Swordfish Nationals at the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club

Action from the Swordfish Nationals at the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club © Dave Walker / www.davewalkerphotography.com

Action from the Swordfish Nationals at the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club © Dave Walker / www.davewalkerphotography.com

The Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club hosted the Swordfish National Championships over the August Bank Holiday Weekend. The Championships were contested in a seven race series over the three days 23rd – 25th August.

Saturday was bright and sunny with light breezes. The fleet was soon on the water and the OOD set a windward leeward course which was to be the pattern for the first 5 races. In race one 140 Phil and Jackie Thompson led from the line but by the first mark 207 Alan and James Padgett took the lead which they held to the finish. 146 Roy Green and Derek Tree took 3rd place with 216 Alan and Helen Beecham just taking 4th from 169 Mike Wallace and Ellie Wrigglesworth.

In race 2, 169 was the closest challenger to 207 at the windward mark with 140, 146 and 216 close behind but Alan and James (207) sailed on to win followed by 140 in 2nd place.

Sunday also dawned bright and sunny with a force 3 forecast. By the time the races started the weather suddenly became overcast and cool which saw some crews quickly scurrying for warmer clothing.

The third race saw 169 sail to the northern corner of the beat to take the advantage at the 1st mark but they were soon caught by 207 who was in turn passed on the kite leg by 140. 207 regained the lead on the next beat and held it to the finish with 146 coming in 2nd.

207 established an early lead in race four and despite the best efforts of the rest of the fleet took a comfortable win from 140 in 2nd and 169 in 3rd places.

Race 5 was almost a repeat of race four with Alan and James (207) completing their 5th win out of 5 races again followed home by 140 in 2nd and 146 in 3rd places. The result from race 5 gave Jackie Thompson the ladies trophy.

Monday was just as overcast as Sunday but with more wind and bigger seas. The final two races of the series were sailed over triangular courses.

Race six saw the Thompsons (140) take the lead and battle hard with the Padgetts (207) with the racing very close both up the beat and out to the wing mark. Some tactical spinnaker work kept the two boats very close with 207 eventually emerging victors.

140 was finally rewarded for all his dogged determination by winning the final race of the series from 207. 169 was 3rd with 146 and 216 coming in 4th and 5th respectively.

With six 1st places Alan and James Padgett in 207 emerged as the worthy National Champions for 2003. The fleet wishes to extend its grateful thanks to all at Royal Yorkshire for organising another great championship.

Overall Results: