Comet Class Association Championships 2025 at Cransley Sailing Club

Peter Mountfield using the Saloon bar entrance - Comet Class Association Championships at Cransley © Nigel Austin

The Association championships for the single Comets were held at Cransley Sailing Club on 25th and 26th June 2025. Whether the forecast of heavy winds on the Saturday, the low water levels or the need to take part in a Hoedown, put a few folk off, there was still a good turnout so soon after the Nationals at Gunfleet SC earlier in the month with sixteen visitors and three home club sailors.

The rather unusual route to the reservoir was through the marquee and then onto sunken weighted-down plywood sheets to avoid the soft black stinky mud - some still managed to stray from this temporary slipway though!

Race 1 saw myself use all my local knowledge in a fresh Force 3-4 gusting 5 south westerly, although Andy Dale from Eyott SC was in the lead for a while before being caught by me catching his wave at the penultimate mark. Dave Turtle from Shustoke SC completed in third. Elsewhere in the fleet there were plenty of spills and thrills and the safety boat was kept busy.

Tristan Cooper and Jon Cooper enjoying themselves - Comet Class Association Championships at Cransley - photo © Mark Zealey

A cracking lunch obviously suited the Cooper twins Tristan and Jon (Severn SC) the most as they got a 1-2 with Dave being consistent in third. I myself had peaked and everyone had learnt from Race 1, oh well!.

Race 3 kept to the same course and same wind force but some folk were getting used to it, especially Dave and Jon and Ben Palmer from Baltic Wharf. Six helms though decided enough was enough and either retired or did not sail, preferring to get ready for the Barn Dance and Hog Roast that took place on the foreshore with over 100 folk attending on one of those balmy warm evenings (albeit with the remnants of the days wind cooling everyone of a little).

Much "Yeehawing" was had and Steve Gregory, Norah and Henry Beer were seen treading the boards from the Comets, whilst the remainder watched from the clubhouse balcony discussing the day's sailing (the "what if's"!)

Start Line discipline - Comet Class Association Championships at Cransley - photo © Mark Zealey

The Sunday was a completely different wind day with a light Force 1-2 forecast (westerly/southwesterly). Luckily the boat start line still worked and we saw one Eddie Pope from Ogston SC show why he has been so consistently at the top of the pile in such conditions with two bullets in the two races of the day. Dave Turtle also showed amazing consistency in much tighter fleet racing to bag two seconds.

The second to sixth place spots were all to play for in the last race and came down to the last few metres with Jon, Tristan and myself battling it out, having Ben fall by the wayside at the last hurdle. In the end only countback and one point separated third to sixth.

The Association championships was sailed in the true Comet spirit - everyone friendly, helping each other launch and being constantly conscious/mindful of all the other boats sailing around them. It is a huge testament to all, that the class (and Andy Simmons at Comet Dinghies) is still attracting such a great following and the boats are still competitive, often many years after they were built.

The variety of sail choice also works perfectly allowing those who wish to reef, those who wish to have an easy rig or those who prefer the traditional standard, to all sail together on an even playing field/reservoir.

Thank you Comets for visiting Cransley, we loved having you - next time we will have more water and no mud - promise!! Huge thanks to all those who put on such a great event.

The top three sailors battling it out - Comet Class Association Championships at Cransley - photo © Mark Zealey

Overall Results: