Craftinsure Lark Open Meeting at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club

Emma Harris and Rachael Jenkins win the Craftinsure Lark Open Meeting at Rock © RSWC

Rock WSC delivered big time, once again, on the Bank Holiday weekend of 4-6 May for the Craftinsure-sponsored Lark Open, this year shared with the Europes, Tasars and Phatoms. Sun, glistening blue seas, breeze and a perfect race track out in Daymar Bay made for three days of champagne sailing.

It was the perfect warm-up for the 2024 Musto Lark National Championships in Weymouth, in just a few weeks' time.

The two Nigels (Scott, crewed by Tegwyn Tricker and Hufton, crewed by Katie Keith) were neck and neck throughout the first race, but an unlucky turn of events (or, more accurately, an unlucky 180 degree turn in the wind) allowed Emma & Rachael, who reacted fastest to the sudden arrival of a 10knt sea breeze the quickest, to sniggle through and take the win.

The next two races were also won by Emma Harris & Rachael Jenkins, with Nigel & Katie in 2nd and Simon Cox & son, George, the youngest sailor in the fleet, in 3rd.

On Saturday evening, the fleet thoroughly enjoyed some amazing home-baked pizzas, cooked by Richard (aka Smudge) in the galley, and supped on some of the local beer offering - the legendary Doom Bar. Sunday morning offered an opportunity for everyone to jump on the ferry to sample the pasties that Padstow had to offer, before rigging and setting off for the next three races out in the bay in the afternoon.

The early clouds parted in the afternoon, leaving a perfect, sunny F4 for the 3 races. With some head scratching wind bends and tidal considerations giving the fleet a lot to think about, some tight racing ensued. Again, Emma & Rachael took line honours in the first two races, making 5 wins in 5 races and looking hard to beat. Nigel & Katie scored their first race win in R6, giving them a glimpse of light for the overall win, should Emma & Rachael not perform on the Monday.

An early start on the Monday, with a little less breeze and a small chop, Nigel & Katie were able to change gear fastest, and despite a late start, managed to get away to win, with Emma & Rachael sneaking past Simon & George to finish 2nd and take the Open with a race to spare. Emma & Rachael tacked quickly off the port biassed line in the final race, hit the right side of the beat to round in first, leading to the finish, with Simon & George in 2nd.

Huge thanks to Martin Hough the PRO, the race team and all the rescue boat volunteers for laying on such a superb event. Rock delivered, and then some. Thanks, also, to the ongoing sponsorship by Craftinsure.

Next up is the double-header weekend at Banbury SC and Shustoke SC on 11th/12th May, then the BIG ONE - the Musto Lark National Championships in Weymouth over the half term - Sun 26th to Wed 29th May 2024.

It's not too late to enter - Check out - larkclass.org/2024-musto-lark-national-championships

Overall Results:

Craftinsure Lark Open Meeting at Rock - photo © RSWC