tlmNexus sponsors RAF Dinghy Sailing Championships 2021

From: RAF Sailing Association (RAFSA)

The RAF Dinghy Sailing Championships, the Brady Trophy, was held at Rutland Sailing Club on 13 – 15 Oct 2021 under the sponsorship of tlmNexus. The Event was contested by 18 members of the RAF Sailing Association (RAFSA) in RS2000 boats over 8 races in a range of wind conditions.

Race 1 in a light air saw family team Flt Lt Simon Greenhalgh and his son Ben take a decisive win. In building winds, Race 2 was won by Sgt Kev O’Brien and Sqn Ldr Jonny Hynes, the reigning Brady Trophy champions. As the wind weakened in the afternoon, Simon and Ben Greenhalgh were dominant, winning Races 3 and 4 to secure a comfortable overnight lead. 

Day 2 started with stronger winds, favouring the experienced crews, seeing Kev O’Brien and Jonny Hynes win Races 5 and 6 to level the Championships. The battle for third place was also competitive with veterans Andy Dring and Simon Laken trading places with previous champions Chf Tech Andy Rodwell and FS Paul Wilson. As the wind then began to fade, Ben and Simon under pressure delivered a steely performance to win both Races 7 and 8 and secure the championship.

The RAF Dinghy Sailing Championships was signed off with a fantastic prizegiving dinner hosted by Rutland Sailing Club. Although regatta winners, Ben and Simon Greenhalgh did not qualify for the Brady Trophy as that requires both helm and crew to be serving in the RAF. That accolade went to second placed Kev O’Brien and Jonny Hynes, who are to be congratulated on a third straight Brady Trophy win. 

The RAF Dinghy Sailing Championships, The Brady Trophy - 2021 Prize Winners :

• 1st place - Ben Greenhalgh/Flt Lt Simon Geenhalgh, RAF Valley
• 2nd place - Sgt Kev O'Brien/Sqn Ldr Jonny Hayes, RAF Cosford
• 3rd place - Andy Dring/Simon Laken, RAF Rutland SC
• 4th place - CT Andy Rodwell/FS Paul Wilson, RAF Odiham
• Novice - James Marrs/William Collins, RAF Grafham SCT

RAFSA is extremely grateful to everybody who has supported the Event, our outstanding Safety Boat Crews, led by WO Duncan Cooper; the dedicated Rutland Support Team, led by Tony Barmby and Neil Wilkinson; and our supremely efficient Race Officer, Steve Bales. RAFSA would like to thank our generous sponsors, tlmNexus, their support is hugely appreciated, enabling some fantastic prizes to be awarded and complimentary drinks to be served at the prize giving (resulting in the loudest cheer of the week)! 

Pictured  top L-R are Brady Trophy winners: Sgt Kev O'Brien, Race Officer. Mr Steve Bales and Sqn Ldr Jonny Hynes

Photos credit Mr Neil Wilkinson