Wayfarer Southern Championship 2026 at Whitstable Yacht Club
by Andrew Wilson 19 Aug 17:06 BST
15-16 August 2026
The Wanderer class kindly invited the Wayfarer class to share a race course, and start line, with them at their National Championships at Whitstable. The course was shared with the club racing - from Darts to Toppers - and on the Saturday we also seemed to be on part of a Thames Barge course as they blasted along to their finish near the harbour.
Saturday brought some challenging conditions with a brisk force four wind from the north east, with waves to match, and some gusts approaching 20 mph. A trapezium course was set, with the reaches generally too close for spinnakers, but the waves and gusts made for some exhilarating two-sail reaches nevertheless.
Both races were won comfortably by Andrew Wilson in Restless, crewed for the first time this year by his son Tom. Second places belonged to the two Chris's from Rollesby Broad, sailing Last One, who were not afraid to raise their dayglo spinnaker at any opportunity.
Nigel and Belinda O'Donnell decided after a lap of the first race to save themselves and their boat for calmer conditions, and this left Jacqueline Townsend, crewing husband Tim (sailing Intermezzo) as the first, and only, lady to complete the challenge. Paul and Cam Hughes were initially competing well, but in the second race after a capsize at a gybe they too headed for home.
The forecasts for Sunday were for a disappearing wind, but fortunately they proved inaccurate. A light but stable breeze, coupled with flat water, allowed for some close, tactical racing again using a trapezium course. The starts were important, with ten Wanderers jostling with us for position on starboard-biased lines. Intermezzo made the best start of race three but Restless, by tacking off, picked up some pressure on the right to lead around the first mark.
In the lighter breeze, spinnakers could be flown on the reaches, but the tight angle made it tough for the crews. Restless slowly eased away from Intermezzo with the following boats having a close-fought tussle, eventually won by the two Chris's in Last One.
The fourth and final race followed a similar pattern, with Intermezzo again getting a good start and with the Wilsons again choosing the right side of the beat. On this occasion though the Townsends were able to tack under the Wilsons and squeeze around the first mark ahead. They then held this lead for nearly two laps until the Wilsons gained an overlap at the leeward mark.
Splitting tacks afterwards, the Wilsons' preferred right side paid off again and they held on to the finish, while the tussle for third place went in favour of Nigel and Belinda.
While the turnout of only five boats was disappointing, we all had a fabulous weekend's sailing, and were all made very welcome both by the Wanderer sailors and by the host club. Special thanks also go to Jacqueline and Tim for hosting a great non-barbecue on the Saturday evening. Thanks also go to Craftinsure, the sponsors of the Wayfarer National Circuit. Next stop on this circuit is the Medway Marathon on 6th September - hope to see you there!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Net |
|---|
| 1 | 11093 | Andrew Wilson | Tom Wilson | Datchet Water SC | ‑1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 11012 | Tim Townsend | Jacqueline Townsend | Medway YC | ‑3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| 3 | 11111 | Chris Foster | Chris Codling | Rollesby Broad SC | 2 | 2 | 3 | ‑4 | 7 |
| 4 | 11458 | Nigel O'Donnell | Belinda O’Donnell | Swarkestone SC | (RET) | DNC | 4 | 3 | 13 |
| 5 | 11129 | Paul Hughes | Cam Hughes | Arun Yacht Club | 4 | (RET) | 5 | 5 | 14 |