2025 29er Winter Championships at Draycote Water Sailing Club

by UK 29er Class Association 7 Feb 07:37 GMT 1-2 February 2025

The sun rose on a cloudy Saturday morning as 54 eager 29ers rolled into the muddy dinghy park of Draycote Water. The still waters and lack of wind set a serene scene for the day's racing.

All but one boat managed to enter within the time limit, ensuring the first start began on schedule.

Race 1 - The first start resulted in a general recall, but after just two attempts, the race got under way. Mark one leaders, Louis and Finian, sailing Vanessa (generously loaned by sister Amelie), set the early trend by holding the kite. However, Amelie and Lila, sailing Angie, opted for a gybe set, a tactical move that ultimately secured them the race win. Dirk and Will, sailing Florence, followed in second place, with Louis and Finian finishing third.

Race 2 - Despite best efforts, this race struggled to start, requiring not one, not two, but ten attempts! With a total of 12 starts now on the board, Race 2 finally commenced. A course change and light conditions led to a swift conclusion, with Jac and Ben, sailing Robin, taking the win. Dirk and Will (Florence) remained consistent in second, while Freya and Joanna, sailing Jolene the Racing Machine (an Instagram series they promise to continue!), secured third place.

Race 3 - This race began with a single clean start, but a significant wind drop led to a shortened course. Ironically, the wind filled in soon after, making for a brief but competitive race. Amelie and Lila (Angie) triumphed once again, proving that the Hiscocks must have had an excellent breakfast. Louis and Finian followed in second, with Jake and Allegra, sailing Bubbles, completing the top three.

Race 4 - As daylight faded, Race 4 was a race against time. The breeze began to drop as boats rounded the second leeward gate. Sensing the urgency—perhaps driven by an Irish desire to watch the rugby—the race officer finished the fleet at the top windward mark. Dylan and Tristan, sailing Jamal (formerly Bumblebee), seized victory from Lily and Ed in Chanice. Andrew and Roo, sailing 2788, rounded out the top three.

Day 2: A Chilly but Competitive Start

The second day dawned with glassy water and freezing temperatures, but by the time the fleet launched, the wind had filled in, and the sun shone over what promised to be an exciting day of racing. With no sore heads in the dinghy park, the fleet was ready to go.

Race 5 - Following one general recall—evoking painful flashbacks from the previous day—the fleet finally got away. Overnight leaders Dirk and Will (Florence) secured another win, while Josie, fresh from a northern vacation, finished second. Andrew and Roo took third. Unfortunately, Lila and Amelie (Angie), despite their podium-worthy performance, were caught over the line at the start.

Race 6 - After a disappointing weekend for Welsh sports, Jac and Ben (Robin) seemed determined to change their fortunes. They dominated the race, taking a comfortable win. Florence followed in second, while Charlie and Jamie Gatehouse made an appearance in third place.

Race 7 - With the breeze picking up to a solid 12 knots, conditions were perfect for racing. Jac and Ben (Robin) capitalised on this, securing another victory. Louis and Finn (Ness) took second, while Florence continued their streak of consistency in third.

Going into the final race, it was all on between Dirk & Will and Jac & Ben for the prestigious title of 29er Winter Champions.

Race 8: The Final Showdown - Determined to secure a hat trick, Robin shot into the lead, but Dirk and Will were not far behind. The two teams battled fiercely around the course, finishing in that order. Amelie and Lila claimed a solid third-place finish.

This result was enough for Dirk and Will to maintain their lead and claim overall victory. Faster than fast and quicker than quick, Florence returned to the top after a few years away from competition. Jac and Ben (Robin) took second overall, while Louis and Finn, aided by the loaned Vanessa (a big thank you!), secured third.

Special Awards & Recognitions:

• First Girls' Team: Lila and Amelie (Angie), followed by Laura and Holly in second, and Freya and Joanna (Jolene the Racing Machine) in third. Keep an eye out for Part 3 of their tour series!
• Junior Champions: Dirk and Will took top honors, with Ben Greenhalgh & Tom Sinfield in second and Freya & Joanna in third.
• First Mixed Team: Eliana Edwards & Ed O'Callaghan, with Lily Browning & Ed Smith (Chanice) in second, and Annabelle Vines & Kai Miller in third.
• The Most Important Prize - The Buddy Prize: Awarded to Dirk & Will, Lily & Ed, and another deserving sailor.

The fleet now looks forward to another fantastic event at GP4 in Datchet. Make sure to get your entries in to help us outnumber the 420s two-to-one and show them who's boss!

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Division	Helm	Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	Pts
1	3260	Junior	Dirk Rogers	William Mcewen	Royal Lymington YC	2	2	‑10	5	1	3	3	2	18
2	2898	Youth	Jac Bailey	Ben Sinfield	Port Dinorwic SC	8	1	5	8	‑9	1	1	1	25
3	2507	Youth	Louis Hiscocks	Finn Morris	WPNSA	3	11	2	‑12	4	4	2	5	31
4	2788	Youth	Andrew Perratt	Roo Purves	Helensburgh SC	5	4	15	3	2	5	4	‑26	38
5	3395	Youth	Lila Edwards	Amelie Hiscocks	Parkstone YC	1	15	1	15	(BFD [55])	6	8	3	49
6	3224	Youth	Dylan Creighton	Tristan Ahlheid	CBYC	10	9	‑32	1	10	13	7	6	56
7	3400	Adult/Youth	Charlie Gatehouse	Jamie Gatehouse	HISC	4	‑24	6	23	12	2	5	17	69
8	2873	Junior	Ben Greenhalgh	Tom Sinfield	Port Dinorwic SC	‑15	14	11	9	11	8	12	7	72
9	2924	Youth	Eliana Edwards	Ed O'Calllaghan	Parkstone YC	‑24	5	8	10	6	24	6	14	73
10	2947	Youth	Laura Elms	Holly Mitchell	HISC	17	18	7	14	3	‑21	13	4	76
11	3214	Youth	Lily Browning	Ed Smith	Island Barn	9	13	‑25	2	19	7	21	10	81
12	2231	Junior	Freya Hutchinson	Joanna Macalister	R Lym YC	13	3	‑23	19	5	12	19	15	86
13	3403	Youth	Annabelle Vines	Kai Miller	Royal Lymington YC	18	16	9	4	16	15	9	‑22	87
14	2900	Youth	Allegra Massey	Jake Rawes	Hayling Island SC/Itchenor SC	7	22	3	20	14	10	18	‑44	94
15	3404	Youth	Charlotte White	Izzy Johnson	Medway YC	26	6	13	‑32	7	22	10	23	107
16	2903	Youth	Joe Wimpory	Charlie Hopkinson	HISC	‑31	10	30	16	15	14	15	9	109
17	3081	Youth	Joe Armstrong Rowland	Sam Armstrong Rowland	HISC/RSYC	22	21	‑26	25	8	20	11	11	118
18	2506	Youth	Oliver Stratton‑Brown	Jack Wilson	Netley SC/ FPSC	23	12	‑31	11	21	16	25	12	120
19	2054	Youth	Edie Johnson	Max Rawlinson	Roa Island Boating Club/Windermere Schoo	14	25	18	7	17	26	‑32	19	126
20	2046	Junior	Tom Whitehead	Daniel Whitehead	N/A	11	19	27	27	‑38	18	16	13	131
21	2915	Junior	Will Stratton‑Brown	Will Ahlheid	Frensham Pond SC	20	7	21	17	22	‑33	20	30	137
22	2787	Youth	Finlay Davidson	Ben Homer	Dalgety Bay SC	12	17	17	24	28	‑30	22	18	138
23	2880	Adult/Youth	Lee Sydenham	Alex Sydenham	N/A	16	20	19	‑36	20	9	29	31	144
24	2327	Youth	Ella Jones	Sophie Watson	Hayling Island SC	32	‑45	20	6	25	35	14	20	152
25	2217	Youth	Imogen Green	Jo Walker	Draycote Water SC	6	26	35	18	‑36	17	17	34	153
26	2336	Youth	Kirsty Scott	Benji Ripley	Starcross YC	‑39	36	16	13	24	25	30	27	171
27	3350	Youth	Ed Stubbs	Noah Kenny	Lyme Regis SC	21	(BFD [55])	33	26	18	19	31	24	172
