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CurraDinghy 420 Nationals at Brightlingsea Sailing Club

by Lesley Foskett 29 Aug 2010 16:54 BST 23-27 August 2010

A fantastic sailing event was enjoyed by 57 teams and their families enhanced by the great hospitality of Brightlingsea Sailing Club.

Keen to optimise their performance 12 teams signed up to the pre event training run by Jonny McGovern, the class coach for the week, and Ben Ainsworth. From newbies to youth squad sailors, all enjoyed the sunshine and super sailing conditions.

The adjacent campsite proved popular with the marina apartments providing the luxury accommodation (late discovery by the coaching team).

For the uninitiated Brightlingsea Sailing club is a friendly organised members club who focus on providing great sailing and a welcoming atmosphere on shore. All their team worked extremely hard to host such a successful event.

As Saturday arrived, teams unloaded their kit in a semi organised fashion on the local field, IBI established measurement headquarters and CurraDinghy their chandlery base. Sailors flew in from USA/Ireland whilst others were still on the road post worlds/euros event. Time was needed for those new to the class to fathom the set up whilst ex champions Phil Sparks/Ben Gratton and Veteran competitor and YS coach Neil Marsden were rather more slick.

The practice race... well had they ever met tide like this before? At least 20 BFD with a strong tide underneath then.

Our gratitude to BSC as they and the local dignitaries hosted the Commodores’ reception to open the event.

The weather systems then started the usual event challenging behaviour and even the sunshine coast didn’t avoid the elements. Torrential rain and howling gales overnight left wet tents and wary sailors; some very cautiously rigging and avoiding the tally gate. AP for strong wind gave time for Jonny to brief and reassure the fleet and remind them about the tidal conditions! By 1200 race 1 was underway—everyone launched under the W flag and only one returned to shore. Sea state remained stable and small with 14-19 gusting 22 through the day with bigger seas and a big wind shift on the beat of the final race. With good race management and slick mark laying the course was quickly altered to allow the race to finish in the 25 knots and big swell. 36 boats manage d to cross the finish line before all headed swiftly to shelter ashore. Numerous muddy main sails could be seen within the fleet. So 3 races complete and all clear starts, often under BFD. Of course the sun came out for the Hawaiian BBQ evening-exhaustion led to tempered outfits but awards go to the Welsh girls for their colourful flamboyant attire. Winners Phil/Ben race 1 & 2 with local guys and recent 29er champions Dave Conlon/Ed Gibbons winning race 3.

Tuesday blue skies, 17 knots, 12 noon high tide..wonderful Race team launched as wind builds. Coastal weather warnings and wind farm workers called to shore...AP over A. A great call the wind definitely filled in –gusting 40 later with cyclists and walkers leaning side wards. So chillin on shore in advance of an extremely well supported AGM where lots of opinions were offered.

Wednesday promised sunshine and light winds. Race 4 started 6knots SW but after the first loop the wind dropped to 2knots, shifting right causing half the fleet to invert, hence abandoned. After a significant wait the SW filled again, at 11 knots with light rain. With a constant breeze three races were run, however with the later sailing the knot of tide pushing them over the line proved challenging. Numerous black flags through the day. Winners Toby Morsley/Matt Wallis, Mike/Hermione and Tim/Ed.

The socials go on: great theme-dress as something beginning with the first letter of your name. Hence a superb Anna the Avatar , Nia the Nemo, Mummy Mike, James and Joe the jellyfish. Just a splattering of body paint for the mummies to hose off the washrooms the next day.

Thursday Race 7 clear start on a P flag, SW 15 gusting 20; Race 8 started under black flag, 20 knots with building winds. Coastguard reports again suggested an imminent F7, big black creations in the sky looming. The PRO chose caution and responsibility: AP over A for the day. Winners Phil/Ben both races.

This gave plenty of time for the famous black tie dinner preparations! Nail polish, hair straightners,..blew those campsite electrics again. BSC again came up trumps and provided a black tie, 3 course meal for 150 guests. Incredibly smart gear! 107/114 entrants attended. Retreat by the sailors to their ‘social dance’ room.

3 points now separating the top 3 teams going into Friday so all to sail for.

Friday: a superb final sailing day. Rain over, blue skies on the way. 14 knots building to 20, this time from the north so tide pushing the sailors over the line. Champagne sailing, 3 races, some choosing port flyers whilst others chose to go right to the deep channel. Even the Red Arrows thought it worthy of a quick display over head. Winners Mike/Hermione, Neil/Flora and Phil/Ben.

Brightlingsea, as can been seen on the boards around the clubhouse, has produced many champion sailors. The nature of the venue with its combined tides from the Blackwater and the Colne along with its deep channel and shallow flats makes for challenging strategy. If you can master sailing here you are well equipped to perform well elsewhere. 420 sailors learnt lots!

Our thanks to headline sponsor CurraDinghy with other prizes from North sails and Banks sails.

