Scorpion Nationals at Looe Sailing Club - Overall

A brisk force five and sunshine on day three of the Scorpion nationals © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

A brisk force five and sunshine on day three of the Scorpion nationals © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

A brisk force five and sunshine on day three of the Scorpion nationals © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

63 Scorpions competed in their week long national championship hosted by Looe SC from 30th July to 5th August with a full range of weather conditions, and plenty of entertainment and Cornish hospitality off the water. Whilst John Mursell and Nick Keast regained their title, there were 12 different boats in top three placings highlighting the competitiveness of the fleet.

The Practice race was completed on Sunday in light winds, but a lengthy delay ensued whilst the Race Officer hoped the wind would settle. Unfortunately Race 1 had to be abandoned mid race.

Monday brought a Force 2 with grey skies. Allan Tyler and Tim Parsons lead the majority of Race 1, but on the penultimate beat, Woodhead/Hannabus took the shift and the lead, Chris Turner and Simon Maguire went hard right on the last beat and came through to take 2nd place, from Nigel Potter and Simon Hibbert and Tyler/Parsons.

Race 2 was lead by Carol Haines and Richard Jones, but were overtaken by John Mursell and Nick Keast and Potter/Hibbert. Jock Fellows and Sarah Maguire also overtook Haines/Jones, and Potter/Hibbert on the next beat. The wind shifted for the final lap but the RO wisely moved the finish and Mursell/Keast won, with Potter/Hibbert just taking Fellows/Maguire on the line.

On Tuesday Race 3 started in a sunny Force 2. After two recalls, the RO introduced the black flag, and the fleet got away with only Dave & Alex Machin in 1972 lobbed. The first three boats broke away from the rest of the fleet, with Turner/Maguire leading the whole race from Mursell/Keast and Tyler/Parsons.

Race 4 went straight to the black flag. Adrian & Rob Smith rounded first ahead of Turner/Maguire. A tight battle ensued between these two and Mursell/Keast, closely followed by Woodhead/Hannabus and Barry and Linda Wolfenden. On the second beat Turner/Maguire came through to win, and Mursell/Keast took the Smiths at the finish.

Race 5 was held in big breeze on Wednesday. The Wolfendens had a significant lead but on the second broader reach fell in letting Woodhead/Hannabus overtake. On a shifty final beat Woodhead/Hannabus took race victory, followed by the Hannans, the Wolfendens and Dave Elston & Gavin Poullion.

With only three races to go the championships were still wide open, and Thursday dawned bright and breezy. For Race 6 the line was set with bias to limit the chance of multiple starts, and this encouraged a group of boats to lead the fleet off on port. This race was won by Mursell/Keast from Mike and Georgina Hicks and Pete and Andrew Rose.

Race 7 was lead from start to finish by Turner/Maguire from Potter/Hibbert and Mursell/Keast who came up through the fleet.

Friday morning dawned very bright – especially for those who had enjoyed the now legendary Fancy Dress party the night before – with an offshore breeze blowing 20 knots. By the first windward mark Tyler/Parsons lead from Woodhead/Hannabus followed by Turner/Maguire, Elston/Poullion, and the Smiths. Mursell/Keast moved their way through the fleet taking the race win on the final run from Turner/Maguire. Elston/Poullion came through to take 3rd from the Hannans who took 4th from Woodhead/Hannabus.

Overall Results: