Welcome to the first Lark e-News!

Over the last few months the Lark Committee has been

actively working on improving the class’s communications.

The cost of producing and posting three issues of Lark

News each year has become prohibitive and reduces the

ability of the class to market itself proactively outside of

the class members. The result is this first issue of Lark

eNews, part of a number of changes to class association

activities in 2009.

Lark News, Class Marketing & Publicity

It has become apparent that as individuals we, the committee, are all spreading our time thinly which means that we

are often unable to put in as much time into class association matters as we would like to. This is particularly true of

marketing where we often have some great ideas but are unable to put them into practice due to other commitments.

With this in mind we have recently employed the services of Strawberry Marketing to take on the larger marketing

activities whilst as a committee we will work on smaller, more manageable projects.

With the recent difficulties in attracting a new Lark News editor the class committee has been forced to review the

existing production of Lark News. The existing format of Lark News will now cease to exist and will be replaced by a

monthly (bi-monthly over winter months) Lark eNews which will be a download in PDF format on the Lark website. We

believe it is important to continue to produce printed publications so we have asked Strawberry Marketing to produce

the Lark Yearbook which will include a year preview and the Annual Lark Review. These productions will continue to be

printed and posted although a PDF will be also be available.

Press releases and publicity outside of the normal class database will be handled by Strawberry Marketing. Over the

years the class has been noted for great publicity and marketing within its own members database but has not been so

successful at marketing to a wider audience.

We will be producing a new class brochure which will become part of a Lark Class Information Pack that can be sent out

to potential members of the class association. This will be administered by Strawberry Marketing, whilst the class

association will be tracking enquiries to help encourage the subsequent purchase and participation in the class.

Strawberry Marketing will also be working to attract new advertising and sponsorship to the class which will help fund

the additional marketing expenditure. With the launch of

the Ovington Lark marketing has become even more

important.

Importantly the Class Committee remains in full control of

marketing expenditure and with the assistance of

Strawberry Marketing will work to achieve a good return

on investment. Regular reviews are scheduled to ensure

that marketing funds are spent wisely.

May/June 2009

Upcoming Events in May/June

23rd May – Barnt Green SC (Midland & North Region) 31st May – Shropshire SC (Midlands & North Region)

6th/7th June – Royal Harwich YC (Belle Isle) 20th/21st June – Medway YC (Belle Isle)

Lark National Championships Brixham Yacht Club

25th-31st July 2009

Enter Online Today

www.larknationals.org

The Larks experienced superb conditions at Rock 2009

Class News

2009 Lark Class Clothing

The official launch of the 2009 Lark Class Clothing range took place at the Dinghy

Sailing Show in early March. The class has teamed up with Crest of a Wave to

produce the T-Shirts by mail order.

The new range of clothing is available to purchase now direct online from Crest of

a Wave – www.crestofawave.com.

The Lark Class gets a rebate for every item sold which is used towards class

association activities such as marketing so please place those orders now!

If you can't find what you want on the Crest of a Wave Website then give them a

call as they have other options available on request.

If your club fleet would like to arrange a bulk purchase with your club burgee on

the right breast then please email a high resolution copy of the logo to Edd

McArdle – marketing@larkclass.org.

Ovington Lark Update

As we go to press the new Ovington Lark prototype is in

production. The hull and deck moulding have been produced

and are awaiting sticking together. It is apparent that the

Ovington Lark will be a significant refinement of the Rondar

Lark. The deck moulding will essentially stay the same but

production boats will sport an improved spinnaker chute

opening, vastly superior self bailers and the hassle of

attaching transom fittings will be a distant memory.

Construction will be closed foam sandwich with the deck

being a 10mm construction which will give it intrinsic strength

without relying on stiffeners. Other classes use this

construction for areas like false floors that are intended to be

stood on. Together with the vacuum construction techniques

used by Ovington and some detail design changes, this will give us an extremely strong and durable Lark hull without

local weaknesses and with the added bonus of consistent hull weights.

