Most Competitive Nationals / Euros?

Simple question but tricky to answer - which class has the most competitive national championships? The criteria for 'most competitive' is probably open to interpretation but I guess fleet size, number of champions from other classes, number of olympic/squad sailors, number of sailing makers involved etc etc..I guess in terms of leadmines it would be the sb3 but what about dinghies..

The reason for the Q was that I was idly browsing this site and saw an early report from the Solo class nationals. Quite a competitive fleet at my local pond but few (if any) made the long drag north - but a class that gets a poor rep on here for 'coffin dodging' - look at the top ten after the 1st day.

1st Charlie Cumberly   - Finn hotshot (still?)
2nd Jim Hunt - Purple Sails, Multiple Champ
3rd Andy Davies - Speed Sails, Ditto
4th Steve Cockerill - Rooser, Ditto
5th Alister Morley - ?
6th Kevan Gibb - Former Wayfarer Nat Champ
7th Lee Sydenham - Former RS200 Nat Champ
8th Simon Hoult - ?
9th Andrew Bonsey - ?
10th Ian Pinnell - Pinnell & Bax, Multiple Champ




Edited by laser4000

The Fireball class always attracts a lot of top helms and crews at Nationals and European (and World) level.

There is no helm.crew combination that has dominated the class with the names at the top of the pile constantly changing.

Being a double handed boat it does mean that you cannot simply jump in to it and do well though, it takes a bit of practice.

I'd say you also need to think about size and depth of the fleet and that some fleets HAVE to have qualifiers and limits.

F18 worlds this yer were limited to 180 boats.  I bet they could have got 300 if they had wanted (I would have borrowed a boat if I could have "just turn up and race").

It was very much a "who's who" of cat sailing.

Off the top of my head the Merlins always seem to have a lot of good sailors. I think Charlie works for North Sails now.

I think some classes are easier to sail than others and as such tempt pros/pot hunters to jump in and have a go ... other classes where boat handling is more challenging don't see this happening or if they do they don't do well.

I'd say any mainstream class championship is difficult to win once the fleet is over 30/40 ...