49er Video Gallery

 

 

"My goal in sailing isn't to be brilliant or flashy in individual races, just to be consistent over the long run"

Dennis Conner.

 

            Chris Matthews (helm) and Ed Gibbons (crew).

 

 The guys have been sailing a 29er skiff for 3 years travelling all over the country competing in Open, Regional and National Championships, as well as the World Championships in Lake Garda, Italy with each other. Chris has previously competed in the Mirror World Championships in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Last winter they were selected to train with the National Youth Squad. After a successful end to the year with a 4th in Hayling Island at the 29er National Championships they decided to invest over £10,000 into a 49er which is the current Olympic skiff. Their aim is to become professional sailors and eventually represent their country in the Olympics.  

 

Their plans for next year include training over the winter, competing in a number of open meetings in both the 29er and the 49er, including both National Championships and the 29er European Championships in Spain in which their goal is to qualify and finish well in the Gold fleet as well as the Harken Grand Prix Circuit.

 

In the 49er they are looking to do a series of training events where they will be able to assess how well their training is going against other 49ers.

 

They will be attending the Grafham Grand Prix on the 27th December, and the  Rutland Tiger Trophy on the weekend of February 6-7 2010 as well as attending the training weekend at Rutland in March.

 

Their recent successes include:

2010.

January. Excel Boat show Grand Prix 1st Overall. (29er).

 

2009. 

4th -29er National Championships

29er World Championships Silver Fleet

4th 29er Tide Ride

5th 29er Eurocup

1st Youth Hoo Freezer

 

Brightlingsea Sailing Club Trophies

1st Fast Handicap May series

1st Fast handicap Autumn series

1st Ralf Sutton Handicap Trophy

1st Len Cook Tankard

1st T.C White Trophy

1st Henley Trophy

1st Fast Handicap Pyefleet Week

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49er Campaign.

Chris and Ed were invited to compete in their 29er at the Excel Boatshow Grand Prix event on Saturday 16th January...Well the day was wet and windy. See the race report below.

Chris and Ed would like to thank their sponser www.isyte.com and English Braids for their support in making this all happen.

The 29ers had the biggest turnout and all gave a fine display of boat handling with only a few capsizes. Chris Mathews & Ed Gibbons showed that time in the boat pays by winning all 3 races in spite of having to return to the start after an OCS. The rest of the places were all very close with tie breaks having to separate 2nd and 3rd. Adam Larvin & Tim Walton scraped 2nd from Ian Payne & Chris Berry who ended up 3rd. Praise must go to Alex Orton who had to step in at the last moment after her friend ended up with stitches from a tobogganing accident!

1st isyte.com, Chris Mathews & Ed Gibbons
2nd Wave Clothing, Adam Larvin & Tim Walton
3rd Future Pipe Inds, Ian Payne & Chris Berry
Courtesy of Yachts and Yachting.

 

The guys went to the Grafham Grand Prix and at last they CAPSIZED...but to be honest so did most people..and they along with the rest of the fleet departed to the warmth of the club house.

 

Check out the pictures on the left, as Chris took some great shots of the boats in their new isyte.com livery by clear to see

 

No the guys are far too OLD for this sort of sailing!!

They are, however going to support Chris Matthews and Ed Gibbons in their quest for Olympic stardom in 2016 isyte.com are already offering their assistance.

 

We will continue to update this page and we will be tracking their progress.

 

Take a look at the videos below.