event!

yes we will just get out the fat boys only 17 stone plus

Ok, i've got some more good news about the event: 

Sunsail have agreed to sponsor the event and are offering a free holiday for 2 adults to Club Marverde in Turkey. This is based on the condition that it is taken outside school holidays but even considering this the holiday is still normally worth between £549 and £949 per person! see www.sunsail.co.uk for more details.

In the interest of keeping this open to everyone the plan is to put every entry into a hat and hold a draw for the holiday during the weekend.

Please help by spreading the news (i know it may weaken your chance of winning but Sunsail along with Super Spars, Dinghy Sailing Magazine, Paintcraft, Fotoboat and Speed Sails have already offered some great prizes for the weekend and the more they feel they can get out of this weekend in terms of publicity the more likely they are to get involved again in the future).

Cheers,
Tom

Hi all,

Rutland have asked me to get a rough idea of numbers for the event (14th / 15th July) so i've added some details and a form on the speed sails website to see who is interested. This isn't entering the event, that'll happen on the saturday at Rutland, but it should help give us an idea of who is going. So, if anyone does fancy winning a holiday to Turkey or one of the other prizes then please fill it in.

On another note, Harken have also agreed to sponsor the event. I dont know exactly what is on offer yet but expect some free Harken kit to be up for grabs at the event too..

More info at www.speedsails.co.uk and click on events.

Tom

Given that its the end of Salcombe, you are probably looking at some Midland stragglers.  I guess around 5 Merlins.
steve

I know, unfortunately we couldn't get any other date for this year though. It's ok, just means more chance of a decent prize for the rest of us!

Prize list goes beyond five then?
Hoho

bold words! fancy coming to defend them...

im planning on being there.  Another five required to pick up the prizes.

Taxi and Ellie have already signed up - see speed sails website - so thats one more for you.

Hi all,

i've still got some prizes from Speed Sails and Harken that i need to allocate to different categories at the Symmetric Hikers Challenge and wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions? 

So far the Sunsail holiday to Turkey is being given away in a draw with all entries to the event automatically in the hat, Superspars mast, £50 cash and £25 cash go to the top 3 (will get changed around if a Lark wins), top junior gets £25 cash, Fotoboat pictures are for top 3 boats over 10 years old, Paintcraft voucher goes to top wooden / part wooden boat and Dinghy Sailing Magazine subscriptions go to 10th, 20th, 30th and 40th overall.

I want the rest to go to people predominantly outside the top 10 so all ideas welcome (more biased options may not get taken up tho!)

Tom

How about top student competitors?

What about top first timers?

Some prizes for real old boats would be good, boats over 30 years old?

Real 'old boats' are well catered for at Frensham. Great racing and great prizes. As Pat says," Why go anywhere else" ?

Nick

Pretty sure there will be a student category, will try and do really old boats too but wasn't sure how many boats 30 years + would come... If i know at least 3 will be there then will add that as a category.

For those that are interested in coming to Rutland the NOR has now been posted on the Rutland SC website. 

Sponsored by Sunsail, Super Spars, Speed Sails, Harken, Paintcraft, Dinghy Sailing Magazine and Fotoboat there are loads of great prizes to be won including a free holiday for 2 adults to Turkey, a free mast, £100 cash and more!

Any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Tom
([email protected])

There are various people looking for rides for the event, if anyone is short of a crew let me know.

07951 826769
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