Suntouched D-Zero National Championship at Highcliffe SC - Overall

Suntouched D-Zero Nationals at Highcliffe © Sarah Desjonqueres

Suntouched D-Zero Nationals at Highcliffe © Sarah Desjonqueres

Morgan crowned as new champion

Highcliffe SC were treated this weekend to the fantastic spectacle of 41 D-Zeros sponsored by Suntouched Sailboats and their co-sponsor Harken, assembled in Christchurch Bay tuned, prepped and poised to compete in their National Championship.

Raced over 3 days, day 1 caused the most excitement with 2 races sailed back to back in blustery conditions and a fairly sizeable swell. For the greater part of competitors, more used to inland water racing, this brought with it its own set of challenges and come race 2 there was a fair collection of polished white hulls glistening upside down in the waves.

But on day 1, both races belonged to Hill Head's Morgan and Shotwick's Hensall who relished the opportunity to surf down the waves, bagging a 1,1 and 2,2 in both races respectively. Not so much fun was had by some however, race 2 ended with a broken mast, a broken rudder and 11 DNFs, which paints quite a picture of the race conditions. Epic was the word bandied about in the clubhouse after.

Day 2 brought a mixed bag of weather conditions but far less mountainous seas. By request, a trapezoid course was laid on, with 3 races back to back, all raced under the watchful eye of the VRsportTV media cameras. Lighter winds saw championship leader Morgan slip down the field to 7th in the first race of the day which was taken easily by Restronguet's Scullion. As the wind filled in and the waves began to return for race 4, the lead pack of competitors changed position slightly, with Morgan back in the top 3 and chasing down a flying Scullion. As the fleet materialized from the haze of a squall to shoot around the windward mark and scream off out to the wing mark, it was still Scullion ahead handing him, at the end of the chase, his second win of the championship.

Suntouched D-Zero Nationals at Highcliffe - photo © Sarah Desjonqueres

Race 5 and the wind ramped up a little more, playing straight into the hands of Morgan, who finally managed to squeak past Scullion and swap race positions giving him his 3rd first place win with Scullion close behind and Barnt Green's Lennox coming in 3rd. Post race chat noted the kinder sailing conditions compared with day 1 had delivered a significantly reduced upturned hull count and no DNFs recorded!

The last day saw the final 3 races return to the familiar triangular course with a beat long enough to try even the fittest of legs. Race 6 produced a new winner in the form of ex contender sailor Datchet's Jones who never relinquished the lead he had earned after the first beat, leaving Grafham's Wigmore to take 2nd and Morgan 3rd.

Suntouched D-Zero Nationals at Highcliffe - photo © Sarah Desjonqueres

The wind, in a changeable mood on Sunday, demanded a quick shunt round of the racing triangle by 30 degrees for race 7, but the race team gave no leeway on the lengthy but perfect beat which this time split the fleet right down the middle. Like the race before, a new face took the top spot as Exe's Horlock took line honours ahead of Scullion with Morgan again placing 3rd.

The last race of the championship, as the sailors began to tire after 3 hard days hiking, surfing and for some, uprighting their dinghies, the sun came out and race 8 finished where race 1 had started, Morgan making his presence felt from the beginning and ending his campaign with a win, Henshall crossing the line second with Scullion close behind.

Suntouched D-Zero Nationals at Highcliffe - photo © Sarah Desjonqueres

With 8 races completed and 2 discards, the full Championship race honours went to Ian Morgan who proudly received the fabulous new David Summerville Trophy and the title of D-Zero National Champion 2016.

For further information please see www.highcliffesailing.co.uk, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Overall Results: