Please select your home edition
Edition
Melges 15

Albacore Inland Championship at Bartley Sailing Club

by Harry Ashworth 8 May 09:00 BST 5-6 May 2024

On 5th and 6th May, Bartley Sailing Club in south-west Birmingham hosted the Albacore class Inland Championship. Visitors travelled from as far as Scaling Dam in the north-east and Lyme Regis in the south-west.

A fair summary of the very close racing during the event would be akin to 'snakes and ladders'. On both days the wind was generally light and shifty. Even legendary class champion Judy Armstrong saw a (seemingly unassailable) lead evaporate such that she dropped to third in one race, many others had similar experiences, no lead was ever safe.

Competitors were greeted with a fickle south easterly breeze on Sunday 5th. Imported (and excellent) race officer Ian Kelly set 'round the cans' courses for the 4 races held. Judy, with husband Paul crewing, won 2 of the races, eventual winner Allan Tyler crewed by wife Chrissie won a race as did Peter Snowdon (in his beautifully varnished, wooden boat) crewed by Lewis Fowler.

On Monday the wind was 'blowing' from a north-easterly direction i.e. straight down the lake. Competitors successfully urged the race officer to set windward/leeward courses much favoured by the Albacore class and 2 more races were held. Race 5 saw at least 6 different leaders at one time or another. Monday proved to be Tyler's day as he won both races, the last by quite a margin. In victory, Alan was gracious enough to admit that the conditions had been 'perfect' for him and Chrissie, both 'lightweights'.

Overall Results: (top four)

1st 8236 Allan and Chrissy Tyler, Lyme Regis
2nd 8228 Judy and Paul Armstrong, Scaling Dam
3rd 7920 Peter Snowdon and Lewis Fowler, Scaling Dam
4th 8158 Jeremy Shinton and Harry Ashworth, Bartley

Related Articles

The oldest footage of Albacore sailing
A look back into our video archive, which reveals some great 1960s material Here we look at early racing and cruising in the Albacore class. We have footage from 1958 to 1977 for you to enjoy looking back at the old technology, wonderful clothing, and excellent haircuts. Posted on 17 Nov
Albacore UK Nationals and Europeans
A generally sunny 4 days at picturesque Tynemouth SC 21 Albacores entered the Noble Marine National and European Championships held at the picturesque Tynemouth SC. The teams enjoyed a generally sunny four days of well organised sailing and socials with close racing throughout the fleet. Posted on 12 Sep
62nd Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy
Excellent event included fund raising for the Great North Air Ambulance Service Over its 62 years, the Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy run by Ullswater Yacht Club, has evolved into a 3 day festival of sailing, centred on an unique pair of all class handicap races in breath-taking scenery, for dinghies, keelboats and yachts. Posted on 18 Jul
62nd Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy Preview
One month to go, 160 entries have already been received The 62nd running of the Lord Birkett Trophy, which commemorates the saviour of Ullswater, is now less than a month away on 6th and 7th July. Posted on 10 Jun
Sailing World Regatta Series at Annapolis
Knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay and its light, shifty winds paid off for local sailors Knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay and its light, shifty winds paid off for local sailors this weekend in the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - Annapolis, as winners in 15 classes call the area home. Posted on 6 May
Book review: Uffa
Yachting's eccentric genius I wasn't expecting to be particularly interested in a biography just because it covered the designer of famous dinghies. But one of the delights of reviewing books is the unexpected gem that grips you. This is one such book! Posted on 3 Mar
A is for Albacore on stand A10
At the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show this weekend The Albacore Sailing Dinghy is once again on show at the RYA Dinghy Show taking place at Farnborough this weekend. Enthusiastic members of the Class Association will be on hand throughout the weekend to show the latest demo boat and answer any questions. Posted on 24 Feb
Justin Ahearn on the 2024 Albacore Midwinters
A Q&A with Justin Ahearn on the 2024 Albacore Midwinters Championship Sail-World checked in with Justin Ahearn, who serves as sailing director of the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, which is hosting the 2024 Albacore Midwinters Championship, via email, to learn more. Posted on 16 Jan
2023 Albacore Canadian Championship
Shift Happens at Thornbury Yacht Club As usual, the 2023 season in Canada culminated with the Canadian Championships on September 15-17, which took place for the first time ever out of the charming little town of Thornbury, Ontario, located on the shore of Georgian Bay. Posted on 27 Sep 2023
Albacore Northerns at Scaling Dam
Autumn had definitely arrived on Saturday The Albacore Northern Area Championship was held at Scaling Dam SC over the weekend of 16/17th September. Autumn had definitely arrived on Saturday, with low cloud clearing by 10am, a gusty shifty northerly breeze and rain in the air. Posted on 18 Sep 2023