CurraDinghy 420 Nationals at Brightlingsea Sailing Club

420 nationals at Brightlingsea © Chris Brown

Prize winners at the 420 nationals held at Brightlingsea © Lesley Foskett

A fantastic sailing event was enjoyed by 57 teams and their families enhanced by the great hospitality of Brightlingsea Sailing Club.

Keen to optimise their performance 12 teams signed up to the pre event training run by Jonny McGovern, the class coach for the week, and Ben Ainsworth. From newbies to youth squad sailors, all enjoyed the sunshine and super sailing conditions.

The adjacent campsite proved popular with the marina apartments providing the luxury accommodation (late discovery by the coaching team).

For the uninitiated Brightlingsea Sailing club is a friendly organised members club who focus on providing great sailing and a welcoming atmosphere on shore. All their team worked extremely hard to host such a successful event.

As Saturday arrived, teams unloaded their kit in a semi organised fashion on the local field, IBI established measurement headquarters and CurraDinghy their chandlery base. Sailors flew in from USA/Ireland whilst others were still on the road post worlds/euros event. Time was needed for those new to the class to fathom the set up whilst ex champions Phil Sparks/Ben Gratton and Veteran competitor and YS coach Neil Marsden were rather more slick.

The practice race... well had they ever met tide like this before? At least 20 BFD with a strong tide underneath then.

Our gratitude to BSC as they and the local dignitaries hosted the Commodores’ reception to open the event.

The weather systems then started the usual event challenging behaviour and even the sunshine coast didn’t avoid the elements. Torrential rain and howling gales overnight left wet tents and wary sailors; some very cautiously rigging and avoiding the tally gate. AP for strong wind gave time for Jonny to brief and reassure the fleet and remind them about the tidal conditions! By 1200 race 1 was underway—everyone launched under the W flag and only one returned to shore. Sea state remained stable and small with 14-19 gusting 22 through the day with bigger seas and a big wind shift on the beat of the final race. With good race management and slick mark laying the course was quickly altered to allow the race to finish in the 25 knots and big swell. 36 boats manage d to cross the finish line before all headed swiftly to shelter ashore. Numerous muddy main sails could be seen within the fleet. So 3 races complete and all clear starts, often under BFD. Of course the sun came out for the Hawaiian BBQ evening-exhaustion led to tempered outfits but awards go to the Welsh girls for their colourful flamboyant attire. Winners Phil/Ben race 1 & 2 with local guys and recent 29er champions Dave Conlon/Ed Gibbons winning race 3.

Tuesday blue skies, 17 knots, 12 noon high tide..wonderful Race team launched as wind builds. Coastal weather warnings and wind farm workers called to shore...AP over A. A great call the wind definitely filled in –gusting 40 later with cyclists and walkers leaning side wards. So chillin on shore in advance of an extremely well supported AGM where lots of opinions were offered.

Wednesday promised sunshine and light winds. Race 4 started 6knots SW but after the first loop the wind dropped to 2knots, shifting right causing half the fleet to invert, hence abandoned. After a significant wait the SW filled again, at 11 knots with light rain. With a constant breeze three races were run, however with the later sailing the knot of tide pushing them over the line proved challenging. Numerous black flags through the day. Winners Toby Morsley/Matt Wallis, Mike/Hermione and Tim/Ed.

The socials go on: great theme-dress as something beginning with the first letter of your name. Hence a superb Anna the Avatar , Nia the Nemo, Mummy Mike, James and Joe the jellyfish. Just a splattering of body paint for the mummies to hose off the washrooms the next day.

Thursday Race 7 clear start on a P flag, SW 15 gusting 20; Race 8 started under black flag, 20 knots with building winds. Coastguard reports again suggested an imminent F7, big black creations in the sky looming. The PRO chose caution and responsibility: AP over A for the day. Winners Phil/Ben both races.

This gave plenty of time for the famous black tie dinner preparations! Nail polish, hair straightners,..blew those campsite electrics again. BSC again came up trumps and provided a black tie, 3 course meal for 150 guests. Incredibly smart gear! 107/114 entrants attended. Retreat by the sailors to their ‘social dance’ room.

3 points now separating the top 3 teams going into Friday so all to sail for.

Friday: a superb final sailing day. Rain over, blue skies on the way. 14 knots building to 20, this time from the north so tide pushing the sailors over the line. Champagne sailing, 3 races, some choosing port flyers whilst others chose to go right to the deep channel. Even the Red Arrows thought it worthy of a quick display over head. Winners Mike/Hermione, Neil/Flora and Phil/Ben.

Brightlingsea, as can been seen on the boards around the clubhouse, has produced many champion sailors. The nature of the venue with its combined tides from the Blackwater and the Colne along with its deep channel and shallow flats makes for challenging strategy. If you can master sailing here you are well equipped to perform well elsewhere. 420 sailors learnt lots!

Our thanks to headline sponsor CurraDinghy with other prizes from North sails and Banks sails.

Next year: Pwllheli so sign up soon! Not to be missed.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the 420 nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here