COME AND TRY A J80

The October Opener at Queen Mary SC, London.

The Club's exciting purchase, in conjunction with the Royal Yacht Squadron, of the (soon-to-be) ex- RYA fleet of six matched J80 keelboats is nearing completion, with the first stage of the hand-over scheduled for next week (October 13th).

Our first opportunity to sail what should by then be our new boats will be over the weekend of October 24th and 25th, at Queen Mary SC, West London. This is very much a more-the-merrier weekend, to introduce the boats to as many members as possible.

On Saturday we shall be joined by colleagues from RYS, on Sunday we shall have the boats to ourselves. On Saturday the plan is to run a very informal mixed discipline day, with some fleet racing, then some random three-on-three team racing. No trophy is at stake, although there will probably be a modest liquid-based prize for the most successful crew.

On Sunday, depending on numbers, we shall have both free sailing and some very informal fleet racing.

There is no entry or participation fee for this introductory weekend, but to help us organise the sailing we need to know who is likely to come. Send an email here if you would like to attend on either the Saturday or the Sunday.

Queen Mary Sailing Club (www.queenmary.org.uk) is at Ashford Road, Ashford, TW15 1UA. it is off the A244 and is easily accessible and is easily accessible from both the M3 and M25. If you have never been it is worth a visit - it is where we shall base our new fleet during the winter months. It has full facilities for changing, as well as a pleasant bar and a restaurant that serves excellent bacon rolls for early risers and no less excellent lunches.

Come along and meet the new boats, and discuss the many opportunities for keelboat fleet, team and match racing at all levels that this exciting initiative will bring to our sailing programme for all members.