Set and ready for the 2019 Squib Nationals at Royal Torbay Yacht Club
by Keith Davies 22 Jun 2019 21:46 BST
22-28 June 2019
Squibs launching the Nationals in Torbay © Keith Davies
After a hectic day in Torquay on Haldon Pier all Squibs have completed scrutinising and launching with many having taken advantage of the beautiful Torbay weather to go for a quick familiarisation of the bay.
The highly competitive fleet assembled from all corners of the country features boats from Plymouth, Burnham and Isle of Wight among others from established fleets with the furthest travelled being from Yorkshire and Ireland with Colm Dunne from Kinsale and Jill Fleming from Dun Laoghaire. Jill's crew Vincent having an interesting connection to Torquay and is particularly looking forward to the event. Vincent, a regular visitor from Ireland competing in the Squib Nationals has not been to Torbay before but it is very keen to visit the venue where his father competed in the Swallow Class for Ireland in the 1948 Olympics. Although he sadly won't. be competing this year, Vincent's brother, Owen, a top Squib sailor who represented Ireland in the Dragon Class at the 1972 Olympics will be on hand for advice and support.
We as a fleet are looking forward to the week ahead under the watchful eye of the PRO Bill Butcher, and have already been warned by the RO about the potential use of the U and Black flags should we not behave when starting. Day 1 race reposts to follow on Sunday after the practice race and race 1.