Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships 2023 at Barnt Green Sailing Club

Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships at Barnt Green © Alex Mitchell

The biggest Lark sailing weekend of the year took place over the weekend of 18th/19th November at Barnt Green Sailing Club for the Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships. It was a chilly reminder of the delights of the "Peaky Blinders" countryside but super friendly, despite the sometimes machine gun wielding, local sailors.

Also for this event the class welcomed Craftinsure as headline sponsor, as a sponsor for next year's Traveller's series, starting with this Winter championships. With an entry of 28 boats the series has got off to an impressive start, with Larks from around the country competing against nine home boats, as the racing began in a reasonable F3/4 wind.

Race 1 saw Emma Harris/Rachael Jenkins take the early lead, chasing was John Brickwood & Andy Hicks and Harry Pynn & Gemma Cook. Towards the end of the race Emma & Rachael began to slip back after not realising a clump of weed was on her rudder. On the final triangle of the course Jonny Coate & Katie Philips together with Stuart Hydon & Ann Biglin were able to slip through to the leading bunch of five.

At the final mark Jonny & Kate claimed the lead and took the win ahead of John & Andy. Harry & Gemma pulled into third. The first five boats finished within 30 seconds of one another.

Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships at Barnt Green - photo © Roy Morris

Race 2 began with Stuart & Ann leading down the first triangle closely pursued by John & Andy. After the first gybe a big gust hit the leaders leaving Stuart & Ann capsized. John & Andy managed to capitalise and eventually pulled out a huge lead. Harry & Gemma pulled into the second ahead of Emma & Rachael.

Race 3 and final race of Saturday, saw Stuart & Ann led the race to ahead Harry & Gemma. Emma & Rachael held third ahead of Jonny & Katie.

Overnight leaders were John & Andy with Harry & Gemma in second. Unfortunately, Harry & Gemma could only do the first day.

Barnt Green put on a tremendous Peaky/Pinchy Blinders themed party (hence the earlier machine gun reference) on Saturday evening and into the night with most retiring to Garrison Inn for their live band and party atmosphere that was enjoyed by all.

Sunday's racing should have been in high winds, but they didn't show-up!

Race 4 saw Simon & George Cox-Olliff took the lead and managed to pull away in a sizeable lead with Stuart & Ann close behind. On the penultimate leg Stuart & Ann managed to pull through to the lead although this was short-lived due to not seeing another boat coming up the windward leg which meant they had to beat upwind with the kite. Simon & George took the advantage and gained a well-deserved win.

Down to the final race, Emma & Rachael led up the first beat only to be told they were OCS. Stuart & Ann took the lead ahead of Samual Bailey & Laura Burch and managed to pull out a lead from the others. John & Andy pulled into third after an unimpressive start.

A massive thanks must go to all the work from Barnt Green members, most notably Simon Morris, for coordinating both the sailing and the massive Pinchy Blinder social on Saturday night and Geoff King as race officer setting an Olympic style courses including triangle/sausage. There is a massive Lark movement happening at the club and it's thanks to the likes of Simon, Mat Newton-Sherlock and other willing volunteers at the club. Thanks also goes to Craftinsure for their initial engagement and sponsorship of the event with generous prizes.

Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships at Barnt Green - photo © Roy Morris

Overall Results:

Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships at Barnt Green - photo © Roy Morris