www.chanonry.org.uk

For the 2013 season, the sailing programme (with some cruiser events to follow) is:

Sundays:
o Warm-up races: 7 April.
o Fraser Mackenzie Cup: 14 April - 9 June. (12 races over 6 Sundays.)
o Chanonry Trophy: 16 June - 28 July. (12 races over 6 Sundays.)
o Harbour Rose Bowl: 11 August to 15 September. (10 races over 5 Sundays.)
o Drysuit Diehards: 29 September - 1 December. (18 races over 9 Sundays.)

Other Weekend events:
o 11 May: Nessie Cup and Lifeboat Day.
o 12 May: Ness Cup (Open passage race for cruisers and dinghies to Kilmuir and back).
o 18 May: Cruise-in-Company (primarily for cruisers but depending on destination might also be suitable for some dinghies).
o 30 June: Grenville's sail (yacht and dinghy cruise to Rosemarkie).
o 20 July: Cruiser Regatta.
o 3-4 August: Chanonry Dinghy Regatta.
o 14 September: Black Isle Challenge Cup (Open cruiser race). 
o 22 September: Club Championship.
o One-day Series events on the first Sunday of May, June, September and October.
o 29 December: Cold Turkey Sail.

Wednesday Evening events:
o MH Morrison Cup: 17 April – 12 June. (9 Wednesdays/races.)
o Wednesday Summer Series: 19 June - 3 July. (3 Wednesdays/races.)
o Chanonry Quaich: 10 July - 5 September. (9 Wednesdays/races.)

Friday evening “social” sailing starts on 12 April but its continuance beyond the end of May will depend on sufficient sailors turning up to justify rostering safety crews; “use it or lose it”!

Sunday Racing
We are trialing a slightly different format for Sunday racing. Although the two series races will still have a 2pm start, there will be an additional race/training event beginning at 11.30am. The 11.30 race/event will encompass different courses – such as one suited to the skiffs – or perhaps some team-racing or match racing sessions. More details will be published later on these ideas.

The change in Sunday format is in response to member feedback asking for the club to be made more “sociable” rather than just a race venue. We hope members will eat lunch together or just have a coffee upstairs between races. On the same theme, we are going to calculate and announce race results (extremely easy on Sailwave – courses available) upstairs and have a short and very informal debrief with an opportunity for the race officer, safety crews and sailors to say how the day has gone. Winners, again informally, will be invited to explain their tactics so all can learn for future races. None of these initiatives might work, but the committee are trying them to see if they prove popular; comments and ideas are very welcome (email: commodore@chanonry.org.uk).

This year we are introducing a series of One-Day events in which all the races on that day count towards a small Prize or trophy. There is no entry fee, and this event doesn’t count towards any major trophy. There will be a prize for the winning Adult and the winning Junior, which will be awarded at the end of the day, along with tea and cakes.

These will be held on the first Sunday of each month from May to October, except July and August.

So if you are unable to compete in enough races in a series to gain a prize, you now have 4 more chances of getting the first prize.

The club will hold an open day and lifeboat fund raiser during which it is hoped that the Invergordon All-weather Lifeboat and the North Kessock Lifeboat will visit the harbour (weather and call-outs permitting). Catering will be provided by the Chanonry & District RNLI Branch and a selection of RNLI memorabilia will be on sale. Following the popularity of the RYA Sailing in the City scheme last year, despite the weather, the club will again be running sailing taster sessions for 8 - 14 year olds run by the RYA Sailing in the City scheme. These sessions will last for 1.5 hours for 6 children at a time with start times of 1000, 1130, 1400 and 1530. The sessions will be free but must be booked in advance with the Training Principal (training@chanonry.org.uk).

The Ness Cup Passage Race is traditionally an open event for dinghies and cruisers sailing together over the same course.  The course is laid from the harbour to racing marks within the Inverness Firth adjusted for the prevailing  weather conditions. An entry fee is levied and goes to the RNLI. The start time is chosen to catch the tide and allow for some festivity; recovery; and airing of excuses at the Clubhouse after the race.

This event involves a sail in company and afternoon social event in memory of Grenville Robinson. Helen Robinson has kindly invited us for refreshments at The Old Mill in Rosemarkie Bay. 

Our Regatta includes dinghy slow and fast handicap classes. It will be a busy weekend on the water and all offers of help from members who do not plan to compete will be greatly appreciated. 
Up to six races are programmed; the division of individual classes and prizes depends on entries.  Food is laid on throughout the two days in the Clubhouse and a substantial evening meal is provided on the Saturday with the bar is open for the evening.

A Regatta open to all keel boats with a big turn out from neighbouring clubs encouraged.

This is a one-day competition over 3 or 4 races (weather dependent) to decide the Club, Ladies, Novice and Junior Champions. This is a popular and keenly contested event.

Shake off those Christmas excesses by racing for the Cold Turkey Cup. The event will consist of one or two races for a single handicap class. The race will start at 12 noon.