Matt Riley

A message from Fred Vollmer at the RG65 ICA Dear RG65 Skipper! On June 24, 2018 our Class will be celebrating its 40th Aniversary!!! It was the 24th of June, 1978, when Raul Landó, in Buenos Aires,Argentina, launched his "Lady Susan", free sailing, Braine steered "G65" (without "R"!) at the Plaza Urquiza pond, but this time WITH R/C INSTALLED! This became the VERY FIRST RADIO "G65", that is, an "RG65". And Raul has Sail Number "1" since then. Forty years of uninterrupted class activity is an achievement worthwhile celebrating, and we PROPOSE to have/organize as many RG65 Events as possible on the Anniversary Day. RG65-ICA INVITES you to organize on June 24th, 2018, Sail-Offs, informal Short Races and any Sailing Event you can imagine, maybe associated with a "Beginners Day" or any other celebration. Please take pictures, post them on Facebook. And more important: film your Event! A YouTube Channel will be available for your posting it! Yes: we know it is on a "short notice", but for a Celebration of this kind it is never to short! Our goal is to have a Fun Time, and (maybe) sing Happy Birthday to you" and have a toast!!! And let the whole World know about it ... Any questions? Need help? Mail your request to info@rg65 Let us make something that everyone can enjoy! Fredo Vollmer RG65-ICA Unfortunately the next Traveller's series is scheduled for the week before, but let us know if you are going to plan anything and we can promote it here..

The RG65 ICA (International Class Association) have asked the UK Class Association to vote on some proposed changes to the current Rules (published in 2014). The Committee feel it appropriate that it is the Members that should vote on this, and this vote will form our vote given back to the ICA. The proposed changes are, as indicated by the ICA, clarification of the old rules and are not intended to change the class in any way. The NCA need to cast our vote on the ICA proposals by 10 June and so we ask you to review this DOCUMENT, a link to the voting form has been sent out to all registered owners If you have any questions or want to discuss any of the proposed changes then please fee free to comment here comment or contact the committee directly through contact@rg65.org.uk Sincerely The RG65 UK NCA Committee

Many of you will recall previous correspondence and discussions regarding an approach from IRSA to adopt the RG65 class, and with it, make changes to the way the class operates. Most of you, and the rest of the global RG65 community rejected this approach. In the background the RG65 ICA worked with IRSA to find common ground and this culminated with a recently published Joint Statement, and latterly the publication by IRSA of a set of IRSA 65 Rules. To make the position clear, the RG65 ICA have sought to clarify the situation with the following notice by Fredo Vollmer RG65 is able to continue operating as it has for the last 40 years. Early in 2016 IRSA wrote a set of ‘internationally acceptable’ rules for the RG65 class and submitted them to the RG65-ICA for comments. In April 2016 these rules were shared with the RG65 community. These rules were rejected after consultation with you, the RG65 community, in June 2016. After that IRSA insisted on setting up a Workgroup with RG65-ICA to go over their rules and discuss them. Starting in March 2017 and for the next nine months a team of three representatives for IRSA, three representatives for RG65-ICA and about 20 observers from both sides were able to ask questions about any item in the rules. The RG65 team worked hard to get IRSA to adopt the current RG65 rules without modification. After a lot of negotiation it became apparent that this would not be possible and so the ICA team sought to protect the RG65 class in its current state. The Workshop has never the less been a very rich experience that exposed the complexities of rule writing. It also showed how passionate we are about our class. IRSA continued to, and still do, want to establish a set of rules which would be suitable for competition at World Championship level under World Sailing/IRSA and the ICA team worked with IRSA to adjust their proposed rules so that they reflect much of what the RG65 class stands for. This was achieved in some cases but not in others. The result of all this, culminating in the recently released Joint Statement, is that the RG65 class will continue to operate as it always has done. But in addition IRSA will soon release this set of rules that will allow competition at a World, Continental and International Championship level. As things stand, the vast majority of boats that currently comply with the RG65 rules (published in 2014) will also be able to comply with the new IRSA rules . But again, let’s be clear, the only people that would need to ensure that they comply with these IRSA rules are the people that want to take part in the World, Continental and International Championships run by IRSA. Through this process we have ensured that the RG65 class is able to continue operating as it has for the last 40 years. The RG65 UK Committee believe that this situation, while not ideal, is the best outcome that could have been achieved. We will continue to work closely with the ICA to ensure that the RG65 class in the UK can continue to grow and be enjoyed by us all. At the same time there may be a number of you that look forward to the first International event run under the IRSA rules.

