2003 other events |
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Frensham Pond 50th - 12th / 13th July |
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The following report has been borrowed from Yachtsandyachting .com Author: James Morley The event combined a rally of wooden dinghies, organised by the Vintage Racing Dinghy Association, a reunion of founding and early members, and a day of events and attractions for current members. Commodore Charles Smith welcomed veteran early members, those "who cleared the brambles". Among the founders present was Marjorie Price, a pioneer of women's dinghy racing, now aged 96, Michael and Jeanne Glanister who had flown in from the States for the event, and Pamela Elkins, daughter of Norman Morley, the man who guided the club in its early days and founded its youth programe. The Commodore spoke of the friendly spirit that had made the club such a success. "We have seen many fine performances - there were five national champions in 2002 and we're in the highest reaches of the youth squads. We're just as fierce in competition as our forebears would want us to be while remaining a family club." He recalled a few of the famous names who had emerged through the club's youth training. Olympian, Cathy Foster, Julian Hereward, Keith Videlo, Anthea Thompson, Nick Craig, and Andrea Brewster, as well as offshore sailors such as Matthew Humphries and Simon Curwen. Also Richard Hart, former national Finn champion, who won the weekend's vintage event in his original 1970 wooden boat. To round off the day, one hundred and twenty members and guests sat down for the jubilee dinner. There were many recollections of past days and the extraordinary achievements of this small club and its hopes and ambitions for the next half-century. |