HolidayCottages Tasar National Championships 2025 at Whitstable Yacht Club - Day 1

by Sally Gostelow 14 Jun 09:10 BST 13-15 June 2025

The Tasar bandwagon rolled up to Whitstable (Putney by Sea) for a three day championship. A mixture of the current in form runners and riders and some old well-known faces returning to the party to enjoy the atmosphere for the weekend.

The forecast was not looking good wind wise, but the sun was out with wall to wall sunshine and the temperature built to over 28 degrees C+. So, on cue the sea breeze kicked in at 1130 and built, exceeding the provisional forecast to approx. gradient breeze 12 knots with gusts of 16+ knots.

Tom Bruton R/O and conductor for the event, dropped the D flag and called the fleet to attendance with the first start going on time. Unfortunately, the fleet had not read the script, and many ended up on the naughty list, resulting in the black flag coming out. Race 1 got away and first to fall to the scythe of the grim reaper was 2629 (Rick/Sarah Perkins). Off the start with little in it, those that did not hit the line risking OCS, tacked to the right and hit the gravy train led by 175 (Ian Swan/Spike Daniels).

Over the race there was little to choose between the front six with the lead changing several times resulting in 2975 (Paul/Bromwyn Ridgeway) Taking the first bullet followed by 2973 (Jeremy/Susanne Hawkins) and 2815 (David/Fiona Sayce).

Races two and three followed a similar format with the top six - seven boats changing places throughout the races and to close to call who would be rise to the top with less than 90 seconds separating this group at the finish. Race two was won by Dave/Fiona Sayce just holding out Rick/Sarah Perkins and Jeremy/Susanne Hawkins. Race three was won by Jeremy/Susanne Hawkins, second Paul/Bromwyn Ridgeway, third Ian Swan/Spike Daniels (after leading at one point both races 1 and 3).

Consistency was to prove the tonic on the day not just in the front pack but also right down through the fleet. Coming ashore, teams had beaming faces and stories shared of how close the racing had been and opportunities missed.

Special mentions to 298 (Tyn Udo/Jan Slotemaker) probably the oldest team on the water and having to add 2.5 kg of lead to his boat at the weigh-in lying sixth overall and Joe Barton 14, super keen and light at 40 kg, crewing 2814 with Barnsie putting in a stellar performance as a warm-up to the Topper Worlds in the Netherlands in July grabbing three fifths and fifth overall.

Tomorrow is showing a gradient breeze of 16 - 20 knots with possible sea breeze on top. It could be a day of where it blows dogs off chains or we get racing in if under the 25 knot gradient breeze limit with gusts to 30 knots. Having team weights ranging 121 - 165 kg, will the bantam weight teams still be flexing their guns against the middle and cruiser weight teams?

What is certain, is it will be a day for some champagne sailing if within the limits.

With live music provided tonight made up of Whitstable Yacht club members from the Tasar fleet and friends from other club bands, yes we have a few with some doing gigs across the region. A lively evening was had, but many tired bodies departs by 2130 with club members staying on the remaining sailors to enjoy the evening prior to the arrival of a spectacular thunder storm.

Thanks goes out to our title sponsor Holiday Cottages and race day sponsor Rooster Sailing.

Results after Day 1:

Pos	Sail	Helm	Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	Pts
1	GBR 2973	Jeremy Hawkins	Suzanne Hawkins	Porthpean Sailing Club	2	3	1	6
2	2975	Paul Ridgway	Bronwyn Ridgway	Sandringham Yacht Club	1	4	2	7
3	2815	David Sayce	Fiona Sayce	Hayling Island Sailing Club	3	1	6	10
4	175	Ian D Swann	Spike Daniels	Hayling Island Sailing Club	4	6	3	13
5	2814	Mark Barnes	Joe Barton	Whitstable Yacht Club	5	5	5	15
6	NED 298	Constantijn Udo	Jan Slotemaker	Hitsersekade	7	8	9	24
7	GBR 3003	John Lawton	Andrew Probert	Babbacombe Corinthian SC	6	9	10	25
8	GER 2972	Stephan Heim	Susanne Schwickert	PBYC	11	7	8	26
9	2816	Neil Spacagna	Julie Nuttall	Babbacombe Corinthian SC	9	10	7	26
10	2629	Rick Perkins	Sarah Perkins	Whitstable Yacht Club	OCS	2	4	31
11	2908	Stephen Nation	Theresa Page	Whitstable Yacht Club	8	11	12	31
12	2633	Zanna Gooch	Liz North	Whitstable Yacht Club	10	14	14	38
13	2635	Chris Barnes	Sonia McNally	Hythe and Saltwood SC	12	16	11	39
14	2877	Duncan Sim	Marjoleine Hulshof	Whitstable Yacht Club	15	13	16	44
15	GBR 104	Pete Bell	Benedict Whybrow	Castle Cove SC	14	12	19	45
16	2636	Andrew Thompson	Charlotte Harris	Hythe and Saltwood SC	17	15	13	45
17	GBR 2921	Colin Tait	Mandy Tait	Loch Earn Sailing Club	13	17	15	45
18	279	Rob Purvis	Chrissy Purvis	Hythe & Saltwood SC	16	18	20	54
19	638	Ali Nicolson	Jo Phillips	Whitstable Yacht Club	20	19	17	56
20	2643	Stephen Baker	Mei Baker	Whitstable Yacht Club	18	20	18	56
21	2507	Graham Morgan	Jon Shillibeer	Hythe and Saltwood SC	19	23	21	63
22	2909	Matt Low	Susannah Baron	Whitstable Yacht Club	21	21	22	64
23	2835	Alexander Speakman	Jeremy Speakman	Hythe and Saltwood SC	23	22	DNS	70
24	2308	Veronica Moore	Rob Spaughton	Whitstable Yacht Club	22	24	DNS	71