Craftinsure Lark class Frank Carter trophy at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

Craftinsure Lark class Frank Carter trophy at Frensham Pond © Tom Clifford

Frensham Pond Sailing Club hosted their Lark Open on Sunday 18th May, sponsored by Craftinsure. The event has been held every year since 1967, racing for the Frank Carter trophy.

As usual Frensham did not disappoint, with sunshine and a light North Easterly with big wind shifts, lulls and unpredictable gusts providing extremely challenging conditions for the competitors and the race team.

The first race was led by visitors Jonny Coate & Kate Phillips from South Staffs SC. After much place changing, Jonny & Kate hung to win, holding off Ollie Goodhead & Katie Keith also from South Staffs in second with Nigel Hufton & Matt Wood from Frensham in third. Frensham youth sailors Tom Ahlheid & Bee Nee sailed a borrowed boat into fourth in their first Lark Open.

Craftinsure Lark class Frank Carter trophy at Frensham Pond - photo © Tom Clifford

Race 2 saw John Brickwood & Andy Hicks from Frensham join the front of the fleet and hang on to win from Ollie & Katie with Jonny & Kate third and Tom & Bee third.

After a short break for a picnic, race 3 turned out to be a real brain scrambler.

Ollie & Katie were again the consistent team going on to win from George Graham and Jessica Hooker (still only her seventh day sailing ever) from Burwain SC finding the wind at the right time to take second. John & Andy pulled through to gain what turned out to be a vital third with Frensham ex-Cadet National champion Hannah Curruthers, crewed by Team GB 470 sailor Haydn Sewell in fourth.

Craftinsure Lark class Frank Carter trophy at Frensham Pond - photo © Tom Clifford

Going into the final race John & Andy, Oliver & Katie and Jonny & Kate all had a chance of the overall win.

A good start saw John & Andy take a healthy lead, however both Jonny & Kate and Ollie & Katie were soon close behind as conditions compressed the top three. John & Andy rounded the final mark with Olli & Katie close behind, looking like they had the lead. However, John & Andy found a shift close to the finish line to tack and take a very close win by a boat length ahead of Ollie & Katie, with Jonny & Kate only another half a boat length behind.

John Brickwood and Andy Hicks, first overall - Craftinsure Lark class Frank Carter trophy at Frensham Pond - photo © Tom Clifford

This close finish gave John and Andy the overall win on countback.

After racing Frensham provided the traditional free tea for competitors with prize-giving and speeches with particular mention for the race team led by Ian Gregory who did an exceptional job to run four good races.

Ollie Goodhead and Katie Keith, second overall - Craftinsure Lark class Frank Carter trophy at Frensham Pond - photo © Tom Clifford

Overall Results:

Jonny Coate and Kate Phillips, third overall - Craftinsure Lark class Frank Carter trophy at Frensham Pond - photo © Tom Clifford

Tom Alhdied and Bee Nee, highest placed first Lark Open overall - Craftinsure Lark class Frank Carter trophy at Frensham Pond - photo © Tom Clifford