Wayfarer National Championships at Parkstone Yacht Club - Overall

Wayfarer National Championships day 2 © David Harding / www.sailingscenes.com

The last day of the championships, Sunday, featured warm sunshine and breezes right through to the prize-giving held on the terrace at Parkstone YC. There were some stand-out performances in the fleet. Guy Marks sailing with son Tom finished an excellent 13th in conditions that did not favour his lighter weight or the Mk2 model he was sailing.

Elise Beket in her new boat Mk IV 'Doei Doei' (Dutch for 'Bye Bye') executed a classic RYA capsize recovery with her dad Evert sitting on the thwart as the boat came upright for which they received the race team's discretionary prize of the day – a pair each of Sperry Topsider shoes. Other Sperry winners were Jackie Dobson and Terry Berrett in 'Captain Jack' for their continued courtesy, thanks, and friendly acknowledgements to the race team while the Whitehead brothers were praised for their smiles and graceful acceptance on being black-flagged in the last race!

Overall, the only race winner not a previous National Champion was Brian Lamb with crew Tony Hunt in their new Mk IV 'Fleeced Lightning' who took the first race. Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend in 'The Poacher', took two races but Dave Wade and Alex Davies in 'Cannon Aid' took the remaining six to comfortably win the 2013 Wayfarer National Championship title from Michael and Simon in second and Richard and Mark Hartley in 'Just Chance' third.

The Silver fleet result was overturned on the last day when Tim and Jacqueline Townsend in 'Descant' had a much better day than overnight leaders Steve Haley and Kate Wyatt in 'The Black Pearl', winning a McNamara Sails genoa as part of the prize.

The Bronze Fleet, for people competing at their first open event, or for cruising boats, had entries from as far away as Yorkshire Dales SC - Kate Mellor with dad John crewing in 'Aoewen', 2nd, but was won by Phil Powell and Derek Shipley in 'I Told you So!' from the home club who received a new cover from Rain and Sun as part of their prize.

Several prizes were awarded under a tally number raffle draw with Ian Clarke and Mike Acaster in Papillon receiving a Pinnell & Bax Genoa, Tony Cooper in 'Angels Share' a Raymarine MicroCompass, Glynne Marples in 'Scarlet and Green' a Banks over-boom cover and many more receiving prizes from Hartley Boats, Allen Brothers, English Braids, and the Quay West Chandlery located on the Parkstone YC site.

One of the biggest cheers at the prize giving was for the volunteers making and serving tea and cakes in the dinghy park each day on coming ashore. This Parkstone Wayfarer tradition will again be in evidence at Poole Week(end) over the August Bank Holiday for all Wayfarer sailors.

A big thank you to all the above-named sponsors who donated prizes and also to North Sails and their local agent Time on the Water for running the training day with two professional coaches. Finally many thanks are due to Craftinsure, and James and Sylvia Wenyon for their financial support, and to Musto, Sunsail, and Yachts and Yachting, who all contributed to the successful running of the event.

Overall Results: