
2017 - Wee Nip Medal Competition - Round 1
Emberton Park Model Yacht Club
18th March 2017
Report by Alan Smedley
Pictures by Rob Bell & Alan Smedley
Many thanks to the 16 skippers who turned up at Emberton Park S.C. this month for the first of the 2017 Wee Nip Medal Series. Two of Emberton’s helms, unaccustomed to racing in such a large fleet, dipped their toes into the ‘big fleet’ waters and I hope were spurred on to travelling to another club’s water themselves. Having said that, the wind conditions were not good for maintaining full control of ones model, with a gusty westerly funnelling across the lake causing craft to frequently change tack with no discernible movement of the thumbs, ‘just like that’. Bob Luddington and Ash Shaw wisely withdrew their steeds from the event to fight another (hopefully more benign) day. Though this is not meant to be a knock-out competition, Keith Coxon besieged by a roller-coaster of medical setbacks maintained his upbeat demeanour but had to leave at lunchtime to keep yet another appointment. I am reminded of the nursery rhyme ‘Ten green bottles’, well not exactly, by lunch there were still 13 left standing on Emberton’s lake side preparing to do battle.
And what a battle, at the half way point Simmons was one point ahead of Burgoine with the two Johns between them taking first place for 9 out of the 10 races.
Emberton Park Model Yacht Club
18th March 2017
Report by Alan Smedley
Pictures by Rob Bell & Alan Smedley
Many thanks to the 16 skippers who turned up at Emberton Park S.C. this month for the first of the 2017 Wee Nip Medal Series. Two of Emberton’s helms, unaccustomed to racing in such a large fleet, dipped their toes into the ‘big fleet’ waters and I hope were spurred on to travelling to another club’s water themselves. Having said that, the wind conditions were not good for maintaining full control of ones model, with a gusty westerly funnelling across the lake causing craft to frequently change tack with no discernible movement of the thumbs, ‘just like that’. Bob Luddington and Ash Shaw wisely withdrew their steeds from the event to fight another (hopefully more benign) day. Though this is not meant to be a knock-out competition, Keith Coxon besieged by a roller-coaster of medical setbacks maintained his upbeat demeanour but had to leave at lunchtime to keep yet another appointment. I am reminded of the nursery rhyme ‘Ten green bottles’, well not exactly, by lunch there were still 13 left standing on Emberton’s lake side preparing to do battle.
And what a battle, at the half way point Simmons was one point ahead of Burgoine with the two Johns between them taking first place for 9 out of the 10 races.

Half way point? I hear you question, well yes, this one was a marathon; Radio Sailing is now officially regarded as an addiction, everyone knew that their next race was going to be their best result, so we just kept on going. Dave Pace who had kindly volunteered to record the results was by 2:00 pm checking his watch with increasing regularity ( what time did the Rugby start Dave?) This happily coincided with race No 24 (a record I believe) so a good time to draw proceedings to a close.
The final results, you can as usual read below.
Prizes were awarded to reflect the days hard fought placings
First place – John Burgoine
Second place – John Simmonds
Third place – Peter Jackson
Prizes were presented by Emberton Park S.C.’s Commodore Rob Bell.
The final results, you can as usual read below.
Prizes were awarded to reflect the days hard fought placings
First place – John Burgoine
Second place – John Simmonds
Third place – Peter Jackson
Prizes were presented by Emberton Park S.C.’s Commodore Rob Bell.

he efforts of John Simmons, Paul Risdale, Geoff Raygada & Keith Coxon of Two islands RYC were rewarded with victory in the newly instigated Inter Club competition, they were followed home respectively by Hollowell SC, Abington Park MYC & Emberton SC. Geoff Raygada was pleased to take home “Murdoch” on behalf of the winning club. He may not be much to look at but he does contain a heart of gold, I'll let you decide if that comment refers to Geoff or Murdoch!
Thanks once again to John, John, Peter, Paul, Peter, Jeff, Mike, Rob, Colin, Derrek, Tom, Tim, Keith, Bob and Ash for making it a most enjoyable days sailing, and especially to Peter Shepherd for helping me produce the results for this 24 race epic.
Thanks once again to John, John, Peter, Paul, Peter, Jeff, Mike, Rob, Colin, Derrek, Tom, Tim, Keith, Bob and Ash for making it a most enjoyable days sailing, and especially to Peter Shepherd for helping me produce the results for this 24 race epic.