Sonata National Championships at Medway Yacht Club

Sonata nationals on the River Medway © Champion Marine Photography

Sun shines on the fleet

Summer arrived right on que for the 2012 Sonata National Championships 23rd-27th July. 23 boats from as far afield as Sunderland and Brixham took part during a week of sunshine and fair winds on the River Medway in Kent. Hosted by the Medway Yacht Club, competitors enjoyed a series of 11 races with a mix of windward/leeward courses and two distance races in accordance with the National Championship format for this popular one-design class. Competition was fierce with five different boats taking a bullet and just three points between the overall winner, Joe Cross sailing Presto (Poole Yacht Club) and David Matthews, White Magic, (Sunderland Yacht Club), a very close second. Local boat, Musical Express (Medway Yacht Club), sailed by Mike Harrison was third overall.

With a 15 – 20 mph wind on the first day, Race Officer Richard Stone swiftly set windward/leeward courses in Long Reach, some three miles downriver from the MYC. White Magic put two firsts on her scorecard with Presto taking the other. Local Sonatas Musical Express and BFG managed the remaining two seconds.

Tuesday arrived with lighter winds and, with the first race against the flood tide, most competitors chose to sail into the shallows to the Port tack layline which led to not a few substantial place changes as the Starboard tack boats piled in. White Magic came out best with two more wins and a second. Reigning champion Simon Farren in Hyde Kent posted a third place.

Wednesday was scheduled for a distance race with the hope that the breeze would hold for a visit to the Thames, some eight miles downriver. The beat towards the mouth of the Medway was slow against the flood tide and the fickle strength of the wind thew up some surprising results with mid-tide boats sometimes gaining places on those short-tacking up the banks. In the end, Presto got it right and took line honours with White Magic close on their heels.

Thursday stared late because the Westerly land breeze persisted and, wisely, Richard Stone postponed until the sea breeze kicked in around 12.00. Three windward/leewards were completed and, with the tide now ebbing in time for the first race, several local boats kindly parked themselves on various bits of mud to show the visitors exactly where the high spots were. Nevertheless, Presto found another lump but spiritedly sent the crew over the side and freed themselves from the East Coast's muddy grip. Their third race win ensured that they went into Friday just two points clear, overturning White Magic's lead.

With the last day, Friday, scheduled as a single distance race, top placed boats Presto and Magic had it all to play for. Not far behind, Poole Sonata Selene and Medway's BFG were separated by just one point for fourth place. The sea breeze was shy to arrive and the postponement was finally lifted at 12.30 to allow a rather short distance race in a very light breeze. Selene called the last beat to perfection and finally put a win to her results.

Overall winner, Joe Cross, Presto, ended the week with a net score of 15 points, including four wins and also took the Young Helm trophy (under 25). Joe and his equally young crew had dedicated their Nationals campaign to Mikey, their designated foredeck, who tragically died in a traffic accident before the event. A fitting tribute to the sad loss of a young life.

Winning for Mikey at the Sonata National Championships

The Sonata National Championships was a tightly fought battle this year. Twenty three boats lined up at the start line on the Medway in bright sunshine and a good sea breeze. In the end the contest was between Sunderland boat White Magic and Presto from Poole. White Magic headed the leader board at the start of the week, but Presto was hot on their heels and by Thursday evening had a two point lead on David Matthews and his team. Friday bought light winds and plenty of nerves as the AP came down and racing got underway. Having dominated the podium for the rest of the week, the title contenders found themselves fighting for third and fourth. Presto secured their third though ensuring the top spot. Poignantly Joe Cross and his team were crowned National Champions on the 18th birthday of their crew member Michael Walker who was due to be crewing the week when he was tragically knocked off his bike and killed in May. The front of Presto sported the text "Racing for Mikey", but "Winning for Mikey" is what they achieved.

Overall Results:
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