420 Inland Championship at Carsington Sailing Club

420 Inland Championships winners Martin Wrigley and Marcus Tressler © Nigel Wrigley

Hot air balloons floating over the Derbyshire countryside did not look promising for the wind at the 420 Inland Championships at Carsington Sailing Club this weekend (13/14 September). Principal Race Officer Henry Wright postponed for half an hour before launching the 39 boat fleet into a light and shifty breeze. He set a windward leeward course, which was the format for the day.

After a general recall the fleet were under black flag. Then after two postponements due to wind shifts they finally got away. Defending their title Sarah Norbury and Mari Davies took the first race followed by Martin Wrigley and Marcus Tressler, then Hatty Morsley and Pippa Cropley.

Race two in a slightly increasing breeze saw another general recall. Martin Wrigley and Marcus Tressler were first with Jemma Viney and Matilda Mathews second, followed by Robbie King and Alex King third.

Race Three got underway with the wind dropping throughout. Dan Atherton and Mathew Viney took first followed by Jenny Smallwood and Danielle Thomas then Robbie King and Alex King.

Race four looked doubtful with the wind dropping but a stiff breeze soon followed and race four was on. It soon dropped away again. Dan Atherton and Mathew Viney took their second bullet with Sarah Norbury and Mari Davies second and Martin Wrigley and Marcus Tressler third.

After four races Dan Atherton and Mathew Viney were leading on countback to Martin Wrigley and Marcus Tressler and third was title Sarah Norbury and Mari Davies.

The club then catered for over 60 sailors and parents to enjoy a lasagne supper in the clubhouse.

Day two saw a stronger but still very light breeze but with a similar wind direction so the PRO had no choice but to set windward leewards again. In race five RYA 420 Coach Neil Marsden and Matt Shorrock showed the fleet the way to the finish line followed by Isabel Davies and Gemma Keers then Martin Wrigley and Marcus Tressler.

Race six saw Martin Wrigley and Marcus Tressler and Sarah Norbury and Mari Davies with a good lead over the rest of the fleet. Martin and Marcus stretched the lead over Sarah and Mari until an unfortunate upwind spinnaker deployment gave Sarah and Mari the opportunity to pass Martin and Marcus to take their second bullet with Isabel Davies and Gemma Keers third.

Race seven gave Neil Marsden and Matt Shorrock showing the fleet the way with a big lead, followed by Jenny Cropley and Emma Baker. At the leeward mark Martin Wrigley and Marcus Tressler were ninth with the fleet going up the right hand side of the course spotting the pressure on the middle left they managed to climb up to third by the windward mark. Neil Marsden and Matt Shorrock took their second bullet followed by Martin Wrigley and Marcus Tressler then Jenny Cropley and Emma Baker.

On behalf of the class Martin and Marcus thanked the club, the race management team and all of the volunteers.

Overall Results: