Norfolk Punt Championships at the Norfolk Punt Club
by Tom Moore 21 Aug 2006 18:38 BST
19-20 August 2006
20 Norfolk Punts race for their championships on Barton Broad © Tom Moore
The Norfolk Punt Championships were held on Barton Broad over the weekend of 19th / 20th August.
20 Punts were entered for a five race series, the best of four to count. Conditions were variable over the two days, with some blustery showers gusting to 25 knots on Saturday, with numerous capsizes and several punts getting into difficulties with their large asymmetric spinnakers. One punt broke its boom, but otherwise gear failures were minimal. Several punts put together some good performances, and featured well in the individual races, but were not able to put together consistent enough races to feature in the overall results. The older generation of punt sailors were well represented with John Parker from Hickling a creditable eighth overall, and David Adler showing flashes of good form, in one race leading the fleet around the first two marks.
The usual Punt Club hospitality was well to the fore with excellent refreshments being provided during the day and a very lively reception was held at Marsh House in Neatishead on Saturday evening for all competitors.
No one team dominated the event, but consistent sailing by James Jarvey from Hickling, sailing Harnser, punt number 51, won him the Overall trophy and also the Hard Chine Trophy. The Traditional punt trophy was won by William Daniels, sailing Swallow 2, punt number 35. The Progress cup for the fastest boat overall, was won by Peter Bainbridge sailing Whooper, punt number 94. The first lady sailor on handicap was Jane Pye, sailing Snow Goose, punt number 96.
Overall Results:
Race 1 (17 Starters)
1. Punt 51, Harnser, James Jarvey
2. Punt 35, Swallow 2, William Daniels
3. Punt 96, Snow Goose, Jane Pye
Race 2 (17 Starters)
1. Punt 74, Blackbird, Andrew Friend
2. Punt 96, Snow Goose, Jane Pye
3. Punt 35, Swallow 2, William Daniels
Race 3 (18 Starters)
1. Punt 51, Harnser, James Jarvey
2. Punt 94, Whooper, Peter Bainbridge
3. Punt 49, Snark, Mark Elson
Race 4 (18 Starters)
1. Punt 86, Peregrine, Simon Clayton
2. Punt 94, Whooper, Peter Bainbridge
3. Punt 51, Harnser, James Jarvey
Race 5 (18 Starters)
1. Punt 94, Whooper, Peter Bainbridge
2. Punt 86, Peregrine, Simon Clayton
3. Punt 51, Harnser, James Jarvey
Trophy winners:
Overall Trophy, Punt 51, Harnser, James Jarvey
Hard Chine Trophy, Punt 51, Harnser, James Jarvey
Progress Cup, Punt 94, Whooper, Peter Bainbridge
First Traditional Punt, Punt 35, Swallow 2, William Daniels
First Lady Helm, Punt 96, Snow Goose, Jane Pye
Cuckoo Cup, Punt 74, Blackbird, Robert Friend (first helm or crew under 18)