Friday 15 May saw the first night of the club Virtual Summer Series with 19 people entered. Fourteen people made it on to the virtual water to enjoy four races over an hour. Several competitors were even seen on the Zoom call dressed for real racing with buoyancy aids, foul weather gear and sun glasses. After the success of the evening everyone is looking forward to the continuation of the series this Friday.
J/24 Virtual Northern Championship
Last weekend, 16/17 May, should have been the first J/24 event of 2020 at Carrickfergus. In the absence of real sailing due to the lockdown the J/24 class took to the virtual water with a series of ten races over two days.
Cillian Dickson initiated proceedings to get everyone onboard, participating via the Virtual Regatta Inshore game. Custom races were handled by Cillian Dickson, Rick McCaig and Brendan Ryan. The club was able to assist by hosting a Zoom call enhance competitors experience with a bit of craic.
25 entries necessitated a split into two fleets on Saturday to determine Gold and Silver fleets for the racing on Sunday. Five races were run over an hour on both Saturday and Sunday morning.
Close racing prevailed as expected in both fleets; one race on Saturday had only 4 seconds between 3rd and 10th place at the finish line.
Congratulations to Ryan Glynn, Michael McCormack and Garrett Kinnane who were 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Gold fleet, and Matthew Hennessy, Brendan Ryan and Donal McCormack in the Silver Fleet.
With the success of the event the class plans to run a similar event for the J/24 Westerns to be hosted by Sligo Yacht Club towards the end of June, if lockdown/social distancing continues.
Virtual Summer Series
We will be running a virtual series of racing starting on Friday 15th until 29th May.
The first race each day will be at 19:05 with up to 4 races run over an hour.
Further details on the website at https://www.carrickfergussc.org/racing/virtual-sailing/
If you are going to compete please fill in the entry form with the details requested, so that we can add you to the WhatsApp group. This group will be used for race management such as notifying the access code for the custom race, and the timing of subsequent starts. We also plan to host a Zoom session to give some more social interaction during racing. The link for this Zoom conference will be published in the WhatsApp channel as well.
Committee Update
The Committee hope that everyone is well and coping with lockdown. It is hard to believe the Club has been closed now over 8 weeks. Essential maintenance works and checks are ongoing to ensure we are in a good position to reopen when the time comes.
The vice commodore and treasurer sorted through the bar stock and last week we donated soft drinks and snacks to those in need through the food hamper appeal, managed from the Cricket Club.
Missing sailing? The Sailing Secretary is organising a virtual sailing series. This will be open to all ages and abilities and will be easy to access on your phone, iPad or laptop. While no replacement for the real thing, it should be a bit of craic and a chance for some social interaction. If you are interested, please email sailing@carrickfergussc.org or comment on the Facebook page.
The general and sailing committees are also using technology to continue to meet by zoom as well as keeping in touch by phone and email.
Access
As the government still advises no unnecessary travel, the club and grounds remain closed. Access, if absolutely necessary, can be arranged in advance by emailing yard@carrickfergussc.org
COVID-19
As ever the health and wellbeing of our members and staff remains our priority.
We all need to do our best to stop the spread of Coronavirus and the best way to do this is to STAY AT HOME
Please:
- only go outside for food, health reasons (collect medicines or for daily exercise)
- if you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times;
- stop all unnecessary travel;
- do not meet with friends and family – keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media;
- you can ring NHS111 for information or advice and they will help you decide if you need to contact your GP;
- wash your hands well and often, and avoid touching your face
Remember STAY HOME, STAY SAFE
If any of our vulnerable or elderly members require assistance or support, please contact secretary@carrickfergussc.org or contact us via social media
For up to date advice please refer to:
Slipway Update
The Contractor (CIVCO) returned to site last week and following preparation works they then undertook two further concrete pours this week on Tuesday and Thursday; the new slip is now nearly complete to boat yard level. The final pours will be completed early next week and the contractor will then take approximately three weeks to complete the positioning of rock armour, removal of the coffer dam and general reinstatement works and should have the slip complete by the end of May.
VE Day
Today marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. An opportunity for us to reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of those who gave their everything on the front line and at home during World War II. We remember that heroic generation that gave their today for our tomorrow.
Virtual Summer Series
Have you missed sailing? We have too, so we are organising a Virtual Summer Series until we can get back on the water. If you are interested please comment on the Facebook post below. If you are are not on Facebook then email sailing@carrickfergussc.org. More info to follow once we know numbers. Let’s get esailing 📱💻⛵
Claxon for Carers!!
J/24 Northern Championship Postponement
The Committee of Carrickfergus Sailing Club have taken the decision to postpone the J/24 event due to be hosted by the club on 16/17 May.
This is based on the RYA recommendation that all sailing be cancelled up until at least the end of April.
We realize that this means that people will feel unable to commit to the event until much too close to the time, both as competitors and organizers.
We will be issuing refunds for any entries paid to date.
There has been discussion with the club and J/24 Association of Ireland around a suitable date to reschedule the event to and 8/9 August is the best option available currently, but this is still obviously dependent on circumstances related to the lockdown both in Ireland and the UK.
Hopefully we can firm that up and confirm it once the state of play with the lockdown becomes clearer over the next months.
Update from the Committee
Slipway Progress
The contractor managed to get the first two pours of concrete done as planned last week but unfortunately due to the closure of the concrete supplier the planned third pour did not take place to the area where you will see the reinforcement in place. The contractor worked right up until Saturday 28th March but it looks as though works will now be suspended for the foreseeable future.
You will note temporary rock placement and lot of rock sitting on original slip for storage reduces full width of slip in certain photographs!
Other Sailing News
Four RS Quba’s are loaded up for transportation from RS in Southampton to CSC. Hopefully they will delivered soon, and in time for us starting up sailing activities. Additionally the race marks are all launched to enable a quick start to the season once we get the all clear.
Now the contractor is off site the boatpark and main gates are closed. Access, if absolutely necessary, can be arranged in advance by emailing yard@carrickfergussc.org
COVID-19
The Club and its grounds remain closed and while we are missing our sailing and our socialising the most important thing for now is the health and wellbeing of our members and staff.
We all need to do our best to stop the spread of Coronavirus and the best way to do this is to STAY AT HOME
Please:
- only go outside for food, health reasons (collect medicines or for daily exercise)
- if you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times;
- stop all unnecessary travel;
- do not meet with friends and family – keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media;
- you can ring NHS111 for information or advice and they will help you decide if you need to contact your GP;
- wash your hands well and often, and avoid touching your face
Remember STAY HOME, STAY SAFE
If any of our vulnerable or elderly members require assistance or support, please contact secretary@carrickfergussc.org or contact us via social media
For up to date advice please refer to: www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronaviruswww.gov.uk/coronavirus