The MYA has received a joint statement from the IRSA and the RG65 International Class Association regarding the progress toward full international status for the class. (see below) The UK NCA won't make any comment until it has received feedback from the International Class Association and has seen a copy of the new 65 class rules. However, feel free to discuss in this topic. Future Directions for the 65 Class: A Joint Statement November, 2017 65 Class Rules Working Party Forum This Forum was set up in March 2017 within the IRSA site to bring IRSA, the worldwide radio sailing organization as an affiliated member of World Sailing, together with delegates from the RG65 ICA, an Independent Class Organization, not affiliated to any International Association, and a substantial Observer Group from both organizations. The prime purpose of the forum was to focus on a set of proposed rules developed by IRSA that would be acceptable for international and continental championships under WS and IRSA guidelines. Over the ensuing months many items were discussed and many changes agreed on resulting in a newly named set of rules for the international community: 65 Class Rules. This name variation is intended to separate those rules in custody with the RG65 ICA from those now to be published that are in the international standard IRSA format. The IRSA delegates would like to thank the RG65 ICA delegates and the contributing members of the Observer Group for their valuable input into helping make these 65 Class Rules more acceptable and viable for international competition. IRSA hopes that the rule discussions have established more confidence in the way we act as an international organization and we also hope that the RG65 ICA and IRSA can work more closely to further advance this class with its growing popularity. Similarly the RG65 ICA delegates would like to thank the IRSA for the work done in developing the proposed rules and bringing this forum together as part of their ongoing support of International RC Yachting. In the near future IRSA will publish the updated 65 Class Rules including the agreed changes. This means that international events using these 65 Class Rules can then be run with the confidence that they are under the authority of World Sailing and the IRSA. RG65 ICA Delegates IRSA Delegates

Report for the 2017 MYA AGM by Alex Cory – Acting Class Captain The RG65 class has continued during 2017 to establish itself as a highly competitive, high performance class with low entry barriers. Some of this success has come through people moving up from the DF65 Restricted One Design boats, but at the same time seen people joining the class from the bigger boats. The relatively low cost and simple rule book make it ideal for everyone, whether they build or buy a boat. Registered RG65’s have grown from 124 in November 2016 to 175, a 41% increase which is pleasing and gives us a good platform to build on. This growth has been helped by a number of great new designs arriving on the water including the Sith from Mark Dicks, the Scurry by Richard Wills and a number of designs from the continent including the Manta 2017 which is winning many of the European Events. The UK Traveller Series was as competitive as previous years with John Tushingham winning the title from the other 54 participants. A testing National Championships was held at Birkenhead with local skipper, Graham Elliot, managing the weed better than the rest to win the title. The UK Class Association Committee continue to work closely with and support the International Class Association as it seeks to unify the class on a Worldwide basis and we see great opportunity for a step change in the class during 2018. Looking forward to next years race calendar, the first event is at Eastbourne on the 10th March. Traveller 1 - Eastbourne, Saturday,10th March 2018 Traveller 2 - Lincoln, Saturday, 21st April 2018 UK National Championship - Two Islands (MK), Saturday & Sunday, 12th May & 13th May 2018 Traveller 3 - Keighley (Weecher), Saturday, 16th June 2018 Traveller 4 - Keighley (Weecher), Sunday, 17th June 2018 Traveller 5 - Gosport, Saturday, 21st July 2018 Traveller 6 - Watermead, Saturday, 18th August 2018 Traveller 7 - Birkenhead, Saturday, 22nd September 2018 Traveller 8 - Datchet Water, Saturday, 13th October 2018

Eighteen skippers lined up at Watermead lakeside for the last of the 2017 Traveller events. Wind was from the S.W. varying between 6-8mph and 12-14mph which made the choice of rig very challenging for all skippers. Sixteen races throughout the day saw many changes of rig and changes of fortunes for those who got it more right than wrong. Alex Cory quickly established himself at the top of the table with Tobi Laux always close behind. John Tushingham decided to sail his DF65 which performed very well but could just not get up front even in the hands of one of our top skippers. Alex took the top position with Tobi second and Roy Stevens third, for full results see here As this was the last race of the season The RG65 UK Class Champion was calculated using results from all events with over 50 different skippers sailing throughout the year, this year’s Champion is John Tushingham. John is a worthy winner, and was applauded by all, Phil Holliday (last year’s winner) presented the trophy to John at the lakeside presentation. Alex's win on the day took him in to 2nd place overall with Tobi having to settle for third, full results here. With lots of new boats and more and more “converts” as well as new skippers, the RG65 class is firmly established in UK an growing fast. Looking forward to 2018 and beyond. Thanks to all from your race secretary, Noel Donaldson (GBR 29)

