In 2023 we were fortunate with the weather and managed to complete the full programme of events. 2024 was different, it ran true to historical form – a weekend of mixed conditions!
Friday evening (21st June) saw the first race on the river, the forecast was not good, with fresh south westerlies and heavy rain predicted. The AOD fleet was somewhat reduced this year, what with recently sustained injuries (Round the Island Race), a couple of illnesses and foreign holidays; there were only five boats entered.
Friday’s weather forecast of rain was remarkably accurate. Almost down to the minute, it poured just it time for the 19:00 start! The fresh conditions made for a lively sail, and being the programmed River Race No.4, we were accompanied by a recently joined International 12 – (also a traditional 12ft clinker dinghy – but with Olympic heritage, designed in 1912 it became the class dinghy for the 1920 games).
The wind direction made for a tough beat down the river, especially for the single handers, but equally a lively run back up! Teal – No.22, had the situation well in hand and after two laps secured a reasonable lead to win the first race. Boats were swiftly packed away before heading to the Ship Inn – for pizzas – in the rain…
The Saturday afternoon bay race was abandoned due to the swell on the beach. So, it was onto the evening’s river race, with much improved conditions, brilliant sunshine and a fresh SW’ly. Five AODs (No.s 1, 8, 21, 22 & 26) raced and with lively conditions suiting Teal there were no surprises as to the winners!
Similarly, following the race the boats were packed away with an element of haste – the AOD Regatta Cocktail Party awaited at Glen Water Hall. The drinks were sampled on the terrace whilst taking in the beautiful backdrop, made all the better by a colourful sun set across the estuary. A lovely evening was had by both competitors and guests, and it was lovely to see Graham & Eileen (ex-AOD Maflingo) return west for the regatta.
Sunday’s programme dawned a little late, but with sea conditions moderated an afternoon race was held in the bay. Launching from the beach, a combination of marks was used, sending the fleet around the bay. Starting from the Chine provided a good beat across to Beer, returning via Seaton Hole and then to the Club’s finish line. No guesses as to the winners, No.22! The flooding tide served to slip back into the river rather than having to recover on the beach, even if the slipway was a little slippery…
The late afternoon return allowed for a more leisurely approach in packing away the boats, unlike the previous two evenings! With the regatta sailing completed, the event was rounded off with the traditional dinner and prize giving at the Ship. Again, running true to form, a splendid evening was had by all.
Results
2024 AOD 71st Regatta Results
60th Anniversary Cup – Line Honours
1st No. 22 Teal – Mike & Jane Calvert
2nd No.1 Whimbrel – Nigel Daniel
3rd No.8 Gemini – Bryan Davis
4th No.21 Tern – Ken & Morag Steven
5th No.26 Avocet – Iain Morison
70th Anniversary Cup – HC
1st No.22 Teal – Mike & Jane Calvert
2nd No.1 Whimbrel – Nigel Daniel
3rd No.8 Gemini – Bryan Davis
4th No.21 Tern – Ken & Morag Steven
5th No.26 Avocet – Iain Morison
The Originals Cup (three original AODs qualify : 1, 6 & 8.)
1st No.1 Whimbrel – Nigel Daniel
2nd No.8 Gemini – Bryan Davis
As ever, our thanks go to Wilf & Carol – our stalwart Race Officers.
]]>No.24 Maflingo, has changed hands over the winter, local Axmouth sailor Graham Sharland has purchased the boat from Graham Mather. It’s good to see that the boat remains in the village, and for the sake of continuity her name remains unchanged. Graham was also sailing an AOD for the first time last Wednesday – just piped by Puffin. It looks like we’ll have some interesting competition this season!
]]>On his return to West Devon, he sailed the boat from Plymouth, largely out in the Sound, but also excursions up the Tamar estuary. He kept the boat until 1977, but eventually decided to sell her at the Cherry & Cherry Boat Auctions, traditionally held on the beach at Shaldon. Looking back, Iain says selling the boat was one of his biggest regrets, and got practically nothing for it! However, having moved back to East Devon he now has a worthy replacement in AOD No. 26 Avocet, built in 2022.
So, to complete the circle, Iain and Pip returned to Coniston Water last autumn with No.26, fulfilling Iain’s ambition to once again sail an AOD on the lake!
Regarding Iain’s old boat No.6, we shall probably never know for certain whether or not she is the current No.6 Swallow? Having been recovered and restored in 2004, Swallow was allocated the number six. She was identified as being from the original batch of nine boats, and since at the time she was the sixth boat in the fleet, it was deemed appropriate to allocate her number six; was this coincidence?
]]>Seventy years has passed since the first Axe One Design took to the water in 1953. So, it seemed appropriate to hold a 70th Anniversary Regatta to celebrate the occasion. Rene Drew has once again, generously sponsored us with a new trophy, the AOD 70th Anniversary Cup. The middle weekend of June was chosen for the regatta – with a mixture of river and sea races and a full programme of social events.
Over the years the class has had mixed fortunes, the initial inception saw a batch of nine boats on the water within a couple of years. The class continued to grow, with a total of nineteen boats in 1959. However, this coincided with the advent of more modern performance GRP dinghies. Traditional timber-built boats became less attractive and the AODs started to decline.
In 1983 Nigel Daniel purchased AOD No.1 – Whimbrel, the last remaining boat still in its original condition. She continued to sail as the sole representative of the class for another 17 years. But, a chance enquiry by Malcolm Gill resulted in the commissioning of a new AOD in 2000. Boat- builder John Fuge of Golant replicated Whimbrel in great detail to construct the first Axe One Design since the early 1960s. This provided the impetus to resurrect the class, more commissions followed; along with the restoration of two old original boats.
In 2013 the fleet had reached seven boats, the achievement was celebrated with the 60thAnniversary Regatta. A weekend programme of races was conducted, with a regatta cup presented by Rene Drew. Ten years has now passed since that regatta, with the fleet now standing at nine boats, and one more close to completion.
Unusually, the weather looked kindly upon us for the 70th regatta – a weekend of generally warm sunny conditions with light sea breezes. Eight of the nine boat fleet attended, including No.23 from the Solent Division. Unfortunately, due to a clash of events, No.6 also of the Solent Division, had loyalties committed towards the RSYC Beaulieu regatta and was unable to attend.
The programme started off with a river race on Friday the 16th evening, a light sea breeze held long just enough for fleet to complete the course. Eight boats were on the water, although No.26 was suffering from the heat wave. Rapid bailing was necessary to keep her on, rather in the water! A close finish resulted; No.1 came in first, whilst No.21 won on HC. Pimm’s on the Green was rounded off by a pizza evening at the Ship Inn.
Saturday saw the fleet launch from Axe beach for a picnic at Poundspool. The outward passage was a gentle sail in a light southerly, perfectly accompanied by a school of dolphins. Poundspool, a small sheltered cove with a pebble beach, and only accessible by sea, was ideal for lunch. The return trip formed the basis of the passage pursuit race, which was won by No.23. The fleet then returned to the estuary in preparation for the evening river race.
Conditions were again light but sufficient for the AODs, No.22 came out on top, both in line honours and HC. On completion of the race the boats were swiftly packed away in readiness for the prestigious AOD cocktail party. A splendid evening was held at Marandellas, with a wide range of creative cocktails, fortuitously accompanied by supper!
The final day’s programme was modified, the morning race off the beach had become less attractive due to little wind, but of course, nothing to do with the previous evening’s entertainment. So, the boats were launched more latterly on the ebb tide and rafted up on the basin pontoon in preparation for the late afternoon sea race. On leaving the harbour the wind had picked up to a reasonable SW’ly F3. The larger cruiser course was used, providing a long beat out to the SW mark, a challenge to the lighter crewed boats! Come the finish No.22 just squeezed ahead of No.1, whilst No.23 came in first on HC.
This rounded off the racing, leaving just the presentation dinner at the Ship Inn; as customary this was an excellent evening! All in all, a first-rate weekend to celebrate 70 years of the Axe One Design.
More photographs by Jane Calvert.
Results – (the full results can be viewed on the accompanying race sheet)
60th Anniversary Cup – Line Honours
1st No. 22 Teal – Mike & Jane Calvert
2nd No.1 Whimbrel – Nigel Daniel
3rd No.8 Gemini – Bryan Davis
70th Anniversary Cup – HC
1st No.22 Teal – Mike & Jane Calvert
2nd No.1 Whimbrel – Nigel Daniel
3rd No.23 Gannet – Chris & Julie Ashlett-Brown (Solent Division)
The Originals Cup (three original AODs in existence 1, 6, 8.)
