Maldon Yacht Club will have two representatives at this summer's world championships in Southern Spain.

The husband and wife team of Tim and Kay Tavinor and brothers Iain and Richard Marshall confirmed this week that they will both be at Mar Menor in August.

It was always hoped the two Maldon pairs would represent Britain in Spain after they achieved a one-two at the Snipe nationals in July.

They will be competing in Devoti-designed Snipes built at Tavinor's yard in Burnham.

Mar Menor, on the Spanish coast, is one of the largest salt water lagoons in Europe. Academic studies have prevented Phillip Marshall, 17, from competing in the world youth championships, also in Spain.

Phillip and crew Ann Gregory, who finished 19th in last year's junior world championships in Russia, had hoped to improve on their position this year but, because of studies and difficulty in funding the trip, they have decided against the plan.

Phillip, currently at Chelmsford College, is going to study computer technology at university this autumn, while Ann is studying for her GCSEs.

Instead, Phillip hopes still to compete in a number of Laser Radial and Snipe open meetings, including the junior nationals, the Snipe South East championships, to be held at Maldon on June 12-13 and the Snipe nationals at Harwich (August 4-8).

In the summer of 2000 the Snipe nationals will be even closer, on the River Blackwater at Stone Sailing Club.

Maldon's new commodore, Ian Varney, has the honour of presiding in a special year for the club, the 50th anniversary which will be marked by a number of social events and a special race to mark the celebrations.

The club are trying to get in contact with all old members for a special gathering following the Lancaster Cup race on June 27.

David Sewell is the club's vice-commodore and Bob Rowbotham is rear-commodore.

Jim Marshall is membership secretary and Pat White social secretary, and the 1990 committee comprises John Simpson, Ian Wright, Barry Foulds and Josie Weatherall.

Simpson, meanwhile, has switched to single-handed sailing, moving into the Finn class, along with former Laser and Contender sailor Danny Dixon, who hopes to do more competitive sailing this summer after spending a year working abroad.

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