Marblehead UK Nationals at Manor Park Sailing Club - Preview

Midlands District Ranking race held from Manor Park © Roger Stollery

Near 60 skippers will do battle at the 2015 UK Marblehead Nationals at Manor Park Sailing Club this coming weekend, July 18-19.

This year's Nationals entry of 58, the highest in over 20 years, reflects the work that has been undertaken to stabilise and return to prominence one of radio yachting's premier International classes since the inception of the popular International One Metre class in the early 90's. Through consultation with existing and prospective owners past and present, steps were taken offer a more attractive calendar of racing within the UK along with a concerted promotions effort highlighting the strength and competitive quality in affordable older designs.

The response has not only seen a return of a number of skippers but many new skippers joining with a number of newer designs now in production.

Hot on the heels of the recent announcement of the 2016 Worlds to be held in Limone, Lake Garda, Italy, this year's Nationals will also offer all important ranking points for those looking to gain selection for GBR.

With the country's top radio skippers entered, along with skippers from France, Germany and the Netherlands, any podium will be hard to pick so as with previous years we once again offer a form guide to help you pick your podium. See how you do this time!

The event website and full list of entries can be found here.

The Contenders

Brad Gibson – Birkenhead
Current World & National Champion will be looking to continue his unbeaten run dating back to 2012. Will once again be sailing his own designed 'Grunge' and looking to continue his form after taking the IOM world crown in San Francisco in May. Surely his time is up?

Graham Bantock – Chelmsford
Multiple past World, Euro and National Champion. As Runner up at last year's worlds, GB will no doubt be ready to nail this one with his usually composed demeanour. Will be sailing his 'Quark' own design.

Peter Stollery – Guildford
Six time National Champion, past World and National IOM class Champion. Will be sailing his father's latest 'Uproar' design with a point to prove after a disappointing worlds result last year by his standards. A recent second to Gibson at the IOM Worlds will have him hungry for a get square.

Martin Roberts – Birkenhead
Past National and World Champion. Looking to make up for a poor event last year at Keighley where he and his new boat never gelled. The gritty Roberts can never be discounted and if things click early with his new boat, there will be fear in the eyes of his fellow competitors.

Robert Walsh – Fleetwood
Past National and World IOM Champion. Will be racing a new, as yet un launched McDowell design from Australia and is leaving his run late. Like Roberts he will be hoping the cards fall into place so that he can weave his magic on the racecourse. Never write off the baby faced assassin.

Tony Guerrier – Three Rivers
A year on and with the experience and taste of a couple of international events under his belt, 'The GRRRR' has started to string together some fin podium finishes in recent months. If he has been to traffic management school, he will be in the money.

Darin Ballington – Manor Park
A top 10 finish at last year's worlds sees the Big D earn his spot amongst the skippers to watch. Thrashing the life out of his older Bantock ROK design, he continues to upstage many of his more fancied rivals, showing the worth of quality older boats with tweaks. May shine on home waters.

David Potter – West Kirby
A strong second day showing at the 2014 Nationals has our NW Finn skipper backing up for more. With his new Creed designed 'Cream Cracker' he will be banking on a favourable forecast of harder small rig conditions to shine.

The Wiley Foxes

Derek Priestly – Fleetwood
Fleetwood's very own past International A Class World Champion. Will be banking on the weather to blow like the proverbial to feel more at home. Seemingly always travelling and racing, 'Uncle Derek' will enjoy the challenge and hold his own in the higher fleets.

John Shorrock – Datchet Water
Stepped up last year to lead the more senior members of the GBR team forward with a solid worlds result. Part of the newly formed group at Datchet Water SC and will be looking to take a few more fancied scalps. Batteries in and full volume Shozza!

Trevor Binks – Eastbourne
The 2003 IOM World champion will be racing a borrowed 'Skalpel' and will enjoy getting in and mixing it with some of his more fancied rivals. If he hits form early, he won't fall away.

Tony Edwards – Yeovil (The Tiger)
The current UK IOM National Champion will be racing a borrowed Bantock 'Paradox' design that was probably racing last time we had a fleet of this size. Don't be fooled by the age of the ship as with 'pimps' this boat and skipper is one of the wild cards of the fleet. Will turn some heads.

John Taylor – Fleetwood (Johnny T)
Long time class skipper who has been around the game long enough to pop in some good results after some good moments at last year's worlds. Will be racing his latest 'Astrix' design.

The Internationals to watch

Henning Faas – Germany
Regular visitor to our shores who is expected to feature prominently. Now racing a McDowell F3, he will be one to watch after a strong worlds showing as best placed German. Does the club sell beer?

Laurent Gerbeaud – France
A strong top 10 finish at last year's worlds again has Laurent as a skipper not to be discounted. Will be again racing his 'Quark' with a renewed passion for the English language.

Paul d'Arnaud – Netherlands
A strong light air showing in the early days of last year's Worlds was noted. Look for him to be comfortably in A fleet if he finds the Manor Park summer glass out to his liking.

The Newcomers

John Tushingham – Keighley
RG65 skipper stepping up to the 'Big Brother' class. Will be racing his Australian designed 'Dreadnought'. One to look for if the wind strengthens and lower rigs are used.

Andrea Roberts – Birkenhead
A welcome return to racing from one of the country's leading female radio skippers. This past worlds top ten finisher has rightfully taken back her 'legendary pink Creed Starkers' from husband Martin to show him how things are done. As one of a growing number of lady skippers in the fleet she will put a few in their place with a strong performance.

Rob Vice – Clapham
Another returnee to the class with a heavily 'pimped' older Chris Dicks 'Magic' design. Knows his way around the race track and along with son CJ (also racing), will enjoy what the class has to offer at this level. Tipped to win the biggest tent competition.

Add to this mix a wider host of experienced campaigners, enthusiastic district skippers, newcomers and resident class comedians known to be camping on site, this year's Nationals looks to be one of the events of the radio yachting year.

Racing will start from 10am each day so why not come along and take a look at high performance, fast action radio yacht racing!

Venue

Manor Park Sailing Club
Rugely Road, Kings Bromley, Staffordshire
DE13 7JG

More information on the event website at UK Marblehead Class Website or follow us on Twitter @MarbleheadUK.