Helensburgh Sailing Club Prize Giving
by Mark Homer 9 Dec 2009 07:20 GMT
5 December 2009
Helensburgh Sailing Club Prize Giving © Kevin Lynch
HSC held its annual prizegiving last Saturday 5th December, the first in the newly built clubhouse. A full house was order of the night which followed on with supper and dancing to the excellent 'Ringtones'. Stars of the show were Alistair Gray, Donald McLaren and Patrick Ryan.
New Offshore Rear Commodore James Miller conducted affairs and Wendy Flatman, wife of retiring Tim, handed out the silverware.
Young Alistair Gray, after sailing a very successfull season at home and away, recieved the Commodore's Cup for oustanding performance at events outwith the club. His recent winning of the RYA Scottish Champion of Champions at the tender age of 14 proved his metal beating National, European and World Champions.
Donald McLaren, after many years sailing at the sharp edge of the Sigma 33 fleet, was awarded the Helm of The Year Trophy for his excellent string of 2009 achievements which included winning the hotly contested National Championships.
Patrick Ryan the club's retiring Bar Steward was made a special presentation by Commodore David Wilson and wife Linda on behalf of the Club for Patrick's 25 years of unstinting service carrying on up into his 90th year. His acceptance speach displayed the charm and whit the membership had grown to love Patrick for. Hopefully now he can take his place on the other side of the bar.
Further Special Awards were made to:
- Jen Abraham took the Moira Marsden Cup for Best Junior performance at events outwith the club.
- Moray Clark, Committee Challenge Tankard, special achievements outwith the club.
- David Abraham, Endevour Award, for his enthusiasm and commitment.
- Grace Laverty, The Alan Miller Youth Award, Junior achievement in the club.
- Lesley Serpel, Stuart Thompson Memorial Trophy for special services to the club.
Special competition awards winners were:
- Jen Abraham, Hirta Trophy for 14-16 yrs.
- Alan McIntosh Junior Trophy - 13 and under.
- Alison Symon, Ladies race.
- Barking Challenge - fastest Multihull, Nigel Lynn and Alan Nesbit who narrowly missed their all time and club record by 10 seconds.
- Peter Booth won the Coronation plate for his Sonata sailing success on the East Patch.
- Shona and Frank Shields took the Keelboat Elk Quaich for there performance in the East Patch Handicap class.
- Club Champion of Champion, The McGregor Trophy was won by Merv Wright.
Prizes were also awarde for the individual class series races and Class Championships held throughout the year.
Topper Class
Class Champion was Calum Wison who also took third in the Spring Series. Alistair Gray fitted in winning the Wednesday Series 1 & 2 and a 3rd in the Summer Series in-between his extensive travelling. David Abraham won the windy and cold Spring Series, Rosemary Jennings Maun took the Summer Series, Jack Aitken won the Autumn Series, Jen Abraham took seconds in Wednesday 2 and the Summer Series and a 3rd in Wednesday 1, Katherine Bull was 2nd in the Spring Series, Rory Kilgore 2nd in Wednesday 1 and Sarah Jeffrey 3rd in Wednesday 2.
Handicap Fleet
Young Alan McIntosh, only 13, won the Class Championship in this mainly adult class showing amazing determination and cool sailing in hard conditions. Alan also won the Summer Series and a second in Wednesday 2 sailing his Laser Radial. Merv Wright won the Spring Series, Wednesday 1 & 2 Series and the Autumn Series in his Blaze, Graham Busby and Duncan Bond took 2nd sailing their RS400 in the Wednesday 1 series and Darren Booth respresenting the sporadic RS600 contingent took 2nd in the Summer Series.
In the cat fleet, despite the emerging Stealth fleet battling it out amongst themselves at the front of the fleet on the water, the Dart 18 fleet totally dominated the Stealths and others with Dart 18s winning all series. Tony Abraham took the Wednesday 1 & 2 series, James Ardlington the Spring Series, FC Du Toit the Summer Series and a 2nd in Wednesday 2, Bobby Lennox won the Autumn Series, hapless Homer Mark was bridesmaid on two occaisons in his Stealth SXL, the Spring Series and Wedsnesday 1, whilst McIntosh sailing his Stealth F16 was second in the Summer Series.