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Santa Irene Club de Vela Newsletter - 20th August 2008
The " Sailing Olympics ", we are there already, better than the 2004 Games, with 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze medal. There is a chance to make it 6 medals with the "Star" medal race to be sailed tomorrow. Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson are in second place going into the "Star" medal race, with double points for this race so all things are possible. Who are the Medallists? Ladies first: Those three blonds in a boat, Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pipa Wilson won "Gold" in the "Yingling". The other Lady involved is another blond, Bryony Shaw, the RS:X sailboard has won a " Bronze " medal, sailing in a very competitive fleet many of them having sailed at previous Olympics Games. Back to "Gold" and Ben Ainslie, in his first Olympic Games in 1996 at the age of 19 he won a Silver medal in the "Laser", then Gold in 2000 and Gold in 2004 sailing the " Finn" and now again 2008 "Gold" . Which must make him Britain's greatest ever sailing Olympian. A "Gold " medal for Paul Goodison the "Laser" sailor, a lad from Sheffield, who started sailing with his Dad at the age of 4 in a " National 12 ". Which was the first racing dinghy my brother and I bought in 1952 and raced it at "Chase Water ". A " Silver" medal was won by Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield, sailing in the "470" class as they did in 2004 at the Athens Games.
There should be a big Welcome for the Team when they return to " Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy ", the venue for the 2012 Olympic Games. If you have an opportunity to visit the Academy, you will be very welcome if introduce your self as a Member of the Santa Irene Club. I visit them whenever I'm in the U.K.
Vic and Irene have just called on me with the New Safety boat, which they collected from Almeria this morning. It has cleared us out of funds – so feel free to make a donation, it's all in a good cause. My sincere thanks to Vic and Irene, without them we would probably be still thinking about it.
Back home, the Cats enjoyed a good day on Friday the 15th sailing from the Playa del Cantal (Mojacar ). At Cuevas lake ( it's too nice to be called a Canal ), on Saturday the 16th we were sailing and enjoying the serenity of it all; along with a Duck and her seven ducklings. If you want to learn to sail this is ideal place. On Sunday the 17th, at Garrucha, we met new and old friends just messing about in boats. It was the weekend of the Cruisers regatta; racing on Saturday towards Villaricos and Sunday to Macenas. You can congratulate Enrique Aguirre the winner and our sailing family Miguel & Laura who came 2nd.
If you have any interest in sailing, we will be happy to talk to you. Visit us at Cuevas Saturday , Garrucha Sunday; Catamarans from the playa del Cantal, phone for information.
Take care
John Talliss
Tel : 950 475 157
Movil: 658 548 790
E-mail John@Sailrway.com
Sailing News Sol Times - 20th August 2008
"Cuevas sailing" is "not" just for youngsters. Yes, we do have "Optimists" sailing at Cuevas, but it's also ideal for us more mature souls, who want to involve our selves in a pastime that could lead to who know where. The Cuevas lake is situated just below the dam in the dry river bed, so find the "river bed" and you will find us on Saturday mornings. 3 weeks ago Gary and Jane arrived with their "Mirror" dinghy they were not sailors but they are now! With a few words of advice, a little practice, they were soon sailing on their own. You don't have to be a boat owner we will find you something to sail.
If you are an expert sailor come and join Lyndon, who sails a single hander, the "Europe" or Paul who sails the "Topper" at Cuevas and a "Laser 4000" a two man skiff at Garrucha. If there are any "Laser" sailors out there, I need to talk to you, I'm sure we could build a Laser centre a Cuevas. In Andalucia there is an inland Championships for the Laser 4.7, then there is the "Laser Radial" and "Laser Standard" both Olympic dinghies, could we find an Olympic champion??
Now, Lets go down to the sea again, that could be a good line for a poem! Our Hobie Cat sailors have had some good days sailing off the playa del Cantal during the week, while the monohulls which includes me and 16 other enthusiasts have enjoyed sailing from Garrucha.
The Regatta for Cruisers, on the 16th and 17th was won by Enrique Aguirre, 2nd was my favourite sailing family Miguel, Laura, Miguel II and young Macarena.
Our Olympic medal total for U.K sailors in China is 5, equal to 2004 Games in Athens. There is yet another possible medal, when the Star Class complete their race tomorrow. We have 3 Gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze. The 3rd Olympic Gold medal for Ben Ainslie, confirms him as Britain's greatest ever sailing Olympian.
We would like you to come and talk to us, Saturday, Cuevas lake ; Sunday, Garrucha slipway. The Hobie Cats at Playa del Cantal.
Take care
John Talliss
Tel : 950 475 157
Movil: 658 548 790
E-mail johntalliss@gmail.com
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