420 Inland Championship at Rutland Sailing Club

420 Inlands at Rutland © Andy Shorrock

Max Clapp & Ross Banham win the 420 Inlands at Rutland © Bernie Lawlor

Isabel Davies & Gemma Keers finish as 1st girls in the 420 Inlands at Rutland © Bernie Lawlor

Forty-nine 420s entered the Inland championships held at Rutland Water over the weekend of 14th and 15th March. The helm of our winners, the Inland Champions, Max Clapp and Ross Banham, has written a report on the event.

"The atmosphere on Saturday morning: nervy to say the least. This was the first event of 2015 for most; in the words of Freddy Mercury, we were under pressure. Having rigged we promenaded into the wet bar to receive a briefing from the man; nay the myth; nay the legend that is Stogg. We were then illuminated by Steve Waggaaaaaas on how to sail well. Following the illumination and brief we changed and (in the words of Kenny Rogers) set sail. Us sailors were greeted by arctic conditions out on the water. The combination of wind and ice-water caused a stabbing like sensation on the skin, similar to that of being stabbed by a Japanese Ninja (for example, either Kings). Teams prepared themselves for the racing, meticulously checking their pace, and the course (which had been faultlessly laid by the race management team).

The breeze on the track was fairly fresh: around 12-18 knots from the North-East. Orange flag up, the buzz could be felt from the shore. Before someone could say: "the 420 class has a poor behavioral record" we were in sequence. With hearts pumping more than Joe and Matt the fleet was off. Having had a good start Rosko and I led round the top mark; the battle for second was won by my personal hero and who I want to be when I grow (wahey) up: Martin Wrigley and his crew Marcus Tressler. The Irish boys Peter McCannan Harry Whitaker finished 3rd. Race two saw another Irish pair at the front: Douglas Elmes and Colin O'Sullivan who finished 2nd to Rosko and I. Jenny Cropley and Emma Baker (proud members of Wildcats 420 Team Racing) finished 3rd. People were beginning to settle in to the racing when race 3 got underway. Rosko and I were leading around the top mark but (due to sailing with the tactics and skill of a 29er sailor) we were overtaken by the heavyweights of the fleet: Joe (Pacquiao) Burns and Matt (Mayweather) Shorrock. The two crews went on to win the fourth race. The top mark of the fourth race had some interesting technique on show: the standard reach-hoist proved too much for some (no names) who found themselves very much separated from their boat. The phrase: "where is-he (get it) gone" was shouted repeatedly by the boats passing the mark who witnessed said sailor fall out. With racing for the day complete all the teams headed in.

420 Inlands at Rutland - photo © Andy Shorrock

Sunday morning was equally cold but the tension in the boat park had eased slightly. The breeze was similar to what we had on Saturday. The first race was an absolute masterclass from Arran Holman and his crew Alessandro (Federer) Foglia.

A clean start towards the pin end was followed by the pair sending it out left like a Lamborghini HuracÁn. They were going so fast and looked so pumped it was almost as though 'Boneless' was playing on repeat in their heads. Dan Atherton and Matt Viney finished second. Race 6 was won by Douglas and Collin, who were followed by Izi Davies and Gemma Keers (wait they actually finished a race they were coming second in?!). Third place went to Jenny Smallwood and Danielle Thomas. The last race (like the first race) had Rosko, Martin, Marcus and I taking up the top two spots. Izi and Gemma put in another top 3 with a third.

I think I speak on behalf of the whole fleet when I say that the weekend was a great event. Thank you to Rutland Water sailing club for hosting the event, and the race management team and all the on–shore volunteers for ensuring the event ran smoothly.

Overall Results: