RS400 Scotland JP Watersports Circuit Prizegiving

by Keith Bedborough 4 Nov 2013 06:01 GMT 19 October 2013

The RS400 Scotland 2013 season officially culminated on 19th October with the now traditional end of season Prizegiving and party at Dalgety Bay Sailing Club. Following an excellently run final travellers event, the fleet were treated to fantastic food and refreshment from local caterer Scott Hyslop, and our old friend BOB (Barrel of Beer) from Stewart Brewing was there to see us through another of old man Bedborough's AGMs. AGM completed in record time and a new committee elected, it was time for the prizegiving, and the usual variety of highly dubious (and some not so) awards, in no particular order:-

• The Globetrotter Award for best travellers – Chris Dowie and Naomi Moran – sailed in Dalgety Bay, Bournemouth and Carnac in 48 hours
• Most Promising Newcomers Award – Dan Hall and Niall MacLeod (the pink boat!)
• Most Enthusiastic Newcomer – Jules Thorne – for the most positive attitude to sailing anywhere, ever – was awarded a very long piece of bungee to ensure she keeps on coming back to us. Awarded bonus points for ensuring the other minor sporting event she's organising next year (Commonwealth games) finishes the day before the 400 nationals.
• Best Improver Award – for a convincing demolition victory in the bronze fleet at the nationals – Graeme Henry and Katie Masterson
• Best Fancy Dress Award –for his amazing "Loch Ness monster" at the nationals – Simon Grey.
• The Mr Invisible Award for the poorest attendance in living history – Taffy McGibbon
• The Bad Timing Award – for organising the nationals at his home club then not booking his holidays in time – Jim Sinclair was awarded an oversize wall planner with the 2014 events clearly marked.
• The WingWash Award – Ian Brown was awarded a raw onion for services to flatuluence at Prestwick.
• The Mr Bump Award for the most Accident Prone sailor – a portable ice pack – to Cameron Still
• The Mr Motivator Award – incoming Scottish Class rep – Mr Richard Bolton was presented with a dumbbell - he'll need it for lifting all these boats onto the top stacker.
• The Best Sport Award – for displaying dignity and good humour throughout his 3-man lift – Fraser Mulford was awarded a pair of tartan boxers with which to preserve his modesty next time.

Next it was time to thanks sponsors JP Watersports, Stewart Brewing and DH Systems without whom the circuit wouldn't be what it is.

To ensure that he did finally leave us all in peace - Mr Bolton presented outgoing class rep Mr Bedborough with a pair of waders and free entry to the local fishing club. He also presented 2 Sheraton spa vouchers on behalf of the Scottish association to Mr B and the long-suffering Mrs B to thank them for a job well done over the past 3 years. Mr B now moves on to the dubious privilege of RS400 UK Class chairman. The fence sitters shouldn't relax too much though as Bolton is pretty good at rabble rousing, a vital skill if you also sail a solo!

The overall awards for the 2013 Circuit were then presented:

• 1st Overall and Winner of the Stewart Brewing Plate - Jim Sinclair and Ben Wilcox
• 2nd Overall – Stewart and Sarah Robertson
• 3rd Overall – Keith Bedborough and Martin McCrew-Booth
• 4th Overall – Roger Carter and Ein Stein Roberton
• 5th Overall – Richard Bolton and Hannah Robertson/ Ian Brown
• 6th Overall – Bob Yeamans and Nadia McMinn

The Robertsons were also awarded an RS400 shaped cake to commemorate their fantastic victory at the UK Nationals this year.

It wouldn't be a 400 prizegiving without some Duckhams awards. Phil Hermiston and Martin Cruden got a mention for the now infamous "curious incident of the cat under the cover" from the nationals. KB received a nomination for managing to lose both the class flag and the Duckhams trophy. Mr Robertson received a pair of high-focus glasses to ensure that he can still spot the shorten course flag from 4 boatlengths next year. However the clear and undisputed winner for the "Stewart Browning Trophy for Monumental Cockup" was Mr Phil Britton – displaying consistent form throughout season for a series of mast breaks, bung errors and the cream on the cake - the discovery on arrival at the Inlands at Grafham that the carefully tied on kite bag, athough still firmly secured to the boat, was now empty (having been full of crispy blue spinnaker on departure from Edinburgh 7 hours previously).

With the class going from strength to strength – now is a great time to get into the RS400 in Scotland. There are several potential new owners and plenty boats changing hands as various people upgrade. 10 Scottish boats booked already for Garda and the nationals at uber-venue Mount's Bay - 2014 is shaping up very nicely. Contact us via www.facebook.com/groups/rs400.