Those of us who have been to the Ovington facility have returned highly impressed. Their production facilities are first

class with an emphasis on efficiency to keep costs down and quality high. There is no doubt in our minds that we have

made the right decision in appointing Ovington to be the new class builder.

Whilst the development is a little behind schedule we are hoping that a number of production boats will be on the

water for the National Championships in late July. Further details on how and when orders can be placed for a new

Lark will be posted on the website in the next few weeks.

Any enquiries regarding the Ovington Lark should be made to Chris Biglin at measurer@larkclass.org.

Kappa Mast Trials

As mentioned in the last printed Lark News the class was trialling the modern C-section equivalent, the Selden Kappa

section, over the winter months and at open meetings early this year. Trials have proved conclusively that there is no

noticeable speed advantage in using the Kappa mast over the older C section.

What is noticeable is that the Kappa sports significantly improved fittings which should help improve the spars lifespan.

The fact that most chandleries are out of stock of C section masts highlights quite how quickly, as a class, we get

through them.

At the time of writing there were less than three C section masts remaining in stock at chandleries. This makes for an

easy transition between the mast sections. The class committee has instructed Selden to start production of Lark Kappa

masts immediately. The Kappa mast will be the new class one-design mast section.

Dispensation will be granted to all Kappa mast users until the class rules are ratified later this year. A postal ballot will

be issued in the near future which will include the change of mast section and any rule changes required for the new

Ovington Lark. It should be noted that all existing C-section masts will remain class legal and that there is no

requirement to replace your existing mast. Selden Kappa masts will be available from your normal mast suppliers in the

very near future.

Lark Logo Competition

The Lark Logo competition is still ongoing. We have seen a couple of

entries on sails already this season with a couple more to come. Chris

Biglin’s 2515 “Dark Knight” sported a comedy number for a couple of

events but this is to be replaced with an official entry. Chairman Simon

Cox is sporting a design based on the original Lark News logo and now

the header for this newsletter. Can you do better?

Get your entries over to Chris Biglin (measurer@larkclass.org) before the

nationals and they will be displayed, discussed and voted on at the AGM.

Second Hand Boats

There is still huge demand for good second hand Larks. If you are considering selling your boat, upgrading to an

Ovington Lark (more on these soon) or your boat just doesn't get the use it deserves then please put it up for sale -

there are buyers out there!

Event Previews

Barnt Green Open Meeting Preview

Round 2 of the inaugural Midlands & North Region circuit takes place on

Saturday 23rd May at Barnt Green SC.

The entry fee is £8 and will include 3 races and the annual singlehanded

race for anybody wanting to join in (spinnakers encouraged!). The first

race will start at 11am.

Bacon butties will be available for anybody arriving early, and lunch will

be available from the galley. We are really hoping for a good turnout -

don't forget this is the second round of the highly competitive Midland

and Northern Travellers Series.

For those that have never been to Barnt Green directions are available on the Lark website under fixtures. The lake is

easily accessible from the motorways and is surrounded by beautiful Worcestershire countryside.

All abilities of Lark sailors are encouraged to attend. As usual there will be plenty of Larkies around happy to give any

advice and tips on rigging and sailing Larks.

Shropshire Open Meeting Preview

The Lark Class makes a welcome return to Shropshire SC after a few years absence. This year the event is the third

event in the inaugural Midlands & North Region Circuit. A full event preview will be posted on the Lark website soon.

Royal Harwich Open Meeting Preview

Open meetings just don't get any more fun than this!

Sailing takes place on the River Orwell, but the real competition starts

ashore for the infamous inter-fleet "It's a knock-out" competition on

Saturday evening. So get practising for the Sumo wresting, giant twister,

croquet, bar boats and giant connect-4 amongst many others and lets

show the N12's and Fireflies that once again The Larks are the all

conquering dinghy class!

