1720 UK Nationals at Neyland Yacht Club, South Wales

The 1720 UK Nationals took place in the Cleddau Estuary, South Wales at the weekend. 28 yachts from Wales, England and Ireland enjoyed some fantastic racing over two days with an amazing contrast in conditions.

Saturday racing was delayed to allow the 30 knot winds to subside but the wind speed had only dipped to 20-25 knots as the fleet beat up the estuary from Neyland Marina to the race area between Dale Point and Sandy Haven.

The racing was electric and right on the edge for the 1720’s; wipeouts and near misses were common place as the fleet battled with the conditions as well as each other. These boats require serious grunt in big breeze with their huge sail area.

The conditions saw several contenders retiring but at the end of 4 races the rest of the fleet went through the last finish line hoisting their spinnakers downwind back to the marina at Neyland. There were eight yachts still in the hunt which shows the class of the fleet - Gul, G&T, Key Yachting, Twister, Boats.com, Splash Test Dummies, Antix and Aquatack.

All of these yachts still had a chance of winning the event. At the dockside the atmosphere of the class has a real family feel to it.

Screwdrivers were being loaned and shackles being borrowed. An offer by a crewman to go and get bottled water from the supermarket aimed at all the boats. Tips and tricks were being discussed not by crews individually but as a whole.

This was a delight to see, the 1720 racing is top class with some of the best sailors in the UK and Ireland and on the water there is no quarter given or taken but off the water they are pooling their skill and resources, improving each other to and the quality of the competition. This may be a one design class but in terms of boat handling and expertise it is very much a developing one.

Sunday saw light winds in total contrast to the previous day, whilst the conditions were calmer the rivalry on the water intensified with plenty of yachting style punch ups going on, always within the rules but on occasions very close to breaking them.

Mike Budd sailing Gul was leading the regatta and was the main recipient of some severe bullying on virtually every start, carrying a retirement from the first day made him an obvious target.

Glenn Bourke, the European champion helming Key Yachting and Andrew McLelland on Splash Test Dummies both tried to put Gul over in the first two starts but both of the aggressors had the tables turned on them and ended up over the line themselves. Mike Budd showing why he is nicknamed ‘King of the Pin’!

By the last race of the day the battle for first place was down to two yachts, Gul was leading but G&T could oust them if they could put them back to 7th.

With 4 minutes to go in the last race G&T helmed by Rob Greenhalgh got on the tail of Gul and sailed them up to windward and managed to force Gul around the end, only to find a ball of boats blocking G&T’s path to the line.

Gul went right up the beat and G&T chose the left, the two boats were virtually head to head all the way up the beat with nothing between them and more importantly Gul was still lying far enough up the fleet to win the regatta. As the windward mark approached Gul tacked under G&T.

At this point the regatta was decided.

G&T had spotted a large patch of weed just to the right of the windward mark and luffed Gul right into the thick of it, narrowly missing it themselves. G&T made huge gains on the run over Gul as their boat speed was severely hampered by the effects of the weed clinging to the hull; flossing and even backing up did not cure the problem as Gul was passed by many boats in this highly competitive fleet. From there on in G&T loosely covered Gul’s attempts to get back but Gul could only manage 16th and the UK 1720 National Championship was won by G&T.

It was quite apt that the event was won by G&T; the six crew was composed of four of the Greenhalgh family, (David, Peter, Rob and Libby) as well as Becci Eplett and Leslie Ryan. On shore a fifth member of the Greenhalgh family Judith proudly wore her crew t-shirt entitled shore support.

The extended 1720 family is a healthy one; there is great debate and sharing amongst the members, yes there are disagreements but these tend to be resolved amongst themselves.

The next event is Cork week and that looks to be a cracker with 40 boats in the fleet. Ireland is the birth place of the 1720 and the Irish contingent will be seriously fired up for the encounter in their home waters.

The class has grown in size and stature since the last Cork week; it will be interesting to see how the racing develops. You can be sure their will be the superb camaraderie in between races which is a credit to the class and where better place to see that than within the ever hospitable confines of Crosshaven.

Overall Results: