Please select your home edition
Edition
GJW Direct 2024 Dinghy

Astral Azure 2000 Class National Championship at Brixham Yacht Club - Day 3

by Mark Foley 19 Aug 2020 10:06 BST 16-21 August 2020

A confident race officer, the excellent Sean Semmens of BYC expected a stronger breeze than Monday. So assured, the fleet set sail driftily across the millpond of the bay.

Half way to Torquay, after encounters with a ferry and a trawler, and a spookily rainbow-free sunny drenching, the shore side boats took off as the wind came in from the south west. Sean aspired to three races on Tuesday as Thursday and Friday looked extremely "fresh to frightening", so from there on there was no hanging around.

Race 5

The course was set at 225 degrees. The pin end was crowded but no one was over the line. The breeze was stronger than Monday in the low teens MPH, and the judgment to tack across the fleet onto port is a bit shaky after lockdown. Those who did it well prospered. Rob & Sarah Burridge most notably. Approaching the windward mark the wind became shifty, as you would expect as you approach the land, and those calling their shifts and tacking promptly gained well. The wind was constant throughout the race, and the Burridges came out on top, with Paul & Georgia and Simon & Katie taking second and third.

Race 6

The breeze was noticeably stronger, but the direction consistent on 225. The boats that held the left hand side of the beat longer, and sail consistently flat, appeared to gain substantially on the first lap. Again it was Rob Paul and Simon who were making the most of it. However they didn't get away from the fleet and the upwind mark was still an unusually crowded place even on the third lap.

Coming downwind the leaders went right, but those gybing away early then back onto starboard didn't do too badly by avoiding the blanket behind them. As for the result, see above: Burridges came out on top, with Paul & Georgia and Simon & Katie taking second and third.

Race 7

The flag was raised indicating a third race; after two races already that had been pretty hard work, perhaps the whole fleet wasn't delighted by this extra play time. The breeze was stronger still, in the gusts possibly 20 mph+ and becoming stronger, so it was going to tell on Wednesday morning! The start was briskly done, but Simon and Katie were OCS and had to go back.

It was tough going to keep the boat flat going upwind, and at least one boat went upside down, but it was fun coming down wind! Good to see those hulls coming out of the water and some fast but fair overtaking.

At the downwind gate at the end of the first lap there was a curious kazoo-like noise and flag that indicated a new upwind mark had been set; the wind had backed by about 40 degrees. I didn't hear of anyone who didn't spot this (eventually) but if there's a random result this might explain it.

Incredibly Simon and Katie sailed through the fleet to come out sixth. Rob & Sarah Burridge completed a great day at the office with another single point, and Paul & Georgia maintained their excellent championship in second.

It evidently suited Ed Dodwell and his son Ruben who finished an amazing third place and Johnny Sargent helming for his old man Matt who came in fourth. There are some top prospects in the 2000s.

Storm Ellen may have curtailed this Championship with Rob and Sarah the 2020 Champions, we'll see if any race can be put on for Thursday morning when there may be a lull. Meantime the sailors will enjoy a Wednesday rest.

Related Articles

2000 class Millenium Series at Chichester
A perfect day for sailing! Champagne sailing conditions for the 2000 Millenium Series 4 sponsored by West Country Boat Repairs at Chichester Yacht Club on 29th June. Sixteen boats gathered for the one day open event. Posted today at 4:07 pm
2000 class at Brancaster Staithe
A fleet of 15 for Latitude Series Event 4 The summer solstice weekend brought 8 visiting 2000's and a total entry of 15 boats to the picturesque sailing location of Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club on the North Norfolk coastline. Posted on 30 Jun
2000 Class Latitude Series at West Riding
A fantastic weekend of competitive racing The third event of the 2000 Class Latitude Series, hosted by West Riding Sailing Club, proved to be a fantastic weekend of competitive racing. Posted on 24 Jun
2000 class Nationals announces sponsor
Astral Azure's support means free photos for all, and video de-briefs are possible The 2000 Class Association is delighted to announce that old friends Astral Azure have agreed to be title headline sponsors for the 2025 2000 Nationals to be held at Hayling Island SC from Aug 17th-22nd. Posted on 19 Jun
2000 Millennium Series at Castle Cove
In pretty challenging conditions the stars of the show were the junior sailors Twenty-two 2000s took part in the very entertaining West Country Boat Repairs 2000 Millennium Series event organised with great style by Castle Cove on the Saturday and Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend. Posted on 29 May
2000 class Millennium Series at Bough Beech
Oh to be young, light and talented! Round 2 of the West Country Boat Repairs 2000 Millennium Series at Bough Beech was a real tour de force for the club, race team and class. Once again the racing demonstrated what a fun family boat the 2000 is. Posted on 30 Apr
2000 class Welsh Championships at Llandegfedd
Snooze your way to a race win Round 1 of the West Country Boat Repairs 2000 Millennium Series at Llandegfedd on April 12th was in severe danger of being a non event but somehow turned into a remarkable event. At the scheduled start time the whole reservoir was a complete flat calm. Posted on 15 Apr
2000 Inlands at Carsington
Now this really was game of two halves Twenty 2000s gathered at the lovely surroundings of Carsington Sailing Club on Oct 19th/20th for an eventful 2000 Inlands sponsored by West Country Boat Repairs. The 18 travelling boats included boats from Sunderland, Cardiff and Portsmouth. Posted on 22 Oct 2024
2000 class Nationals - a first timer's view
Attending any large event can be a daunting prospect Attending any large event can be a daunting prospect, and your first Nationals and large fleet racing event is sure to evoke a whirlwind of emotions - excitement, nerves, and pressure, to name a few. Posted on 21 Sep 2024
2000 class Millennium Series round 5 at Stone
What a treasure of a club Your reporter in a 50 year career has taken part in open meetings at over 200 clubs and somehow had never been to Stone SC. What a treasure I discovered, fab location, lovely people, excellent race management, tip top catering: heaven. Posted on 17 Sep 2024