Classic and Vintage Nationals at Netley Sailing Club

CVRDA National Championships 2008 © CVRDA

To build on the increasing interest in the ‘old boat’ scene along the South Coast, the Classic and Vintage Racing Dinghy Association made their way to Netley Sailing Club, on the eastern shore of Southampton Water, for their 2008 Nationals. With brisk winds forecast for the weekend, some of the older and more fragile vintage dinghies took the wise decision to stay at home. This may well have been a wise move, as the conditions for the weekend, a strong blustery North West breeze that kicked up a sharp chop against the flooding tide, made for sailing conditions that would have tested even the most modern of boats.

For a fleet that comprised many boats well past their 40th birthday (with some into their 50s and sporting wooden masts) this was always going to be a test of survival, which was just what the first race proved to be. Race Officer Mike Stroud sent the fleet on an extended figure of eight course, that would include a pair of screaming reaches – some of these old boats may never have been so fast before (nor will do again!). Early leader Dougal found sailing the sliding seat rigged Unit single hander fast but hard work until rudder problems half way up the first beat put the brakes on.

Peter Vinton, sailing an early Fairey Finn had no such problems and along with another elderly Fairey boat, this time the Firefly of Rupert Whelan, looked to be setting an impressive pace. In the end though it was the Hornet of Strangler and Pippa, who after an early dip to test the water powered through to take a comfortable win.

The wind continued to freshen for the next two races, sailed back to back, so it was no surprise that the Hornet continued to dominate the event. Strangler was pushed hard though by the hard driven OK of FD crew Jamie Cole, Whelan’s Firefly and another Hornet, the very elderly ‘Shoestring’, number 191, which was being pushed to the limit by CVRDA Commodore Roger Devereux and crew Chris Mullholland.

After three tough races, Saturday night’s BBQ and party developed into something of a test of endurance, with many hoping that Sunday’s forecast, for sunshine and less wind, would materialise.

By breakfast time the sun had arrived as predicted, but the wind had come too, with the breeze being every bit as strong as it had been the day before. The first race of the day was to be a Pursuit and the OK, Firefly and Finn all charged away from the start, trying to get a good lead before the bigger boats were sent on their way. For a while it looked as if the Mercury of Bob Corfield and Sue Hogg would be the first of the faster boats to break through but an impromptu stop to recover their video camera let through the Albacore of Ben May and Chris Martin.

As the finish time approached it was once again Strangler and Pippa in the Hornet that looked to be heading for the front but they were held off by Jamie’s OK, with Peter Vinton’s Finn taking third. There had been no let up in the breeze for the last race, so with the event already won the Hornet stayed ashore leaving the OK, Firefly, Finn and Mercury to fight it out, with them finishing in that order.

Despite the weather, the Netley Race Team hosted a great event, made even more notable by the riotous 60’s themed entertainment. Well done to all who got afloat (even one of Rodney Pattison’s old FDs) for proving that despite the age of the boats, that they could still enjoy the heavy going.

Results:

1st - Strangler and Pippa – Hornet
2nd - OK – Jamie Cole
3rd - Firefly - Rupert Whelan and Matt Andrews