Albacore Nationals at Lyme Regis Sailing Club

Albacore nationals at Lyme Regis © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

England’s Lyme Bay tamed by American Barney

Forty five Albacores gathered at Lyme Regis SC for the 2010 National championships on the 16-18th July. High winds and broken waves meant no racing was possible on day 1 so the fleet chatted and tweaked in the boat park with a few braving the spray along the famous Cobb.

When racing started on day 2 the wind had dropped to around 20 knots and American Ace, Barney Harris with crew David Byron quickly showed their intent with two wins and a fifth closely followed by 2009 National Champions Will Gulliver and Steve Graham who led overnight with a 3,2,1 score.

Michael McNamara and crew Felicity Foulds were close behind as were current European Champions Judy and Paul Armstrong. Competition throughout the fleet was tight with many of the pond sailors getting their first taste of some pretty big waves as captured by Mike Rice of Fotoboat.

Following the AGM on Saturday night LRSC hosted an excellent BBQ supported with plenty of beer.

Some of the party people were still rubbing their eyes on Sunday morning when it appeared balloons had grown on one of the boats so it was a relief to find out it was to celebrate Michael McNamara’s birthday (and his election as Chairman of the National Albacore Association).

Racing got underway with similar wind and waves and the same American crew at the front of the fleet for all three races. There were some new faces chasing with Rob Lyne and Peter Grey grabbing a second . The conditions had a big impact on the fleet with at least two bent masts and plenty of bruises and capsizes.

Overall Harris and Byron were crowned worthy winners with Gulliver and Graham runners up. They were closely followed by McNamara and Foulds with the Armstrongs taking forth . At the prize giving the competitors thanked Lyme Regis SC for a well run event and wondered just what they have to do to beat Mr. Harris next year when the fleet heads north to Llandudno.

Overall Results:
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