Due in large part to Angus Richardson's serious illness, the Liverpool Symposium scheduled for July 5-7 has been canceled. Russell Potts and other volunteers attempted to carry on, but decided there were just not enough committed attendees. As of this time Footy Euro GP is still scheduled.

The International Footy Symposium is scheduled for July 5-7th in Liverpool. For registration and accommodation information, see their Event Outline and Order Form. A Provisional Programme has been released.
    In conjunction with the symposium, the Birkenhead MYC will be holding the "Euro GP" on July 5-6. Their Notice of Race contains all the details.

Bill Hagerup has donated his plans for the "Cobra" hull to the Footy website. You can download it from the Plans page. Thanks Bill!

The 2nd Annual New Zealand Postal Classic will be held from April 1-30, 2008 with all entries being posted by email to Brett McCormack. Details here. This race is open to all sailors around the world.

Angus Richardson writes: This concerns a very exciting event in Liverpool in July. This will bring together top Footy sailors and designers from throughout the world for three days of racing and discussion of design and construction - we already have one total commitment (air fare paid) from the USA and undertakings of firm commitments from North America and elsewhere within the next few days. The discussion part will be run under the Chairmanship of the very eminent model yachting historian Russell Potts. Speakers will range from the internationally famous to clever kitchen-table modelers. Some pretty famous names are already committed for the sailing part too. We hope to make this a uniquely valuable long week end of sailing, socialisation and learning. If all goes well, the proceedings of the Symposium will be published by Curved Air Press.

In order to make all this work, we intend block-booking accommodation with a bar. We therefore need to know urgently how many people are likely to attend - hence the slightly skeletal nature of this document. If you want to come, other than just to race, it is essential that you make an honest commitment of intent as soon as possible. You may rest assured that we will do everything we can to keep costs down.

If you have any questions, please do let me know as soon as possible.

Angus

South Daytona RCMYC (www.orgsites.com/fl/sdmyc) Florida Footy Winter Rally will be held on Sunday Feb 24th 2008. NOR and Race Instructions will be available shortly. On Saturday Feb 23rd the Club will be sailing it's monthly scored Footy races, so why not come to the Sunshine State for two days of Footy Sailing?

In the UK, the Bournville Model Yacht and Power Boat Club will sponsor their last Footy event of the season on Nov. 17th. Read their Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions (both PDF files).

Angus Richardson reports on the status of the Footy in the UK in his annual report (PDF format).

What will probably be the last meeting of the UK Footy season will be held at Bournville, Birmingham on Saturday 17th November. Formal notice of race will be posted as soon as I can get my hands round Bill Green's neck. ;-) In the meantime contact me on 01492 534 356. There will be a short meeting afterwards to discuss what we should be doing next year.

Look forward to seeing everyone!

(Angus Richardson)

The Footy fleet (or some of them) met at Branston Water Park, Burton-on-Trent at 09:00 on the misty morning of Saturday 14 October. Since this did not involve any physical intervention by either Angus Richardson or Keven Jackson, it did in fact happen more or less as intended. Angus, piloted as ever by the faithful Mark Holcroft, arrived somewhat later.

At stake – the St. Modwen Trophy, a 2-pint brass beer jug presented as a perpetual challenge trophy for Footys. The problem: no wind. Nevertheless, with some 10 boats lying on the bank, marks were laid and all preparations were made for racing. The wind stayed obstinately away. Around lunch time, everyone agreed that nothing was possible, the marks were recovered and some people went away.

This was rather a pity because shortly afterwards a light, if patchy and irregular breeze set in, no doubt wafted down the A50 by the Ogre. Without any marks, we ended up playing tail chases, mostly instigated by the Ogre’s MoonShadow. After a while, Gary Zimbabwe got out his internet course, ballasted by massive quality failed nuts from the brakes of London Underground trains.

In the very informal racing that resulted, it was fairly generally agreed that, if there was any wind at all, MoonShadow was by far the fastest boat there. The Ogre is less convinced. Gary ‘Babwe’ Sanderson’s new boat went remarkably well, despite its small sail area. With more sail, it looks as if it could give MoonShadow a run for her money. In general concept, it is MoonShadow-like with narrow beam and full ends. Its transom-hung rudder is exceptionally good as an oar!

In no wind, there is no doubt that MoonShadow was by far the slowest boat present. In force 0 < -1, she carried vicious lee helm and the rudder angle required to keep her in a straight line was big enough to stop her dead. General opinion – including that of her often pessimistic designer - was that this could easily be sorted out.

Of the Razors, the most interesting (if only because nobody had seen it before) was Andrew Halstead’s new tomato coloured device, finished the night before. Nicely engineered in styrene sheet, she seemed to be reasonably light and had an excellent surface finish. Her rudder was very small and I suspect that Andrew is building an EDVMD (Enhanced Directional Variation and Maintenance Device) as we speak. His sails were large and well made from a redundant golfing umbrella, in stark contrast to Gary who favours yellow Argos carrier bags.

It was, of course Andrew – a man with a deeply engrained sense of sardonic humour - who provided the real entertainment of the day. As dusk crept over the lake and the great crested grebes made off for their tea, his batteries went flat. Innumerable attempts to lasso him (well, his boat) with the Internet course failed and finally Gary 'Babwe' took his courage in both hands. Duly informed that the lake was entirely free ofboth hippos AND crocodiles, he took to his canoe again, paddling himself swiftly over the calm waters with his hands. The surrounding vultures – human and otherwise – were sadly disappointed. He returned intact bearing Andrews boat and with his bum still dry

In terms of formal racing, a thoroughly disappointing day – but in terms of enjoyment most enjoyable. An afternoon in a beautiful setting spent sailing in the company of some really nice people. What could be better?

For some more photos, see

http://s111.photobucket.com/albums/n...dson/branston/