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Finn Northern Championships at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club

by Stewart Mitchell 2 Jun 2022 16:08 BST 21-22 May 2022
Finn Northern Championships at Yorkshire Dales © Paul Hargreaves Photography

14 Finns from across the UK travelled to the very scenic Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club to gather for the Northern Championships. After a briefing from the club's race officer, windward-leeward races were set in a strong westerly breeze blowing the full length of the reservoir. Two races were run, then lunch and two more were run on Saturday.

The sailors were put to the test with a strong gusty westerly and "fresh" temperatures. Andy Couch (Blithfield SC) took an early lead and went on to win the first race, showing his pace in the fresh conditions. This he continued throughout the weekend with six straight bullets. Graham Tinsley from Yorkshire Dales SC chased Andy hard and was a close second in nearly every race giving Andy a good competition throughout the weekend. John Mackie (Winsford Flash SC) came a strong third overall although 3rd, fourth (Olly Murray, YDSC) and fifth (Dave Walker, YDSC) were separated by just two points overall with any of these racers having a chance of the podium.

The very close racing could be seen throughout the fleet all weekend with all the Finn finishing in a tight group throughout the weekend. One fluffed tack, poor bear away or dodgy mark rounding resulted in places being lost instantly. Ivan Burden (Porchester SC) was the furthest travelled competitor with a strong contingent from West Riding SC - Soeren, Guy, Neil and Alastair, and two from Scotland in David Kitchen and Stewart Mitchell. Lots of very close racing and challenging racing ended with lots of happy racers and tired bodies enjoying the superb food, drink and hospitality in a wonderful clubhouse and location at the impressive Yorkshire Dales clubhouse on Saturday evening.

Sunday dawned with a lighter and more southerly wind giving a challenging race course to set with a light and shifty wind at the windward mark splitting and mixing the fleet a bit more. Andy Couch again took the lead in both races with the fleet then split up finding the most pressure and best shifts to get the advantage to the tricky windward mark.

A great weekend, the shore team commented on what a treat it was to have the Finns at YDSC over the weekend. "Spectacular watching the racing from the shore and very friendly and courteous on land".

Photo Gallery: paulhargreavesphotography.zenfolio.com/p81264885#h14d81604

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
1st79Andy CouchYorkshire Dales‑10111115
2nd745Graham TinsleyBlithfield223‑42211
3rd68John MackieWinsford Flash75524(DNC)23
4th84Olly Murrayydsc5‑8238624
5th0Dave Walkerydsc34675‑925
6th51David KitchenPort Edgar49105‑11331
7th35Soeren VonsildWRSC‑1110763834
8th803Ivan BurdenPorchester66887(DNC)35
9th687Colin Murrayydsc9341010(DNC)36
10th16John Colgraveydsc87119‑12439
11th761Guy CokillWRSC‑13119116744
12th77Stewart MitchellSolway/Annandal101212(DNS)9548
13th555Neil WhittakerWRSC‑14141312131163
14th654Alastair BanksWRSC1213(DNS)DNSDNC1065

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