Hansa UK National Championships at Carsington Sailability
by Mike Stoker 21 Sep 2016 18:36 BST
9-11 September 2016
2016 Hansa Liberty UK National Championships at Carsington Sailability © Mark Ludbrook
Competitors arrived at Carsington from 8.30am eager to unload their boats ready for the start of the three day Championship event. Tea coffee and breakfast snacks were available from the club galley and were enjoyed by many of the competitors, support helpers and visitors.
The morning was spent preparing for the planned event schedule of eight races over the three days. After registration and boat preparation competitors enjoyed a lunch menu provided by the galley including a choice of club sandwich or savoury snacks. The usual irresistible selection of cakes was available also.
The event commenced after lunch with Carsington Sailability's Secretary Mike Stoker extending a warm welcome to everyone, thanking them for attending and supporting the National Championship Event.
With freshening winds, after a briefing from the Race Team, the event got underway with two back to back races to complete the afternoon's program.
Competitors had three fleet starts, Liberty class, 303 and 2.3 competing around two courses incorporating trapezoidal and sausage shapes. Competition proved very close with a number of closely fought battles in both races particularly within the Liberty fleet.
Racing completed for the day competitors enjoyed tea and cakes from the galley and a chat about the day's events before retiring to their hotels for a welcome rest.
Saturday brought cloudy conditions, heavy rain showers and light winds, but this did not deter anyone from getting boats prepared for the day's battles. Four races were on the schedule two in the morning and two in the afternoon raced back to back. After a short brief from the RO, boats were launched and made off for the start. During the morning session the rain cleared but the wind grew lighter, so much so that the afternoon races had to be cancelled after abandoning the first start and searching for favourable conditions before heading back to shore.
The Championship Dinner that evening was well attended giving everyone a chance to relax and catch up. The Galley provided an excellent menu with a choice of two mains and a selection of deserts with chocolates, tea or coffee to finish.
The final day began with misty conditions after the wet weather the day before but this was soon dispersed well before the race schedule was to start. Sailing Instructions amended to incorporate three back to back races and briefing completed, competitors headed for the jetties and the start line. The morning races were completed in fair winds and dry conditions providing ample chance to improve overall results. After a good lunch, the afternoon was spent packing boats away ready for the Prize Giving and the journey home.
Championship cups were awarded for first place in each fleet with glass trophies for second and third places. Prizes were presented by Malcolm Torry BEM a founder member of Carsington Sailability.
Vote of thanks was given to Carsington Sailing Club for hosting the event.
Special thanks to Race Officer Ella Stoggal, ably assisted by Henry Wright, Keith and Liz Appleby and to Carsington Members who volunteered to help run the event making it such a memorable occasion.
Hansa 2.3 Fleet:
1st Lindsay Burns - Frensham
2nd Janet Whyte - Chesil (also winner of the Endeavour Cup)
3rd Mark Grundy - Carsington
Hansa 303 One Person Fleet:
1st Margaret Foreman - Frensham
2nd Leslie Philip - Tideway
3rd Kate Hedley - Frensham
4th Rory McKinna - Clyde Cruising (also winner of the Bakewell Rotary Shield)
5th Wendy Needham - Carsington SC (also winner of the Derek Lee Memorial Trophy)
6th Alison Grant Frensham
Hansa 303 Two Person Fleet:
1st Tim Scarisbrick and Hugh de Longh - Chesil
2nd Martin Hadley and Steve Kitson - New Forest
3rd Philip Hall and Dick Foyle - Chesil
4th Ben Toach and crew - Carsington SC
5th Mark Grundy and crew - Carsington SC
6th Edward Belaby and crew - Carsington SC (also winner of the Novice Cup)
Hansa Liberty Fleet:
1st Paul Phillips - Frensham
2nd Chris Emmet - Rutland
3rd David Durston - Whitefriars
4th Pat Crowley - Rutland
5th Tessa Watkiss - Frensham
6th Monique Foster - Rutland
7th Diana Faulks - Rutland
8th Ric Cassell - Rutland
9th Simon Harle - Rutland