Events Round Up - 10th June 2022

It is brilliant seeing club members out competing again and you have covered such a broad range of events already we are starting to lose track! Here’s a quick round-up of your amazing efforts of the year so far: 

January started with the welcome return of Stamina, unfortunately, I can’t tell you much about that as I was lost in the woods, but I hear everyone else had a lovely time…

Standing Up

The XC team put in a great turnout over the winter, kept all the local coffee shops in business, and nobody got blown off Beachy Head, so we’re calling that a win! Coach of The Year Ian podiumed in his age group, and the team came 10th overall – well done you hardy lot.

Brighton Half and Brighton Marathon both saw a good club turn out. Bit blowy for the half, but practically perfect conditions for the full and PBs all over the place. This spring, we also had runners enjoying Angmering Bluebell Trail 10k/10m in lovely conditions.

Then, the epic that is the South Downs Way 50. Incredible strength shown by Beth and Dani, finishing 1st and 3rd overall females, and phenomenal efforts by Matt, George and Rob. The whole gang were so impressive and smiling throughout, and some top-notch sprint finishes on the final glory lap of the track in Eastbourne – hats off to you all! 

Sitting Down

Several club members ventured north to the big smoke to take part in Ride London 60/100m. For some, it was their first sportive, others their longest ride yet and for a few, both! Lots of happy faces on their return, happy with super speedy times or simply survival… that’s a long time in the saddle and a next-level world of group riding. Well done all.

Laying Down

There are no swim specifics yet, but the open water season is well and truly upon us, so watch this space… first up, Paddle! 

Mixing It Up

The first multi-sport event of the year came in the shape of a duathlon at Goodwood Motor Circuit. An impressive club turn out with outstanding performances to match. Wonderful to see such a gorgeous bunch having a lovely time back racing. Shout out to Svenja for a superb aero bike position and Harriet for being the happiest person you’ve ever seen on a start line J

As a club, we do have great representation at a lovely broad range of events, but now and then, it is nice to put it all together and venture into the world of triathlon… 

Club Champs! So far, Sevenoaks, East Grinstead and Arundel have taken place, with a good turnout at each, so the Club Champs is well underway. In particular, kudos to Kitty for competing on a single speed and a big tri-welcome to Gabriel for his first triathlon in the UK! We are so fortunate to have a great choice of local races and look forward to the rest of the Club Champs series. 

Then for one week in May, it seemed like half the club were in Mallorca for the half and full-distance Ironman event. The rest of us weren’t jealous at all. Who needs sunshine and races? Whatever. Anyway, whilst not being at all jealous, we got rather excited, so the Events & Chat WhatsApp group was born! It was great tracking our fellow club members as they smashed it. Special shout out to Sean for a super speedy time in his first-ever 70.3. Impressive stuff.

Hopefully, we have captured everything but apologies if some have been missed. Please keep us updated on the new Events & Chat WhatsApp group – we love to hear what you are doing and share in the experience.

Coming Up…

This coming weekend is the Eastbourne triathlon which serves as a GBR Age Group Team qualifier, but also, and far more importantly, it’s the next instalment of the Bri Tri Club Champs series. Also, this weekend is the South Downs Way 100-mile event. Yes, folks, that’s one hundred miles of running. 

In the following weeks, there are standard and middle-distance triathlons at 1066 and Hever Castle, both part of the Club Champs, and on 3rd July are our very own Paddle Round the Pier swim events.

Good luck to everyone competing in the coming weeks – we are with you all the way!

AGM 2021

Last Friday was the club's Annual General Meeting (AGM). Held face to face for the first time since 2019. 

It was great to be back at Brighton Sailing Club, and see so many familiar faces and new members who had joined since the first lockdown. A big thanks to Sophie for organising the event and sourcing some excellent pizzas. 

As usual, we started with Tom Atkins report as the treasurer. Ironically only six months before the pandemic, we had completed a financial review of the club. One of the conclusions was that we need to maintain sufficient financial resources to ride out catastrophic circumstances change. The good news is that financially, we have handled the pandemic well. Putting us in a solid position to reinvigorate the club.

Simon Wickenden, as the Chair, then presented a brief review of the clubs year. Highlighting the events as we worked our way through reengaging with facilities management, navigating the deluge of operating guidelines and reconnecting with club members. 

Coaches Graeme, Ian & Simon then laid out the coaching plans as we advance. We will outline these to the club members over the coming weeks.

NEW COMMITTEE

Then members volunteering for the new committee stood for election. Those who voted at the AGM were added to those that had voted in advance online. The new committee was duly elected, the 2020/21 committee stood down, and the newly voted in committee took over.

The 2021/2022 committee is listed below:

  • Chair: Simon Wickenden

  • Championships & Fixtures Officer: David Bailey

  • COVID-19 Officer: Grace Hancock

  • Digital Marketing Officer: Carolyn Taylor

  • Diversity & Inclusion Champion: vacant

  • Events Officer: Mark Roydon

  • Head Coach/ Coaching Coordinator: Open

  • Juniors Officer: Clive Glasson

  • Kit Officer: Christine Gibbons

  • Secretary: Robert Jessop

  • Socials Officer: Sophie Snow

  • Treasurer: Tom Atkins

  • Vice-Chair: Kevin Hancock

  • Welfare Officer: Matt Honey

The AGM was then closed, and David Bailey took over to present the Club Championship Awards. Thank you to everyone who attended and those who couldn't make it but voted online in advance.