Squib South Coast Championships at Weymouth Sailing Club

Racing at the Squib South Coast Championships © Stephen Dadd

Racing at the Squib South Coast Championships © Vivien Bailey

Racing at the Squib South Coast Championships © Vivien Bailey

16 visiting boats from as far away as Anglesey and Yorkshire, joined 21 local boats to enjoy the Olympic waters of Weymouth Bay for the National Squib South Coast Championships hosted by Weymouth Sailing Club on the 3 and 4 of September.

Competitor’s ages ranged from 9 year old Freddie Warren-Smith from Royal Victoria Yacht Club, to octogenarian Ernie Lee of Weymouth Sailing Club. The significant age range shows the versatility and manageability of the National Squib.

Richard Peacock and Glyn Roberts traveled from Anglesey with Rebound and had the misfortune, through no fault of their own, to be dismasted at the first mark of the first race, but managed to borrow a boat to take part in Sunday's races.

Saturday provided strong easterly winds of 25 knots which quickly built up the sea to a significant swell, giving challenging - and bruising- conditions for the sailors. Sunday's 22 knots of, again, easterly wind provided little relief for the aching, bruised limbs from the day before.

Both days provided fantastic racing conditions for all competitors with Gerard Dyson and Adam Saltonstall in Alchemy (Royal Yorkshire) taking control with four wins from five races. Close competition came from Peter White and Max Evans in Maximus (Felixstowe Ferry) and Brian and Jenny Riley in Brimstone (Waveney & Oulton Broad).

Best performance from the local fleet was Mike and Penny Fenwick in Ghost Rider finishing 5th overall.

Quote of the day, which summed up the weekend, came from 9 year old Freddie who said “it was fun”, a feeling that was echoed by many of the competitors.

Overall Results: