This Discussion Forum is not usually used to advertise products but I hope an exception can be made in this instance...
I have just received a note from the Chairman of the Eric Twiname Trust - Bruce Aitken - about the excellent work of the Trust in supporting youth sailing and racing and the re-publication of Twiname's superb book on dinghy sailing - 'Start to Win'.
If any of you have not yet had a chance to read this book then do so now - it has been out of print for 20 years but I can thoroughly recommend it and the new 3rd edition has been brought right up to date with all the current rules.
It's available online or I'm sure there will be copies available on the Adlard Coles stand at the Dinghy Exhibition. All royalties from the sale of the book go to support the work of the Trust. Thanks. Tim
Here's the note:
The Eric Twiname Memorial Trust and 'Start to Win'
Early last year the Eric Twiname Memorial Trust was generously assigned the author's copyright of 'Start to Win', written by Eric Twiname in 1973. Out of print for over 20 years, Adlard Coles (now Adlard Coles Nautical, part of A & C Black Publishers) have recently republished this classic - now in its 3rd Edition and substantially re-designed, with a Foreward by Ben Ainslie and an updated Rules section by Bryan Willis to accord with the 2009-2012 ISAF Rules.
Despite the passage of time 'Start to Win' has undoubtedly retained its position as the book on simple racing principles, written as it was specifically for the benefit of the ordinary dinghy sailor. As such it manages to remove much of the mystique of racing sailing and assists helmsmen to improve their skills and tactical ability. There is arguably nothing else that sets out the techniques of sailing in such a clear, understandable and straightforward manner. 'Start to Win' has been welcomed back by its many followers, and will no doubt be read for the first time by many more. This classic, which complements 'The Rules Book' also written by Eric Twiname and revised by Bryan Willis for the 2009-2012 rules, is set to help sailors achieve their racing best for many years to come.
Royalties from 'Start to Win' go to the Eric Twiname Memorial Trust, which was set up in 1980 in order to perpetuate Eric’s memory and to enable his many and diverse sailing interests to continue. It became a registered charity in 1991 with the primary objective of providing funding or equipment that will assist those in full-time education at schools and universities in the United Kingdom to sail or yacht race, with the emphasis being directed towards youth. Purchase of this book will therefore assist the Trust with its invaluable support for youth racing sailing, which includes bursaries for juniors on starter courses, the on-going provision of support RIBS for all nine national youth classes, the funding of dinghies for training purposes for sailing associations and clubs, and the financing of national championship events. For further information please visit our website www.erictwinametrust.org.
It would be very much appreciated if you could bring this e-mail to the attention of your members via your website. 'Start to Win' is available from Adlard Coles Nautical (discount price £15.29) and through most nautical booksellers, as well as Amazon.
Kind regards,
Bruce Aitken
Chairman, Eric Twiname Memorial Trust
I'm actually reading/reviewing this book right now - and although some of the images are old, it doesn't seem to matter because they illustrate perfectly what is being described. It's an excellent read, and is teaching me so much that I should know but didn't think was very important - as well as a ton of other tips - the book is worth its weight in gold I say!
Louisa
N3220 Snowdrop
First book on sailing I ever read ...well maybe second after Swallows & Amazons. I can still remember my dad getting it out of the library.
I picked up a 2nd hand copy a few years back and found it as good and relevant as ever. I still dip into it.
Mike S
N3491
My copy came out of the school library in 1985... I should really take it back one day.
Weird, I started reading this great book again over xmas. It is never far from hand. What this tells you is get your head out of the boat and learn to sail. If you are sailing as well as you can in the limitations of the boat (rare) then a step up in boat will make a big difference. Trouble is rembering that all the time.