Blaze Inland Championship at Chase Sailing Club
by Ben Harden 8 Oct 2019 19:49 BST
5-6 October 2019
A healthy 53 strong Blaze fleet made its way to the Midlands for a challenging weekend of lake sailing on Chase water sponsored by Allen, Hartley Boats, and Marine 13.
Those lucky few who could get out of work early on Friday made their way to Chase Water Sailing Club and were welcomed to a stunning millpond as the sunset. After masts had been raised and boats fiddled with the bar swiftly opened and takeaways started to arrive, giving all a good chance to catch up on what a great year of Blaze sailing it had been.
The start on Saturday was scheduled for 1100, plenty of time for early morning arrivals to rig and then enjoy England whoop the Argentinians in Japan.
As the fleet headed out to the start area, in a light and shifty 7-10Knts, it soon became apparent that the day was going to be a very interesting game of snakes and ladders.
The first start of a weekend's racing is always an interesting one. The fleet pushed hard with the top guns eager to lay down the gauntlet. However, with over 50 boats on the line in was inevitable that the first start was a general recall. The race committee then decided to hoist the U flag for the rest of the weekend.
The Race Committee had also made the choice to run courses around set club racing marks, which as it turned out, made for some different and more exciting courses than usual. Once the first race got away it was the home fleet that took the early lead and asserted their dominance with a 1st Ben Pickering, 2nd Alex Berry and 3rd Mark Blackham. Clearly, they were used to the shiftiness of the small lake!
After the first race, there was time for a quick return to shore for hot lunch and drinks served up by the club, followed by a quick bit of boat tuning to suit the conditions.
The second race of the day soon got under way and again it was Ben Pickering who, even having been out of the class for some while, showed his form with another convincing win. Followed by Ben Harden (Burnham SC) and then Alex Berry.
Race 3 and conditions continued to stay consistently inconsistent. With the shifts making for huge gains and losses. This time it was Simon Beddows (Reading SC) who would challenge Ben P for the front, fortunately for Ben P he stayed strong and rounded off the day with 3 wins from 3. Simon followed closely behind with Alex Berry continuing his consistent day with another 3rd.
Day one was rounded off with a very boozy curry night, live music from The Fazys and a surprise appearance from a certain pink flamingo.
Sunday dawned and wind conditions where a stark contrast to day 1. Wind had changed 180 degrees and built to a 15 gusting 25knts. Paired with the sore heads and 3 back to back races, it was bound to make for an interesting day.
Race 4, and it was time for the big boys to shine. Martin Hattersley (Chase SC) and Malcom Hutchings battled out at the front for the first few legs. And then, no surprise, Ben P worked his way back to the front of the fleet and took his 4th win. After some interesting gybe mark moments, position changes were inevitable. 2nd was Martin Hattersley and 3rd Alex Berry.
Race 5, by this time the fleet was already tiring, and several sailors opted for an early pack away with the breeze proving to much. At least the wind and cold moments in the water had dispersed any hangovers. This time it was current National Champion, Eden Hyland (Chase SC), who'd show his big wind skills and take the win. Ben P just needed a half decent result and the event was in the bag. He followed just behind Eden. 3rd place went to a newbie Blazer, Nick Tolhurst (Burnham SC), who despite the wind and having only sailed the boat 3 times managed to hold onto the end.
The final race of the weekend and numbers on the start line were considerably down from the full entry list. As either gear failure, body fatigue or general reasonable thinking came into play. Ben Pickering, having already won the event now the discard was about to kick in, opted for an early pack away. This time it was Ben Harden, Josh Hyland and Sam Pickering, who was sporting a MK1 blaze, to battle out for the final win of the weekend. Ben Harden took the final win of the weekend with Sam 2nd and Josh 3rd.
Thanks to Chase Water Sailing Club and all the volunteers for hosting an absolutely fantastic weekend. We will be back!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 840 | Ben Pickering | Chase SC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | (DNC) | 6 |
| 2nd | 846 | Ben Harden | Burnham SC | 5 | 2 | ‑9 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 18 |
| 3rd | 839 | Eden Hyland | Chase SC | 7 | 6 | ‑8 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 25 |
| 4th | 559 | Sam Pickering | Chase SC | 14 | 10 | ‑21 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 38 |
| 5th | 827 | Hugh Kingdon | North Devon YC | 11 | 9 | ‑12 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 48 |
| 6th | 732 | Paul Buckley | Royal Corinthian YC | 9 | ‑26 | 6 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 51 |
| 7th | 807 | Nick Ripley | Paignton SC | 12 | 8 | 13 | 7 | 11 | (RET) | 51 |
