UK Dinghy Racing - https://www.ukdinghyracing.com

UK Dinghy Racing
Newsletter No 20
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In this Issue
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1. Sydney 2000 Olympics
2. Dr Laser
3. 2004 Olympic Regatta
4. Trapeze Techniques
5. Places to Buy Online

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1. SYDNEY 2000 OLYMPICS

More details are emerging about the sailing events at Sydney, and I for one am looking forward with a lot of anticipation, I do believe that not only will Team GBR collect more medals than for many a year, but that sailing will be our most successful sport.

As I believe this is the first time that the sailing will be in the host city, as opposed to being 100s of miles away, I hope the coverage by the media will be exceptional. BBC TV will have Richard Simmonds there and Radio 5 Live will have Sonja McLaughlan reporting, as I write I am unsure if Talk Sport will be offering any coverage, but if I can find any specifics I will report later.

For most of us however the internet will offer the fastest and best coverage. Information is starting to build and the following links are now available:

Venue Information

www.olympics.com/eng/venues/RBM/home.html

Venue Map & Course Areas
www.sailing.org/olympics/maps/default.html

Entry Lists & Updates
www.sailing.org/olympics/

I hope these will be of interest and help in giving some understanding of the courses particularly. Many of the fleets will use more than one course area, giving flat water in the harbour racing as well as offshore courses, should add up to a bigger challenge.

When the event itself starts we are promised updates as boats round the marks as well as instant results. When the URLs are published I will post the information on the web site and in the next Newsletter.

The racing is phased with the Mistral Men and Women starting first on 17th September and the Star and Finn classes not getting underway until the 23rd. Most classes will have 2 races a day 10 total with 2 discards, while the 49ers will have 3 a day total 16 with 2 discards, their speed and short courses should prove a challenge to those responsible for place updates.

With strong medal prospects in most of the classes I do wish our team the very best, and for me personally I will be spending many a late night watching results and looking for TV coverage on all the sport and news channels.

My guess, for what it's worth is that the sailing Team GBR will collect 5 medals with 2 of them being gold, but then again I am not a gambler. What are your guesses? Send an email and lets see if anybody can get it right mail to [email protected]

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2.DR LASER

I have just been shown a site for Laser sailors Dr Laser
www.roostergraphics.com/drlaser/core.html
The link was send to me by Joe Fullerton, so many thanks for that. It is a hugh store of information and should be of interest to all sailors, but Laser sailors will gain the most. Have a good look at the FAQ they should solve any problems you have.

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3. 2004 OLYMPIC REGATTA

I know that this years Olympic Regatta has yet to happen, but the ISAF are aready planning for the 2004 event.

At the November conference in Edinburgh decisions will be made as to which classes will be sailed in 4 years time, or to use the correct terminology what equipment will be selected.
There will be a ladies keelboat, and with the number of competitors now limited something has to go. All submissions for considerstion had to be in by 1st August, so we should know soon who has thrown their hat into the ring.
Some further information can be found at
www.sailing.org/regulations/2000regs.html#part6

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4. TRAPEZE TECHNIQUES

I have recently been sent an article on trapeze techniques. Entitled "Think Heavy - A Trapeze Crews Guide to Instant Weight Change" this article can be found in the Gofaster Tips section of the site www.ukdinghyracing.com/gofaster.htm and comes to us curtosy of the Hornet Class www.hornet.org.uk
Many thanks for this, and if anybody has any further articles they are willing to allow for publication, please send them, full credits will be given.

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5. PLACES TO BUY ONLINE

As the sailing community grows on the Internet there are becoming more places to purchace your requirements online and save more time for sailing, just a few are listed below.

Insurance
Boatinsure.co.uk www.boatinsure.co.uk
Noble Marine www.noblemarine.co.uk

Ropes
Mr Splice
http://www.mrsplice.com

Laser Training on CD Rom
Sailcoach
www.sailcoach.com

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Finally please don't forget to send in articles for the Newsletter and the site, and if you know of any interesting sites you would like to share please drop an email [email protected]

Thats all for now, please send in some articles, most generate some comment, and more than anything have some fun sailing.