SAILING NEWS
News 10
Windsurfer Tobin
joins Team GBR
JON-PAUL Tobin has joined the Skandia
Team GBR ranks as the newest member of
P
ic
its RS:X men’s squad.
tur
The 31-year-old – a former New Zealand
e:
onE
world number one who finished seventh at
dition
the most recent RS:X Worlds in 2008 – has
been drafted accepted into the Skandia
Team GBR squad in a bid to develop
strength in depth RS:X squad in the build-
up to 2012.
Following the retirement of Leo McCallin
this summer Nick Dempsey became the
only sailor in the RS:X men’s performance
programme, with Elliot Carney and Richard
Hamilton cutting their teeth in the transi-
tional squad.
RYA squad managers believe that the inclu-
sion of Tobin – who holds a British passport
and approached the RYA expressing his
desire to compete for GBR – will help push
the standard of the RS:X squad in the build-
up to a home Games at Weymouth and
Portland in 2012.
RYA Racing Manager/Performance
Director John Derbyshire explained: “Jon-
Paul is a skilled dual passport holder whose
international experience in this instance can
only enhance and strengthen our quest for
2012 medals, and provide another bench-
mark for our youngsters who we realistical-
ly feel are more likely to be ready for
TOBIN: Now moving forwards with Team GBR
sailors to even higher levels. world’s best and several times have thought
2016.”
negatively on young sailors coming up
“We’re confident that this is a beneficial about sailing with GBR on my sail,” Tobin
It will take three years for Tobin to meet
through the programme,” Derbyshire con-
move for all the RS:X squad sailors at a explained. “With the Games being in
eligibility requirements to compete for
tinued. “But at the end of the day every
time when we are in need of a high level of Weymouth and Portland in 2012 I decided
Great Britain, having previously represented
sailor on the Skandia Team GBR pro-
competition for our top sailors – especially the time is right to move to the UK and
New Zealand in an ISAF event, but given
gramme has performance targets against
in the windsurfing disciplines – to keep on make the positive step of sailing for GBR.
his track record the RYA have decided to
which they must deliver, or risk losing their
raising the standard.” “Fortunately the Skandia Team GBR pro-
support him, with the same conditions that
squad status and funding. On balance, we
“As a British passport holder but living and gramme has agreed to support me which is
all Skandia Team GBR squad members have
believe this will help youngsters benchmark
sailing for NZL in the past, I have always a real boost. I can’t wait to start working
in respect of annual re-qualification.
their progress and keep pushing our elite
looked to the Team GBR programme as the with the team.”
“Some feel that such a move could impact
P
ic
tur
e:
Dovey Open and GP Week
Daniel
Lamber
DOVEY Yacht Club was delighted to wel- Bygott were runners up in the Open and
come new visitors and many familiar faces third in the Week; a Speedsails “re-masted”
including a strong contingent from the Mike Ribands and John Insall were fourth
t
Worlds at Abersoch for a memorable and in the Week with Don Gillespie and John
eventful sailing and social programme. Clark fifth.
Strong tides, winds of 4 to 5 gusting higher Capsizes were few, but in the tough tides 3
through the Cambrian coastline, combined masts were finished off – but none of the
with high tides in the morning, enabled crews missed a race thanks to prompt and
race officer Des George to set much-ad- innovative replacement by Speedsails.
mired courses that made the very most of George Meredith crewed a GP with his
the estuary. Dad Neil and then managed to retain his
For those that know the Dovey estuary, we title in the accompanying Topper Week.
were able to go from a long “Tre Dol” The social programme ranged from a quiz
buoy to “Institute” by the harbour wall and night to barbeques, class dinner,”happy
set up committee boat starts at “Penhelig”. hours”, sangria night and fashion show!
For those that don’t know Aberdovey, During the day, the yacht club produced
make a note for the same week next year endless supplies of outstanding flapjack
up to the August Bank Holiday. and other delights for those that didn’t
The results of the week were a tale of two make it over the road for the renowned
DYC members, Drew and Frank Nickless; home made ice cream from the Sweet
Drew helming to win the 3-race open on Shop.
Sunday 17th while they changed places to Many thanks to Des George, Robin Druett
repeat the feat in GP 14 week. and all the DYC race and safety team for
Dave Pickering and Rob Slack were sec- all their good work and to Speedsails for
HOT PURSUIT: The Nickless boys leave the rest in their wake
ond in the week while Tim Mack and Jack their support.
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