Impala 28 National Championships at Weymouth - Form Guide
by Olly Love 18 Jul 2014 15:36 BST
25-27 July 2014
Start line in the Impala 28 National Championships 2013 © Peter Newton
35 years old in 2014, the Impala class is going from strength to strength. This year, the nationals in Weymouth from the 25 to 27 July. It's the time and place for boats from around the country to rock up and see who is going quick.
The Nationals will consist of seven races over three days in Weymouth Bay, with the 35th anniversary dinner on the Saturday and the infamous pontoon party/sinking on the Friday night. Last year's affair was a mix of 5-35 knots so let us pray it's a constant 10-15 all weekend!
You can follow the event at www.impala28.co.uk and www.facebook.com/impala28, and if you want to read more about the class it was subject to a recent rave review in Y&Y magazine.
The runners and riders for the 2014 Impala Nationals are...
Trudi – Odds: 6/1 - Philip McDanell
Trudi was the 1st impala and had a lot of success with David Thomas at the helm. She is still going quick filled with a group of I14 Champs. They are fast in the medium breeze and given the right winds and lots of tactical calls they will be up near the front.
Atalanta – Odds 12/1
A regular attendee at nationals over many years and making the long trip up from far West for this year's event, Atalanta has the potential to cause a few shocks.
Polly – Odds: 7/4 (joint fav) - Meakins and Cudmore
The boat has been owned by one of the Meakins family for the past 20 years, and will have just come back off a two week cruise. She is normally near the front and seems to be able to go higher and quicker than most. If they sail the right course this year, and avoid black flags, they could be up there for the win that eluded them for the last two years.
Imptish – Odds: 7/4 (joint fav) - Barney Smith
Imptish is flying this year and after their 8th overall in the Round the Island this year they are one of the favourites. In the light they are blinding quick but their normal gender balanced lightweight crew can let them down in big breezes. Just like a good football manager the owner has been keeping his cards close to his chest about who's made the final team selection for the nationals!
Two Frank – Odds: 6/1 - Sam Flint and Olly Love
With an average crew age of 24 they are the juniors of the fleet. However after a recent refit they are sailing quickly this season. If they can stay out of Rendezvous this year (infamous Weymouth nightclub!) they stand a chance of doing well.
Scallywag - Odds:13/2 - Julian Lord
Racing successfully for many years on the East coast they have made the journey south for the Nationals, Round the Island and Cowes Week.. They will be warmly welcomed by the south coast fleet and have the potential to provide a few shocks on the race course.
Happy - Odds: 6/1 - John McQuillan
As featured in the Y&Y Test, Happy always seems to be near the front and are very quick in the light. They always seem to sneak in and get some good results, so they could be well in for the chocolates
Voodoo - Odds: 20/1 - Pete Rouse and Family
A new owner who has only had the boat a matter of weeks. This will be an all family crew with son on the helm and dad on the bow. If they can keep the family disputes to a minimum they could do well.
Maverick - Odds: 20/1 – Darren Stansbury
Yet another new owner, they are making the long trip up(ish) from Saltash. Let's see if their trip has been worth it and how they go in the fleet.
Magic - Odds: 6/1 - George Beevor & Olly Bewes
Magic are the characters of the class whether it's propping up the bar until the bitter end or engaging in interesting conversations about nothing, they are always a welcome sight on the racecourse. Their performance last year was phenomenal so let us see if they can get inside the top three this year and not break their chins on the dance floor...
Firebird Odds: 13/2
Bought last year and has been round the Island three times this year, (including single handed) they will be ones to watch
Uproar Odds: 13/2- Nigel Sheppard
Raced mainly in Poole, a competitive boat with a good track record, they are normally near the podium.
Fearnought-Odds: 7/4 (joint fav) - Matt & Michelle Dodd
Last year's runners up, they will be looking for the win this year. A very consistent team who are devastatingly quick downwind in the breeze. I'm told the boat once sailed to Africa and back!