Byte National Championships at Sailfest

Byte nationals at SailFest © John Saunders

Byte nationals at SailFest © John Saunders

The Byte Nationals took place over the weekend of 24/25th August as part of the Sailfest event at WPNSA. 15 boats gathered on the extensive block paved hard, no mud here, where they were surrounded by an exotic selection of the country's best known sailors and exotic boats.

Racing was to take place in fleets with the Bytes being granted their own start. When the boats took to the water it was blowing in the low twenties creating a fierce chop out in the harbour promising a wet day day for the diminutive Bytes. The boats all carried trackers which enabled spectators to monitor racing from a screen in the bar. This was also interesting for post race analysis.

At the start of race one all boats were away in in a close group but Louis Saunders showed his form early and made it to the front by the windward mark, never being challenged, and establishing a substantial lead. At the line he won from Chris Rees and Richard Whitehouse. It was hard sailing with screaming reaches and difficult down wind legs.

Race two was if anything windier than race one and some of the bigger Sailfest fleet started sailing in with broken boats or broken spirits, but the Bytes soldiered on with Louis again out in front being chased by Richard Whitehouse and Charlotte Gough. Louis crossed the line first but as Richard and Charlotte raced for the line neck and neck Charlotte had to avoid a tacking Fireball and lost out to Richard.

Race three did not go Louis way at the start with a poor beat so that he rounded the windward mark in fifth behind Charlotte, Richard, Kevin Moore and Chris Rees. He then set out to chase them down making it into second place behind Charlotte and with Chris Rees in third.

At the end of the first day all boats were in and being fettled for the following day while the sailors filled up with a substantial hog roast.The forecast for Sunday was for easing wind which would be welcomed by some of the lighter competitors...

However the wind did not ease, if anything it was worse and the Bytes left again to sail out onto the course. Louis led away for race 4 followed by Eddie Pope and Richard Whitehouse who engaged in a close battle until the finish where it was Louis from Eddie and Rick.

For race 5 the wind did soften a little to the relief of lightweights like Maggie Fucher and Rachael Moore. Eddie Pope was now getting into the groove and followed Louis round to finish second and in front of Richard Whitehouse.

Race 6 blew up again, probably the strongest wind of the weekend, and many of the Sailfest fleet decided not to risk more damage and sailed in accompanied by Byte sailors, Chris Rees, who had pulled a muscle, Bruce Waymark, who was just being sensible! Maggie Futcher who had completed 5 races which was enough for a lady of her years, and Charlotte Gough who was recovering from illness. In the race Eddie Pope capsized before the start and lost time getting going again which scuppered his chances of a second over all. Louis broke away and won the last race with a good lead from Former double National Champion Kevin Moore and 2012 National champion Richard Whitehouse.

Louis Saunders was a clear Championship winner from Rick Whitehouse and Charlotte Gough. Special mention must go to Junior Ed Adams in his first Nationals and he also had the distinction of recording the fastest Byte speed of the weekend at 11.57 knots in the last race.

All sailors enjoyed the weekend, found the sailing exhilarating and the organisation excellent. So much so that they intend to return next year.

An added bonus after a great weekend was that Byte sailor Mike Radford won the big persuit race on Monday which proves that the Byte is faster than an International 14! Well done Mike.

I also wish to add that Combs Sailing Club in land locked Derbyshire is now the home of Byte sailing. Richard Whitehouse of Combs has won 5 inland and 2 national championships and Louis Saunders of Combs has won 3 inland championships and 2 national championships.

The lightest competitor at WPNSA was probably 7st and the heaviest 14st. Half the association members are women. So there is no reason not to sail these dynamic little boats, what are you waiting for?

Overall Results: