And what a day it was.  With a building south westerly and a report from PRO Mike Johnson on the race track that it was already blowing 15 to 19 kts. out in the sound, it was an easy decision to opt for the smaller no.2 rigs.  Although more stable than the westerly and north westerly direction there was going to be more chop and with a big wind forecast it only means one thing …. plenty of swimming.

Twelve 18ft Skiffs from UK, Germany and Denmark have enjoyed  6 races of great sailing in Plymouth sound, hosted by the Royal Western Yacht Club and the Mount Batten Centre.  Strong performances from Magic Marine (GER33) and Pica see them as regatta leaders with Magic Marine in first place overall on 7 points after 1 discard.  Team Pica (GBR92) is catching up and only 3 points adrift with Original Chia (DEN01) in third.     For the overall European Grand Prix Series Title Hyde Sails is looking unbeatable.  But for 2nd spot, if positions remain unchanged for this event, Magic Marine and Pica will be tied for 2nd with Euro link 4th and Original Chia 5th.  Pica is also looking in good shape to defend the UK National Championship and the UK Grand Prix Overall but it is Hyde Sail and LED battling it out for 2nd place for both titles.

The 4th and Final Round of the European and UK 18ft Skiff Grand Prix kicks off today.  12 skiffs launched from the Mount Batten Centre in 12 to 15 kts and sunshine for 3 days of racing in Plymouth sound.  A strong fleet of 9 UK boats are joined by two German Teams and 1 Danish team making this one of the most competative fleets the UK has seen in many years.  Up to minute results can be foundby clicking here.  With moderate to fresh breezes forecast today and saturday building to 20kts+ for Sunday there is an understandable air of excitement.

Spartan are offering skiff teams, their families and friends 10% off their advertised retail price.  So if you are thinking about keeping warm(er) in the Autumn check out the range of products at www.spartanwetsuits.com.  Then contact John Morgan via john@spartanwetsuits.com

Teams Pica and Hydesails, placed 1st and 2nd respectively on the UK Grand Prix, have been using the latest Spartan product during the 2012 season.

Seven skiffs arrived in Sandbanks, Poole on the weekend of the 1-2nd September to compete in the third round of UK 18 Foot Skiff Grand Prix. The same weekend as the Bournemouth airshow.  With a relatively long break following the European championship in June on Lake Garda and 3rd European Grand Prix event in Travemunde, teams have had plenty of time for training and boat optimisation promising a highly competitive 3rd Round of the UK 18ft Skiff circuit supported by Poole's Watersports Academy and French Connection Watersports.  Racing proved to some of the closest that the UK fleet has seen in the last 3 years.

Extreme sports specialists Action Camera's, supporters of the UK 18ft Skiff Grand Prix,  have provided a discount to all teams members and friends of the UK 18ft skiff assocition.  To get your discount select the the products you want on www.actioncameras.co.uk and use the promotion code BSKIF12

There is 20% discount on DRIFT products and 10% discount on all other brands.  Remember to send us videos of your memorable moments!

With perfect Garda conditions on Wednesday the fleet had two more races in 22 knots and more untypical gusts. The Eurolink team (from Germany) showed good speed rounding the top mark as first. During the downwind the Pica (GBR) took over the lead. CST, Hungarians and Hydesails (UK) went right up the 2nd beat and pulled back in to the fleet meanwhile magicmarine (GER) and the GPCovers/OriginalChai (DEN) lost places in the middle. However, Eurolink had an "issue" with a windsurfer at the bottom mark causing Yandoo's skipper John 'woody' Winning to exit his boat via the mainsail leaving them with a Woody size hole to fix before the 2nd race.

 Warm weather and varying winds greeted the 5 UK teams that travelled to far end of Europe to Hungary. With conditions ranging from no wind too far too much, the teams were tested on both rigs. The week brought many pitchpoles and a few boats stuck in the shallow waters. Hyde came away with their first ever European win after dominating in th elight wiinds and holding on in the fresh stuff.

A wet, cold and windy bank holiday weekend concluded in sunshine for Round 2 of the 18ft Skiff Grand Prix yesterday.  Eight teams raced for the Holt Challenge plate in cold, wet and windy conditions for the most part.  Team Pica, the defending holders of the trophy, were given more to think about with new challenge coming from a variety of directions in the form of teams Ronstan and team LED.  On Saturday the bighting north easterly blew a consistent 14, gusting 16 to 17knots at times with some reasonable shifts making life challenging on a short windward leeward course with plenty of ragging the kite to make the downwind gate. 

The Australian 18ft skiff season finished last weekend, whilst on the other side of the world the new skiff season starts.  Six UK teams arrived at Stone Sailing Club in Essex for the first round of the UK Grand Prix.  On Saturday a mixed forecast contributed to a difficult rig choice with 2 of the 6 teams opting for smaller rigs.  In the first race  most teams had some time in the lead as others had a few swims, mainly due to the gusty conditions and rusty crew work.  Pica led for most of the course only to capsize on  the last downwind leg