Please select your home edition
Edition
RYA Membership

Lark Open at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club

by Nigel Hufton 10 May 2018 12:29 BST 5-7 May 2018
Larks at Rock © Chris Holliman

The early May Bank holiday saw the first sea open of the Lark season at Rock. A forecast of no wind meant some people didn't travel – but it was good to see 2 Scorpions join us this year for this joint event. We hope more people will support this brilliant event next year, without which it cannot continue.

While the rest of the country basked in sunshine, a sea mist caused headaches for the excellent PRO, Martin Hough, but he managed to conjure up some great courses and wind to run twelve excellent races.

On Saturday, the fleet sailed over the Doom Bar in a cool NNW wind. Nigel Hufton and Matt Wood started as pathfinders and built a comfortable lead, which set the pattern for the day, ending up with 3 wins. Nick & Jo Marlow showed their class, scoring two seconds before breaking their main halyard in the third race. Dougal & Helen Scott scored three solid thirds.

Day 2 saw another three races in the Bay. The previous day's practice meant everyone was sailing better and it was the Marlows who had the best day in the shifting breeze, scoring 3,1,2, to Hufton/Wood's 1,3,4. The Scotts won a race and Chris & Kate Holliman got into the Top 3 twice. The sun appeared in time for Chris to video the fleet sailing in from his drone – there are some excellent views on the Lark Facebook page.

On Day 3, a short-course format was introduced – 6 races over a 1-lap sausage. With each race lasting around 10-15 minutes, it was an all-action affair with much place-changing and some heated rules discussions at marks! Five different boats got into the Top three, including Rock first-timers Neil & Sue Firth and Rock stalwarts Chris Ellis and Judith Young.

After twelve races, there was only two points between the top two, but it was Hufton/Wood's consistency and six firsts which proved decisive.

Thanks go to Martin Hough for being a brilliant PRO and to Rock Sailing Club for holding such a great weekend. We cannot wait to be back next year and hope that more people make the trip to this brilliant venue.

Overall Results: (12 races, 3 discards)

1st 2538, Nigel Hufton & Matt Wood, 13pts
2nd 2462, Nick Marlow & Jo Marlow, 14pts
3rd 2484, Dougal Scott & Helen Scott, 22pts
4th 2537, Neil Firth & Sue Firth, 36pts
5th 2530, Chris Ellis & Judith Young, 40pts
6th 2475, Chris Holliman & Kate Holliman, 47pts

Related Articles

Craftinsure Lark Chairman's Trophy at Weymouth
Working with the 'Youths on Boats' (YoBs) programme The Craftinsure Lark Open circuit returned to Weymouth Sailing Club 21-22 June, challenging for the coveted Chairman's Trophy. The hosts provided champagne sailing on the waters of the 2012 Olympics, followed by a social on Saturday. Posted on 26 Jun
Craftinsure Lark Open at Banbury
A shifty westerly and lower-than-usual water levels restricted the size of the course A shifty westerly and lower-than-usual water levels restricted the size of the course which led to some very tight racing at the Craftinsure Lark Open Meeting at Banbury Sailing Club. Posted on 9 Jun
Lark class Frank Carter trophy at Frensham
Held every year since 1967 Frensham Pond Sailing Club hosted their Lark Open on Sunday 18th May, sponsored by Craftinsure. The event has been held every year since 1967, racing for the Frank Carter trophy. Posted on 21 May
Craftinsure Lark Open at Rock
What a weekend it was! For nearly 40 years, a magical sailing event has taken place at Rock over early-May Bank Holiday, the annual Lark Open, sponsored by Craftinsure. This year, the Scorpions came to join in the fun - and what a weekend it was! Posted on 6 May
Out to play this weekend
Fair winds are forecast, the P&B team is heading to the coast Fair winds are forecast, the team's heading to the coast. We're back on the road, maximising time on the water this bank holiday with Scorpion, Europe and Lark events at Rock and the Flying Fifteens at Hayling Island. Posted on 3 May
Larks at the Waldringfield Easter Egg 2025
Wise locals and hot-shot visitors challenge for the coveted trophy and confectionery The Craftinsure Lark Open circuit moved on to Waldringfield SC on 18/19 April, challenging for the coveted Easter Egg trophy and the delicious locally-sourced chocolate Easter Eggs. Posted on 24 Apr
Craftinsure Lark Travellers Series at Shustoke
Take 2 after the event was postponed from a couple of weeks ago After the event was postponed from a couple of weeks ago finally the wind as well as the sun were present for the Shustoke Open. Whilst, it was sunny there was certainly an early morning nip in the air from the Easterly F3-F4 breeze. Posted on 10 Apr
Craftinsure Lark Travellers Series at South Staffs
Glorious sunshine and challenging breezy conditions Glorious sunshine and challenging breezy conditions greeted the competitors for the second open meeting of the Craftinsure Travellers Series on Saturday 5 April 2025. Posted on 9 Apr
Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships at Frensham
It wasn't long before competitors were throwing shapes on the dance floor A highly competitive fleet of Larks gathered at Frensham Pond Sailing Club on 16-17 November to contest their Winter Championships, the final event of 2024. Posted on 21 Nov 2024
Craftinsure Lark Open at Itchenor
Following on from the Masters Championship the day before Following on from the excitement of the Lark Masters Championship on the Saturday, six boats made it to the first start on the Sunday. Posted on 15 Oct 2024