With all this distraction it easy to forget that this is the 6th round of the

2009 Belle Isle series. Five races over the two days, with a 10am briefing

on Saturday morning and the first race scheduled for 11am. Free

camping is available on the club lawn with food and drinks being served in the clubhouse over the entire weekend.

So put on your happy hat and get down to sunny Suffolk on 6th/7th June.

Medway Open Meeting Preview

The Medway Open Meeting takes place on the weekend of 20th

/21st

June. This is the third running of this superb event.

Registration will commence in the regatta office, the library above the MYC offices, from 10:00 hrs on Saturday the

20th June 2009. There will be a series of 5 races. The briefing will take place in the clubhouse at 11:00 hrs. The first race

on Saturday will be at 12:30hrs. The scheduled first race on Sunday will be at 11:00hrs.

Camping is available on the club grounds. The club usually lays on a very good social event in the evening.

More details from Ally Dart – membership@larkclass.org.

2009 Lark Nationals Preview

Brixham 2009 is shaping up to be a superb event. We already have 30

entries and expect a lot more yet. The professionally run club will ensure

that activities both on and off the water will be first class and the

Nationals Team are hard at work putting the finishing touches to the

social and racing programme.

The Notice of Race is now available to view online.

It's so easy to enter the National Championships. Simply visit the

Nationals website and complete the online entry form. Payment can be

made by PayPal (including Credit Cards) or via cheque.

Enter Online Now - http://www.larkclass.org/nationals/event_entry.php?competition_id=7

Don’t forget the entry fee increases on 28th

June – so don’t delay enter today!

Accommodation

Details of accommodation are available on the Nationals website, but if you are looking to share accommodation it is

worth putting a message on the Discussion Forum - there are always people looking to share a holiday flat.

The updated Lark Nationals 2009 website can be visited at www.larknationals.org.

The year so far…

South Staffs Open Meeting

What a difference a day makes! Saturday saw a contingent of around 14

boats for the training session. Having established some key issues the

fleet took to the water for some practise and observation but the

strength of the wind made it difficult to be objective. So the fleet joined

in (or should I say made up) the club fleet for the afternoon races. Some

video was possible interspersed with some rescuing after a mighty squall

came through!! Although very windy a good day of sailing was had by all,

which was both useful and exciting in the testing conditions.

After a typical Lark evening there were a few tired sailors ready to face

the challenges of the Open Meeting. Bright sunshine greeted the arriving sailors but a total lack of wind. With a very

unpromising weather forecast Bill Bradburn, the OOD, was determined to get the event sailed and the 30 boats arrived

at the start line on time. However, a short postponement was essential but finally the fleet did get away chasing the

wind around the pool! Stuart & Charlotte Norris from Shropshire found the best gust and made the early break before

dropping back to finish 3rd. Unfortunately some of the leaders had failed to see the course change after the

postponement and went to the wrong mark. The others battled the tricky conditions with Mike Senior & Liz Pugh from

South Staffs (noted GP sailors in Dave Young's boat who was away on holiday) pulling through closely followed by Harry

Pynn & Helen Krailing from Waldringfield. The race finished in this order with Stuart and Julia Allen from Northampton,

making up fourth place.

After lunch the wind again proved difficult to predict but the fleet got away first time and again Mike Senior & Liz Pugh

found the position and boat speed to lead the fleet. After the first mark a number gybed and sailed into a hole and by

the time things settled Harry Pynn & Helen Krailing and Hannah Showell & Stuart Hydon from Shustoke were taking the

2nd and 3rd slot. They could make no impression on the leading boat and apart from Justin Jones & Lucy Evans from

South Staffs, who manage to fight back to 4th, the gaps hardly changed within the top ten.

Although the meeting was already won by Mike & Liz, they made the start line for the last race. However, they could

not repeat the previous great starts and this time it was Justin & Lucy who found the best shift early on and led at the

first mark. John & Sue Billington from South Staffs were close behind and these two were never seriously challenged.

Stuart and Julia broke free of the rest to finish 3rd with Hannah and Stuart coming in 4th. The race proved very

frustrating for many with several of the fleet being lapped!