1st No.1 Whimbrel – Nigel Daniel
2nd No.8 Gemini – Bryan Davis
The Passage Pursuit Pot
1st No. 23 Gannet – Chris & Julie Ashlett-Brown (Solent Division)
2nd No. 24 Maflingo – Graham Mather
3rd No. 26 Avocet – Iain Morison & John Attree
]]>[slickr-flickr tag=”26launch” sort=”date-taken-asc”]Iain & Pip Morison were delighted to accept their new boat following construction by Penryn based boatbuilder James Baker. She was built at Peter William’s Bodinnick yard, who provided guidance on the one design aspects (Peter being the official designated class builder). It was Iain’s wish that James should build the boat since he was an ex-pupil, so arrangements were made with Peter to enable the collaboration.
The launching took the form of a traditional ceremony with Father Steven, Vicar of Colyton officiating; following which Iain lowered her into the water, christening her Avocet. James has produced a truly lovely boat, his workmanship is outstanding, very much with an eye for detail.
Avocet took to the water without leaking a drop, she was quickly rigged and had her first sail on the Axe. With commissioning trials completed; Iain pronounced himself exceptionally pleased with his new boat!
]]>Well, it’s with great pleasure that we can confirm two new Axe One Designs are in the early stages of construction.
The first is being built at Peter Williams’ yard, at Bodinnick on the River Fowey. The build is a collaboration, James Baker is constructing the boat with Peter providing guidance on the one design aspects. Iain Morison has long wanted to commission a new AOD, having owned the original No.6 during the 1970s. Iain’s return to East Devon rekindled his desire to own another AOD.
The keel is laid and first planks are being offered up. We are hoping to see her on the water this summer.
The second AOD, is a slight departure from the usual class build at Bodinnick. John Williams having completed the boat building course at Lyme decided to build himself an AOD; the first to be constructed locally for many years. She is very much in the early stages of construction – possibly launching this year.
Its great to see the fleet continuing to expand, the last new build was No.24 Maflingo, launched in 2018.
]]>Chris Preston started his sailing career from Axmouth beach, ably supported by his parents Bill and Honor, local residents who took a very active role in the AYC; Bill being both a past Commodore and President. Chris’s work commitments required moving away, which also lead to a prominent amateur career in top flight sailing, from racing with the British Admirals Cup team, to trialist in the Olympic Star class. In the background Chris became closely involved with the RYA, wishing to support sailing’s national body in return for its support to sailing. So, it gave us great pleasure when he agreed to return for the official opening.
Chris has a strong interest in classic boats and now sails a beautiful West Solent One Design Suvretta. Whilst at the Club, he couldn’t resist the opportunity of returning to his youthful days by sailing the Commodore’s Axe One Design Whimbrel – on the Axe!
]]>
The Royal Southampton Yacht Club hosted the fleet of six AODs. Walkabout III was commissioned for mother ship (accommodation) and a good weekend was had by all! Racing was held within the Beaulieu River in lightish conditions but sufficient for the AODs.
Results as follows:-
1st No.6 Swallow – Stephen Daniel
2nd No.1 Whimbrel – Nigel Daniel
3rd No.8 Gemini – Bryan Davis
4th No.23 Gannet – Chris Ashlett-Brown
5th No.21 Tern – Ken & Morag Steven
6th No.24 Maflingo – Graham Mather
Our thanks to RSYC for launching & berthing facilities and of course their hospitality!
]]>This year we had the mother ship Walkabout III in attendance, providing accommodation for the fleet. The weather was mixed, but allowed sailing each day of the regatta. The usual format prevailed, a mixture of not too serious racing, a picnic and water-borne treasure hunt, all very enjoyable in the glorious surroundings of Fowey River. AOD No.6, Swallow, sailed by Stephen Daniel prevailed in the dinghy class, once again winning the Gribbin Cup, No.1 came 2nd and No.8 came 3rd.
Our thanks go to Karen and her ‘Classics’ team along with the sponsors Mainbrace Rum – much appreciated…
]]>