Hayling Island Sailing Club pay tribute to the continued sailing succe es of Roger and Barbara Palmer

On 20th October 2019, 40 fleet members & family from Hayling Island Sailing Club gathered together for an end of season Flying Fifteen’s lunch, featuring a fitting tribute to the continued sailing successes of Roger and Barbara Palmer.

By the time Roger left for Cambridge, he was a sailing instructor and quickly became involved with the university sailing scene. It is here that Roger utilised his skills and charm whilst teaching Barbara to sail. Their friendship blossomed with Roger bagging himself a wife and crew at the same time, a team that has been a proven success to this day.

With the shift from the Fireball, the idea of possibly sailing a keelboat and competing at Cowes might have lured them in the Flying Fifteen! Geoffrey, his brother recalled when he towed Four Leaf Clover (2748) over to Cowes behind his Contessa.

This is where Roger and Barbara took Cowes by storm going on to win Cowes Week, their success continued for 3 consecutive times. Even then Barbara slightness and skill shone out her fellow competitors as she was to become (1987 – at HISC) the first ladies crew or helm winning the Dimple trophy in 2748 at the Nationals for the first time and she continues today to hold the record for having held on this trophy the most.

Roger once again won at Cowes Week with Keith Gardner in 3615, and William Roger’s nephew in 1998; by then the house was full of trophies.

Internationally he competed both in southern Hemisphere Worlds Championships in Durban South Africa, then again in Esperance in Western Australia.

At Hayling, Roger soon got known as the ‘Cunning Fox’, gained his nickname early on in sailing, for his canny ability to navigate the most trickiest of conditions in and out the harbour to go on to win countless amount of races and regattas. It is believed single-handily Roger and Barbara’s collection of “The Federation” plates would have enough for all attendees on the day to hold a Greek party and still a few left to smash later!

Th ey went from strength to strength with Barbara behind the scene helping Roger in his term of being commodore at the club before he set into a more International role as a lead Principal Race Officer and International Juror, during which period Barbara escorted and supported him across the Globe, and played a key role in the RYA for many years. Roger has made a major contribution to the FF Class. In 1996-1996 was appointed National president of the association and was later Commodore of Flying Fifteen International between 1999 and 2002, with Barbara being Secretary of the Association at the same time.

written by Sue Bannister