Next year: Pwllheli so sign up soon! Not to be missed.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the 420 nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

PosNatSail NoHelmCrewR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9R10R11Pts
1stGBR5275Philip SPARKSBen GRATTON11-10-10621125120
2ndGBR53966Mike WOODHermione STANLEY63-134143212(DNF)26
3rdGBR53967Tim GRATTONEd RILEY2228(BFD)1236-9228
4thGBR54123James HAYWARDTim CARTER34-113236(DNF)36636
5thGBR54058Matt FOSKETTAdam WALKER4562(BFD)134712-171063
6thGBR54091Tarra GILL-TAYLORChristian TOWNROW13712118(DNF)1048-15578
7thGBR52759Craig DIBBCharlie COX11814-16910136(BFD)7381
8thGBR52756Neil MARSDENFlora STEWART72020(DNF)11612(BFD)41485
9thUSA3177Reinier EENKEMA VAN DIJKMaarten EENKEMA VAN DIJK-3415-2363571110201592
10thGBR53591Amy SEABRIGHTRosie SIBTHORPE17951413814147-27-22101
11thGBR54082Harry DERBYSHIRETom LOVESEY86(RDG)201814-23159413107
12thGBR51754Toby MORSLEYMatt WALLIS1813161(BFD)1711-2151117109
13thGBR53116Sarah ALTONKatie TOMSETT15-19318716181318-227115
14thGBR54006Annabel VOSEMegan BRICKWOOD1612-28(BFD)101295151324116
15thGBR52067Chris TAYLORJames PARKER-MOWBRAY51417-3021231512(DNF)128127
16thGBR51970Jess LAVERYGeorgie MOTHERSELE9187(BFD)41147(BFD)14149133
17thGBR53889Issy HAMILTONHannah JONES201787(BFD)(BFD)22926326138
18thGBR52425Nia JONESMolly FROST212219(BFD)5717(BFD)131819141
19thGBR53871Hugo SLOPERXander MORRISON12-3641520182126(BFD)2411151
20thGBR51988Callum AIRLIEDrew AIRLIE-3516-29172320251021821161
21stUSA7Brendan O'LEARYJack SCHNEIDER3021-335(DSQ)153225221018178
22ndGBR52675Christopher BREWERJohn PAGE142415(BFD)(BFD)32318243114193
23rdGBR52407Tom PAINSasha BRUML2534(RDG)22(BFD)92419113516195
24thGBR51766Isabel FITZGERALDKatherine COLVIN2727(RDG)191419-3618271925195
25thGBR53377Andrew WISHARTPeter ALTON191021(BFD)(BFD)26820312540200
26thGBR51407Theo BULLArthur HENDERSON38-472628(BFD)29516163412204
27thGBR5066David CONLONEd GIBBONS231113434-4316282929(DNF)205
28thUSA53177Megan GRAPENGETER-RUDNICKCaroline ATWOOD3128(RDG)211924-3422203320218
29thGBR52208Alex CURTISAndy CLARKE222691229-40373423-4033225
30thIRL53836Aodh KENNEDYDaniel BROWN2632189(BFD)251917(DNF)4343232
31stGBR52907John BEARDONFergus BARRIE28-4024(BFD)25332023193031233
32ndGBR52868Anna GREENWELLKirstie URWIN29302213(BFD)3529-38352127241
33rdGBR52482Amy YEOMANRosie LAWRANCE3233(RDG)(BFD)24303036252330263
34thGBR53703Will KENNEDYMax INGALL3925(RDG)322228333034-4223266
35thGBR52565Lisa MCDANELLOliver SMYTH1029252727392731(DNF)(DNC)DNC273
36thGBR53026Harry YEOWARDNick ELSDON3738(RDG)311721392433-5435275
37thGBR52205Christopher TIERNANTommy FREEMAN33-4231-4439312835173832284
38thGBR52426Emily KINVERCaroline CROFT4943(RDG)29152242(DNF)401644300
39thGBR52626Millie NEWMANEmma SPRUCE24-48(RDG)4031442632443229302
40thGBR50660Robert BADDELEYBenjamin BROWN36-4635252846-4929452834306
41stIRL53116Fiona DALYPatrick DALY4323(RDG)(BFD)16374339393746323
42ndGBR53117Jessica QUINLANStevie GREEN413134(BFD)12(DSQ)35443244DNF331
43rdGBR51971Tim RILEYRoss MACKLEY4544(RDG)363334-4842362639335
44thGBR51024Andrew SMITHHenry MILLS-5337(RDG)2336475127304738336
45thGBR53327Roseanna YEOWARDHenriette BRAND4235RDG33(BFD)2740(BFD)285328342
46thGBR50125Abigail CROFTMolly BROWN4039(RDG)35(BFD)424133373937343
47thGBR51369Alice COURAGEEve CLEMANCE4441(RDG)243236444042-4842345
48thGBR51347James DODDJoseph BUTTERWORTH-50-51273930414543484136350
49thGBR54125Kellie CARMICHAELEmily MCCALL-5245(RDG)3837484637474641385
50thGBR49399Serena DE NAHLIKEmma PEARSON4749(RDG)26354556(DNF)414548392
51stGBR50191Emma PALMERRosemary JENNINGS-MAUN(RDG)-54304538525050385047400
52ndGBR51989Andrew CROCKETRory KILGORE51-5232424149-5345464945400
53rdGBR50552Sara DOUSTEleni MORUS48(RDG)(RDG)372638DNF46525250407
54thGBR54059Meia HARNETTElin HARNETT4650RDG46(BFD)(BFD)3841433651407
55thGBR53644Rosie WATKINSAnna WATKINS(RDG)53(RDG)4142505547515149439
56thGBR51444Mali HARNETTMaddy ANDERSONRDG55RDG434051544949(DNF)(DNF)453
57thGBR52566Iona WILLIAMSMorgan DIBB(RDG)(RDG)RDGBFD4353524850DNFDNC478

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