Challenger UK Championships at Rutland Sailing Club

Challenger UK Championships at Rutland © Richard Johnson

The Challenger UK Championships were sailed at Rutland 11th-13th September. Fleet size, at 16 boats, was down this year but quality was definitely up with a guest appearance by Rutland Club member, Endeavour Trophy winner, and past Team Racing World Champion Steve Tylecote, one of four able-bodied competitors.

Hungarian and European Hansa Champion Zoltan Pegan got off to a good start by winning the first race from Graham Hall, the 2014 winner. Steve Tylecote was bedding in with a fourth place but there was drama at the next start as the regulars tried too hard and Steve plus another three boats were over the line early. One boat responded to the signal so three of the top scorers retired, giving an easy race win to Val Millward, who led on points overnight.

On Saturday it was a world class showing from Steve Tylecote,who won 3 of the 4 races sailed, and now had the overall lead. He was however made to work hard for it by Zoltan Pegan, Graham Hall and particularly Val Millward, who couldn't quite roll out of a vicious luffing match that was reminscent of team race tactics, needing a gybe to reach the last mark. She did learn from it and managed to break free in the next race for a second win, giving her 10 points to Steve's 9. Light winds ahead for tomorrow and 2 races scheduled, which could change everything!

Challenger UK Championships at Rutland - photo © Richard Johnson

Super-light Sunday lived up to its expectations, as the racing came down to the wire. In the first race Alex Hovden led right up until the last leg before being overhauled by Zoltan. Steve was 3rd and Val 4th which meant that, to win, Val needed to be two places ahead in the next race.

Challenger UK Championships at Rutland - photo © Richard Johnson

At the start, wind filled in from the right and Zoltan tacked into it, looking unbeatable until a big lift took him away from the track. Steve then looked best, going hard left into building wind, leaving Millward in the middle with the lightest breeze. At the mark, Val's judgement triumphed as she tacked into a lifting zephyre and sped off down the reach, while Zoltan had sailed the Great Circle route and Steve emerged in the middle of the pack after finding inconsistent breeze.

Challenger UK Championships at Rutland - photo © Richard Johnson

Offwind, Graham Hall was fastest, catching Val but, importantly, failing to overtake. Steve made up a couple of places but still had Zoltan between him and the front. Val held her nerve and the lead finish first, with Steve recovering to fourth, just one point from the title – not bad for a (Challenger) beginner and a cracking weekend of racing for all involved!

Overall Results: