Osprey National Championship 2023 - Runners & Riders
by Huw Pearce 1 Sep 15:14 BST
2-5 September2023
2022 Osprey Open at Hayling Island © Peter Hickson
The Osprey Class Nationals, in the 70th Anniversary year of the Osprey Class, are being hosted by Hayling Island Sailing Club from 2nd to 5th September 2023. Fifty boats are headed to the venue from all over the UK for the 8 scheduled races.
There is a large selection of boats from 60 year old Mk2 through to a new Mk6 which hit the water last week. A wide range of ages are competing and for the first time there is a Youth Trophy for both crew being under 30, thanks to Hartley Boats. The Class boat has been loaned to a Youth team.
So who are potential podium finishers (sail number order) or will there be an outsider from the remaining entries.
- 1195 "Striking 13 " MkIII Wood - Nigel Skudder & Nick Daily-Hunt
Back in the fleet with a fast boat that has been thoroughly revamped, Nigel was 3rd at the Hornet Nationals behind Terry and Michael Macnamara.
- 1206 "Indecision" MkIII Wood - Peter Gray & Geoff Edwards
Winners of the 2022/2023 Selden Sailjuice Winter Series consistently near the front. How will they fair in their new boat?
- 1234 "Plan B " MkIII wood - Terry Curtis & Peter Greig
Always in the running, frequent national winner, Terry fresh from winning the Hornet Nationals.
- 1290 "Swiftwun" MkIII wood - Martin Cooney & Peter Frith
Another one always at or near the front. Never rule them out.
- 1298 "Barking Mad " MkIII wood - Andy Barker & Michael Atkinson
NEVER rule Andy Barker out....
- 1339 "Thomas Too " MkIV GRP - Caroline Croft & Mike Greig
Very quick and good with the shifts.
- 1352 "String Driven Thing " MkIV GRP - Matt Rainback & Phil Angrave
Since Phil teamed up with Matt they have been flying. Odds on for a podium. Winners of the Southern Area Championship at Poole and the Osprey Class at Weymouth Dinghy Regatta
- 1353 "Callisto " MkIV GRP - Matt Burge & Vyv Townend
The team to beat... they have won the Nationals for the past 2 years and if they win this year, Vyv moves to the top of the all time winning crew table with Matt moving up the helm table to joint third with Ian Porter
- 1381 MkVI FRP - Richard & Mark Hartley
Annoyingly fast!
- 1382 "Ghost Ship" MkVI FRP - Roger & Jamie Blake
With the arrival of their new Mk6 this father son team have been showing some blistering pace. Jamie has already been recently racing at HISC in the ILCA Nationals, so hopefully he can point his Dad in the right direction.
The class are very grateful to the support from Hartley Boats,
Craftinsure, Allen Brother, Clam Cleat, Fernhurst Books, Rain and Sun, Robline and Sea Sure.
So let the sailing commence. The ups & downs of fortune can be followed here. The full entry list can be seen here.