Wayfarer National Championship at Medway Yacht Club

2016 Wayfarer Nationals at Medway © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Wayfarer Nationals at Medway © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Thirty-one entries took part in a variety of conditions which created challenges for the race team and competitors alike.

Day 1

A practice race, followed by Races 1 and 2 were on the menu, with a forecast of 6-8 knots of breeze and some rain. The committee boat disappeared down river to the race area looking for wind and postponed the start. Meanwhile, the competitors ashore enjoyed the mother of all rain/thunderstorms forcing them to take cover in the club house. Some flash flooding occurred in nearby Rochester and at Medway Yacht Club itself where squeegees and mops were used to clear away surface water. Unfortunately, the storm drove away the wind and after three hours of waiting all racing was postponed for the day.

Day 2

The Sailing Instructions were amended so that Races 1-4 would be sailed. The forecast was for 7-10 knots of wind from the North West and racing took place in Long Reach just downriver of the power station, in a rather shifty northwesterly(ish) wind. A start line with a strong pin end bias and competitors eager to get away after the previous day's frustrations, were the cause of a few general recalls and the deployment of the black flag which caught out the unwary in Race 4. Triangle/sausage courses were the order of the day although the course for Race 4 was a windward/leeward course. The ebbing cross tide caused problems for a few competitors at mark roundings. Most competitors struggled to achieve consistent results, but after the first 4 races, former champions Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend led on 13 points, followed by Neil Collingridge and Anne Spalding on 14 points, Len Jones and Jamie Lee on 17 points and John and Jamie Clemetson on 18 points. Race wins were shared by Michael McNamara, Neil Collingridge and Len Jones. After three hours of racing, the fleet sailed slowly home against a weakening wind and strengthening ebb tide. Competitors and guests ended their day with a drinks reception and enjoyable dinner in the clubhouse.

Wayfarer Nationals at Medway - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Day 3

Day three dawned with an encouraging forecast of 12-15 knots of breeze from the South West which meant that the race area was in Pinup Reach. The racing schedule was amended again to complete Races 6,7 and 8 which would allow the 2nd discard to kick in. All three races followed a triangle/sausage configuration. In reality, the wind was at times slightly stronger than forecast and the race team gave the fleet three very physical 50 minute races. The wind was sufficiently strong to cause the occasional capsize, and it was notable that the heavier or fitter crews tended to come to the fore. The lighter crews suffered somewhat. Len Jones and Jamie Lee started where they had left off the previous day, winning race 6. Race 7 was won by David Wade and John Meadowcroft who were having a better day. The final race was won by Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend, neatly bookending the event as they had won the first race too.

Wayfarer Nationals at Medway - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Once again the UK Wayfarer Champions are Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend. The Club Team Trophy was won by Bough Beech Sailing Club with three boats in the top 10 positions overall. Monica Schaefer and Miriam McCarthy from Greystones Sailing Club won the Hartley Boats Overseas Trophy.

Wayfarer Nationals at Medway - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Medway Yacht Club would like to thank Chesley Storage, Hartley Boats, Hyde Sails, Craftinsure, Energy Solutions, Pirates Cave and Shepherd Neame for their generous support and look forward to hosting a UK Wayfarer Class event again very soon.

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