Larks at the Waldringfield Cartoon Trophy

Larks at the Waldringfield Cartoon Open © Robert Deaves

The Lark circus descended on Waldringfield on the 8th and 9th September for the annual Cartoon Open Meeting, the winner of which gets to hold a trophy – literally a Cartoon - for a year. A strong fleet of both locals and visitors – including 3 previous National champions - had assembled in anticipation of the usual close racing. The fleet were not disappointed.

All of the 3 Saturday races were held in the Rocks. The 2 morning races were characterised by deciding how many times to cross the tide to get better current relief with all the boats trying to outpoint one another. By race 3, the tide had turned resulting in a run against the tide. Harry Pynn and Tim Hartley won all three races, following some intense racing with Chris and Cathy Fish, Alan Krailing and Hannah Edge, Matt White and Jackie McKeller, and Nigel Hufton and Matt Wood.

Larks at the Waldringfield Cartoon Open - photo © Robert Deaves

An early Sunday start to take advantage of the best of the tide did not deter the fleet, with Patrick and Elsa Cooney making a welcome return to the lark. The course was set in the tips area. Chris and Cathy Fish proved difficult to overtake and won race 4 from White and McKellar. Fish and Fish, Pynn and Hartley, and Krailing and Edge were all eager starters in race 5 and had to gybe round the pin end to restart. Hufton and Wood took the lead but were passed by both Fish and Fish and Pynn and Hartley who maintained the lead until the end.

For the final race the wind had increased further providing some epic racing in the gusty conditions. It was nip and tuck between all of the top 5 boats until the last lap when mayhem ensued as most of the boats capsized downwind. Pynn and Hartley kept their boat upright to take their fifth race win of the weekend.

The Lark Nationals 2019 will be at Rock over 4 days of the late May Bank holiday 25-28 May. Please can anyone interested in attending contact the Lark Class committee via the website or on Facebook.

Overall Results: