TCL Scorpion National Championship 2024 at Castle Cove Sailing Club - Summary
by Alan Ritchie 9 Aug 11:25 BST
28 July - 2 August 2024
Post Event Self Actualisation
So it's all over bar the post Nationals analysis of where we could (and should) have done better - flicking through the photos and videos from PhotoLounge and wondering why he never seems to manage to get me both hiking out and the spinnaker filling at the same time (I'm sure it happened for at least a nano second - where were you Lee? - too busy in the water at the gybe mark getting some amazing shots and putting together videos I guess).
Congratulations to the winners across all the fleets with Rach and Gilly back on top of the tree again, however looking for alternate angles to fill why the Scorpion is continuing its upwards trajectory I'd like to encourage all sailors to look to Abraham Maslow's 1943 work on the Theory of Human Motivation:
1) Physiological Needs: Air, Water, Food, Shelter, Sleep, Clothing, Reproduction
Well with the fact that the galley seemed never to be shut, a bar that never ran dry I think Castle Cove did the most amazing job and a huge thank you to the fantastic volunteers (I won't name them - there's too many to fit into the 2000 word limit!). Selection of ice cold canned drinks and baked goods as we hand the tallies in at the end of each days sailing more that helps develop the post-race banter.
We had great T-shirts and sweatshirts organised and delivered in time for a clean drive home - ideal. Shelter by way of an extension marquee intended to make the club bigger in the event of inclement weather was actually a rather useful area of shade in the tropical paradise that was Weymouth last week.
Sleep was unfortunately in short supply for some of us due to there never being a moment spare - if we weren't floating about, Adam Bowers was there to remind us all how to float about faster.
I won't mention the Reproduction for this week, however there's a fair few babes in arms as well as toddlers and children growing fast and getting ready for Scorpion events in years to come.
2) Safety Needs: Personal Security, Employment, Resources, Health, Property
With the lighter airs experienced this week not too many rescues were required, however when called upon one less than agile helm was driven by rib at high speed to dry land to ensure his bleeding head wouldn't leave any stains on his new boat (couldn't knock any sense into him so no need for actual hospitalization).
One keen amateur splicer was fully employed pimping up almost the whole fleet and deservedly won the Tom Castle Memorial Trophy for boat works above and beyond - well done John Tailby. Maybe if 'the Bear' Forbes had used John he wouldn't have spliced his spinnaker sheets inside his shrouds and won the last of the weeks Pecker prizes. The resources put into the event ensured we all had fresh water bottles (Thanks Craft Insure and TCL). Property including whole boats was leant across the fleet and hopefully returned too...
3) Love and Belonging: Friendship, Intimacy, Family, Sense of Connection
OMG - this is the Scorpion fleet in a nutshell - a bunch of mates who party all week and go sailing too - and I mean proper sailing - when a multiple Rock star legend (sorry Pascoe) can't escape the 20s on a three sail reach you know its proper racing !!
The friendships are re-united each year and new ones made - to quote one First timers best moments:- 'Zoes Changing room Buddies'.
Again I don't want to go down the intimacy route with you dear reader but I saw our chairman kissing and hugging a lot of people - often before the alcohol was flowing...This is the Scorpion family - we are connected
4) Esteem: Respect, Self Esteem, Status, Recognition, Strength, Freedom
We all know and respect our fellow sailors right? Well for anyone through the fleet you know that one mistake costs you 5/10/20 boats - everyone is on it - boat speed is so close that if you don't get a decent start its unlikely you'll climb too far back up in a fleet that's this competitive, with daily prize-giving spreading some beautiful mugs through the fleet everyday we all get recognized.
We have the strength to go out and do it again the next day. This is freedom. Having Pete Goss, Round the World sailor, go through his adventures and explain what pushed on us and recognize that in ourselves was amazing.
Self-esteem for one 14 year old - we heard, "Austin at 14 had never sailed a Scorpion or even raced a dinghy before Sunday... he still managed some respectable results and is now a converted scorpion sailor." And he's booked for Penzance in 2025 already.
5) Self Actualisation: Desire to become the most that one can be
There's only one way to become the most in the Scorpion fleet - that's to keep on coming back and build up that pyramid of Hierarchy - join the scorpions and you too can self actualise. In Weymouth this year with 76 boats on the water we had four junior helms, three youth helms, seven junior crews, three youth crews, nine female helms and 22 female crews - clearly the three female helm pathfinders did a great job - none of their starts were subject to a second try! Obviously these folks have all reached self-actualization...
Seriously though - every year we manage to improve and make the event better - I don't envy our amazing organisers on how we keep improving - I know other fleets look to the Scorpions and see how to make their fleet as amazing as we are for a fully inclusive week - we raised a glass to Chief Swag Lady H whilst looking to others to continue the tradition of including non sailors whether they be old / young, partner or friend, the community is more than just those on the water and the Maslow theory has applications across the Scorpion family.
For other interesting stuff I've failed to mention - spend a moment or two and take a look at the fab round up video from PhotoLounge - which captures a few bits Maslow didn't quite cover - Gate starts, Fancy dress, Games night etc etc.
Huge Thanks to all our sponsors who help make the event what it is: TCL, Craft Insure, Ribs.auction, AJE Management Assets and Cerne Abbas Brewery. And massive thanks to Castle Cove and all the volunteers from the club, including Simon Hawkes Race Officer who stepped in at the last moment and did an amazing job.
See you in Penzance - 39 pre-entries already in!