Tempest Nationals at Arun Yacht Club
by John Robinson 24 May 2005 10:10 BST
5-7 May 2005
This year’s International Tempest national championship took place at Littlehampton under the burgee of Arun Yacht Club over the weekend of 5 – 7 May. The racing was programmed so that those who were unable to make the three-day event could qualify by competing only on the Saturday and Sunday. The weather was kind, giving a mixture of wind strengths ranging from three up to five, with some of the stronger gusts getting well into force six, although the predominantly Northern direction created some interesting shifts closer to the shore. The traditional port hand triangle – sausage courses were used throughout the series
The first race was sailed on Friday, and was won comfortably by Mike and Paul Adams, from Ullswater YC, with Derek Budden and Andrew Rumsey from the home club in second place. In this race, the leading boats were comfortably ahead, but the close action was lower down the fleet, with places changing frequently, and some very close finishes. Bob and Barbara Davis from Carsington SC completed the first three.
During Friday night, the wind increased dramatically, and there was some debate as to whether or not the races should go ahead. After a run out to the racing area, the Race Committee opted to go for it, and set a course. Meanwhile, the fleet provided the locals with a spectacle as they headed off down the river with spinnakers flying. The wind reduced as the day progressed, giving challenging conditions, with strong but unstable wind coming off the land. Several teams had to retire with broken gear, and others went home after the races to carry out repairs, but most were wearing large smiles when they returned after the two races. Bob and Barbara Davis won the first race of the day with Peter and Katie Bower of Carsington in second place. The Adams team had to be content with third place, but came back to win the next race in grand style, with Jim Hart and Robin Higgins from Carsington SC chasing them Budden and Rumsey came in third.
On Sunday, Jim Hart and Robin Higgins made all the running, clocking up two firsts. Mike and Paul Adams were always on the pace, scoring a second and a third place, and Peter and Katie Bower filling in the gaps with a third and a second. John and Neil Robinson from Ullswater in their 31 year old boat scored their second fourth, which secured the “Old Boat Trophy”. The series was completed with Mike and Paul Adams as the new National Champions, and Jim Hart and Robin Higgins as runners up. The Old Boat Trophy went to John and Neil Robinson, and the Stingray Trophy for the best placed female team going to Katherine Budden and Sarah Keeley from the home club in the appropriately named “Chix”
Overall Results:
1st Mike Adams & Paul Adams 7pts
2nd Jim Hart & Robin Higgins 9pts
3rd Peter Bower & Katie Bower 12pts
4th Bob Davis & Barbara Davis 14pts
5th Derek Budden & Andrew Rumsey 17pts
6th John Robinson & Neil Robinson 21pts
Stingray Trophy (Female Team)
11th Katherine Budden & Sarah Keeley 48pts
Old Boat Trophy
6th John Robinson & Neil Robinson 21pts