Sonata Northern Championship at Sunderland Yacht Club
by David Wheldon 17 Jun 2013 14:07 BST
8-9 June 2013
Bright sunshine in a clear blue sky welcomed the seven competitors to the Sonata Northern Championships at Sunderland Yacht Club 8th & 9th June 2013.
The 'reasonably' steady sea breeze and calm sea state provided gentle conditions for the four windward/leeward races which were held on the Saturday afternoon.
The race officer ensured that short sharp races were held with well-judged intervals between races such that drinks could be taken and extra sun tan lotion applied!
Gallus sailed by Murray Caldwell showed her down wind speed winning race 1 from Sonic sailed by Joe Cross the current Sonata National Champion with his crack South coast crew. Zimba sailed by Ian Brown experienced a spinnaker halyard problem which resulted in an early retirement from race 1 for some rapid running repairs.
Race 2 resulted in a little more eager starting strategies with Sonic taking an early lead which she held to the finish from White Magic sailed by David Matthews with Gallus in third place.
Race 3 resulted in the same positions recorded for the first three boats with a pattern beginning to be established. A similar situation was also emerging for the fleet overall with regular positions being recorded for Cinnabar sailed by Mike Ketley, Serenity sailed by Colin Jackson, and Discord sailed by Jos Oomes a former Northern area Sonata Champion.
Gallus took first place in race 4 from White Magic with Sonic in third.
All competing crews enjoyed a relaxing evening and availed themselves of the facilities Sunderland has to offer, including moonlit swimming for the visiting South coast crew who 'remarked' on the unexpectedly cool nature on the North sea in early June.
Sunday dawned with no wind at all and although David Wheldon, the SYC race officer demonstrated patience in waiting for any kind of wind to arrive he eventually decided to abandon racing for the day in order to allow visiting boats to lift out and travel safely home.
The prize giving was held in Sunderland Yacht Club with Mr Mike Tighe the owner of Sonic accepting the Sonata Northern Trophy with Joe Cross and his crew.
With Red hulled Sonatas making up the majority of the fleet Ian Brown in Zimba was a popular winner of the randomly selected 'Red' prize!
Results:
1. Sonic, Mike Tighe and Joe Cross, Sunderland YC
2. Gallus, Murray Caldwell, Cove SC
3. White Magic, David Matthews, Sunderland YC
4. Cinnabar, Mike Ketley, Sunderland YC
5. Serenity, Colin Jackson, Tees & Hartlepool YC
6. Zimba, Ian Brown, Sunderland YC
7. Discord, Jos Oomes, Sunderland YC