Hornet sailors from all around the country gathered on the Hornet stand yesterday at the Sailboat and Windsurf Show at Alexandra Palace to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the class. Visitors to the stand were served Champagne and birthday cake to mark the occasion and chat about this successful Jack Holt design which continues to attract a small but quality following.

The advent of the all-glass boat that was designed three years ago has brought a real spark the class and has freed up some good, reasonably priced second-hand boats which has allowed young sailors to enter the class and take part in some good racing at a fraction of the cost of some of the new dinghy classes on the market.

This year the fleet has a packed racing fixture list including an anniversary regatta at the Royal Corinthian YC at Burnham-on-Crouch on 22-23 June. Other events include the European championship at Penzance on 11-16 August and a training day at Bewl Valley SC on 1-2 June.

For more details, contact the secretary: ralderman@ralderman.freeserve.co.uk