SigneT Nationals at Ullswater Yacht Club

30th July - 5th August

Twenty boats gathered at Ullswater Yacht Club for the 2000 SigneT National Championships. The SigneTs joined a mixed Ullswater fleet in light winds for the Practice Race. Paul Nicholson ST186 led from Richard Cannon ST368 in a procession until cruisers and SigneTs bunched up on the final mark. The back markers caught up altering positions. Paul Nicholson won, from Richard Cannon. In light winds and rain the SigneTs sailed the wrong course in race one, which was abandoned and restarted after 40 minutes. The wind increased and there were several capsizes. Tom Field ST41 retired with a broken rudder pintle. After a long race, Mark Hollamby ST530 finished ahead of Richard Cannon and Roy Melsom ST761.

In moderate, gusty winds eighteen boats started race two. Mark Hollamby settled into the lead followed by Don Appleton ST749, Chris Whiteside ST522 and Mike Baker ST369. Richard Cannon crept up to third just ahead of Chris Whiteside, but otherwise positions remained the same. At the back of the fleet Pat Overs ST690 limped home twelfth having snapped his jib halyard around the last mark, followed by Mike Baker who had capsized, Michael Overs ST914 and Graham Farley ST144 who joined him in the water.

All competitors started race three. Chris Whiteside had a good start at the starboard end of the line. On the first lap, Tom Field turned turtle and retired with a cracked centre board casing. Michael Overs capsized, being over ambitious with his spinnaker. Graham Farley collided with the only Fleetwind (John Miller) resulting in a large hole close to its bow. After three laps, Richard Cannon won, Don Appleton second and Roy Melsom third.

In race four Paul Nicholson rounded the first mark ahead and built a commanding lead from Roy Melsom in second place. Richard Cannon in raced after them with spinnaker flying, followed by Madeleine Hatton in ST858, Don Appleton and Tim Wild ST847. On the beat the leaders crossed through the tail boats. Joyce Cowern ST907, Pat Overs and Steve Leeding ST53 were all chasing, closely followed by Chris Whiteside, John Miller FW643, Michael Overs and John Pryor ST2, places continually changing. The final positions were Paul Nicholson, Richard Cannon and Madeleine Hatton. The championship was riding on race five. Mark Hollamby had to win. Each boat had personal goals to improve their overall position. There was a clean start with Don Appleton away first from Richard Cannon, Madeleine Hatton and Chris Whiteside all on a starboard tack. Throughout the race boats were pulling up and back from the leading group. At the end of lap three, the course was shortened. Richard Cannon came close to the east bank, whilst Mark Hollamby kept to the middle covering his every move. Roy Melsom was sneaking up as was Joyce Cowern. Mark Hollamby won by less than 5 boat lengths from Richard Cannon with Roy Melsom some 30 seconds later.

Overall Results:

1st ST 530 Mark Hollamby   Natalie Butcher
2nd ST 368 Richard Cannon  Robert Britton
3rd ST 749 Don Appleton    Morwenna Rothery/Lois Thirkill
4th ST 761 Roy Melsom      Emma Nicholson
5th ST 186 Paul Nicholson  Lucy Nicholson
6th ST 858 Madelein Hatton Keith Hatton

More Information:

• YachtsandYachting.com Signet Page
• Ullswater Yacht Club