The great thing about sailing a Sprint 15 is the excellent competition available through fleet racing which is undoubtedly the most satisfying way to pitch ourselves against our fellow enthusiasts. We have an excellent track record of maintaining this ethos and Clubs such as Thorpe Bay, Shanklin and (more recently) Stewartby are shining examples, to mention but a few. Usually someone has taken on the role of encouraging others and seeking out ways of increasing the size of the fleet. At other times, however, even strenuous efforts on the part of a fleet captain can be met with slow growth through factors completely beyond his or her control and great clubs can find themselves in a diminishing situation, even. This is where the efforts of our Honourable Chairman along with others from different classes can begin to change the tide and provide for those who are not getting the the regular competition and fun that they would wish.
I am referring to the recently improved SCHRS system which has now been upgraded to more accurately cater for the characteristics of non-centreboard catamarans. This now means that those of us not seeing our local fellow class sailors taking to the water to race with us as often as we would like can get some reasonable competition by racing against other cat classes instead. The Sprint 15 is not the fastest cat around and it can be frustrating to take part in a race where larger varieties disappear over the horizon. Dart 18's are not that much faster in lighter winds, however, and you can keep up with a three sail F18 in light airs when it is tacking downwind trying to fill its kite (sometimes). If there is a Catapult or two at your location, or a Dart 16, or a Topper CX then you are equal or faster.
Fair handicap racing is better than staying at home even though class racing is undoubtedly preferable. Being without either, I would be interested to hear from anyone whose club holds (preferably slow) handicap racing for cats within a couple of hours of Ludlow. Bala is one I know - are there others?
