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Gilmer Trophy

A little history……

GILMER TROPHY –
AN INTER-CLUB COMPETITION

Alkmaar in Holland suffered terrible deprivation during World War 2 and struggled to regain some normality after the war. The people of Bath heard of their struggle and sent clothes and food parcels to the town to help them rebuild their lives. 50 Children from Alkmaar stayed with Bath families for three months to restore the health of the children. The gratitude of the people of Alkmaar resulted in an official ‘twinning’ of the two towns which is still an active association some nearly 60 years later.

Bristol Avon Sailing Club, being the nearest sailing venue to Bath was privileged to be asked to twin with their local sailing club – ARZV (Alkmaar Roei-en-Zeilvereniging; Alkmaar Rowing and Sailing Club). The first exchange had been scheduled for June 1963 and as the date had previously been arranged as an inter-club between BASC and Shearwater, the two English clubs have joined forces ever since to equally host the event. ARZV’s sailing venue is a huge inland lake and many members of both English clubs have been delighted to sail there over the years.

ARZV’s visits to us have declined over the years as their club’s sailing activities have moved towards day-cruiser events and their younger dinghy sailors have found it expensive to travel to England. Every two years we race for the Gilmer Trophy (presented by Gilmers the Jewellers, Bath).

The Gilmer Trophy proudly indicates that ARZV won the trophy 9 times – always on their home water! The last time they won it being 1999. Unfortunately ARZV were unable to come across to see us this year – their President Mindert Drenth sent ‘good wishes and good sailing’ to all his friends in Bristol Avon and Shearwater Clubs.

Boat Stickers

Members are reminded that club boat stickers need to be on your boats, and not in a drawer at home! OOD’s should also be checking race entries for stickers to qualify for a result towards a trophy.