Commodore’s Report

Olympic Success:

Congratulations to our sailors in Beijing!  A world beating performance to inspire us of more modest ambition.  They all learnt to sail somewhere, men, women and young people who have taken the sport to the highest level. Lets continue to support our cadets and novices at DSC with 2012 and beyond in mind.

Summer sailing course:

Congratulations to the adults and cadets of Desborough SC who gathered during the Olympic sailing regatta in China to sail for their personal best on the Thames. Very many thanks to Spencer Needs and his team of instructors, assistant instructors and many willing helpers who, by thorough preparation and hard work, created an extremely successful course to the exacting RYA standards. Feedback from cadets, adults, parents and instructors has been excellent with new & improved skills, increased confidence on the water and a very enjoyable week on the Thames in breezy conditions. This is the essence of Desborough SC, high standards of sailing and training, with good equipment in a friendly family environment. An excellent course run by the members for the members. The Commodore and Committee will do all we can to support the instructors  and helpers, maintain and improve equipment and endeavour to maintain the strong traditions of in house training. The Club is looking to support any member interested in becoming an instructor, please contact Spencer Needs Senior Instructor.

Wednesday series:

Another excellent summer series, well attended with about twelve boats out each week, and generally good winds. The balmy evenings and gentle banter which act as a stepping stone from one weekend to the next mask a fiercely competitive series for the highly coveted trophies for Handicap and Personal Handicap. The lead changed hands several times during the series but finally a well deserved win for Richard Broughton in his Moth, narrowly beating Paul Stapleton and Zoe into second place and in the Handicap sailing their Enterprise. An excellent first and third  for the Birch family in the personal handicap with Gordon Birch and Marie-Odile winning and Ian Birch and Max third sandwiching Richard Broughton in second place. Although the series is over, we will try to keep the clubhouse open on Wednesdays for social gathering and pool, do come and join us for a drink and chat.

Ladies regatta:

When no ladies presented to contest for this trophy on the original date, it was postponed to Saturday 23^rd August after the sailing course. Two ladies entered, Heather Ireland fresh from the sailing course and Nikki Cowlard a seasoned campaigner and previous holder of the trophy. Conditions were gentle with light westerly breeze 3-10mph. Heather , sailing the Feva ‘Ayton Endeavour’ won the first 40 minute race, Nikki sailing the club Pico won the second race. A one lap sprint tie breaker was proposed, Nikki conceded and Heather lifted the trophy to confirm her excellent progress in sailing and new confidence in racing.  I am delighted that we have new female racing talent in the Club, but am concerned that our ladies have not entered the regatta in the numbers we are capable of achieving. If GB can get two gold medals for sailing by ladies, I am sure we can match the interest at Desborough. So come on ladies, let me know what it takes to get you on the water, would some specific sessions for women be helpful ‘Ladies Saturday’ or different training be helpful? Do let me know what you think now , so it can be included in next years fixture list.

Continued on page 2

Commodore’s Report continued

Challenge Race DSC v Staines SC:

We have been challenged by Phil Vincent member of both Staines and DSC to a race over two Saturdays. First leg at DSC on 13^th September concurrent with existing two races and second leg at Staines on 27^th September when there is no racing booked at DSC. Staines will have DSC club boats available to them and hope to have four entries. For the second leg, Staines will make available to us three boats including a wayfarer, enterprise and laser. I hope we can take a few extra boats of our own. This is a good challenge at a quiet time of year in our fixture list when sailing conditions are likely to be good, I hope DSC can raise a competitive fleet and use it as preparation for a stronger effort to regain the Mid Thames Trophy in 2009. If you would like to take part, and all welcome, please contact Paul Stapleton , sailing secretary.

Social Calendar:

DSC 60^th Birthday & Jazz Night: I am looking forward to what promises to be a really good evening with food and music for a very reasonable cost, so do bring your friends & guests to experience the unique setting and friendly Desborough atmosphere. The Commodore and Flag Officers are pleased to invite all new members to join them for a drink at the start of the Birthday party.

Thank you:

An enormous amount of work is being done in the Club by many members in many different ways to ensure all our experience of sailing and socialising at Desborough is of the highest standard. Work on the grounds, tidying equipment, maintaining boats, planning improvements, organising clubhouse maintenance, communication, finances, bar stocking and running, training and instructing, planning social events, racing results and website, publicity, newsletters,  liaising with other organisations...... and more are the work done by the members for the members. Thank you for these efforts which make your club what it is. Do contact me if you have any suggestions for improvement or any skills or limited time you could offer the Club.

Richard Cowlard.

Many congratulations to Tamsin Baxter who has just presented proud Ma, Anna, with a beautiful

baby granddaughter.

Ellah Kate, August 16^th, 6lb 10oz.

We congratulate Adam and Christopher who are now officially Uncles.

(I'd have Adam as an Uncle any day.)

Sally Dick