Impala 28 National Championship - Form Guide
by Impala 28 class 12 Jun 2015 08:07 BST
20-22 June 2014
Impala nationals during the Weymouth Regatta 2014 © Bertrand Malas
This year's Impala Nationals is to be held at Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club on 20-22 June, with the boats moored in Shepards Wharf. There's a full social program with the infamous punch/pontoon party, BBQ, dinners and lots of great racing forecast.
You can keep up with the racing via daily upates on www.impala28.co.uk and www.facebook.com/impala28, as well as on YachtsandYachting.com.
With lots of new owners this season its setting up to be a bumper year for the Impala fleet. With 7 boats now racing at HRSC every Wednesday evening, a record entry at the Nationals, strong entries for the Round the Island race and Cowes Week and fleets congregating and building around the coast, the competition will be tight.
Read Yachts and Yachting magazine's verdict on why you should buy an Impala here... www.impala28.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/YY-Impala-Test.pdf
Happy 5-1
Happy has changed ownership this year and will be heading up to Scotland in the autumn – but the new owners thought they might as well fit in a summer of south coast sailing events before heading up north! By all accounts they will be ones to watch, with lots of past Impala experience and a talented crew.
Polly, 3-1 Fav
Having grown up on Polly the Meakins and Cudmore clan know the boat inside out and how to make it go fast. They can suffer in the big breeze as are quite light but epitomise Impala sailing with family on board and plenty of tea and coffee.
Two Frank 5-1
The Frank crew are now in their 3rd year together and getting quicker all the time. If they stay out the pub this time (and away from Sam's cocktails) then they could do very well.
Imptish 6-1
Barney & Graham are back again with the girls and Barney's dad. Blisteringly quick downwind, they seem to come from nowhere to the top. If they clip the kite on the right way up then they will do well.
Vlad the Impala 6-1
With a new owner this year, the best-named boat in the fleet has just undergone a full refit and have been out in all weathers throughout the winter. They have shown promise and will do very well if they keep the pointy bit above the wet bit.
Magic 8-1
They have the potential to do very well. A quick boat with seemingly only one headsail choice in 0-30 knots. Will 'the worm' Waddington is back on bow so let see how they do if they remember that the tidal eddy near France won't help them at Hill Head...
Rocker 8-1
Rocker is making the trip to the Solent from Thornbury SC on the Severn. A newcomer to the south coast fleet but they have been doing well on their home ground, racing through the winter in a small but very competitive fleet – and they will be used to big tides!
Nyala 8-1
Nyala is a CCYC local boat and makes her return to the nationals for the first time in four years. The boat is in good shape and the crew know the area well.
Trudi 8-1
A true 'calendar girl' Trudi is very quick in the shifty conditions and knows the Solent very well. A well sailed boat with a top crew so will she be in the picture this year?
Cheeky Monkey 10-1
A newcomer to the nationals, but Aiden has had the boat for 2 years. He sails regularly with his young son Felix (the real rock star on board) they have really come on this year and can make it out to the start area now they have a propeller attached.
Parallel Universe 10-1
Another new entry this year, she will be making the trip round from Poole to a warm Solent welcome and to show what the Poole fleet is made of!
Hound Dog 12-1
Recently relocated from Jersey to Lymington, Hound Dog is owned by two families and has entered all the big events this summer. The Nationals will be their first time lining up against the Solent fleet – will they give the rest of us a run for our money?
Curved Air, 12-1
An old salt in the class, they have come back out of the woodwork after an ambitious winter refit to join in this year's Nationals. They sail well and have a long standing crew. One to watch.
Voodoo 12-1
A family affair with Pete his wife and children all sailing together. They have been making real improvements this year and are getting faster and faster.
Uproar 12 (pints and a half)-1
Yet another new set of super-keen owners, the guys from Uproar take over from Frank as the class drinkers. They are getting used to the boat but making big gains in the Wednesday night series. They are all seasoned dinghy/cat racers so are good round the course.
Firebird - fallen at the first fence
Unfortunately Firebird will not be on the startline this year as they had a slight mishap with a big mollusc (an 18-ton Oyster) falling on their boat before the season started. Now with a new rig on order, she will not make the event but will be there in spirit.
YOUR BOAT HERE?
It's not too late to come and join in! Enter online at www.impala28.co.uk