505 UK National Championship at the WPNSA

505 Nationals at the WPNSA © UK 505 Association

505 Nationals at the WPNSA © UK 505 Association

505 Nationals at the WPNSA © UK 505 Association

The British 5o5 National Championship took place at WNPSA between the 23rd & 27th of July The conditions where variable to say the least the sailing was outstanding and the competition was some of the toughest in the UK this year. With competitors coming from the USA Germany, Cannada and Australia the fleet was truly international. In attendance were several top ten finishers at the worlds earlier in the year including the current world champion Mike Holt who was sailing with his 2014 worlds winning crew Rob Wolfel.

Day 1

Competitors enjoyed a leisurely sail out to the starting area in roughly 10 knts of breeze. Racing got under way promptly and saw Mike & Rob open there account with a bullet but only after having to overhaul Class newcomers Tom Gillard and Richard Anderton. In third place were Ian Pinnell and Alex Davis.

Race 2 and it was business as usual for Holt and Wolfel who are currently the world's most dominant force in 5o5 sailing. In second place were Andy Smith and Tim Needham, third place was Howie Hamlin and Jeff Nelson from the USA.

In the evening there were welcome drinks and a large buffet for competitors.

Day 2

The started and continued quiet differently from the previous day, Driving rain, big seas and sustained gusts of 27knts saw for some epic sailing and a number of breakages that were only outnumbered by the smiles on the faces of those who enjoyed the racing.

Race 1 had to be abandoned at the leeward mark due to a large wind shift. A brave call by PRO Mark Darling and team. And clearly the correct call one that speaks volumes of the quality of race management at WNPSA and the worlds next year.

When the race was restarted it saw Andy smith & Tim Needham race into a commanding lead showing the boats speed that had brought them close to a world's victory in 2014. 2nd was Holt & Wolfel 3rd Gillard and Anderton. This pattern was repeated in the next race with the same order and boats in the top three.

Race 5 the third and last of the day saw Holt and Wolfel back on top with Hamlin and Nelson in 2nd. 3rd place went to Ian Pinnell & Alex Davis. Smith and Needham suffered with spinnaker issues and more seriously Tim injured himself, which in turn ruled him out of the rest of the competition.

Day 3

A new day and it had stop raining and started shining, the wind was still blowing and the stage was set for some champagne sailing of the first order.

Races 6 & 7 saw Holt and Wolfel stamp their mark on the championship and secure victory in an impressive manner. Even more impressive when considering that the lowest placed Olympian finished the regatta in 8th.

Hamlin & Nelson finished 2nd in both races to Holt & Wolfel securing 2nd overall and demonstrating the consistency that has seen them at the top of international dinghy racing for so long.

Andy smith pulled in Neil Hunter to crew for him and finished the day with a 9th & and 3rd a more than respectable score for a scratch crew.

Paul Brotherton and Mark Andrews finished the day with a 3rd & 4th and started to demonstrate good speed in their new boat.

The competitors enjoyed and great BBQ put on by the staff and WPNSA and a few light refreshments.

Day 4

And the rain was back in ad-vengeance this time with more wind. The fleet launched in 20-25knts only to turn back in gusts of 42 knots and so ended the championships. A number of boats are off to Sweden for the Europeans starting on 4-8 August well worth checking out the website for that event as there will be GPS tracking.

505 Nationals at the WPNSA - photo © UK 505 Association

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the 505 nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here