Dart 18 Inland Championships at Carsington Sailing Club

Dart 18 Inlands at Carsington © Pauline Love

Dart 18 Inlands at Carsington © Pauline Love

Dart 18 Inlands at Carsington © Pauline Love

Recently crowned UK National champion David Lloyd, of Stokes Bay Yacht Club sailing with Hayley Smith added the Dart 18 Inland Championship title to his years tally with a dominant display at Carsington Sailing Club situated in the Derbyshire Peak District over the weekend of the 21/22 September.

21 teams travelled from all corners of the country to contest the prestigious trophy with the added incentive that the final results would also be counted towards the overall 2013 travellers trophy championship.

Saturday dawned misty with no wind, though by the midday start time the sun had burned off most of the mist and the breeze had risen to a light south westerly allowing the race officer, John Poulson, to set a course utilising the full length of the lake.

Three races were completed each taking a similar form with Lloyd and Smith scoring three straight wins, hot on their heels were the Bridlington sailing club's father and son team of Matt and Jakob Exon who took second place in each race. Des and Fionnuala Barnes and Pete and Henry Davies kept the home club flag flying sharing the third places.

Following the trade mark Saturday night party and dancing to the live band the fleet were out on the lake early enjoying the late summer sunshine.

The conditions were proving to be very tricky with the lead changing many times. Eventually the Exons took the fourth race over Lloyd with Barnes in third.

Race five saw another win for Lloyd, and with it he retained the Inland title for a remarkable sixth year in succession. Exon once again finishing second, now all eyes turned to who would finish third overall. Saving their best results for last Geoff and Jenny Lloyd of Dee sailing club could not quite manage to jump above the Barnes's to take third spot.

With the fluky wind fading the final race saw some big gains and losses made around the course, the best judgement being called by Tom Parker and Victoria Akhurst of Netley sailing club who came through to take the final race win ahead of the 2013 Inland Dart 18 National Champions, David Lloyd and Hayley Smith.

Overall Results: