We left home at 10.30am on Friday morning 24th June for the 258 mile trip up to Pennine SC – Winscar Reservoir, Dunsford Bridge, near Barnsley for the National Championships - sponsored again this year by Noble Marine. It was dry but largely overcast although the odd occasional glimpse of blue sky did occur on the somewhat lengthy drive and after a couple of comfort/coffee stops we arrived at 4.15pm. It was still dry after we had erected the tent close to the clubhouse and after a few beers we attended the Class AGM with about thirty other members. Nothing too contentious but we have now got a Class Secretary – Veronica Falat from Waveny and Oulton Broad SC. The local youngsters were by then out sailing in virtually no wind – my, how things would change. Throughout the night it poured with rain and leaked in on one camper so much that he had to pack up and go home without even going on the water.
For day one of the Nationals, just before a Bacon Butty breakfast, it was grey, raining solidly, blowing half a gale and chilly with it – not conducive to the writer’s preferred sailing conditions. Some 48 boats, below recent averages, had entered although not all went afloat for the first race which consisted of a basic triangle. There was a beat up to the western end of the water followed by a reach back towards the east and then a turn north thence back southwards to the start line. Both the Reach and the northerly, near Run, were very hairy with large gusts on top of the force 5 main breeze.
The line was very biased and the fleet lined up almost parallel on Starboard tack with most boats just making it across the line after the gun. Steve Cockerill (Hill Head SC) soon established a lead pursued by Ian Jones (Dovestones SC) with Alan Gillard (Sheffield Vikings SC) in third ans Ian Lees (Scammonden)in fourth slot. In the strong winds Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) could not get any speed out of his boat going to windward and finished the race in 28th position.
Race two, after lunch, was held in similar conditions, but over a slightly adjusted course, of solid rain and a good force 5. This time, and after one general recall, Tom Gillard (Sheffield Vikings SC), the defending Champion, was on the water having just returned from the Fireball Worlds at Sligo in Ireland. He had had a good series there, just missing out on top spot due to a count back. In the Streaker fleet race however he could not catch Steve.C and had to accept second place ahead of Ian.J in 3rd with Alan.G in 4th. Alan.S struggled round and, in spite of needing to do turns when in the wrong in a port and starboard situation, made up one place to 27th
Race three, after another short spell ashore and on another variation of course, seemed likely to be more of the same – strong wind and rain – and again the top three were Tom.G, in first place this time, ahead of Steve.C and Ian Jones with Alan.G yet again in 4th spot. In lap two the breeze died quite a bit on the upwind leg allowing Alan.S to make up quite a few places – it did not last however and as the wind rose he dropped back to 30th at the finish.
In the evening there was a great meal provided by the girls and guys in the galley followed by a Skiffle group – the ‘Yorkshire Tea Bags’ – with a little help from one of the Streaker sailors and his guitar and of course plenty of beer. After the day’s exertions it was a relatively early night for Alan.S and Bett.S. It blew and rained all night although we did get a bit of sleep.
Sunday dawned sunny but with the wind still blowing hard, so much so that there were white horses on the water. Alan.S was not keen to even bother going afloat, after yet another Bacon Buttie breakfast. With about an hour to go to the start of the first race of the day Alan Gillard offered the use of the reduced area SCOA owned ‘Wave’ sail and Alan.S reluctantly decided to try it out. Once changed and with the boat almost ready to go he decided to use his full rig after all.
Race four started on time on yet another configuration of course but by the time the leader had finished his first lap the RO abandoned the race. At the top of the initial beat there was a rescue boat moored almost on the mark. Alan S when he reached it was forced to go outside the moored boat taking John Hollis (Pennine SC) with him due to the mass of boats on the inside close to the mark. At the restart it was the usual group who got out up front although Steve.C had taken Tom. G out of the running in the prestart manoeuvring. By the finish Tom.G was up to 2nd again behind Steve.C but ahead of Ian.J. and with his dad Alan.G in 4th . Alan.S found the easing wind more to his liking, and whether or not it was due to fewer starters, he had his best result thus far at 26th.
Race five, the final of the champs, set off after lunch, on yet another course with an initial beat up to a mark in the south west corner of the reservoir. The wind had increased a bit yet again and whilst the usual group of four were out in front Alan.S thought he was reasonably well up the order. On approaching the windward mark there were several wind shifts of differing ferocity and direction and Alan.S ended up in the water. He righted the boat by holding onto the centreboard as it flew over him and finally got back on board. By this time however he was truely last with even a ‘Wave’ sail ahead. With a bit of luck he managed to claw back a few places and ended up in 25th, his best result of the weekend.
At the top of the fleet it was yet another win for Steve.C with Tom.G 2nd and Ian.J 3rd. Alan.G did not finish this race, fourth place going to Matt Jenkins (Sheffield Vikings)
So that was the champs over, the overall winner was Steve.C with Tom.G as runner with Ian.J third and Alan.G in 4th positon.
At the other end of the scale Alan.S could do no better than 31st overall – given kinder lighter winds it might have been a place or two higher. He found the sailing very hard going on the Saturday and only slightly less so on Sunday, must be age showing but overall had an enjoyable weekend with the chance to catch up with quite a few friends and acquaintances.
The prize giving was performed out of doors, in the sunshine, and as usual was quite extensive with the overall Trophy, one for the winner of each race, for the first lady, for the under 18s, the over 45, the over 55s, the over 65s, the over 75s, for the club team, for the highest place home club helm and for most attractive boat. Finally there was a free raffle draw for a Boat Cover and a Sailing Bag plus the Usual Mug commemorating the event and a bottle of Sparkling Cider for all entrants.After that and having already packed up the boat it was off home at 4.45pm finally arriving back in Hove just before 10.00pm.
Alan.S 1700
