Sonata Nationals at Strangford Lough Yacht Club
by Robert Darnley 2 Sep 2008 17:36 BST
18-22 August 2008
Action from the Sonata nationals on Strangford Lough © Philip Gas
Although it is now 30 years since the Hunter Sonata was first launched and nearly 25 since the last was built, the class can still provide exciting one design racing as participants at the annual British National Championship, held this year at Strangford Lough Yacht Club in Northern Ireland can attest.
Sailing in a variety of conditions over the five days of the event from 18-22 August a new Champion emerged. David Boatman from Sunderland YC sailed Blue Tack with a crew consisting of his sons. From the start they showed a form they retained throughout the series, winning seven of the nine races including the distance race around Strangford Lough, where local knowledge had been expected to give the home crews an advantage. Despite Boatman’s clear command of the event, Sonata racing is very tight; for example, the distance race lasted more than 3 hours but all boats finished within 5 minutes of each other.
Competition for the runners-up places was intense with the ranking for 2nd-5th places changing completely on the last day of the series. Second overall was High & Dry helmed by Martin Price from Lake District BC. Third place was taken by Neil McLure in So from Dalgety Bay SC and the top placed boat from the host club was SLYC’s Mouse, helmed by Ian Smyth.
Strangford Lough is a Marine Nature Reserve and an area of outstanding natural beauty. All competitors enjoyed the idyllic setting and the craic laid on by SLYC, Charles Hurst Motors, Ards Tourism and the other sponsors.
Full results can be found at www.sonata.org.uk/events/pdf/nat2008results.pdf