CurraDinghy 420 British Open & National Championships at Hayling Island
by Sue Kalderon & Phil Taylor 2 Sep 2014 13:46 BST
23-29 August 2014
Some 57 boats arrived at Hayling Island Sailing Club for the 2014 Open and National Championships, sponsored by CurraDinghy, which ran from 23rd to 29th August. Some of our top sailors had just returned from a Summer competing in ISAF, World, Junior European or Eurosaf Youth Championships, whilst some of those starting out in the fleet had arrived directly from the Cadet World Championships in Weymouth to compete in their first 420 event.
A number of new sailors and pairings took part, and as is traditional, some of the senior youth sailors sailed what would be their final youth event in different partnerships. Whilst predominantly a youth class, the championships are Open and the fleet was augmented by master (or is that grandmaster) representation from National Youth Squad coach Neil Marsden.
Proving the family appeal, Joe and Dan Burns, who were both sailing, had the additional challenge of parents Jonathan and Gaby who were also competing. We also welcomed overseas sailors from Hong Kong and Ireland.
Following measurement, the event started with the practice race on Sunday afternoon. This was held in fairly light airs and, following 420 class tradition, the fleet crossed the start line early. Multiple starts and general recalls later, the race committee realised that this was the start of the highly competitive but fun week to come.
Monday dawned with weather very much as forecast, pouring with rain and blowing hard. Combined with the strong ebb tide across the bar, it made for an easy and early decision to abandon for the day - even the BBQ was moved to the next day. For those who had just flown in from the EUROSAFs on Sunday it proved a welcome day off.
Tuesday was very different. In a light breeze the fleet launched and headed into the bay, only for the wind to drop abruptly and completely. This lasted for the rest of the day and so, though the fleet entertained themselves with swimming and rowing races, we had a second day with no racing. The day was perhaps most memorable for the fleet witnessing a yacht colliding with, and dismasting, on the West Pole, luckily without any injuries.
Wednesday thankfully saw much better conditions, with 20 to 23 knots and three races were held in some impressive waves. Tim Riley, sailing with Lily Summers, won the first race closely followed by Morgan Dibb & Rosie Watkins and Sarah Norbury & Mari Davies.
The second race saw Jemima Lawson & James Taylor take the bullet, Morgan & Rosie were second, and Tim & Lily third.
The third race was won by Morgan & Rosie, followed by Jemima & James and Tim & Lily. So the end of day one saw Morgan & Rosie at the top of the leaderboard, chased by Jemima & James, and Tim & Lily. The strong breeze and increasingly rough conditions, especially when returning home over Chichester Bar, had tested those new to the fleet and a few boats needed assistance to get in. The Class Chairman, who thought he had gone out for a quiet day on his rib, brought the last crewless boat home.
Thursday started as a dull and blustery day with F4 to F5, with big gusts coming through. The day brightened as the fleet launched in fancy dress (see great pictures on the Class Facebook page) and 3 races were to follow.
Race four saw Jemima & James (in pink morphsuit) first across the line, followed by Max Clapp & Joe Burns, then Mario and Luigi (aka Tim & Lily). Race five was on a black flag and was won by Martin Wrigley & Marcus Tressler with Neil Marsden & Megan Brickwood taking second. Max & Joe were third whilst Jemima & James, who crossed the finish in second, joined several others with a BFD.
With the wind building, the final race of the day was won by Scott Wallis & Ryan Orr, Max & Joe took second and Jemima & James were third. Tim & Lily, not wanting to be left out of the "black flag club" joined 8 other boats who had to sit out the race waiting to see if there was going to be a fourth race.
The day's conditions were full-on, with the top boats revelling in the waves and strong winds allowing them to pull away from the boats behind. Those new to the class found out just how exciting a 420 can be, with some massive grins from sailors as only the last quarter of their boat was in the water as they surfed downwind, wondering how they were going to put in a safe gybe!
The PRO, Paul Maxfield, crystal ball in hand, decided not to hold the day's 4th race, which proved fortuitous as a 27kt rain squall hit the fleet as they were sailing in. The safety and support fleet swung into action as the Bar lived up to its reputation. Typically, a few masts were lost and some sailors ribbed in to shore with their boats being brought in later. Some great seamanship was shown by some of the senior boats as they stood by those who were struggling – with mention in dispatches to Ella Stogall & Emma Kindon. Fortunately all sailors were safely brought ashore and all the boats recovered.
Friday brought more strong winds and a clear decision not go into the bay. The race committee looked hard at achieving some more racing in the harbour and started to lay marks over Pilsea Sands in preparation. However the wind did not abate and the sea state over the shallow water course was appalling. Sitting on shore in the lee of the buildings it looked perfectly sailable, so many sailors were disappointed when racing was abandoned as vital places could still be gained on the leaderboard.
The decision was validated when National Squad coach Neil Marsden went out and demonstrated 420 sailing fully on the edge!
So, with the racing complete, prizegiving went ahead at 1830 with the Chairman, Marcus Lawson, thanking all those who made the event so successful. The 420 Class's legendary trophy selection (featuring a heritage of Olympian names) being handed out by HISC's Vice Commodore, Greg Lamb. The club put on a fantastic last night black tie dinner for the over 190 sailors and parents. Two ex 420 sailors provided the entertainment. Many thanks to Luke Burywood for bringing his live band L.U.X and to Rob Baddeley for the disco which kept parents and sailors dancing until the early hours.
On behalf of the class, Jemima and James thanked the club and the race management team, all of the volunteers and CurraDinghy as event sponsors.
The prizewinners included:
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1st Overall: Open, National and Youth Champions 2014: Jemima Lawson (ESC) and James Taylor (HISC)
2rd Overall: Tim Riley (WSC) and Lily Summers (ESC)
3rd Overall: Max Clapp (RSYC) and Joseph Burns (SSC)
4th Overall: Scott Wallis (SSC) and Ryan Orr (RLYC)
5th Overall and Ladies Champion 2014: Sarah Norbury (SSSC/PSC) and Mari Davies (PSC)
6th Overall: Morgan Dibb (WSC) and Rosie Watkins (PYC)
7th Overall: Neil Marsden (BYC)and Megan Brickwood(BYC)
8th Overall and Junior Champion 2014: Joanna Kalderon (ISC) and Midge Watkins(PYC)
9th Overall: Jenny Smallwood(DWSC) and Danielle Thomas(DWSC)
10th Overall: Martin Wrigley and Marcus Tressler
Selected other prizewinners:
13th Overall and First Non Squad boat: Georgia Booth (SD)and Josie Gummer(FG)
28th Overall and First Silver Fleet: Alex Smallwood (DWSC)and James Scott (DWSC)
49th Overall and First Over 21: Jonathan Burns(SSC) and Gabby Burns (SSC)
Full results can be found at: www.hisc.co.uk/media/65972/420-national-championship.htm