Although frustrating in many ways, it was an interesting days sailing in beautiful spring weather. The OOD did a great

job to fit in the 3 races and all the fleet made the most of the tricky conditions. Once again the Lark fleet gave terrific

support to South Staffs and let’s hope that the good turnout is a sign of things to come for the rest of the season.

1st 2507 Mike Senior & Liz Pugh, South Staffs SC

2nd 2452 Harry Pynn & Helen Krailing, Waldringfield SC

3rd 2489 Justin Jones & Lucy Evans, South Staffs SC

4th 2301 Stuart & Julia Allen, Northampton SC

5th 2495 Hannah Showell & Stuart Hydon, Shustoke SC

Waldringfield Easter Egg

With Waldringfield bathed in glorious sunshine, the Lark Easter Egg went

right to the wire, in one of the highest scoring and open events in years.

The weekend started with an afternoon of training on Friday giving

everyone the chance for an early season tune up. Many thanks from the

class to Dave Chisholm for his time and endless enthusiasm.

On Saturday, after a short postponement for the light sea breeze to fill

in, the 1st race was started off the club line. Ian and Alyson Videlo

showed just how well they know the river going it alone on the right

hand to bank to disappear into and unassailable lead. Starting late, Nigel Scott and Ruth Johnson spotted their

opportunity and followed the Videlo’s, rounding the windward mark 2nd. Alan Krailing and Edd McArdle lead the rest

of the fleet in from the left and eventually overhauled Nigel and Ruth for 2nd with Harry Pynn and Helen Krailing

coming through for 3rd.

A short 2nd race was won by Alan & Edd with Emma Harris and Joe Hunt snatching 2nd on the line from Matt Stearn

and Antonia Steer.

The last race of the day was led from start to finish by guest Lark helm

Sam Carter crewed by Eluned Jones, with Harry & Helen and Alan & Edd

snapping at their heals in 2nd and 3rd.

Despite similar wind Sunday saw a change in fortunes with different

faces at the front of the fleet. Chris Whitehouse and Ellie Bremer got

away well in race 4 and were never challenged. The new paring of Fran

Gifford and Ally Dart came through for 2nd, a feet they repeated in race

5, with Matt White and Harri Steer in 3rd.

National champions Chris Fish & Beth Condie suddenly burst into life

with a win in race 5 and clearly not content with that went on to win again in final race. Chris & Ellie continued their

form with a 3rd.

A 2nd in race 6 capped off an impressive weekend for Sam & Eluned. In the battle for overall honours Harry and Helen

need 2 boats between themselves and Alan and Edd in the final race. It looked good early on with Alan & Edd a long

way back but a 3rd wasn’t quite enough for them as Alan & Edd eventually came though for 4th to take the open

meeting.

1st Alan Krailing & Edd McArdle 16pts

2nd Harry Pynn & Helen Krailing 17pts

3rd Chris Whitehouse & Ellie Bremer 24pts

4th Chris Fish & Beth Condie 25pts

5th Sam Carter & Eluned Jones 28.5pts

Rock Open Meeting

Armed with the words to "I've got a brand new combine harvester", in

readiness for the Sunday night, 29 Larks travelled to Rock for another

glorious Bank Holiday weekend.

Racing was in the estuary for both of Saturdays races, Emma Harris and

Joe Hunt lead the fleet round the course with Alan & Helen Krailing in

2nd and last years winners Smashie Bennett & Nicola Booth in 3rd.

Dougal Scott & Sophie Mackley made a return to the fleet and showed

excellent pace, they won race 2 convincingly with Alan and Helen second

again and Emma & Joe third. New pairing Francis Gifford & Ally Dart

finished 4th in both races.

