2025 Swallow National Championship at Bembridge Sailing Club

It was great to be able to welcome eighteen Swallows from Itchenor to Bembridge over the weekend for their 2025 National Championship. In fact there were a couple more entries but two boats remained at Itchenor because of the strong wind forecast.

After the mini-heatwave earlier in the week, disappointingly the weather gods were not as kind as they could have been;. That said we managed to get all five races completed despite the strong Southwesterly/Westerly breeze particularly on Saturday which certainly provided some exhilarating racing.

2025 Swallow Nationals at Bembridge - photo © Mike Samuelson

The majority of the fleet joined in Friday's passage race to Bembridge. The brisk breeze meant a fast passage - indeed so fast that the leaders reached the finish line by half past two, well ahead of BSC's Committee boat but fortunately the accompanying 'baggage boat' stepped in and did the finishing. In a repeat from the last time the Championships were held in Bembridge, the winner of the Vernon Trophy was Osprey (S 95) helmed by James Hartley.

Having established at Friday evening's briefing that the cut off for the Swallow fleet was 25 knots, the prognosis for getting all five races completed over the weekend was not promising, however always one to take the optimistic approach, the lead RO, Mike Samuelson, assisted by the Club Sailing Manager, Laurence Blackburm. BSC's Head Boatnan Charlie and the supporting mark laying RIB driver Charlie, decided to head out and see what was going to be the 'art of the possible'. In fact they had four Redwings and two One-Designs to look after prior to the Swallows so were able to use them as guinea pigs.

After a fifteen minute postponement to allow everyone to reach the start area, to the north east of Fitzwilliam, the fleet made a clean start

Start of Race 1

Although a few tacked early and headed offshore, the majority stayed on starboard and headed inshore.

Rounding the leeward mark during Race 1

First round the windward mark was James Hartley in Osprey with Chris Fox in Migrant, Andy Fitzgerald in Swift and Austen Sculley (one of the younger new members in the Class) in Merlin close on his heels. After the first round Merlin had moved into the lead with Hugo Fisher in Svala moving up into second. Migrant was third and Swift finished fourth.

With the breeze holding steady at between 16 to 22 knots, the course for the second race was the same as the previous race. Osprey tried hard to not over cook it but failed and lost out when they had to return to the pre-start side of the line; that said, it did not take them long to get back into the fray, Mike Wigmore in Gwaihir was first round the windward mark followed by Merlin and Skua (Harry Roome).

Start of Race 2

By the time they reached the leeward mark, Migrant had moved into the lead ahead of Gwaihir and Swift. After some challenging (but exhilarating sailing) with a number of boats broaching, Migrant crossed the finish line well ahead of Swift and Gwaihir. Spreadeagle (George Miller) retired.

Conditions for the third and final race of the day continued to be challenging but with gusts remaining just under the 25 knot cut off line, it was decided to press on. There were a number of boats OCS but with a long line, identifying them was almost impossible. Given that no-one appeared to benefit, the decision was made to let the race continue without a General Recall.

Start of Race 3

First to the windward mark was Merlin, hotly pursued by Migrant and Archon (Malcolm Green). Set as Special Course 6 with the finish at the windward mark provided plenty of opportunity for changes of place as the race progressed. After two and a half rounds, the winner was Svala with Marengo (Carolyn Brigg) and Migrant picking up second and third mere inches apart. Swift was fourth. Sadly for them Ptarmigan's boom broke but all credit to Alistair Impey and his crew as they did finish (under jib).

All in all, an excellent day's racing in some challenging 'broaching' conditions!

After an excellent Championship dinner at BSC on Saturday evening and with a considerably reduced wind strength forecast for Sunday morning, the mood around the fleet was one of considerable optimism that a full house of races was going to be achieved. As with the previous day, the Redwings (well five of them) were started well ahead of the Swallows. As agreed at Friday evening's briefing, the course for the final two races stuck with the windward/leeward format and with the windward marks closer to the 'harbour gap', the tactical decision as to which tack to take was even trickier to make. Mind you not made any easier by the drizzle that started almost on cue as the fourth race started.

Start of Race 4

As with the previous race, there were two or three unidentified 'white' boats mid-line who were probably OCS but got away with it! Merlin was first to round the windward mark with Migrant and Svala not far behind. Merlin relinquished their lead during the second round to Swift who made up a lot of ground as the race progressed. Osprey and Merlin finished very close with Osprey just holding onto third.

With the drizzle stopped, the fifth and final race got away to a genuinely clean start!

Start of Race 5

Quite a few boats tried to tack early so as get clearer air, but in most cases found that they had not left enough room so then had to crash tack to avoid a starboard tack boat! Split tacks up the beat with quite a few going almost as far as the Under Tyne moorings. Osprey was again first round the windward mark with Merlin, Echo (James Baron), Gwaihir and Svala close behind. With boats so close, rounding the leeward mark to complete the first round was certainly interesting!

Rounding the leeward mark during Race 5

By the time they reached the windward mark for the final time, Migrant had moved into the lead with Osprey not far behind. There was then a gap to Swift who was third and Skua who was fourth.

On finishing everyone then headed back to Itchenor where a prize-giving was held. With two firsts, two thirds and a seventh (discarded), the overall winning boat was Migrant, helmed by Chris Fox. Second was Swift helmed by Andy Fitzgerald and third was Osprey helmed by James Hartley.

2025 Swallow Nationals at Bembridge - photo © Mike Samuelson

An excellent couple of days racing; we look forward to welcoming the fleet back to Bembridge again in three years time! Finally a big thank you to Mike Wigmore and Laurence Blackman who did such an excellent job sorting all the admin out. Laurence's chauffeuring skills were certainly very much appreciated!

Additional photos at flic.kr/s/aHBqjCkrYw

Prize winners:

• Royal Corinthian YC Trophy. National Championship winner. S89 Migrant. Chris Fox.
• Bang Wedgewood Bowl. Second placed boat overall. S7 Swift. Andy Fitzgerald.
• Wolfe Memorial Salver Highest placed boat in all races on first day. S89 Svala. Paul Ward.
• Mossman Cup Highest placed boat in all races on second day. S95 Osprey. James Hartley.
• Fractured Hip Highest placed boat overall with combined crew age of 210 years or more. Skua S3. Harry Roome.
• Thurne Tankard First lady overall. Ginny Fox.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Swallow nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here