Craftinsure Lark Open at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club

Craftinsure Lark Open at Rock © Roger Deane & Huw Willetts

Craftinsure Lark Open at Rock © Roger Deane & Huw Willetts

For nearly 40 years, a magical sailing event has taken place at Rock over early-May Bank Holiday, the annual Lark Open, sponsored by Craftinsure. This year, the Scorpions came to join in the fun - and what a weekend it was!

Sunshine, wind and waves were the order of the weekend, with 8 races across 3 days beyond the Doom Bar - expertly run by the brilliant PRO Martin Hough and his race team at RSWSC.

Day one was sailed against the tide in a NNE breeze which increased to over 20 knots, resulting in a decent swell. Guy and Sam Brearey showed great pace in the first race to lead around the first lap until a minor capsize and a breakage ended their day prematurely. As the day got bigger so did the gybes at the wing mark, with even Lark Legend Nigel Hufton being seen tacking around in the lumpy sea when he thought no-one was looking! By the last race the waves and wind had built so much that Sam Bailey's panicked screaming on the gybes could be heard from the beachgoers on Polzeath beach.

The battle at the front was between Ed Bradburn & Holly Evans and Nigel Hufton & Katie Keith, ending the day with a string of 1sts and 2nds, respectively. Nigel Scott & Tegwyn Roberts shared the 3rds for the day with Sam Bailey & Mia Hateley.

Special mention must go to some talented younger sailors present, with Mia Hateley only 15 years old, Katie Keith only having started sailing 3 years ago - and Jess Hooker amazingly sailing for only the fourth time.

Day two dawned with slightly less wind and waves to the relief of tired bodies. The wind built throughout the day but the sea got flatter. Hufton/Keith showed great pace as the wind built, notching up another two 2nd places and a discard after a minor hull inspection due to gear failure. Team Brearley again showed their pace with a 2nd and 1st but were pulled out up the beat in the 3rd race for being OCS. Bradburn/Evans were also OCS but re-started immediately and finished the day with a 1, 2, 1. Scott/Roberts had a great day, notching up another two 3rd places and bumping them up the leader board.

Day Three was colder with the wind having moved Northeast, meaning it was affected by coming around Pentire Point. The day was like snakes and ladders, with big holes in the wind and shifts which could catapult you forward or backwards with the lightest mistake. Bailey/Hateley nailed the first beat in the 1st race to lead at the top mark and for the first lap. Bradburn/Evans demonstrated how not to hoist a spinnaker at the same mark. The 2nd beat proved tricky with Bailey/Hateley heading left, while Team Brearley and Bradburn/Evans finding a large lift on the right. The wind dropped as the race went on, only to increase for the last race, with rigs raked back again for those who could. Final order of the day was Bradburn/Evans with two 1sts, the Brearleys with two seconds and the 3rd places shared by Bailey/Hateley and Scott/Roberts.

Overall, Bradburn/Evans counted a remarkable seven 1st places to win from Hufton/Keith, with Scott/Roberts taking the final podium spot.

A massive thanks must go to everyone at RSWSC for their hospitality and another weekend of top-class sailing. Next year is being scheduled already with rumours of a Larks vs. Scorpions games night so get your accommodation booked early so as not to miss out!

Overall Results: