Hunter Formula One Nationals at Rutland Sailing Club

Kingfisher leads the way during day 3 of the Hunter Formula One nationals at Rutland © Liz Bonar

The Kingfisher team win the Hunter Formula One nationals at Rutland (l to r: Nick Verdino, Chris Wright, Josh Wilce & Olly Wilce) © Liz Bonar

Rutland SC once again hosted the Hunter Formula One National Championships over the long weekend of 26-28 June. A strong fleet of 13 boats took part in the event with visiting boats War Department and Flossie from Windermere, Phantom Menace from Lyme Regis and Growler from Bridlington. They joined 9 home boats from the ever growing Formula 1 fleet at Rutland Sailing Club.

2 Races were sailed on Day 1; the wind was a very shifty 10-12 knots with some very big snakes and ladders and gradually died off as the afternoon went on. Defending Champion Paul Harkness sailing War Department from Lake District Boat Club won Race 1 very closely chased by Bruce Bonar from Rutland SC sailing Tearaway. Race 2 was sailed in a lighter breeze and Chris Wright sailing Kingfisher from Rutland SC took the win followed again by Tearaway. As has become the norm in the Formula 1 fleet there was very close racing throughout the whole fleet with positions changing regularly. A slightly damp fleet returned to the comfort of the RSC clubhouse and enjoyed copious amounts of Pimms in the evening sunshine having had a great day's racing.

Day 2 dawned with the lake shrouded in mist and the fleet waited patiently for a gentle breeze to fill in. Gentle it certainly was and Race 2 started in a 2-4 knot breeze that gradually disappeared as the fleet slowly inched their way up the first beat. Paul Bancroft sailing Tenacious from Rutland SC took the right hand corner of the course and crept to a convincing victory as the race was shortened at the first windward mark after over 45 minutes of painfully slow sailing! Kingfisher took a good second place, with Tearaway third and Mike Harte sailing Premier Cu from Rutland SC posting a very good 4th place. With the wind now non existent the fleet were towed back to the club for lunch. As forecast the breeze stayed away all afternoon and all crews enjoyed a very relaxed and socialable afternoon on the balcony. Saturday evening saw the RSC Summer Ball with a Caribbean theme and special mentions must be made of Tim Stones crew of Growler from Royal Yorkshire YC for their pirate theme and Chris Burtons crew on Whiskey Mac from Rutland SC for their ‘sailing best’ theme! Much rum punch was consumed by all with the forecast for day 3 not looking that great at all.

Day 3 dawned with some(!) sore heads, less mist but absolutely no breeze. With all crews breakfasted a gentle breeze was stirring and all boats were quickly afloat for a prompt 10am start close to the club. The breeze was fitful but three races were completed testing the nerves, patience and light air skills of all the crews. Kingfisher and Apocalypse were the stand out performers of day three posting three 1sts and three 2nds respectively .Both had exceptional pace in the light breezes, top notch boat handling and made good sound decisions. Tearaway posted two 3rds and a 4th with Tenacious and War Department both showing moments of brilliance as well.

Kingfisher won the event with a race to spare and wrestled the Formula One National Championships Trophy away from the Lake District crew of Paul Harkness for the first time in four years. Chris Wright and his team of Josh Wilce, Olly Wilce and Nick Verdino were worthy and very popular winners of the event. Apocalypse finished the event in second place on count back from Tearaway in third giving the host club a clean sweep of the prizes.

Thanks must go to Paul Bancroft and Nick Bett from the Formula One Class Association for their organization of the event and huge thanks from everyone to the race team of Chris and James Hadden for managing to run as many races as they did in such challenging and tricky conditions – thanks guys – a good job very well done! The Formula One fleet are due to meet next at Windermere in October where I’m sure the locals will be keen to get one back over the visitors!

Overall Results: