Osprey National Championships at Parkstone Yacht Club - Overall

Osprey nationals at Parkstone day 4 © Mike Millard / www.mikemillard.com

Osprey nationals at Parkstone day 4 © Mike Millard / www.mikemillard.com

A hot hot hot final day!

Sitting on the balcony at Parkstone Yacht club with a cold drink in bright sunshine looking at the mill pond that was Poole harbour might sound like the perfect way to spend the day. Not so if your were hoping to move up a place or two on the last day of the Nationals.

The wind was completely non existent all morning until about 11.30 when a light breeze kicked in and the race officer sent the fleet out to the top triangle for what looked like a very unlikely chance to race. The doubters were surprised to see the wind fill in to a steady 5 knots, which got the whippets out on the wire and the big lads sitting bolt upright on the side tanks like a couple of well behaved children.

Talking of well behaved children there was another swarm of Watkins girls joining the proceedings today due to missing helms and crews. Ollie Hobson had to go back to work at his accounting firm because he had asked for the wrong days off because he thought the Nationals started this Saturday (he has a new diary now!) so he gave his place to Anna Watkins. Alastair Watkins had to go Doctoring so gave up his seat to Midge Watkins, who was then handed the tiller by Chris. There was hot competition between the girls and Midge got the better of her older sisters by one place. Three new Ospreys on order this winter I think and Mirrors and 420 for sale!

The top spot for the Championship was all to play for with Barker and Atkinson 4 points ahead of Caldwell and Gibbons. There were two false starts. The first by the race officer going a minute early and recalling when it was pointed out by those starting at the committee boat end and then a second when the fleet got a bit keen and were all over. General recall, black flag and we got away. Caldwell and Gibbons went left as did Barker and Atkinson who then tacked back up the middle. Caldwell got to the top mark 3rd and Barker came round in about 9th leaving a gap and an exciting race to watch for those who were aware of the scores. This is how they finished leaving Caldwell and Gibbons ahead with one race to go.

Needless to say there was going to be some match racing in the next race for sure. The fleet came up to the line and, as before, pushed too hard and the race officer called another general recall. Reset and this time under a black flag, you would have thought everyone would be shy of the line but no there were countless boats over and a recall was sounded. Interesting! What happened next you might ask. Two options, pick out those who were over and rerun with those who weren't, which was about 4 boats or AP over H, thank you gentlemen and ladies time please drink up and go home! Option 2 was selected and so Caldwell and Gibbons had it.

As the penny dropped the cheers went up and Baker and Atkinson sailed over to congratulate the victors in true Osprey sporting fashion.

This was a fantastic win for Gareth and John who have been in and around the top 5 for the last couple of years since they started sailing together at Blithfield. John is the son of Keith Gibbons who has been sailing Ospreys forever. At the prize giving there was an almighty applause from the crowd and I turned around to see John's Mum and Dads beaming smiles and with a look of absolute delight in John and Gareth's achievement. I have to admit it brought a tear to my eye to see such proud parents; well done team Gibbons.

It only leaves me to say thank you very much to Parkstone Yacht Club for a great Championships. Thank you also to our sponsors, Gul, Allen, Marlow, Hartley Boats and Selden, without whom sailing would be difficult or impossible because, between them, they build the boats, provide the masts and fittings, rope out the boats then dress us in the most brilliant sailing kit known to man.

Enjoy the Olympics everyone.

Overall Results:
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