Scorpion Sprint Championship 2026 at Staunton Harold Sailing Club

Scorpion Sprint Championship at Staunton Harold © SHSC

Spring sunshine and a pleasant 8 to 12 kts from the South-West greeted the Scorpion fleet for a weekend of sprint racing at Staunton Harold S.C. The breeze was perfect for windward leeward courses with plenty of shifts and prolonged gusts giving tactical challenges to chase the pressure and spot the shifts on all legs and numerous changes of place.

On Saturday morning the first 5 windward leeward courses provided plenty of action. A mixture of 1 and 2 lap races lasting from 12 to 30 minutes meant that a good start was essential. Imogen and Dave Wade laid down the challenge winning the first 2 races with Steve and Stevie and first-time-in-a-Scorp Jamie and Hannah bagging 2nd places. Andy and Lesley Foskett won the following 2 races having gybe set at the WW mark into good pressure. However Team Wade were back on form winning race 5 with Jamie and Hannah taking 2nd.

In the afternoon the second 5 races added some round-the-can courses and varied windward leeward legs as the wind shifted left. This included a rather odd course along the shoreline to enable a grandstand photo shoot. Andy and Lesley banked another 1st place with Imogen and Dave taking the next two races with Quackers chasing hard to bag 2nd and Mike and Dave 3rd in race 7. Race 8 Steve and Delyth were leading at the wingmark but were covered by Imogen down the run who gybed off into pressure to just get ahead.

Back to WL for race 9 and hoops of joy as Chris and John took a bullet with newcomers Jamie and Hannah 2nd.

The final race on Saturday saw Quakers taking their first bullet to go with their consistent results throughout the day. Andy and Lesley got 2nd and Jamie Hannah 3rd, it was SHSC 1, 2, 3.

Race officers Alan and Phil did a great job getting 10 races in. Plenty of tired sailors headed to a welcoming club bar followed by more beer and food at a local hostelry.

Over night leaders were Imogen and Dave with Andy Lesley 2nd, Steve Stevie 3rd and newcomers Jamie and Hannah 4th.

On Sunday morning stiff legs and sore heads enjoyed croissants and coffee before heading back on the water for 5 more sprint races.

Race 11 the predicted SW went right just as we started making the windward mark achievable directly for those starting at the committee boat. Imogen took full advantage with Quakers 2nd.

After a shift of start line back to long tactical windward leeward courses. Race 12 was taken by 2063 Mike and Dave who worked the left of the beat and picked up great wind down the far shore.

Race 13 Jamie and Hannah took the win staying out on the right for the run and followed their private band of pressure to the LW mark. Steve and Delyth got 2nd.

Race 14 Imogen and Dave were back on form with a win followed by Quackers with a slick double gybe at the LW mark taking 2nd from Andy and Lesley.

As the dark clouds rolled in the final race was for the big boys..... we started in 6kts, 20knts by the WW mark. A final hard blast with a capsize and retirement. For others detached kite sheets to add to their excitement. A cheer to Nigel and Jerry as they took the win with another solid 2nd from Steve and Stevie.

A great weekend of sailing. Sprint racing format was really well received. Lots to think about and learn with plenty of opportunities to be tactical and vary the results board.

Congratulations to our winners Imogen and Dave at their first open together.

Despite only 3 Staunton entries (3 other boats sailing away), they achieved a strong home club performance with 2, 3, 4. A special well done to Jamie and Hannah, their first outing in the class, we feel sure they will be back.

Well done to our Silver Fleet winners Steve McCarthy and Delyth Hopkins.

Many thanks to all the visitors and an extremely efficient race team.

Overall Results: