UK NATIONALS 2005
Bexhill on Sea SC hosted the 2005 UK Nationals, and this being the first Nationals since de-selection from the Olympic’s, the entry of 21 boats, the highest it has been for a number of years was very pleasing and showed the Class in not dead. This was really down to both the Class Association and Bexhill SC ensuring that the event attracted as many UK Europe clubs sailors as possible – there are many out there who are not aspiring Olympian’s but enjoy racing a boat suit’s a wide weight, height and age range.
Saturday unfortunately brought a stiff force 5 on shore breeze, which made it impossible to launch safely from the beach, and whilst the Race Officer sat on station for most of the day waiting for conditions to improve, eventually racing was abandoned for the day. This did not stop one intrepid Europe sailor, who will now always be known as “Suicide” Dave Kent, from taking to the water and having a blast with a safety rib trying to keep up! Despite many catchers awaiting his return to the shore they still missed him with the result that boat and sailor were dumped onto the beach to the amusement of the assembled crowd. With the side show over, the fleet retired and watched the Town’s Carnival parade along the sea front – a very civilised end to the day !
After the storm came the calm, and Sunday dawned with a light force 2/3 westerly. To ensure a Championship was undertaken, four races were planned for the day. The fleet were a little too eager to get underway, and Race 1 saw three boats OCS, including the retiring chairman Robert Laurie and incoming chairman Richard Eagleton. James Eynon lead from start to finish in the light airs, closely followed by a new Europe youth sailor, Fergal Finlay who finished second in his first Europe event. Katie Mapplebeck who had recently returned from the European Championships, finished third.
With dark clouds coming down the Chammel, by the start of Race 2, the winds had freshened to a force 4, and a step chop. This change in conditions suited some of the older and more experienced Europe sailors, and Robert Laurie lead for the majority of the race only to be caught by James Eynon on the final run, with Tobin Dennis using his local knowledge in third.
Race 3 was a repeat of race 2 with Eynon and Laurie, only yards apart all the way round, but out a head of the fleet, but with “Suicide” Dave Kent improving with his boat handling in third. With three straight wins, Eynon was therefore crowned 2005 National Champion.
With an increase wind and tired bodies, a slightly depleted field started the final Race 4. Again Eynon and Laurie powered out ahead, opening up a sizeable lead to third placed Peter Ruff, who battled hard with Suicide Dave.
RESULTS:
1. James Eynon Weston SC 3 pts
2. Robert Laurie Dabchicks SC 6 pts
3. Peter Ruff Weston SC 12 pts
Junior Champion: Fergal Finlay Brading Heaven YC
1st Lady Katie Mapplebeck Ogston SC
1st Veteran Ian Stow Weston SC
Robert Laurie
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