| 8th | 774 | Mark Blackham | Chase SC | 3 | 7 | 15 | 19 | (RET) | 11 | 55 |
| 9th | 1764 | Adam Froggatt | Chase SC | 15 | 12 | 19 | 5 | (RET) | 4 | 55 |
| 10th | 751 | Josh Hyland | Chase SC | 25 | 11 | 14 | (RET) | 5 | 3 | 58 |
| 11th | 843 | Chris Dyer | North Devon YC | 20 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 7 | (RET) | 59 |
| 12th | 1559 | Alex Berry | Chase SC | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | (RET) | RET | 65 |
| 13th | 661 | Nic Tolhurst | Burnham SC/Royal Corinthian YC | 6 | 27 | 11 | 18 | 3 | (RET) | 65 |
| 14th | 789 | John Worthington | Paignton SC | ‑29 | 15 | 24 | 17 | 17 | 8 | 81 |
| 15th | 837 | Gareth Hyland | Chase SC | 18 | 18 | 10 | 28 | 20 | (RET) | 94 |
| 16th | 821 | Julian Owens | Pembrokshire YC | 26 | 23 | 32 | 10 | 9 | (DNC) | 100 |
| 17th | 828 | Paul Tatem | North Devon YC | 21 | 30 | ‑35 | 22 | 16 | 12 | 101 |
| 18th | 833 | Martin Hattersley | Chase SC | 13 | 4 | 30 | 2 | (RET) | DNC | 103 |
| 19th | 799 | Richard Botting | Draycote Water SC | ‑41 | 35 | 39 | 16 | 8 | 9 | 107 |
| 20th | 838 | Dave Watkins | Chase SC | 19 | 21 | 17 | 33 | 21 | (DNC) | 111 |
| 21st | 772 | Tim Freeman | Warsash SC | 33 | 17 | 31 | 14 | 18 | (RET) | 113 |
| 22nd | 759 | David Shafto | Burghfield SC | 28 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 25 | (DNC) | 113 |
| 23rd | 800 | Simon Beddows | Reading SC | 4 | 5 | 2 | (RET) | RET | DNC | 119 |
| 24th | 780 | Oliver Murray | Blackpool & Fleetwood YC | 38 | 43 | ‑46 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 119 |
| 25th | 805 | Alan Goule | Paignton SC | (UFD) | 36 | 16 | 31 | 23 | 13 | 119 |
| 26th | 712 | Nigel McKenna | Hollowell SC | 39 | 22 | 34 | 12 | 14 | (UFD) | 121 |
| 27th | 797 | Mike Holmes | Paignton SC | 24 | 40 | ‑43 | 26 | 22 | 14 | 126 |
| 28th | 811 | Pete Barlow | Burghfield SC | 23 | 16 | 22 | 15 | (RET) | DNC | 130 |
| 29th | 836 | Malc Hutchings | Burnham SC/Royal Corinthian YC | 8 | 29 | 5 | 35 | (RET) | DNC | 131 |
| 30th | 826 | Andy McIvor | Blackwater SC | 10 | 13 | 4 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 135 |
| 31st | 761 | Tim Morgan | Paignton SC | 42 | 37 | ‑44 | 30 | 19 | 15 | 143 |
| 32nd | 568 | Rob Froud | Hornsea SC | 36 | 28 | 27 | (RET) | 13 | DNC | 158 |
| 33rd | 614 | Bob Ladell | King George SC | 45 | ‑49 | 49 | 25 | 24 | 16 | 159 |
| 34th | 810 | Andrew Chorlton | Paignton SC | 27 | 32 | 20 | 34 | (DNC) | RET | 167 |
| 35th | 781 | David Entwistle | Burghfield SC | 16 | 20 | 26 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 170 |
| 36th | 764 | Matt Lutwyche | Chase SC | 35 | 39 | 23 | 21 | (RET) | RET | 172 |
| 37th | 844 | Andrew Taylor | Blackpool & Fleetwood YC | 17 | 25 | 28 | (UFD) | DNC | DNC | 178 |
| 38th | 710 | Grahan G. Slater | Paignton SC | 32 | 41 | 42 | 24 | (RET) | RET | 193 |
| 39th | 812 | Pip Warner | Hornsea SC | 22 | 31 | 38 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 199 |
| 40th | 809 | Andy Maw | Burghfield SC | 31 | 33 | 29 | (RET) | DNC | DNC | 201 |
| 41st | 779 | Andy Whitcher | Pembrokshire YC | 34 | 24 | 41 | (RET) | DNC | DNC | 207 |
| 42nd | 829 | Bob Cowan | Warsash SC | 40 | 34 | 25 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 207 |
| 43rd | 513 | Mark Smith | Paignton SC | (UFD) | 38 | 33 | 29 | RET | DNC | 208 |
| 44th | 796 | Bob Yates | Burghfield SC | 37 | 46 | 40 | 36 | (DNC) | DNC | 213 |
| 45th | 680 | Colin Spence | Chase SC | 44 | 42 | 47 | 32 | (RET) | DNC | 219 |
| 46th | 755 | Bernie Stanforth | Tudor SC | 30 | 50 | 37 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 225 |
| 47th | 538 | Tim Robinson | Hollowell SC | 47 | 45 | 45 | 37 | (DNC) | DNC | 228 |
| 48th | 619 | Nathan Vyse | Chase SC | (UFD) | 51 | DNC | 27 | DNC | DNC | 240 |
| 49th | 763 | Peter McFarlane | Burghfield SC | (UFD) | 44 | 36 | RET | RET | DNC | 242 |
| 50th | 77 | Andy Wilson | Island Barn SC | 43 | 47 | 48 | (RET) | DNC | DNC | 246 |
| 51st | 757 | Seb Caunter | Paignton SC | 46 | 48 | (RET) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 256 |
| 52nd | 804 | Tim Heaton | Yorkshire Dales SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 270 |
| 52nd | 813 | Mike Lyons | Burghfield SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 270 |
Dates for the Diary:
- Blaze Nationals 2020 - Stone Sailing Club - 5th - 7th June
- Northern Championships 2020 - Hornsea Sailing Club - 25th - 26th April
- South Western Championships 2020 - Paignton Sailing Club - 9th - 10th May
- Southern Championships 2020 - Warsash Sailing Club - 16th - 17th May
- Eastern Championships 2020 - Wilsonian Sailing Club - 4th - 5th July
- Inlands 2020 - TBC
Sponsors:
Allen - British manufacturers of performance sailing hardware and have over 60 years of experience working with the world's leading sailors to create innovative products with the highest levels of performance, quality and durability.
Hartley Boats - With 14 boats in their range, Hartley Boats is the place to go for your next boat, the team are confident, helpful and will ensure they have a boat to suit your sailing needs.
Marine 13 - First class bespoke sails, covers repairs and bags. All at competitive prices!