Dart 18 TT at Whitstable Yacht Club
by Robert Govier 19 May 2010 17:36 BST
8-9 May 2010
Nine local and twenty five visiting boats entered the second Dart 18 open of 2010. Held at Whitstable Yacht Club, conditions proved excellent with a strong North Easterly breeze, and all six races were sailed over the two days.
There was close racing at the front of the fleet on day one. Three points separated the top three boats, with Will Thompson and Catherine Farthing from Dee Sailing Club in the lead at the end of the day. Consistent with its reputation, Whitstable Yacht Club entertained the fleet in style on Saturday night with a curry and live band. The sailors had a great time, partying into the early hours!
After coming in joint second on the first day, Dan Norman and Melanie Rogers kicked off the second day with two firsts, and then beat Will and Catherine to third place in the final race to take the win overall. Top placed Whitstable boat was sailed by Chris Brown and Sarah Wren who came in tenth.
The class now looks forward to an exciting series of opens over the summer, building up to the Dart 18 World Championships on 21st to 27th August at the 2012 Olympic venue in Weymouth!
Overall Results: (top five)
1st 7788, Dan Norman & Melanie Rogers (Sheppey YC) 11pts
2nd 7707, Will Thompson & Catherine Farthing (Dee SC) 13pts
3rd 7770, Alan Kernick & Fiona Kernick 15pts
4th 7810, Marco Manganelli & Rachel Foster (Stokes Bay) 18pts
5th 4634, Laurie Draper & Ellie Draper (Stokes Bay) 25pts