420 Spring Championship at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy

Spring Championships © Tom Mapplebeck

Spring Championships © Tom Mapplebeck

Spring Championships © Mike Riley

The 420’s assembled at Weymouth for their Spring Championships sponsored by CurraDinghy, and the second instalment of the 420 Worlds and Junior Europeans Selection series. Unlike any previous 420 Class event we were joined on our course by the Laser 4.7s who were holding their second European Selection and Ladder event.

The 420s led the charge on to the water with the intention of having one race before the 4.7s launched. However, contrary to the previous nights weather forecast, the wind didn’t play ball and when the 4.7s made it to the start line for their first race the 420s were still waiting patiently. Race 1 finally got under way as the wind started to fill in and Tim and Ed Riley took a convincing first place. Race 2 followed with Craig Dibb and Charlie Cox taking the gun. For race 3 the wind started to pick up and the sailors were more than happy to see the Oscar flag fly for a while meaning the jury could take a tea break. Sarah Alton and Molly Frost crossed the line first putting them back in the running.

After 3 races the 4.7s set off for the shore but the hardy 420s stayed out for one more race. Having grumbled slightly about a 4th race, Annabel Vose and Kirstie Urwin crossed the line smiling to take the win. The day ended with Tim and Ed Riley leading, closely followed by Annabel Vose and Kirstie Urwin, with Craig Dibb and Charlie Cox, and Sarah Alton and Molly Frost on equal points in 3rd and 4th.

Sailors awoke on day 2 to find even less wind than expected, i.e. none! At launch time some breeze had started to fill in but it was very unstable. Race 5 was started but half way up the first beat a massive wind shift meant the race was abandoned and the sailors all returned to the start line for another go. The committee boat moved several times as the wind continued to shift around, allowing time for tea and sausage rolls for the race committee, and then it was decided to have another go. This time the fleet made it to the windward mark and the race was won by Eleni Morus and Anna Greenwell, followed by Harry Derbyshire and Tom Lovesey. After a further frustrating couple of hours the wind was not prepared to play ball and was too unsteady to lay a course, so racing was abandoned for the day and the 420s headed ashore.

With 5 races completed and one discard, the event was won by Tim and Ed Riley, with Annabel Vose and Kirstie Urwin 2nd and 1st girls, and Harry Derbyshire and Tom Lovesey, 3rd.

The Class would like to thank everyone who helped over the weekend and CurraDinghy, our sponsor who donated the prizes.

Overall Results: