50th Shearwater Nationals at Stone Sailing Club

The Fiftieth Shearwater Nationals began with much pomp and circumstance, thanks to the excellent facilities provided Stone Sailing Club. A Champagne Breakfast on Saturday heralded the start of proceedings, followed by scrutinizing of the 22 boat entry. The fizzy breakfast, combined with an unusually dry summer, combined for some interesting results at the weigh in. Many thanks to Geoff Tindale and Richard Hamblin for maintaining sanity, and completing an arduous task at the best of times.

Saturday evening saw the Fiftieth Anniversary Ball, held in giant Marquee on the lawn of the Sailing Club. Shearwater Sailors past and present enjoyed a glittering soiree in the presence of guest of honour, Francis Prout. His after dinner speech, filled with humours stories a plenty, provided a first hand account of the development of the Shearwater Catamaran.

The success of the design, and the subsequent multi-hull designs produced by Francis and Roland, continue to bare testament to the remarkable skill and ability of the two Brothers. The celebrations continued long into the night, with old friends and new, toasting the remarkable achievement that is the fiftieth anniversary of the Class.

The following morning competition began in earnest with the infamous “Practice Race”, so called because tradition has dictated that the winner is unlikely to succeed in becoming a National Champion. Undaunted Alan Howland on “Alley Cat”, with trainee crew Shaun Allen, led the fleet for much of the race, held in a Force 2-3, at the mouth of the Blackwater. Challenged only by defending Champions, Daniel and Amy Tindale on “Think Pink”, they were able to defend their lead and take the Gun.

Race 1 saw “Think Pink” quickly away from the Line, followed by Geoff and Jack Tindale on “Dilligaf” and Jamie Farnborough and Alex Flay on “Genesis”. A battle for first place ensued between the two Tindale boats, each eking out miniscule advantages provided by tide and wind variance in the fickle South Easterly Breeze. “Alley Cat” worked up the minor places defending third position from Genesis and Richard Hamblin and Roger Brown on “China Crisis” and Dion and Anna Allen on “Take5”. Think Pink taking the Gun from Dilligaf. A vibrant Commodores Reception marked the end of the day’s proceedings.

Monday arrived with the same light to moderate South Easterly, and Races 2 and 3 of the Championship. China Crisis was first away from the Gun, with Think Pink and Dilligaf below the pack being pushed toward Brightlingsea. Roger and Bonnie Crooks on “Ruby” were a close second, followed by Take5 and Nigel and Sarah Stuart on “Simsek”.

In the light airs Take5 soon worked into the lead, despite an awkward tide, while Think Pink was able to take advantage of clear air to work quickly around the pack, and challenge Take5. Eventually taking the lead from Take5 on the penultimate lap, and victory.

Race 3 saw an emboldened Take5 tack of early from the start, and arrive at the windward mark first. Think Pink, Dilligaf, China Crisis, and Catherine Howland and Kate Bowden-Smith on “Cajensa et al” battled for the minor places, while Take5 acquired an unassailable lead to take the Gun. The evenings entertainment comprised a Fancy Dress Party, the theme in keeping with the fiftieth anniversary, being a “1950’s night” with music to match.

Tuesday brought Race 4, and fittingly a Force 4, once again from the South East. Malcolm and Murray Greenhill in “Sheregold” were first away from the line, in their brand new Andy Web built Shearwater III. But Genesis, revelling in the heavier weather, was able to gain the lead at the windward mark. This while being pressed by Think Pink, Alley Cat and Dilligaf. Despite constant challenges, Genesis was able to consolidate their lead, and eventually take the Gun. The evening brought balmy weather, large outdoor B-B-Q, and quiz night on all things “Shearwater” over the last fifty years.

Wednesday was the half way point in the competition, and defending Champions Daniel and Amy Tindale, narrowly held overall lead, but insufficient to guarantee success. A light breeze heralded the start to Race 5, and Alley Cat first away from the pack Think Pink, Sheregold and China Crisis in close company. A changing tide and variable breeze provided difficult conditions that Cajensa et al revelled in. Picking their way carefully through the pack, they were able to overhaul Alley Cat and Think Pink to take the lead. Leaving them to fight for the minor places, while taking the final Gun. A Live Band was rewarded by energetic celebrations from the crew of Cajensa et al, during the evening festivities.

Thursday provided for excellent sailing in a constant Force 4. The beginning of Race 6 saw Think Pink, still defending a slender over-all lead, first away from the Line. Closely followed by Dilligaf and Alley Cat. The leaders order remained unchanged, while numerous battles took place in the pack. Richard Hill and Jason Quinn in “Orwell” defending a slim lead over John and Clifford Hill in “Space Odyssey”, Clair Robinson and Emma Taylor on “Frantic” and Greg and Alex Wilcox in “Foreigner”. Orwell eventually getting the better position to lead the pack to the finish line.

The penultimate race of the series still required Think Pink to achieve a fourth position or better to secure the Championship. The strengthening breeze favoured the heavier crews of Genesis, and Elliot and Kent Mathews on “Water Lotus”, all capitalising on the advantage in the first beat. A capsize put paid to Genesis early lead, and clearer air saw Waterlotus overhauled by Judith Joplin and Gary Hill on “Fleur de leys”, and Joe McLewin and Fiona Freud on “Matisse”. Despite the place changes it was Derek and Grace Williams on “UFO”, and Chris and Vanessa Jones on “Airflow” who let the pack. Alley Cat struck out in front of the leaders by the second lap, maintaining the advantage until the final gun, despite strong challenges from Dilligaf, Take5, Ruby and Think Pink. Daniel and Amy Tindale securing the required fourth position to secure the Championship. The traditional high jinks of the Shearwater Games night were accentuated by general admiration for the level of skill and consistency displayed “Team Tindale” on Think Pink.

Friday marked the final day of the competition, and Race 8 to decide the minor places. The close fought racing through out the week had brought no clear order to these positions. The fresh south westerly was used to the full by Genesis to acquire an early lead, closely followed by Alley Cat, China Crisis, Take5, Simsek and Sheregold. The lead was briefly lost to China Crisis, but recovered on the third Spinnaker leg, and maintained to the Gun. Clint Foreman and Charlotte Duck on “New Dawn” led the pack in the initial laps, exchanging it with Foreigner and Barry Duck and Daniel Stone on “New Flame”, the latter enjoying the ever-increasing wind strength and short sea. But it was Ruby in the final lap who led the pack to the finish gun.

Daniel and Amy Tindale secured the 50th National Championships despite a closely contested eight race series. The skill displayed by them both was exceptional and fitting for such an auspicious National Championships.

The organisation provided by Stone sailing Club was genuinely faultless, and particular thanks must go to Jan Tindale for all her efforts in providing a rich social schedule to compliment the weeks racing. Here’s to another fifty years!

Overall Results: