Graduate Nationals at Notts County Sailing Club - Overall

Final day of the Graduate Nationals at Notts County © David Eberlin

Veterans planing with style on the final day of the Graduate Nationals at Notts County © David Eberlin

The final day of the Graduate Nationals was another day of northerly winds; however, they were stronger averaging force four gusting five and occasionally more as the day went on.

Race five, the morning race, was again closely fought. The stronger conditions were to the liking of Steve Blackburn and Ciaran McKettrick who powered to the front and could not be caught giving them their first Graduate Nationals bullet. The Clementsons came second which was enough to make them overall winners.

Race six, was the exciting one of the event. With first place already decided it appeared to be between teams Tony and Sam Cooper and Andy and Sue Flitcroft as to who would get second but the Coopers had already used their discard and had to score well in this race. The race started with the top guys ever working their way up the middle or the left. This allowed James and Anne Gardner to show the fleet the correct route and take the early lead.

The windward mark was not good for the Clementsons and Flitcrofts who were headed in their final approach. They tried luffing up but stalled and could not tack as the rest of the fleet sailed over them. As they drifted, they touched and the Clementsons had to do turns.

It was then a high speed run down to mark number one where, apart from a couple of the early leaders, the chasing pack arrived on mass. During this the Cooper's flyaway pole split causing it to become jammed and the jib was uncontrollable. As the shore was close by, they beached to do emergency repairs and then resumed the race. After clearing the same mark Hamilton and Alistair Roaf capsized to windward after being headed.

It was during these early stages that David and Sandra Wilson capsized on top of Sprinter sailed by Stewart Eaton and Claire Pritchard. Unfortunately, the Wilson's main sail was ripped in the collision and they had to retire.

Final day of the Graduate Nationals at Notts County - photo © David Eberlin

The race continued with Gardners leading while the Clementsons worked their way up the fleet. All the boats were having exciting planes. Further back, the Coopers continued their uneasy relationship with buoy number one by capsizing there, conveniently in front of the club house for the audience.

The Clementsons eventually broke through and won the race making it five wins out of six and retained the National Championships. The Flitcrofts were second overall and Blackburn/McKettrick third. The veteran prize was won by Roger Cherill, the best placed junior helm was Bryn Abendstern, the best placed junior crew was Gabe Hill, the best lady helm was Meg Warren, the ton up trophy was won by Bob and Maggie Murrell, the Ruislip paddle was won by James Webber and Helen Ricardo and the Molyneaux trophy went to Chipstead Sailing Club.

All competitors enjoyed the event and especially the hospitality of Notts County Sailing Club who as well as providing great sailing also supplied good food, lots of family friendly social fun plus team racing before and sometimes after the main days' races. All in all it was an excellent event. Next year the Nationals will be at Bolton Sailing Club during the August bank holiday.

Overall Results:
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