Buzz National Championship at Port of Plymouth Sailing Association
by Mark Wilson and Jane Noble 9 Jul 2019 08:11 BST
15-16 June 2019
Saturday - Day 1
Nine Buzz crews arrived at the Mount Batten Centre with a sense of trepidation having seen the predictions for a weekend of heavy winds. Saturday morning, however, was perfect weather. The first race eased the fleet into racing, with new comers mum and son combo, Claire and Ewan in borrowed Buzz 560, taking the honours and sending a warning to those usually fighting for the top places.
Mark and Jane (1027) took second, in what proved their best result of the Regatta. Race 2 saw the top three battle it out clear of the rest of the fleet with Stuart and Nathan (1013) getting their first win, closely followed by Matt and Joe (748).
The wind picked up putting smiles on faces as the boats surfed down the waves; 1013 again taking honours in both races 3 and 4, which saw home teams Julian and Iain (966) and Roger and Penny (987) sailing well in the choppy water to move up the leader table.
Teenagers Max and Jude (1100), new to the Buzz, coped well with the increasing wind and waves considering they hadn't previously sailed on the sea, posting their best result in the last race of the day.
A hard day's sailing was followed by a BBQ and music at the Mount Batten Centre.
Sunday 16th June - Day 2
Sunday's racing provided some of the most challenging sailing at a Buzz Nationals for many years. The Facebook lady went round the boats for a pre-launch interview to capture the apprehensive mood amongst the fleet. At the start of Race 1 winds were around F4 from the SSW and wind over tide, made beating a bumpy ride. Buzz 1013, 748 and 560 stretched out a lead by the first lap.
At the second windward rounding Buzz 978, in fifth, got their spinnaker in a nasty hourglass and capsized in the process of trying to free it. After a sizzling downwind, Buzz 1013 took the honours followed by 748 and 560. Walter and Jason (860) finished fifth which proved their best result of the day.
By Race 2 the wind had built to F5-6, the top three Buzzes fighting it out but Buzz 966 held second round the top mark and finished third - their best result. In the meantime new pairing in Josh and new crew Andy (426) had to retire on their second downwind capsize. New comers in Buzz 1100 in their first outing on the sea and only sailing the Buzz for a few months were grappling with the conditions well.
Race honours went to Buzz 1013 with Buzz 748 with their new crew for this event were consolidating their position in the fleet.
The fleet survived a squally storm and the winds eased for the first beat of the last race. With the regatta already won by Buzz 1013, after nearly a clean sweep of firsts, second and third place were still up for grabs between 748 and 560. The winds built again and feeling the strain of the conditions, Buzz 860 ripped their spinnaker and Buzz 1027 broke a strop.
The young guns in Buzz 1100 were sticking to their task and not intimidated by the conditions or the length of time out on the water successfully completed all races. Back to the battle for second - Buzz 748 was relishing the conditions and completed a hat trick of seconds with Buzz 560 holding onto third overall, and Buzz 866, in their best Nationals, fourth.
Well done to Stuart and Nathan for another convincing win.
A great weekend's sailing - thanks to all at Plymouth for such a fun and well-run event despite the challenging conditions - see you all at the next one!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Name | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 1013 | Vantage | Stuart Bailey | ‑3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 748 | Buzz 748 | Matthew Butler | 4 | 2 | ‑5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 15 |
| 3 | 560 | Bumble | Claire Gribbin | 1 | 3 | 2 | ‑6 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 16 |
| 4 | 966 | Julian Miles | Julian Miles | 5 | ‑6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 22 |
| 5 | 1027 | Fritz | Jane Noble | 2 | 4 | 7 | ‑9 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 28 |
| 6 | 860 | Walter Douie | Walter Douie | ‑8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 35 |
| 7 | 987 | Roger Eyre | Roger Eyre | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | (RET) | DNC | DNC | 39 |
| 8 | 1100 | Spartan | Max Wilkinson | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | (RET) | 7 | 48 |
| 9 | 426 | Buzzum Buddies | Joshua Jones | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | (DNC) | 7 | DNC | 48 |