National Championships
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2012 IMPALA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
These will take place July 13,14,15 in Plymouth
The racing will be run by Royal Western Yacht Club of England from their clubhouse in Queen Anne’s Battery and fleet will be based at Yacht Haven Quays (YHQ).
Yacht Haven Quays are about a mile up the Plym from Mountbatten Breakwater (and so about a mile from RWYC) (The site is now considerably developed from the view in Google Earth !)
I have brochures here and if you drop me an email with your address I’ll post one to you. In the meantime see: http://www.yachthavens.com/yacht-haven-quay-plymouth/
Racing will consist of a long distance race on Friday 13th, to either Eddystone (Hands Deep) or the Ranneys. If the weather is not right – too much or too little wind – then we will race in the Sound using the navigational buoys.
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th will have four races per day, staying out all day. Courses will be windward/leeward on the Olympic pattern around racing marks, two beats and two runs, re-setting the windward mark for each beat. The RO will broadcast the bearing of the windward mark whenever it is moved.
The distance to the windward mark(s) is changed in line with wind strength.
Racing will normally be in the area marked as Race Course 1 & White Sail. Courses 2 & 3 will be if there is light northerly making the wind in the Sound rather flukey.
We are planning a training race on Thursday 12th. and are looking into getting an International Coach for the day, but if not then at least you can get out, get a feel for the tide, and spot the lighthouses at each end of the breakwater. You would not want to emulate the (probably) apocryphal solo circumnavigator who arriving at night at high tide in his trimaran sailed over the top !
Car parking at YHQ is free.
Boats will raft up on the pontoon at YHQ
There are showers and changing rooms at both YHQ and RWYC
The Cafe at YHQ will take orders for breakfast and lunch packs – in view of numbers these will need to be ordered.
Attached is a list of hotels in Plymouth. The pontoon has water and electricity for those preferring the comfort of their own boats.
If you let us know when and how you are arriving we will endeavour to have a reception committee waiting for you.
Prizes and awards: apart from the traditional first second and third for the Champs, there will be prizes for the long distance, day prizes, and possibly a few more. An important prize will be for the best log for boats arriving by sea, rules to be announced, but apart from the navigational details, pictures of dolphins, rare birds etc will count.
The Legal Bit:
Measurement: All boats need a valid Class Cert (meaning you have to get your subs in ! ). This also implies that your boat complies with all class rules. While actual measurement will only be undertaken in response to a protest, some scrutineering will take place on all moveable/removable equipment such as cushions, head doors, cabin linings, stoves, etc. a detailed list will be circulated shortly, but it is all covered in the class rules
Since we want the Class and the Championships to be inclusive if your boat does not or cannot be made to comply due to a previous owner’s modification, let Rob Leggett or me know as soon possible so we can come up with a solution which will ensure fair sailing.
Safety: Remember that the class rules require Cat 4 safety – and RWYC will also require this. There is plenty of help available on safety issues these days, so if you are not sure of exactly what this entails get your club expert to go over your existing kit and beg or borrow missing items.
Radio: You will also need a working radio to receive sailing instructions
The Good Bit:
So far 11 boats have said they will be racing (this list is definitely in random order !!) : Jiminy Cricket, Polly, Patriot Games, Curved Air, Vlad the Impala, Imptish, Atalanta, Wisecrack, Maverick, Imelda and Zulu. If you are not on the list expect a call.
More info will be sent out as plans firm up.
Come and 'like' the Impala class on 
