I realised a few weeks ago that its 50 years this year since RADIOSAILING began in earnest within the MYA.   Yes I know that there were radio A class racing at Poole Gosport and YM5mOA  (Hampton Court RYC to you new commers!) ,  but by early 1970's people were starting to put radio equipment into Marbleheads and there was an explosion of radio marblehead racing around the country.  Recognising this development, the MYA and the Guildford MYC organised, in 1974, the the first Radio Marblehead National Championship.  This is an anniversary worth celebrating, and I urge all radio Marblehead sailors young & old with aincient and modern boats to join us at this years event at Datchet RSC over the weekend of the 1st & 2nd of June. 

There were 4 people present at the first Champs who are still racing today.  John Cleave, Roger Stollery, Peter Stollery, and myself.   Peter Stollery I hear you cry, surely he's much too young!!   Well yes he is, but nevertheless, he was there, in his pram with his mum!! 

 

So why not come & see us, we can regail you with stories about how my Marblehead  (a Bewitched) design weighed double (26lbs) the weight of the winning (Teacher's Pet) design at 13lbs.  probably why David Waugh won,  & I was a lowly 12th!!

 

Interesting that the first national championship was organised to take place the year before the first world championship was organised for 1975 at Gosport.

https://www.onemetre.net/Reports/Wor1975/Worlds 1975.htm

 

Hi Lester,

 

I remember it well!!    2 weeks of vane World Championship  (M & A)  at Fleetwood followed, after a day off,  by a week at Gosport.  3 glorious weeks of sailing!!

 

I was there too, as part of the Canadian contingent. A great event in an unseasonally hot summer  - thank goodness for the beer tent!😀

John

I have an Oliver Lee trapper. Would that count ?

It would certainly fit within the class but I'm afraid it would be a bit "outclassed" by todays modern flying machines! 

 

I still have 'Hemlock', an early No Secret - all swing rigged device with a fixed short fin

I'm going to play RG65 that weekend.

So 30 of us went and raced Marbleheads at Datchet for the weekend.

The standard varied widely and is reflected in the scores & positions.

The conditions were very difficult in the extreme and posed several problems for the race team, when we had to move courses and back due to the changes in wind direction.

Conventional rigs were used by all except Peter Stollery on Sat but all boats used swing rigs on Sunday in the lighter winds.

 

As for me, I spectacularly failed to acheive my goal of being in the top 10  (finishing 15th) and now back home reflecting on the weekend I probably over estimated my abilities.

 

But having said that I very much enjoyed the weekend and enjoyed talking to everyone & reminissing with many about the Radio Marblehead Championship.

 

Long may it continue!!     (buy probably without me!!)

 

Derek 

Good to meet you and all the other competitors. My first National so a bit unsure what to expect but under David's guidance got to sail single handed on Sunday. Taken on board a few little pointers for next time if I get asked to run the board. As keen to take on guidance to help me improve or what others find work for them just the same situation as wanting tips for my sailing. Possibly top on the list is ear plugs if staying at Datchet 😂