Close racing from a small fleet lead to some drama at Scotland Farm on at the end of April with one race declared a dead heat between Mark D and Mike Partington. At the end of the day it appeared that John Tushingham and Mark were tied on points and inseparable on a count back. However after a very gentlemanly review of Rule A7 by John, Mark was awarded an extra half point for the tied race and Mark got the win, and the maximum score for the overall Travellers Series rankings, by the smallest or margins. Thank you to all Mick and all the team at Lincoln for putting on the event. Full results here. Some great photos on Mick Chamberlain's Flickr feed - here. Next up on the calendar is the RG65 UK National Championships 24th & 25th June at Birkenhead. It's not to early to get you entries in now, the NOR and details of how to enter are available at www.rg65.org.uk After 4 events and going in to the Nationals in June, the current standings in the competition for the 2017 Class Champion are: 1 John Tushingham 261 2 Mark D 242 3 Phil Holliday 228 4 Wayne Stobbs 189 5 Mike Parkington 152 6 Liz Tushingham 124 7 Noel Donaldson 124 We have had 28 sailors across the 4 events but John Tushingham's consistent results have given him a lead over Mark D and Phil Holliday . Missing the Keighley events has dropped Noel Donaldson back a few spots but with discards starting to count after the Nationals, expect to see this improve. Full results are here.

Hosts of the 2016 RG65 Nationals, Eastbourne and District model boat club have put up a link to JC Bories excellent video of the event. To watch it click . Eastbourne are hosting the first round of the 2017 Travellers series on the 4th March and the 2017 Nationals will be at Birkenhead on the 24/25th June.

After travelling back from the Marblehead Worlds to make last round of the 2016 Travellers series at Bournville in October, Phil Holiday from Datchet Water MYC was crowned 2016 Class Champion. Over the 8 scoring events of the series 69 skippers took part, ranging from national champions to 1st time competitors. In the end though it was consistency that paid off, with two of the top three places taking two discards out of a possible three. It was looking like a straight fight between Phil Holiday and Noel Donaldson but Mark Dicks showed good form at Bournville to end up splitting the two. The winner of the 2016 Nationals, John Tushingham, despite scoring well in the events he entered, didn't score enough to get better than 5th overall. The top ten is below with the full table attached Position Name Sail No Club Overall Points 1 Phil Holiday 66 Datchet Water 429 2 Mark Dicks 6 Clapham 416 3 Noel Donaldson 29 Watermead 397 4 Nigel Brown 55 Gosport 390 5 John Tushingham 51 Keighley 370 6 Wayne Stobbs 58 Portsmouth 266 7 Ken Binks 83 Eastbourne 254 8 Garry Box 103 Manor Park 234 9 Mike Parkington 697 Fleetwood 209 10 Roy Stevens 54 Tri-Services 197 A big thank you to all involved, both sailing and behind the scenes, in 2016 and here's looking forward to a strong series in 2017, including the 2017 National Championships in Birkenhead. The dates for the 2017 season and links to the reports from 2016 can be found on the Calender tab of the class website http://www.rg65.org.uk 2016TravellersSeriesRound8.pdf

14 skippers turned up at the Valley Parkway in Bournville for the final event in the 2016 Travellers series. The weather was mainly fair, even warm at times with a steadily strengthening but occasionally fluky breeze from the north. A course was set using the whole length of the lake with the usual Bournville puffs and holes providing some fun especially on the far side of the lake. The racing was close at times with the small size of the lake and the proximity of the boats allowing some very fine passes. Mark Dicks and (recently returned from the Marblehead Worlds) Phil Holliday traded first and second place over the 17 races with Mark coming out 4 points ahead to win the day. Nigel Brown managed to take third, one point ahead Wayne Stobbs. Full results below. This was also the concluding event for the UK class champion trophy and after some frantic calculations after the end of racing, Phil Holliday was declared the winner, with 429 points over the series, just ahead of Mark Dicks on 416. Congratulations to Mark and Phil and a big thanks to the crew from both Bournville and Watermead for providing a very agreeable days sailing and plenty of hot drinks when the sun went in. A special mention needs to go to Luke Johnson who was entering his first competition and his sister who was manning the starting tape and keeping the race team in order. Planning is already well under way for next years series, dates will be posted up here when confirmed.

