Suntouched D-One National Championship at Highcliffe Sailing Club

Suntouched D-One Nationals at Highcliffe © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Suntouched D-One Nationals at Highcliffe © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

This year's Suntouched D-One National Championship took the class to Highcliffe Sailing Club. 18 contestants rolled up to the first start on Friday 19th June.

The conditions couldn't have been more perfect for the first race, with full south coast sunshine and a 15 + kt sea breeze building from the southwest, having fought off a gusty northwest gradient. With the pre-race nerves pumping adrenalin to maximum levels all helms were eager to test each other's finely honed fitness and intelligent boat handling skills as the starting gun went. After a gruelling 3 laps and numerous swims throughout the fleet, Nick Craig came home first followed by Nick Simmons and Martin Browne.

As the fleet recovered between races there were smiles all round at the pure enjoyment of the racing... mixed with grimaces as we summoned the energy to do it all again. Race 2 became a bit crowded at the committee boat as the pushing tide caught some out. The 'P' word was cried by the infringed. Some say it was coincidence, others divine intervention, but the call for protest was immediately followed by a 90 deg shift in the wind and abandonment of racing for the rest of the day.

That led us to ponder, over our 3 course meal laid on by Highcliffe Sailing Club and paid for generously by Suntouched Sailboats, the prospect of 4 races on Saturday.

The morning met us with a fresh southwest breeze and race 2 saw Nicks fill out the top 3 with a Craig - Simmons 1-2 again and Nick Orman sailing well to come in 3rd. Simmons having the measure of Craig until the very last gybe.

Suntouched D-One Nationals at Highcliffe - photo © Tim Olin

Race 3 was still fresh but the breeze had switched more southerly making the course a bit 1 sided. Its was Simon Heusen, who proved he had the legs for a 1 legged beat coming in behind Craig, on his way to post a full run of firsts, and ahead of Humphrey Carter.

Then, in the middle of race 4, the wind pulled another 'wobbly', dropping to almost nothing and pulling a full 360 before filling in again. Some gained well from the interlude, others got so confused early dementia set in. Giles Chipperfield was one of the former in 2nd and Chairman Tim Garvin posting his finest result of the championship in 3rd.

The breeze was up again in the final race of the day and the race committee was mindful of our aching limbs, prescribing a welcomed 3 laps instead of 4. Chipperfield continued his fine pace; showing that set up and handling of the D-One can out perform shear mass, posting 2nd again ahead of Simmons.

After the shortest night of the year we welcomed the sun again to revive our sore bodies on the longest day of the year and the last of this year's Suntouched National Championship. The wind was once again fresh but from the northwest. This meant some large puffs and big shifts coming off the cliff. Conditions that would have suited pond sailors, had it not been for the choppy and confused sea.

Suntouched D-One Nationals at Highcliffe - photo © Tim Olin

Race 6, Craig again, consistent with another first that took him to 6 in total and the Suntouched D-One Nationals crown. The battle for second was fought between Carter and Simon Hawkes, finishing in that order.

But in Race 7 it was Hawkes who got the lead and put in the total performance in he'd shown flashes of all weekend. Fittingly he got the bullet followed by Simmons and Carter.

The weekend concluded with all competitors receiving a coveted D-One mug at the prize giving, kindly donated by our sponsor Suntouched, who has supported the class very well this year and we thank them. Spinlock supplied some of their latest "Wing" buoyancy aids that went to overall winner Nick Craig, Masters Winner, Giles Chipperfield, and Northern winner, and our furthest travelled friend, Ken Ward.

Many thanks to all competitors for coming to the event. Everyone put in a great effort and the competition was tough throughout the fleet. A big thanks to Highcliffe SC and their race officers, safety boat and catering personnel for their smooth running of some great racing and lovely meals.

We look forward to the rest of the season, which takes us to the Gold Cup in Travemunde and Europeans in Riva del Garda. Lymington Regatta is the next event in the travellers series followed by a trip to the Isle of Wight, to be part of the new asymmetric event held at Gurnard in September. The Inland Nationals will be held at Queen Mary SC in October.

Overall Results: