2019 RACING PROGRAMME: LATEST EVENT

Catapult returned to Bassenthwaite as a favourite venue, again for the early May Bank Holiday. The looming peak of Skiddaw had a light snow dusting, confirming  the cold northerlies expected, but the forecast light winds swung NE and strengthend each day, to give excellent racing. The club was again very welcoming, and the ROs set the traditional Bass complex courses, with X's or Ws, with up to six legs, and more than one beat.

The clear leaders were again Gareth Ede and John Terry, although pushed at times (and with Stuart Ede scoring one runaway win.) Stuart was a clear Handicap winner, but Damien Cooney scored two handicap firsts in the four races he competed in. (Results and Report)

Gareth with his second event win is a clear leader on the 2019 TT Leaderboard  ahead of John and George Evans

FIRST 2019 EVENT, RUTLAND: 13th-14th APRIL

 The Catapult fleet launched the 2019 season by again heading again to Rutland Water April  13th-14th, racing in the Cat Open on Satuday (with the Shearwater fleet) and joining the club fleet for their "Big Pond" series at the wide dam end of the Rutland Water. Brisk easterlies gave bracing sailing, with sunshine to ease the chill on Sunday.Although Chris Evans came the season with impressive new speed, Gareth and John re-established their battle at the front of the fleet, flying upwind on the trapeze, for a comfortable split from the rest. On Handicap, Chris easily dominated, counting 5 straight wins (Results and Report)

 NEXT EVENT  The  2019 racing programme returns to its real sea sailing at  Bridlington for the Nationals on 25th-27th May,  and then is back in Yorkshire on Grimworth Reservoir, 8th-9th June.

   Bala and  Carsington are back as favourites, and we will be on the Blackwater again for a TT during Stone week in early August, and rounding the season off again at the Grafham Cat Open. There is are new venues, going for a TT as part of Felixstowe Ferry SC Cat Open, and returning to Bewl in Kent.


(Below:  Northern Championship 2018: event winner John Terry leads the start of Race 1 at Bridlington.) (Photo RYYC Rib with thanks.)

DVDs FROM CATAPULT EVENTS; LIST AVAILABLE Syd Gage has worked on the output from his and George's on-board cameras (photo further below) to produce great videos of Catapult action, including a season roundup. The list and details are here

               HYPALON  TUBE REPAIRS Puncture? Leaky tubes? Seams coming unstuck? End caps need replacing?
Paul Stubbins offers a high quality professional repair service. Paul, now working as a sole trader (with therefore no VAT to pay!), has many years experience working for RIB manufacturers.Paul offers a nationwide service from his base in Hull.
 Have a word with Class Secretary, Stuart Ede, to see if he can arrange for pick up and delivery through the membership network to save on transport costs.
Contact Paul at paulstubbins23@gmail.com or on 07429 754392.

 (Below: Tight racing in the 2018 Nationals after the short first beat, Saturday, with Nationals winner Gareth Ede leading again. Photo BSC Rib with thanks.)

 
INTERNATIONAL LINKS

 CATAPULT WANTED IN USA. Rick, living in Pennsylvania is wanting to buy a Catapult in trhe Eastern US. He can be contacted at milkweed33@gmail.com
 
CATAPULT CONTACTS IN EUROPE?  Ed Barclay has a Catapult in Switzerland, and is interested in linking up with other Catapults in Europe. He can be contacted at edward857@gmail.com

(Below: Close racing at Carsington in the light breeze and sunshine, Saturday, as the fleet turns through the gate. Photo CSC Safety Rib, with thanks)

 SPARES AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS Through the generosity of past Catapult sailor Admiral Sir Robert Hill and previous Secretary John Peperell, the Association has a good supply of spares to keep the fleet afloat in cases of breakage or damage.  John Terry manages the store: list of spares here and guidelines on availablity here
 
(Below: the fleet at Bassenthwaite streams across  in front of Scafell, in Saturday sunshine. (Photo BSC RIB, with thanks)

   NEW REPAIR ADVICE Syd Gage has added to his stream of practical advice and detailed instructions with a new article on DIY Puncture-free PU-foam-filled Tyres The article here shows what to buy, and Syd’s excellent photos and instructions (and personal setbacks) show how to change the steel roller bearings to nylon ones (more suitable for water immersion).  Many more are  here, the latest on  Repairing frame bolts  beam repairs, mast buoyancy, and halyard options.  
 
 (Below: Syd Gage's camera mounting, picking up the opposition ahead as he concentrates on catching them.) (Photo Paul Hargreaves with thanks.)

CATAPULT CRUISING  Justin (below) uses Catapult's shroud adjustment to dip the mast and negotiate the New Cut bridge between the Waveney and Yare rivers on the Norfolk Broads: more ) Get in touch with Alastair (at alastairforrest@hotmail.com ) with cruising plans or reports to add to the Cruising write-ups (and see his recent tidal Thames cruise.)

   
Jon Montgomery: Designer of Catapult: 22nd February 1935 - 9th June 2009.

 A tribute to Jon here.