H.A. Briddon Challenger English Nationals at Ogston Sailing Club

Zoltan Pegan (263) & Graham Hall (270) during the Challenger English Championship at Ogston © Richard Johnson

Arthur and Rose during the Challenger English Championship at Ogston © Richard Johnson

H.A. Briddon Challenger English Nationals 2014 The 2014 Challenger English Nationals, sponsored by local builders H.A.Briddon, were held at Ogston Sailing Club as part of their General Handicap Open on October 4th – 5th. This event is unusual because Challengers have a separate start but also score overall in the mixed fleet of Albacores, Flying Fifteens, Lasers and assorted other boats.

Ogston favour a figure of eight course to make best use of the lake and the Race Officer sensibly used a small, open area near the dam in the light North West wind.

Graham Hall led the fleet out of the start. Able-bodied Jack Alderdice was second, followed by locals Mick Brown and David Driffill. On the third lap Val Millward overhauled the others and was in touch with Graham. On the next lap, she chose left to Graham's right side of the beat and she had closed at least half the distance between them by the mark. In the next thirty seconds the fickle wind dropped, swirled and took it all back, ruining her chances of a win. At the finish, Graham was 200 yards ahead and had also beaten most of the general handicap fleet to come second overall.

Val's form improved, winning the second race from Graham, with Event Organiser David Driffill, a consistent third. She also won the last race of Saturday by a big margin, with Hungary's Zoltan Pegan second, Graham third and Diana Faulks a close fourth. This left Millward the clear overnight leader, despite Graham Hall's apparent speed advantage.

With the wind now South Easterly, the two Sunday races were run in front of the clubhouse with the start close to the bank. Hall's boat speed easily outpaced the fleet but Millward hung on, with Diana and Jack close behind. On the second lap a Solo and Laser were between Graham and Val coming into the last mark. Val, in a tough spot on the outside, was set to lose badly but the wind was kind and swirled at the mark, stalling the Laser and Solo so that Val and Graham came out together. Graham gained 100 yards on the beat, using lifts from the bank and, on the next lap, he did the same but Val went right into clear air, rounded the mark ahead and kept it to the finish.

Val, Graham and Diana were close at the last start but Graham's boat speed gained a lead which he increased on lap 2 for a potential easy win. Again, Val went right and came out ahead at the first mark but, down the last leg, she faded. Graham's offwind speed rewarded him with another win and overall 6th General Handicap.

Val Millward is the 2014 English Champion by one point (3rd overall General Handicap). Zoltan had a mixed event to come third and Jack, in his new boat, came a good forth. Silver fleet winner was Christine Spray, a Gold fleet candidate for 2015. Bronze was won by local pairing Callum and Mother Gill Bates.

Overall Results: