Noble Marine 2000 Inland Championships at Northampton Sailing Club

Noble Marine Inland Championships for the 2000 class was held at Northampton © James Macgregor

Rob and Katie Burridge win the Noble Marine Inland Championships for the 2000 class © James Macgregor

20 boats competed at this year's Noble Marine Inland Championships at Northampton Sailing Club. Saturday saw light winds with broken cloud providing bright but shifty conditions resulting in close racing through the fleet.

The first race saw Rob and Katie Burridge show the type of form and consistency that would see them win every race of the day. The same level of consistency was a challenge for the rest of the fleet with Simon Horsfield & Tom Bernal from the Army Sailing Association, and James & Jenny Macgregor from Grafham Water making the best of the conditions to be 2nd and 3rd respectively overnight.

On Saturday evening the fleet were treated to an excellent supper by Northampton Sailing Club with seconds and even in some cases thirds! Rob Burridge, the overnight leader, was treated to a surprise birthday celebration involving balloons and chocolate cake. Everyone hoped for stronger and more consistent wind the next day. Both off and on the water it is good to see the 2000 class being perpetuated by youth and young adult sailors.

Sunday was to start light and with a building breeze promised to provide another excellent days racing. Rob and Katie were again to demonstrate their excellent boat speed bagging the first two races. They were not to have it all their own way however with Simon and Tom bagging the final race having completed their first "practice" of the year in the 2000 on the Saturday.

The race for third was more challenging with Tim & Linda Hulley from Weir Wood, James & Jenny Macgregor and Richard Harvey & Mick Steer from Carsington all vying for the final silverware. Richard and Mick who having struggled with the starts on the Sunday eventually pulled back through the fleet to ultimately take third.

The excellent organisation, venue and conditions all contributed to make this an excellent Inlands. Our thanks go to our sponsors Noble Marine and Fenhurst Books for their support to the event.

Overall Results: