Hornet National Championship 2023 at Mumbles Yacht Club - Runners & Riders

2019 Hornet Nationals at Stone © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Only two sleeps to go before the start of the National championships of the RYA National Hornet class hosted by Mumbles Yacht Club on the eastern edge of the Gower Peninsula's coastline (10-13th August).

The fleet look to be greeted by sunshine and moderate south-westerlies on day one, but to be honest, based on current weather patterns anything could happen. And as ever, this promises to be a highly contested affair featuring many past winners and top sailors competing for the crown of National Champions, plus a few dark horses or for our Welsh contingent, the "ceffylau tywyll".

In addition to the top prize, courtesy of sponsor Exe Sails the fleets will be competing for an extensive list of trophies including the famed Haggis trophy (mixed crew), the Tiger's head (Juniors), the 4-pint Contech Tankard (Combination series) provided by local ex-Hornet sailor Simon Wakefield. The winners get to fill the tankard to its brim with their favourite tipple. Last, but not least, "Strangler" or possibly his deputy will be presenting the alternative prizes, our equivalent of the Darwin awards, as part of the ritual humiliation of sailors who should know better. Don't get too excited his budget for 10 prizes is limited to £10!

Let's meet some of the contenders:

• Michael McNamara & Harry Chatterton
  No introduction needed here as they are the current class champions after winning a tight regatta at Weymouth last year. Will Michael make amends for a disappointing Wayfarer championship? (Don't mention the tiller). Time will tell...

• Richard Garry & Sam Woolner
  Past European championships Dick and Sam are hoping to improve on recent results. After a couple of years of experimentation in their all-FRP "Hornet's Punk", they are returning to the tried and tested "Mr Wiggly" GBR2154, a beautifully maintained Tim Coombe-built boat with a rich pedigree: Could this give them the edge? Always consistent across the wind range but this year reputed to be carrying a little less weight in the saddle or is that just wishful thinking.

• Nigel Skudder & Keith Hills
  Another top team from Starcross, Nigel and Keith have developed the good (but annoying to those behind) habit of always featuring in the top 5 at the championships. They will be looking to improve on their third-place last year. Undoubtedly fast on the water, especially downwind but late-night exertions on the dance floor could be Nigel's undoing. Pace yourself guys!

• Terry Curtis & Gavin Pulloin
  This paring could well have been coming to this event as defending champions, but for a final fight back in breezy conditions by Michael & Harry. Sailing the beautifully restored/rebuilt 2093 GBR, they will pushing for that top dog position and are expected to excel in all conditions.

• Tim Coombe & James Beer
  Another Starcross duo with a good record of championship race wins over the years (two last year) but to date the title has been beyond their grasp. Sailing a beautifully restored wooden GBR 2077 with full length tanks, they have been putting together some good results at their home club, Starcross, top Hornet at the recent Exe Regatta.

• Alistair McLaughlin & Mark Taylor
  The flying Scots are back in town! They are a bit of unknown quantity this year as we haven't seen them for a few years now! Plenty of quality and experience. Let's hope the long journey from Scotland will be worth it.

  So, to those dark horses...

• Emma Stevenson & Tim Bowden
  Last they borrowed one of the class boats to great effect. This year as owners, they hope to break in to the silverware..... Potentially a team that could cause a real upset at the front of the fleet.

• Thomas Broatch & Ancel Davison
  Class Chair Sam Woolner has very kindly loan this pairing GBR2190, one of the newest boats in the fleet. Barney & Ancel have competed in several championships, but rarely if ever with a top boat. Could this be a mistake on Sam's part?

• John & Tomos Jones Sailing the current class boat GBR2168, we welcome John and his son back to the fleet after a long gap. John was a top and very fast advocate of the Aussie floppy rig (remember the days when we talked about straight, floppy and pre-bent rigs?). It will be interesting to see how they fair and whether the class looks at this rig again.

With thanks to our sponsor, Exe Sails.