Home

Andy and Roger take Silver at French Nationals

Nobody was able to stay with Phillippe Boite and Mathieu Fountaine  (1,1,(7),1,1,2) at the French Nationals in Britanny last weekend, but Andy Smith and Roger Gilbert (2,2,1,(9),7,1) were the best of the rest, taking second place, with Tom Gillard and Harry Bridden (11,7,(13),3,3,4) in fourth.  Other GBR placings were 6th Stewart Mears/George Hand (5,3,(11),6,11,10), 8th Nick Meadow/James Read (10,4,6,13,9,(15), 9th Ben Iliffe/Paddy Lewis ( (12),10,2,11,8,12), 20th Stuart Turnbull/Richard Nurse (23,16,(RET),24,18,8), 26th Roger Deane/Nigel Deane (20,21,17,26,27,(46)).

Well done to Andy and Roger, and to all the British travellers in the 52 boat fleet, in an event characterised by light airs.  Full results here.

Nathan and Sam take Silver at Europeans

Congratulations to Nathan Batchelor and Sam Pascoe, coming second at the Europeans at Warnemünde, Germany.  The regatta was beset by light winds, with only 4 of the 9 scheduled races being completed.  Nathan and Sam scored 1,5,7,(12) behind the legendary Danish Bojsen-Moller brothers 2,1,2,(9), and just one point ahead of Germany’s Stengel & Feller 3,(9),5,6.  A strong showing from the UK had another two teams in the top 12: Pinnell/Shelton in 5th 12,6,6,(14), Scutcher/Diebitsch in 12th (27),16,18,3.  Other GBR results: Gillard/Briddon 30th 44,19,20,(72), Mears/Tucker 37th 30,32,(49)32, McGillivray/McGillivray 55th (63),59,47,42, Deane/Ward 59th 52,53,(65)52, Pickering/Priddle 71st 73,(74),67,49.

Well done to all the travelling teams!

Jim & Ian are Scottish Champions

The weather forecast for the Largo Bay SC Regatta and 505 Scottish Championship was lively, to say the least, and it put off many teams from travelling.  Those that did found excellent hospitality, beautiful countryside, great beer, and a superb sailing area with excellent race organisation and safety cover.

Saturday was blown off, with gusts up to 40kts: instead the 505 sailors made a trip to nearby St Andrews and around the East Neuk stopping for a pint in the Ship Inn in Elie. The BBQ at the club was well attended despite the weather and was followed by an America’s Cup evening at Donald’s.

Sunday arrived with 4 back-to-back races scheduled, blue skies and 15-20 kts with a forecast for it to moderate as the day progressed.  Instead, the wind built through the day, topping out at 28kts, resulting in some big smiles, a few swims, and a universal agreement to stop after 3 races! 

A superb weekend – those that chose not to come missed out!

To the International 5O5 community

From Mike Holt and Michael Quirk

As many of you know Pip Pearson stepped down as International President of the 5o5 class on 31st December after his second stint as Class President. Mike Holt and I have taken over the stewardship of the class and now that the sailing season is well and truly underway it is time to start what we intend to be regular communication. To begin with and before we look to the future it’s important to recognise and thank Pip.

Pip was President of the class for a total of 16 years. From 1995 to 2000 and again from 2007 until Dec 2016. All of us who know him are aware of his energy and tireless passion for the boat and the Class. Pip’s contribution has been invaluable. I know I speak for everyone in saying we cannot thank him enough for his friendship, support and leadership.

Pip’s involvement in the class has not been limited to the President role. He competed in the 1966 Worlds in his home town of Adelaide when at 21 years of age the great Paul Elvstrom was short a crew, met Pip in the club bar and said “You will do. Come with me.”

Pip competed continually around the world including a second place with Paul Elvstrom at the 1966 Worlds and winning three North American Championships with Dennis Surtess until hanging up his trapeze harness after his last regatta, the 2012 Australian Championship’s in Mandurah, WA at the age of 67.

Those of us lucky enough to have known Pip and Paul Elvstrom will appreciate this photo and the famous caption that it is a picture of ‘probably the most famous 5o5 sailor in the class’s history… and Paul Elvstrom!”

Even after his racing days were over Pip’s enthusiasm and contribution has never waned, driving the gate boat at major Championships around the World.

The 5O5 was designed in 1955 and has a long successful history at the forefront of dinghy racing globally. To this day it really is still the premier performance dinghy class in the world. There have been many of the best dinghy sailors compete in the class and many famous names on trophies but none as consistent as Pip. It isn’t too farfetched to say Pip IS the history of the class. He is a veritable walking almanac and can generally quote the venue, year and winner of every world championship in the last 50 years.

Mike and I feel immensely privileged to take over the presidency from him. He leaves the class in excellent shape to continue to be the premier dinghy class into the future and it will be an honour to help guide us through the challenges to come.

I’m very glad to say that we continue to see and hear from Pip. The class needs a liaison and ambassador. Pip has accepted this role so those of us who count him amongst our closest friends will thankfully find nothing has changed.

The Class Executive has also decided to implement the idea of life membership. An honour given to individuals whose dedication to the class has been exceptional. Pip will become the first recipient of life membership to the 505 Class. The next AGM will be asked to consider and decide on criteria for life membership and potentially asked to vote to accept future nominations.

Pip. On behalf of all past and current 5o5 sailors around the world, thank you for all you have done and for all we hope you will continue to do. For your friendship and guidance. May it continue a long time.

505 UK Nationals 2015

505 UK Nationals 2015

505 Nationals 2015 Prizewinners

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Whitstable 2014

Whitstable 2014

2014Whitstable1

Burton SC 505 Open, 29th March 2014

Burton SC 505 Open, 29th March 2014

Burton SC 505 Open, 29th March 2014

Burton SC 505 Open, 29th March 2014

Burton SC 505 Open, 29th March 2014

Burton SC 505 Open, 29th March 2014

Burton SC 505 Open, 29th March 2014

Burton SC 505 Open, 29th March 2014

Burton SC 505 Open, 29th March 2014

Burton SC 505 Open, 29th March 2014

Burton SC 505 Open, 29th March 2014

Whitstable photos are available from Nick Champion Photography here. His photos are copyright Nick Champion, and used on this website with permission.

Latest comments

Links to International 505 websites
International	Australia	Canada	Croatia
Denmark	Finland	France	Germany
Italy	Poland
South Africa	Sweden	Switzerland	USA
(Please let us know if your 505 website is missing)