Albacore Southern Championship 2025 at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club
by Mike Banner 21 Jul 12:23 BST
12-13 July 2025
Start, day 1 - Albacore Southern Championship at Thorpe Bay © TBYC
Ten boats turned up for the Albacore Southerns at Thorpe Bay YC to be met by what can only be described as a Champagne Event (sailing, weather, wind and socials!). Only one glass was spilt (i.e. a capsize - yes it was me!) over the whole weekend! Everyone received a friendly welcome from the club members and the view (and food) from the clubhouse balcony was to die for!
Six races were sailed, three on each day, on the tidal Thames estuary, not far from the bright lights and famous pier of Southend. Six local boats were joined by four visitors with one crew member travelling on the overnight bus from Glasgow via central London!
Even the traffic on the road crossing from the dinghy park to the launch area was courteous to the sailors although for some reason it seemed to help if you had a fit young crew!
Saturday racing was held in a F4-5 breeze with some big waves, whilst Sunday was a contrasting F2-3 after the early morning sea mist had cleared. Despite the runaway winner the racing was close and all the boats finished within minutes of each other.
Overall Alex Farrall, crewed by Alex Warrington (Sat) and Daisy Floyd (Sun) dominated the event with five bullets and a discarded 2nd, sailing the association demo boat and his first time in the Albacore. He was pushed all the way by Matthew Metcalfe Smith and Jason Upton plus Richard Smith and John Barnes on the Saturday and then Mike Banner with Simon Blanford on the Sunday.
Mike was the only one to beat Alex (Race 4) when the winner had to do turns following a classic port-starboard incident.
Race officer for the weekend was Steve who commended the fact that the Albacore fleet were always bang on the line on the gun at every start. The venue, facilities and race management was so good that the Albacore fleet has booked Thorpe Bay for its 2026 Nationals at the end of August next year!
Next event for the Albacore Fleet is the Northerns at Scaling Dam over the weekend of 2nd/3rd August - here's hoping for similar weather and wind!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat name | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Al Go Rhythm | 8262 | Alex Farrall | Alex Warrington and Daisy Floyd | TBYC | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‑2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2 | Crystal | 7426 | Matthew Metcalfesmith | Jason Upton | Ogston SC | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | ‑5 | 13 |
| 3 | Foxtrot Alpha | 7987 | Richard Smith | John Barnes | TBYC | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ‑8 | 3 | 15 |
| 4 | Fifty Shades | 8233 | Mike Banner | Maurice Barnes and Simon Blanford | RYA | 7 | ‑8 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
| 5 | Ruined Dude | 6649 | Charles Davenport | Tracey Haylett | TBYC | 5 | 6 | (DNC) | 6 | 2 | 4 | 23 |
| 6 | Avatar | 8133 | Ian Clarke | Tom Kenwright | Severn Sailing Club | 4 | 4 | 4 | ‑8 | 7 | 6 | 25 |
| 7 | Seary Dave | 8134 | Graham Ollett | Nick Ollett | TBYC | (DNC) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 27 |
| 8 | Albaholic | 8152 | Phil Smith | Matt Parsons | RYA | 6 | 7 | (DNC) | 7 | 4 | 8 | 32 |
| 9 | Invisable Touch | 7506 | Val Mellon | Mark Minto | TBYC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 9 | 9 | 9 | 49 |
| 10 | | 1712 | Freddy Scanes | Michael Scanes | TBYC | (DNF) | DNC | DNC | 10 | RET | DNC | 54 |