The Royal Naval Sailing Association (Plymouth Branch) organised this year's Bosun Nationals, which was held at the RNRMSTC Camber, where their new dinghy park provided by Nuffield funding was put to good use.

A total of 21 boats entered, an increase on last year with each service represented.

The event clashed with the popular Tri-Service keelboat championships at Seaview IOW, but nonetheless several of the Bosun Class Association's top sailors were there.

The Bosun dinghy although now over 39 years old in design in year 2002, (now 48 yrs) the dinghy has been given some subtle changes to improve its handling and performance and is still an excellent boat in which to learn sailing and for competitive dinghy racing.

The conditions for racing were perfect with a steady force 2-3 south westerly wind combined with blue skies and air displays by Harriers and Tornados.

A total of 6 races were scheduled for the weekend 3 races on each day.

Saturday's racing saw the Navy Sailing Coach C/Sgt Grahame Forshaw showing his boat preparation was right for the conditions with 3 firsts, uncharacteristically for him however he was disqualified from the first race due to being over the line at the start. Derrick Page (RAF) was in control for race 2 leading the fleet at the first mark, he was extremely unlucky to collect weed around his rudder and -you guessed it - was overhauled by Grahame.

The leader after day one was ex RN POWEM(R) Ralph Wellor, noted by many as a fine dinghy sailor in virtually any boat with Alan Pitt 2nd and Derrick Page 3rd, both long standing veterans in this event.

Sunday's weather proved again to be ideal for racing, and with some competitors' fine-tuning their boats overnight Grahame saw stiffer competition. A fierce battle ensued on the first race of the day with Grahame having to do penalty turns when he infringed, enabling Derrick to take line honours.

The race officer decided to cancel the final race when a fog bank descended on Plymouth Sound.

There were some notable performances lower down the fleet with the RNSA branch Chairman Cdr Francis Douglas and crew Cdr Rob Wormald second highest RN entry. On behalf of the RNSA a big Thank You to C/Sgt Joe Jordan, Principal of the RNRMSTC for the excellent facilities provided by him and his team. This is also extended to Skipton Bld'g Society and Yacht Parts of Plymouth for their sponsorship. The Army Sailing Association is tasked with organising next year's event, which is to be held at Netley.

Overall results were 1 st Grahame Forshaw 5pts, 2nd Ralph Wellor 1 Opts, 3rd Alan Pitt 12pts, 4th Derrick Page l 3pts.

Overall Results:  

Many thanks to Roger Irvine, race organisor Bosun Nationals 2002- Plymouth, for the report.