Wanderer Nationals at Whitstable Yacht Club

Wanderer Nationals at Whitstable © Terry Pullen

Wanderer Nationals at Whitstable © Terry Pullen

A 19-strong fleet attended under the burgee of Whitstable YC and additional kind sponsorship of Hartley Laminates over the gloriously warm and sunny weekend of July 10/11. Conditions were ideal for the three Saturday Olympic course races. Competition at the front of the fleet was intense and after the first three races only three points (after discard) separated the first five boats –comprising the two Barrs, Gavin crewed by Mark Skipper and son Tim crewed by Ali Nicholson, Paul Yeadon/Liz North, Mike Hamilton/David Oats, and Philip & Jill Meadowcroft. There were three separate race winners but that did not include, surprisingly, Gavin Barr (who bagged a pair of seconds) and Philip, less surprisingly, who took a third and a fourth.

The Sunday racing comprised two passage races – outward to Faversham Creek (hopefully with time for a quick half in the Shipwright’s Arms) and then returning back to Whitstable.

The race to Faversham Creek set off at a blistering pace in a SSW F4 and a sharp chop against the incoming tide. The day’s previous leaders, Mike Hamilton, both the Barrs, and Paul Yeadon powered their way westwards on the long so-so port hand beats only to tack and face starboard beats usually running parallel to the ever-increasing swell. The fleet became widely spread – some even returning for more bacon sarnies on WYC’s verandha – as Tim Barr and Ali Nicholson added another win by a substantial margin from Tim’s father, Gavin. Mark Fagg/Ian Hender and Steve and Craig Searle in their brand new Hartley Laminates Wanderer put up a particularly creditable show and at the line were separated by Paul Yeadon/Liz North.

The return passage race to Whitstable started, mercifully, after the tide had begun to ebb and the SWW wind had eased slightly. After a shortish but aggressively sailed first windward beat, the Meadowcrofts led the fleet around the mark to start the long white-knuckle spinnaker ride back to WYC. Tim Barr and Ali Nicholson duly took over at the front. The course required the fleet to leave to starboard a mark positioned about half way between WYC and Pollard Spit and, with the sea becoming lumpy again, the risk of a nasty broach was becoming all too evident as Tim’s wobble testified. Paul Yeadon and Mark Fagg spent some time inspecting their slot gaskets as the fleet scooted past them. Gavin Barr, Mike Hamilton, and Steve Searle, having gone left after the windward mark, took the longer route but had the benefit of starting the brisk broad reach to the finish earlier than Barr junior and the trailing Meadowcrofts. Not surprisingly, then, Gavin past Tim, the Searles retained their third spot, and Mike flew past Philip late on a final screaming spray-blown reach at speeds which they will rarely exceed in the future.

Getting the better of his son at the close of the final race in which four boats could have won the event overall, allowed Gavin Barr and Mark Skipper to regain their crown as Wanderer National Champions by the narrowest of margins. And Steve and Craig Searle deservedly won the Dolphin Sails Cup for the best second day’s results compared to the previous day.

A magnificent weekend reliably and enthusiastically hosted by WYC and Race Officer John Boorman. His Committee Boat and rescue teams had a busy time. And, essential to all Wanderer weekend events, WYC’s chunky coq au vin on Saturday evening went down a treat. Clare Skipper won the Wanderer Frog Racing Championship held on the verandha. How come there were twice as many lady contestants in the final line up as men?

Overall Results:
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