Dart 18 Nationals at Worthing Sailing Club

76 Dart 18’s competed at Worthing Yacht Club over the August bank Holiday weekend, making it by far the largest catamaran National Championship in the UK this year. The fleet was very competitive with all the top six boats from the recent European Championship, various past and present class Champions, visitors from France and Holland – together with some new faces at their first Dart event. The Dart Association introduced a ‘buddy system’ to help welcome the newcomers to the fleet. Some people found that their new ‘buddy boats’ were sailing embarrassingly fast!

True to Dart 18 tradition the weekend was full of partying. The major event sponsors, Laser Centre donated a brand new boat, with numerous other prizes donated by the other sponsors - Red Insurance, WH Insurance Consultants, Fluid Boat Services and Mylor Yacht Chandlery. The main party night included legendary live music. Great socials, great prizes, large and competitive fleet, top quality race management, great venue – it was going to be a weekend to remember.

The pre-race favourites Matt Pullen and Debbie Rickard had just dominated the European Championship, but this event proved to be very close with five different race winners and the outcome went down to the very last race.

Three races were held in steady but light winds on the first day, steadily building from about 5 knots to maybe 8 knots. Paul Wakelin and Emma Curtis in ‘Fluid’ set the early pace by winning race one from Pullen/Rickard in ‘Mylor Chandlery’. The next race was won by Matt Ambrose and Sarah Wren winning their first ever Nationals race, and again they were followed home by Pullen/Rickard. In the last race of the day, Wakelin/Curtis scored another bullet, demonstrating the speed of the South African built Darts. This time they were followed home by ex- Champions David Lloyd and Hayley Smith in ‘Typhoon’.

The second day had slightly more breeze, maybe 8 – 10 knots and again steadily building through the day. Dave and Louise Roberts in ‘www.sailingbooks.co.uk’ won the first race of the day after overtaking Stuart Snell and Martin Stevens on the last reach to the line – Snell/Stevens had led the race from the start, after an excellent start at the pin end. In the second race of the day, Lloyd/Smith found a good breeze in the middle of the first beat to establish a commanding lead, which they maintained to the finish, followed by Roberts/Roberts. The third race of the day saw a close battle between Pullen/Rickard and Roberts/Roberts, with an excellent leeward mark rounding on the final lap allowing the European Champions to establish a lead and go on to record their first race win of this regatta. That result set up the final day showdown with Pullen/Rickard in a two point lead over Roberts/Roberts.

With similar winds on the final day, the race officer set a fairly short course in the first race, which was won by Ambrose/Wren followed a short distance behind by Roberts/Roberts. With Pullen/Rickard slipping to 5th, the points lead was now with Roberts/Roberts. The second race of the day was won by Lloyd/Smith, with Pullen Rickard in second and Roberts/Roberts scoring a 3rd. This made the points position equal, the same discard and the countback position very similar – in the final race the Championship was going to be decided by which of the front two beat the other. Both the leaders started close to the Committee boat, with Roberts/Roberts establishing an early lead. Determined to protect this lead, they covered Pullen/Rickard all the way until a comfortable lead was established at the end… but at the finish line they were met by a deafening silence – the result of an OCS! The final race went to Lloyd/Smith with Pullen/Rickards second enough to retain the Championship.

Great racing – competitive and close. All the competitors admired the truly excellent job that the race management team performed – when they do such a good job, it helps to ensure that everyone has a great time. The Dart 18 class now look forward to their World Championship in South Africa, Nationals at Whitstable in Spring 2006, followed by the next European Championship in the South of France.

Overall Results: