International Canoe fleet descends on Weymouth for their Nationals
by Gareth Caldwell 12 Jun 2014 18:02 BST
14-16 June 2014
The International Canoe fleet descends again on Weymouth for their National Championships.
It is an exciting time in the canoe fleet, and this is in no small part to the forthcoming World Championships that are to be held in San Fransisco this summer. Britain will be sending over a strong contingent of 11 boats... an apt number considering that its also World Cup year!
Apart from the obvious prize of winning the World Championships, the team will be competing for one of the oldest trophies in the sailing world - the Sailing Challenge Cup, first competed for In 1874. The two best teams from the Championships battle it out on a short course in front of peers and onlookers. Match racing in 'extreme' dinghies... bring it on!
With the relaxing of the development rules, their will be many different designs of hull on show this weekend. Designs by, among others, Maas, Morrison, Clarke, and Warren will be compared and discussed. Ultimately, boat handling and sailing the shortest course at the fastest speed will overcome any of the design features...but it gives a good talking point!
I think that the helms to look out for this weekend will be Robin Wood (recently acquiring his new mint green flying machine, and winner of Saundersfoot week last month), Colin Brown (secretly practising at Ullswater and reigning Europa Cup holder), Al Warren (boat designer extraordinaire and having a penchant for the heavier winds), and dark horse Steve Clarke (of C12 design fame and launching a new boat this weekend).
Eight races over three days. Let battle commence!