Lark Belle Isle Travellers at Pagham Yacht Club

The Lark Class returned to Pagham YC for the first time in many years for round 5 of the Belle Isle Travellers Circuit. The weekend was shared with the National 12s and proved to be a big hit with the class despite the light winds.

After a postponement the racing got underway. Nigel Hufton sailing with Katie Linnaker sailed masterfully to win race one by some distance from the chasing pack. Katie was delighted to win her first race ever. National Champions Alan Krailing & Ed McArdle came home second. The second race on Saturday saw new pairing Steve Dunn & Toby Lewis come good after a disappointing first race to win from the Silver Fleet challenge of Matt Stearn & Adam Owens.

After a pretty big night at the club many woke nursing sore heads on the Sunday morning. Conditions on Sunday proved to be marginally lighter than the Saturday with a few extra holes to catch out the unwary.

Bronze fleet sailors and class super-fly weights Holly Hewatt & Ally Dart made full use of the patchy conditions by overhauling early race leader Harry Pynn & Spanni Archer to take their first ever Lark race win from Steve Cumley & Eluned Jones in second.

Steve & Toby produced another great display to win the fourth race from the other light wind specialists, Silver Fleeters, Stu & Julia Allen. Continuing there form from race three, Holly & Ally claimed third place. There was still much to play for in the final race. Chris Fish & Beth Condie finally got it together to win from Steve & Toby and Matt & Adam in third.

After a very difficult weekend where many of the Bronze and Silver fleet sailors showed the Gold fleet the way around Steve Dunn & Toby Lewis won from Steve Cumley & Eluned Jones. Chris Fish & Beth Condie winning the final race ensured they took third. Matt Stearn & Adam Owens sailed a very consistent series to finish in fourth place overall. Holly & Ally finished in 9th overall to win the very competitive Bronze Fleet.

The Larks would like to thank Pagham YC for their hospitality and look forward to returning to this great coastal venue next year. The next Lark event takes place at the class Mecca that is Rock, Cornwall on the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Overall Results:

1st 2264 Steve Dunn & Toby Lewis (Waldringfield SC)
2nd 2496 Steve Cumley & Eluned Jones (Barnt Green SC)
3rd 2494 Chris Fish & Beth Condie (Waldringfield SC)
4th 2444 Matt Stearn & Adam Owens (Waldringfield SC)
5th 2464 Alan Krailing & Ed McArdle (Waldringfield SC)
6th 2301 Stuart & Julia Allen (Banbury SC)

1st Bronze 2442 Holly Hewatt & Alison Dart (Medway YC)

Lark Crew Shortage!

There are a number of helms in the Lark Class looking for good, experienced crews this year. If you would be interesting in crewing a Lark please contact register@larkclass.org letting us know what experience you have and we will endeavour to find a helm for you to sail with.