420 End of Season Championships at Grafham Water Sailing Club

Phil Kilburn (Noble Marine) presents prizes to Annabel Cattermole and Bryony Bennett-Lloyd at the 420 End of Season Championships © Mike Riley

Phil Taylor (420 Sailing Secretary) presents prizes to Luke Burywood and Tim Riley at the 420 End of Season Championships © Mike Riley

The UK 420 fleet assembled at Grafham for the last National level bash of 2012 on the 24th and 25th of November, facing a forecast that promised just a touch of breeze during the course of the weekend.

Saturday dawned cold (really cold), almost windless and grey. Luckily, by the time the fleet were ready to launch, things were improving with a gentle but building breeze settling in. The fleet got away for Race 1 on an inner loop trapezoid and, despite some challenging shifts, Sarah Alton and Molly Frost led pretty much all the way around, followed by Annabel Cattermole and Bryony Bennett-Lloyd, Scott Wallis and Josh Voller and Callum Airlie and Joe Butterworth.

Race 2 saw Annabel and Bryony dominate, followed by James Taylor and Tom Lovesey, then Danielle Thomas and Amy Sparks, with Will Kennedy and Alex Curtis in 4th. In the cold conditions, fast turnarounds were key so, without further ado, the fleet were sent off for Race 3 in a now steadily building breeze. Annabel and Bryony again got themselves out in front, followed this time by Tim Riley and Luke Burywood, Toby Morsley and Peter Alton and Ella Stoggall and Emma Kindon.

For race 4 the course was changed to a windward leeward, leading to some very close downwind battles. James and Tom were first to the windward mark, but were passed on the first downwind leg by relative newcomers Dan Whiteley and James Clemetson. With the breeze now above 13 kts, the "O" flag was flying at the leeward gate, removing Rule 42 restrictions. This brought some of the more experienced 420 teams to the fore. James and Tom were once again first at the windward mark, and had a great tussle with Tim and Luke all the way down the run.

The final gybe call proved decisive, with Tim and Luke taking the win from James and Tom, with Dan and James in third, and Sarah and Molly in fourth. Meanwhile Annabel and Bryony, who had been having a pretty tricky race by their standards of the weekend, gave a textbook demonstration of how to get a 420 downhill when Rule 42 is off, going from somewhere in the teens to 5th by the end of the run.

After racing the evening took on a different glow as the sailors held a UV/neon party. Grafham sailing club was lit up by neon lights and sailors covered in paint and in some cases wearing neon tutus (and that wasn't just the girls!).

Overnight the forecast breeze arrived with avengence. When the fleet arrived at the club it was still around 30 knots and very cold, though gloriously sunny. Several small dogs were blown clean off their chains. We all waited hopefully, but by late morning the call had to be made and, with the wind not yet abating, and the prospect of running out of light, the decision was made to call it a day.

Luckily, the very efficient race management on Saturday meant that four races had been sailed and the discard was in. Fifth overall were Scott and Josh, fourth were James and Tom, third were Sarah and Molly and in second place were Tim and Luke. Comfortably ahead, and so the 2012 End of Season Champions and top ladies boat, were Annabel and Bryony.

Thanks to the club and the event sponsors CurraDinghy and Noble Marine, and all those who helped make the event possible.

The focus now moves onto the various squad, national and regional training events taking place over the winter months, and on several winter international competitions that several sailors will be attending. All this in preparation for what will be a busy 2013. For more info on UK 420 sailing, see www.420sailing.org.uk/

Overall Results: