RAOC Gazette - page 254
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1981 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1981 |
| Late date | 1981 |
| Transcription |
RAOC (BAOR) SAILING REGATTA FROM MAJOR J, B. WRIGHT THIS regatta heralded the big revival of Corps Sailing Champion- ships in BAOR. The efforts of Captain Mike Parsons of Dulmen to increase the normal number of entries paid off and as the mists of the Mohnesee slowly lifted the twenty three Bosun dinghies circled eagerly to start the first of the standard triangular courses. For the first time in their sailing history two young (!) but seasoned sailors of the Corps had come together to pit their skills against each other. Fresh from his trans-Atlantic voyage on 'Thunderer RAOC * came Major John Ross with his more durable, hardy skills, and from the quiet of the inland lakes on his l home' ground came the experienced and cunning Captain Mike Parsons. It was therefore a meeting of much speculation and interest especially as'the known skills of the seasoned sailor Colonel Carruthers from Headquarters 15 Ordnance Group were to be tested too. It was little wonder therefore that the club * bridge * with its air horns, flags and score sheets became what looked like a tic-tac stand on a good day at the Newmarket Races! How many bottles of good quality German wine and sekt changed hands in the two day championships will never be known! And so with a * slack wind * and * splicing of mainbraces,' the first race began and the start-line manoeuvres brought the Carruthers, Parsons and Ross dinghies quickly into the lead positions. With the Commander in first place until the last * leg' it looked as if the favourites would have to take lower places for the first event, until by a stroke of fate the off-shore winds changed and Parsons eased into the lead. Having tacked too close to the shore, Ross crossed the line in fifth place with Stuthridge of Antwerp and Granger of 3 Division, in third and fourth places respectively. With the first race under his belt and a stronger wind pre- vailing, the second race began with Parsons and Carruthers off first, closely followed by Jones and Parsons. (Yes, another Parsons! Two sailing l clergy' in the same race can be con- fusing for any recorder). Again on the notorious last ' k g ' it was Parsons and Carruthers but as the former was rammed on the starboard side, the spectators saw the first ' 720 ' of the event which left Colonel Carruthers to come in for another second place. For those non-sailors, a * 720 ' is an imposed penalty for various misdemeanours and comprises two complete turns of the boat on the spot: i.e. two by three hundred and sixty degrees. This equates to two loop-the-loops in aeronautics or ' panic T in hang-gliding! Race three saw a * good wind' over a lengthened course which for many was to be the best race of the competition. But again it was Parsons in an early lead, this time followed by Corporal Stuthridge a new contender for the title. The Mellitt and Ross dinghies were close behind and with such a good wind places changed frequently. With only a forty yard lead, Parsons took his third race with Stuthridge, Mellitt and Ross close behind. The fourth race went much the same way with everyone in no doubt that to get anywhere one had to be right on the start line at the * gun.* This was somewhat amusing to T the sunning spectators as shouts, bumps and the inevitable * 720 s * were seen and heard, and out of the melee came the unmistakable helm— Parsons. With so much clear wind the race went its usual way with Blackburn and Granger returning in a creditable second and third position. After a good barbeque the evening before, day two dawned with a nil wind, mist, and a complete calm situation. This meant that competitors had literally to paddle ro the start and after two delays being sounded the last race was about to be called off. Suddenly the surface rippled, the sails filled, and the fifth race got under way. There are no prizes for guessing who — The DOS presents the team captain from Dulmen with the winners trophy. won this race, but the following three dinghies provided the most exciting and fitting climax to the competition. More or less in the line came Carruthers and Mellitt, but closing fast from behind and in the middle came Ross. It took a good judge to decide the positions, but the outcome of the contest was to be Mellitt, Ross and Carruthers fourth. The last race of the day was the * crews ' race where the 4 workers' of each craft had a chance to shout a few orders and try their own hands at the gentle art of catching the wind. It would be reasonable to say that the spectators expected a new leader for this race, but having watched five races carefully, Corporal Noble (normally the Parsons' crew) soon came into the lead and so won another interesting race. It is understood that Corporal Noble is taking his own helm next year, and this in itself could provide an interesting 1982 Regatta. The exhilarating competition ended with the DOS thanking everyone for the participation and assistance and awarding the prizes as follows : — INDIVIDUAL IstHelm 1st Crew 2ndHelm 2nd Crew 3rd Helm 3rd Crew Captain M. Parsons Dulmen Corporal N. Noble Dulmen Corporal D. Stuthridge Antwerp Sergeant J. Tate Antwerp Colonel R. Carruthers ... HQ 15 Ord Gp Lieutenant J. Fausset HQ 15 Ord Gp ELEMENTARY IstHelm 1st Crew Private A. Blackburn ... HQ 2 Armd Div and A. Beaton .,, (overall seventh place) TEAM 1st ... 2nd ... 3rd ... CREW 1st 2nd 3rd 210 . Dulmcn .. HQ RAOC 3 Armd Div ..Viersen 23 points 41 points 44 points Corporal N. Noble Dulmen L/Corporal B. Norrie .... 5 Armd Wksps Private A, Weston Dulmen |
| Book number | R0250 |