Due to the building work that is going on at Watermead the final travelers series event has been moved to Bournville RSMBC and to make sure the skippers get a full day on the water it has also moved forward one day to Saturday 8th October. As the last event of the season, lets make an effort for a good turnout, it will be good to see some familiar faces from previous events as well as as well as some new ones from the Midlands Region. Bournville can provide some challenging sailing and expect close racing at all levels of the field. The NOR is attached, all entries to Noel Donaldson at race@rg65.org.uk or on the MYA online entry (when available) This race is also the decider for the 2016 Class Champion Trophy. After Round 7 at Datchet, Phil Holiday is in the lead having leapfrogged Noel Donaldson and Mark Dicks who were both absent. Nigel Brown also moved ahead of John Tushingham into 4 place. With Phil away on other sailing commitments in October it looks like it will be Noel and Mark fighting it out for the trophy at Bournville RG65_Open_Bournville_08_10_16.pdf

Twenty-two skippers entered this round six RG65 class, one day event at Two Islands, Milton Keynes. The weather was warm, dry and wind variable between 6-8 mph from the west / southwest. Race officer Peter Shepherd and his helpers from the local club did an excellent job setting the course keeping things in order in an efficient but always good humoured manner. A total of 17 races where completed sailing all 22 boats in one fleet. It is to the credit of all skippers that no major issues occurred throughout the day, all skippers sailed competitively but with skill and respect for the rules of sailing and respect for the other skippers sailing. Sailing was very close all day, Phil Holliday having the better morning but John Tushingham the better afternoon and finished in first place with Phil second and Noel Donaldson in third. The rest of the fleet where all very close behind. Everyone had an enjoyable day in very pleasant surroundings, and although the range of skills and experience was quite broad and the variety of boat designs very varied the sailing was very close throughout the day. Full results attached below. RG65 Travellers Aug13.pdf

There is still just time to get your entry in for the next Travellers series event at Two Islands MYC in Milton Keynes on the 16th. 15 skippers are already registered, including all the top contenders for the 2016 UK Class Champion Trophy. With the forecast predicting dry weather and 10-12 mph winds it should be a great days racing.

Just a quick reminder about the next event in the 2016 Travellers series at Two Islands Model Yacht Club in Milton Keynes, just two weeks away on the 13th August. Details below, book your entry now using the MYA online form here. For more information about Two Islands MYC, their website is here. Venue - Two Islands RYC, Lynmouth Cres, Furzton, MK4 1JP. Date - 13th August 2016 Times - Briefing 9:45 am, Start 10.00 am, End no race to start after 3:30pm Entry Fee - £4.00 Prizes - Overall Winner to third (depending on entry numbers), 1st placed DF65. RO: - Peter Shepherd, email peter.shepherd62@gmail.com Alt contact - Stephen Tomlinson, stephen@tomlinsonfamily.org.uk Entry via MYA-UK online entry system - closing date Friday 12th August

Glorious summer sunshine greeted the 20 skippers who had travelled to Birkenhead for Round 5 of this year’s travellers series for the RG65 class on Saturday the 23rd of July. With little in the way of wind at the 10.30 start time, PRO Bill Culshaw offered a slight delay to tweak the course and racing soon got underway in the lightest of A rig conditions. With many skippers within the fleet sailing new designs for the first time in this emerging class there was plenty of interest on how these would shape up against Nationals runner up John Tushingham from Keighley and local skipper Brad Gibson fresh back from events in the IOM and Marblehead class. From the outset it was Gibson who took charge of the day to go on and score a strong win by racings end at 4pm after 12 races were completed. John Tushingham remained steady for his second placing with Mark Dicks filling out the top 3 with some consistent scores. As can be seen in the results there were many skippers who recorded fine individual placings but lacked the required consistency to move that bit higher up the leader board. Of those skippers both Roy Stevens, Noel Donaldson, John Brierley and Victoria Gibson were often mixing it up at the front end. By and large, skippers enjoyed the at times testing light winds and roundly thanked the Birkenhead Radio Sailing Clubs race team. Attention now turns to Round 6 of this years RG65 series to be held at the Two Islands club at Milton Keynes on Saturday the 13th of August. Full results can be found here