Sunday’s races were also sailed in the estuary but with more water and more breeze the racing was close and hotly

contested. Alan & Helen managed to take an early lead and hold it to the end but were never comfortable with Jane

Alexander & Steve Graham sailing a fantastic race. Emma & Joe were a

comfortable third. In race 4 Will Croxford & Chris Warburton continued a

great weekend by leading the fleet round for much of the race

eventually succumbing to Alan & Helen and on the final beat to Emma &

Joe and Smashie & Nicola.

Sunday night saw the eagerly anticipated return of Padstow’s own

Johnny Cowling who, assisted by the fleets boat names and the unique

musical talents of Mark Ampleford and Father Ted, had us all in stitches.

On Monday the swell finally subsided enough for the fleet to tackle the Doom Bar and head out to sea. With a force 4

and a metre and a half swell it was Rock at its best. Nigel Scott & Paul Gardner sailed off to the right hand side and into

an unassailable lead. Second place for Emma & Joe ensured 2nd overall but a third for Alan & Helen was enough to

take the event. Not to be outdone by brother Nigel, Dougal & Sophie took their second win in race 6 after a close race

with Smashie & Nicola. Nigel & Paul capped off a fantastic day with third.

The Lark fleet would like to thank Rock Sailing Club for their exceptional hospitality and especially to Race Officer,

Martin Hough and family, for making the long trip from Oxfordshire for the weekend. We can't wait until next year!

1st 2464 Alan and Helen Krailing, Waldringfield SC (9pts)

2nd 2311 Emma Harris & Joe Hunt, Waldringfield SC (12pts)

3rd 2484 Dougal Scott & Sophie Mackley, Rock SC (20pts)

4th 2487 Smashie Bennett & Nicola Booth, Staunton Harold SC (21pts)

5th 2465 Will Croxford & Chris Warburton, South Staffs SC (25pts)

Pagham Open Meeting

Unfortunately due to strong winds and very large waves this weekends racing was cancelled. We are hoping that the

event can be rescheduled for a later date. An announcement will be made shortly on the Lark website.

The event was looking to be another well attended event; sadly the announcement was a bit too late for many

participants who had made the long trips from the Midlands and Suffolk.

Remaining 2009 Fixtures

23 May Barnt Green SC Open Meeting (MNR) Bob Suggitt

31 May Shropshire SC Open Meeting (MNR) Stuart Norris

6/7 June Royal Harwich YC Open Meeting (BI09) Helen Krailing 01394 380250

20/21 June Medway YC Open Meeting (BI09) Alison Dart 07870 185008

4/5 July Mayflower SC Open Meeting (BI09) Adrian Smith

12 July West Kirby SC Open Meeting (MNR) Tim Lawrence 01925 730034

25-31 July Brixham YC National Championships Steve Chatten 07971 401152

5/6 September Carsington SC Inland Championships (MNR/BI09) Dan Watson 07919 542361

19/20 September West Lancashire YC 24 Hour Race Mal Postance 01704 530840

3 October Shustoke SC Open Meeting (MNR) Chris Biglin 0121 308 7632

10 October Hayling Island SC Masters Championships Club Office 023 9246 3768

11 October Hayling Island SC Open Meeting (BI09) Club Office 023 9246 3768

31 October Frensham Pond SC Youth Championships Chris Ellis 01256 703402

1 November Frensham Pond SC Open Meeting (BI09) Chris Ellis 01256 703402

21/22 November Northampton SC Winter Championships (BI10) Ian Castle 01933 383254

For full details of future events please visit the Lark Class website – www.larkclass.org

Recommended Links

Lark Class Owners Association – www.larkclass.org

2009 Lark National Championships Official Website – www.larknationals.org

Crest of a Wave – www.crestofawave.com

Ovington Boats – www.ovingtonboats.com

Allen Brothers - www.allenbrothers.co.uk

Next Issue

The next issue of Lark eNews will be released late June. If you have any club news, event previews or other gossip then

please email it to Edd McArdle at marketing@larkclass.org.

Copy date: 22nd June

The Big Picture

Eluned Jones & Nobby enjoying Eluned’s first open meeting as a helm.