Those of you who don't have the opportunity to visit HISC as much as we locals, may not realise that Mike Baker and Richard Smith have also put in a huge number of hours down there seeing that things get done. Bills paid, Flag Poles erected, Containers from the USA stored, new rubbish bin area built, etc etc.

There has been no let up since the beginning of July and the very successful FF Europeans. The Marine and House teams have worked miracles to keep all the boats on the water and all of us fed and watered. The 505 Worlds were called the friendly Regatta with 120 boats and visitors from 12 Countries. The big contingents from Australia and the States were particularly impressed with our facilities and the fact that HISC is a real sailing Club not just a Dinghy appendage to a snooty Yacht Club.

It seems the more mature 505 sailors really enjoyed their time with us and especially appreciated the flexibility and initiative that Paul Carpenter's team displayed in being able to fit in as many races as possible in difficult conditions, even waiting all day to start races right up to the deadline of 5.00pm.

The previous week the eighty 29ers and forty 49ers had much better weather and amazing sailing. 120 boats for both these major Regattas requires efficient management.

Cowes Week was the same time as the 505 worlds with lots of wind. Polar Star won one race in the CO32 Class and finished 2nd overall, while the RS Elites had a very successful week. While most of the other keelboat Classes had problems handling the conditions, the Elites reveled in the wind and seas recording 15 knots under spinnaker on the windy Monday. As reported on Cowes radio! And came through the week with no gear failures.

Elite No 6 resided in the new RYS Haven all week, sailed by Charles Nicholson they won on the Friday and there is every prospect that the Squadron may start an Elite Class. Apparently their Darings now 40 years old require a large amount of expensive maintenance to keep them racing.

We had only one light weather race in Fed Week and the smaller boats such as the Solos found it hard work. More recruits for the Elites?! The previous week had been even tougher for their Nationals at Felpham. Nick Rawlings was our top sailor in 12th position but after the second day of force 6 in the open sea he remembered why he had previously made the decision to go into a trapeze boat! Our two lady sailors Steph Dikinson and Sarah Mitchel did really well to complete the regatta, win a bottle of Champagne each and come in 2nd and 3rd lady.

Back to Fed week, as I personally would like to thank and congratulate the Race officers and their teams for the extremely efficient way the racing was run. Four days out of the five, start times were exactly as advertised on our course and on the fifth day we were delayed by only 10 minutes. Courses were great and races not too long.

I have a bee in my bonnet about delayed starts. Sometimes I think that Race officers worry too much about having to have a dead up wind start. Important at major regattas when racing Olympic Courses but when racing in the harbour round the cans with tide and sandbanks to negotiate, lets get sailing. Cowes this year had 3 out of the six races with running starts from the squadron line. I was watching Tony Lovell run the racing for the Skiffs last year. He started them even before the mark boat had dropped the windward mark. And got three 45 minute races in within 3 hours inspite of major wind shifts. That's why he is No 1 race office in the Solent. . . Off my hobby horse!

Fed week was a great success helped by sunshine and manageable winds. One black mark was the 'Theft' of the Federation Flags from the famous flag pole. If anybody should know of their whereabouts.. On the positive side 416 boats competed, not a record but an excellent turnout. Nine Clubs entered teams for the interclub competition and we won!

Oh yes and Mike Cave celebrated the completion of his 40th consecutive Fed Week, most recently in Flying Fifteens. Judy cooked a cake and we all drank Pimms. After that some of us slipped off for a quick nap before dinner and missed the prize giving! sorry Robert!

A last Thank You on behalf of Sheila to all who helped with the Regatta tea. Over 220 sailors and race team enjoyed delicious cakes and excellent sandwiches all lovingly prepared by our Ladies! And John the chief made some Scones! His signature dish?

Now we are on to what HISC is really about! . . . Family Fun Week and Youth Week. Let's hope the weather improves as it is windy and wet at the moment.

Anthony Penfold