Osprey Scottish & Northern Championship 2022 at Blithfield Sailing Club

by Richard Marshall 28 Oct 2022 11:33 BST 22-23 October 2022

2022 Osprey Scottish & Northern Championship winners © Richard Marshall

On October 22nd & 23rd, 17 Ospreys competed for the Scottish & Northern Championship at Blithfield SC having moved South from originally scheduled to be hosts Carsington SC. It was also the 'End of Season Final Fling'.

Unfortunately, Carsington SC had to notify the class they would be unable to host due to lack of water in their reservoir. Notification was early so the class were able to seek an alternative venue and are grateful to Blithfield SC for stepping in. Since Carsington notified the class, the water level has fallen even further.

There were three season in one weekend; sunshine, blue sky, light wind, Force 5+, South Westerly and Easterly. Close racing with 20 degree shifts that did not guarantee good starts making it early to round the first mark. Lots of place changing. Alex & Nick Willis (1291 'Waimanu') lead 2nd race at halfway, only to end up 7th after one such shift.

Sunday morning was briefly epic; first reach a monsoon white out, lake was absolutely boiling and wind Force 5+; 'wow' that was wet and fast.

Rock stars, Peter Grey & Jeff Edwards, in the borrowed class Hartley boat 1360 were clean away with two 'bullets' after Saturday's two races, however they then went to sleep on Sunday but still recorded 10 points overall. They were followed by the consistent Terry Curtis & Peter Greig in 1234 'Plan B' also on 10 points overall. Surprise scratch team of Richard Marshall crewed by legendary helm Caroline Croft in 1373 'Great White' finished 3rd overall on 12 points. Unluckily, 50yards from last finish Caroline went for a swim and two points were gone.

The latest version of the Osprey, the beautiful new Hartley MkVI, sailed by Roger Blake & Jamie Blake finished 5th overall.

A few less than expected with 17 boats; too many other holiday, work and concert commitment excuse!

Blithfield SC hospitality and race management were exemplary, thank you from the Osprey Class.

The Osprey Class are looking forward to the 70th Anniversary year in 2023, with the National Championship to be hosted by Hayling Island SC in early September. The class have already received expressions of interest in the event from 45 boats.

Overall Results:

Pos	Boat Name	Sail No	Helm	Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	Pts
1	Blood and Thunder	1360	Peter Gray	Jeff Edwards	Staunton Harold SC	1	1	4	4	‑8	10
2	Plan B	1234	Terry Curtis	Pete Greig	Weymouth SC	2	2	3	‑6	3	10
3	Great White	1373	Richard Marshall	Caroline Croft	Poole YC	4	‑6	1	2	5	12
4	LOL	1368	Steve Leney	Paul Keeling	Blithfield SC	5	5	‑6	1	2	13
5	Ghost Ship	1382	Roger Blake	James Blake	Great Moore SC	3	4	2	‑8	7	16
6	Odeline	1331	Jon Batt	Jo nGibbons	Blithfield SC	6	3	‑9	9	4	22
7	Bird of PreyIV	1349	Robert Shaw	Ian Little	Keilder Water SC	8	‑11	7	3	6	24
8	Oh Spray!	1311	Chris Gould	Nick Broomhall	Blithfield SC	(DNF)	OCS	5	5	1	29
9	Waimanu	1291	Alex Willis	Nick Willis	Hayling Island SC	7	7	8	‑11	11	33
10	Light N Bitter	1292	Kev Francis	Jonathan Osgood	Stewartby Water SC	9	‑13	10	7	9	35
11		1363	Ian McDonald	AlistarRaynard	Blithfield SC	‑13	10	12	10	10	42
12	Nameless	1345	Tom Chadfield	Peter Slater	Blithfield SC	12	8	‑13	13	13	46
13	Just Pogo	1114	Ros Downs	David Downs	Tata Steel SC	10	12	‑14	12	12	46
14	Jane	1316	Keith McDonald	Andy Brittain	Small Heath SC	11	9	11	(DNS)	DNS	49
15	YLost	1341	Will Crichton	Arthur Butler	Ribble Cruising	14	14	‑16	14	14	56
16	Living Daylights	1250	Tony Harper	Steve Watson	Notts County SC	‑15	15	15	15	15	60
17		1268	Cliff Sagar	Paul Sennett	Blithfield SC	16	(DNF)	17	DNS	DNS	69