One Metre UK Nationals at Lincoln Model Yacht Club - Preview

IOM Nationals Race Start © Sue Brown

Over the Bank Holiday weekend of the 28th–31st August 2015 top radio control sailing skippers from around the UK and Europe will be descending on Thorpe-on-the-Hill, Lincoln, to compete in the MYA International One Metre (IOM) National Championship 2015. With entry restricted to just 84 competitors, skippers will be hotly competing to be crowned UK National Champion 2015.

The event will be run by Lincoln Model Yacht Club (LMYC) at their lake at Scotland Farm, Thorpe-on-the-Hill, Lincoln, LN6 9BP.

Entrants are travelling from as far afield as Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal and The Netherlands, and of course there is a wealth of entrants from the UK as well.

Many of the competing skippers started their sailing careers in full size dinghies, as well as ocean racing (many at National and International standard), before progressing into IOM racing which attracts the best sailors from across the globe.

Those competing in Lincoln in August include:

• Brad Gibson (UK) – Ranked No.1 in the world since 2010
  2007 & 2015 IOM World Champion, (fresh from his victory in Foster City, California, USA)
  2012 & 2014 IOM European Champion
  2009, 2011 & 2013 UK IOM National Champion
  2011 IOM Australian Champion
  2010 & 2011 IOM USA Champion
• Rob Walsh (UK)
  2013 World Champion, a feat he achieved when only 26 years old!
• Graham Bantock (UK)
  Current "A Class" and "Ten Rater" Class World Champion
  2015 IOM Australian National Champion
• Tony Edwards (UK)
  3 times UK IOM National Champion including 2014
  Former Vice Chairman of MYA and an MYA Vice President
  Competed in most European and World IOM Championship events since 1995
• Miguel Salvador (ESP)
  Ex World and European Championship skipper for Optimist, 420 and 470 class boats.
  International IOM competitor since 2010.

So what is IOM racing all about?

Skipper's race radio controlled yachts around a course set out in open water over three days. The yachts are one metre in length (hence the name!) and are governed by strict rules regarding size, weight, sail size and the materials used in their construction. Prices of the yachts can start from a couple of hundred pounds for a competitive club boat, to over £3,000 for the very latest designs. The rules of sailing are exactly the same as their full size cousins, but the only control the skippers have is rudder and sail position, the rest is down to eyesight, judgement and pure sailing skill. Racing can be fast, furious and highly competitive!

The Event

The weekend starts at 1pm on Friday 28th August with boats being registered, measured and time allotted for skippers to have one last practice until the racing starts in anger at 10am on Saturday 29th August until 6pm.

Another day of racing commences at 9.30am on Sunday 30th August until 6pm, followed by a barbeque for competing skippers.

The final day of competition starts at 9.30am on Monday 31st August before all of the weekend's scores are totalled up and the overall winner announced at approximately 4.30pm.

About Lincoln Model Yacht Club (LMYC)

Established in 1974, LMYC race IOM, RG65 and Dragon Force yachts every Sunday morning at Scotland Farm, Thorpe-on-the-Hill. Racing is at all levels, and it actively encourages and coaches new and novice sailors into the sport, as well as more experienced helmsmen. It has a healthy fleet of yachts competing every weekend and prides itself on a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. With LMYC members competing around the world, as well as at club and district levels, Lincoln is proud to be one of the best venues in the UK for model yacht racing!

For more information please contact Phil Harpham (07921 242287) or Mick Chamberlain (01427 610 864)

Details of Lincoln Model Yacht Club can be found at lincolnmodelyachtclub.wordpress.com

Details of the Model Yachting Association (MYA) can be found at mya-uk.co.uk