28	3410	Youth	Merryn Attridge	Jack Solly	Castle Cove SC	19	8	4	21	13	(RET [55])	DNC [55]	DNC [55]	175
29	2275	Youth	Jasper Focardi Dolling	Baz Sanderson Wood	Dovey YC	29	38	12	22	33	38	27	‑40	199
30	2696	Youth	Monty Hampton	Ava Roberts	South Cerney	28	23	34	‑38	29	28	35	25	202
31	2700	Junior	Holly Norton	Nicola Richards	Parkstone YC	42	(BFD [55])	29	40	27	36	23	8	205
32	3000	Youth	Rory Clow	Piotr Tokajuk	IBRSC	27	40	28	30	37	23	‑44	21	206
33	2539	Junior	Polly Scott	Anna Elms	HISC/Starcross YC	35	(BFD [55])	38	29	26	27	24	28	207
34	2329	Junior	Will Hutchinson	Alex Vollmer	R Lym YC	‑41	34	22	28	32	29	36	29	210
35	2909	Youth	Toby Stanislaus	Tom Pontet	Whitefriars SC	40	31	14	31	‑49	32	38	33	219
36	7	Junior	Rachel Elms	Laura Jubb	N/A	30	30	40	35	23	31	‑49	32	221
37	2738	Youth	Ethan Hill	Alex Coles	Hayling Island SC	25	28	36	39	‑45	34	37	35	234
38	1278	Adult/Youth	Clem Middle	Zak Mitchell	Draycote Water SC	45	27	24	52	31	37	26	(RET [55])	242
39	2819	Youth	Charlotte Cooper	Henry Taylor	Roa Island Boating Club/West Lancashire	46	46	44	‑50	39	11	42	16	244
40	2982	Junior	Scarlett MacLennan	Joel Simpson	Royal Hospital School	36	32	42	33	40	‑44	28	39	250
41	2882	Youth	Amelia Kent	Daisy Fuller	Hayling Island SC	34	29	39	34	‑46	43	34	41	254
42	535	Junior	Adam Larsen	Daniel Larsen	Oxford SC	38	‑48	37	45	30	40	33	37	260
43	3474	Junior	Emilia Ripley	Thea Miller	HISC	33	(BFD [55])	43	42	34	42	39	42	275
44	3408	Junior	Oli Chambers	Henry Wilkinson	HISC	37	37	41	‑48	44	48	48	38	293
45	1951	Junior	Ollie Wilson	Freddie Wilson	Sutton Bingham SC	‑52	35	52	37	48	41	40	47	300
46	2213	Junior	Alex Saunders	Harry Whelan	Warsash SC	44	41	45	46	35	47	‑50	50	308
47	3079	Youth	Zac Windibank	Amelie Whitehouse	Frensham Pond SC/HISC	‑47	44	46	47	41	45	45	43	311
48	1858	Youth	Emily Schonrock	Elizabeth Foulkes	Parkstone YC	‑53	33	48	43	43	49	51	49	316
49	2206	Youth	Sam Davidson	George Little	Hayling Island	48	42	(DNS [55])	DNC [55]	50	46	41	36	318
50	2025	Junior	Felix Garlick	Scarlett Gladman	ISC/HISC	49	(BFD [55])	50	49	42	39	47	45	321
51	2115	Youth	Will Bradley	Maeve Hall	Gurnard SC	50	39	49	‑51	47	50	43	46	324
52	409	Youth	Finn Houston	Silas Taylor	Coniston SC/Roa Island Boating Club	‑51	47	47	44	51	51	46	48	334
53	1905	Junior	Jensen Jakob	Hugo Rudd	NBYC	43	43	51	41	52	52	(DNC [55])	DNC [55]	337
54	2242	Junior	Freddie Wood	Jim Bowes	Leigh & Lowton SC/Roa Island Boating Clu	(DNC [55])	DNC [55]	DNC [55]	DNC [55]	DNC [55]	DNC [55]	DNC [55]	DNC [55]	385