Wetsuit Outlet Hurricane 5.9SX National Championship 2026 at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club
by Howard Warrington 21 Aug 16:30 BST
The Hurricane Fleet have had a great year. Followers of these Y&Y reports will note the exiting racing this fleet has and the high level of competition that makes sailing Hurricanes exceptionally good.
Now it's the time for our National Championships. We return to my home club of Thorpe Bay Yacht Club situated on the "real" English Riviera! And boy, it was hotter than the French version but without the high prices and we could all understand each other.
25 boats came and joined us in the sun. Travellers from: Starcross SC, Datchet SC, Weston SC, Gurnard SC, Stone SC and Stokes Bay SC. Campers and tents parked and pitched, boats rigged and ready, beer flowing, we were off.
Friday morning was stunning and hot. The wind was south but us locals all confident that the Easterly sea breeze would arrive but would the tide hang on long enough. Race Officer, Richard Hamblin, set off with his team and after a time got us to come and join him. As we arrived on scene, the wind promptly sifted 90 degrees and started to build - lovely.
It was still lighter than we'd like but happy enough.
Race 1, Ben Harris and Izzy Smith (Weston/Starcross) took the win. Ash Holmes and James Gadsby (Gurnard) sailed very nicely into 2nd with reigning Champs Jack Tindale and Hugo Bull (Stone) in 3rd. Some boats were well out of place, showing the challenge of wind & tide at Thorpe Bay is not always what it seems.
Race 2, wind building and the RO lengthened the course which did bring more options. Jack and Hugo nailed it and took the win. Ben and Izzy held on well and came on 2nd, with reigning European Champs, Allex Farrall and Alex Warrington (Thorpe Bay) back in the mix in 3rd.
We were due to do 3 races per day. But having waited for the breeze, which was now lovely, the tide had long turned and was thumping out. RO Richard very sensibly called it a day and we headed in for a few pints and a great TBYC BBQ. It was nice to be in the shade!
Saturday dawned with sun still shinning but wind! We had wind! The Easterly came in early and then gave us what for. We're still not sure what was going on the channel but the sea state was extremely choppy. Bearing away round the spreader in a big cat can be challenging. Now throw in a big sea and the bows head "down the mine".
Race 3. Jack & Hugo's masterclass kept on giving and they took another bullet. 2nd this time was Ben & Kez Cutler-Sharpe (Starcross) who just flew. They went from 6th to 2nd in one downwind leg. In 3rd again and loving the heavier conditions was Alex & Alex. A special mention to Pete Cole and Jenny Epps sailing 483 who picked a great lane up the left hand side of the first beat and managed to round the windward mark battling for the lead!
Race 4, breeze still building. This time it was Alex & Alex who found the groove and shot away with a big lead to take the win. Ben & Izzy in 2nd and Jack & Hugo in 3rd. A few spills in this race and a bit of gear failure on some. Little did we know this was to become the order of the day!
Race 5, Alex & Alex romped of yet again to another win, Jack & Hugo in 2nd and Ben & Izzy in 3rd. Seems tricky to get passed these 3 boats. All of them capable of winning, as are some others close behind. More spills. A broken tiller, broken spinnaker chute and some broken sailors saw a few retirements sadly.
Race 6, Well my turn to gloat. George and I had a cracking start and I have to say, we found the groove and led from start to "fin", we just didn't quite get to the "ish". It was, as our friends from Bridlington would say "By 'eck it's blowin'." There were lots of capsizes and pitch-poles, the ribs struggled to keep up. One boat was dis-masted and many went over the handle bars.
On our last gybe to finish, we had two capsized boats on our run line, so we gybed later and found ourselves high on the mark. Me on the trapeze and sailing as high as we dared - it was lethal! We had to drop the kite which allowed Jack & Hugo to take the win by about 6 inches. Never mind, there's always next year!
Trevor Bawden and Tom Wass (Stone) also had a great race and came home 3rd. 13 boats in the fleet retired, mostly from capsizes. In the wind and sea state we had, made righting these craft very difficult.
So battered and bruised but ecstatic, we settled in for our class AGM and a nice dinner at the club. It wasn't the usual Hurricane night as I think most were too shattered!
Sunday arrived. Back to situation normal. What a change in a day. Very light airs and not looking hopeful. I was quietly confident that something would appear. We just needed to hold our nerve. RO Richard did just that. We hung on as long as we dared and the wind did fill in and gently build.
Race 7, This time Trevor & Tom switched on and took the win leading most of the race. Alex & Alex were in 2nd and Adam Charlesworth and Richard Robinson (Stokes Bay) sailing a great race and taking 3rd. Leaders Jack & Hugo were 6th which now opened up the whole event to the top 3.
Race 8, Alex & Alex sailed beautifully and pulled off another great win. Ben & Kez, now back on form from the previous day's troubles were 2nd. Jack & Hugo back up there in 3rd. Still wide open and all needing a good result.
Race 9, the tide now just on the turn caught most of the fleet out on the start and a general recall was called. The next start, with time running short, Richard called for the black flag. Not easy with the tide underneath you. Sadly for Alex & Alex, they and 3 others were caught OCS so that ended their challenge. It wasn't an easy race for some. Ben & Kez sailed extremely well and won. 2nd was Trevor & Tom and 3rd was Ben & Izzy. Championship leaders; Jack & Hugo in a discarded 5th.
It could have gone any way but Jack Tindale and Hugo Bull from Stone Sailing Club were rightly again crowned National Champions!
Alex Farrall and Alex Warrington for Thorpe Bay Yacht Club were 2nd and Ben Harris and Izzy Smith Weston SC and Starcross SC in 3rd.
Another fantastic Hurricane nationals. Close and fierce racing but a great family and friendly environment off the water makes this class what it is. If you don't believe me, come and give it a go.
We would also like to thank our title sponsors - Wetsuit Outlet - for their incredible support for the event.
We have some great sponsors for this year: Optimum Time, Narva Clothing from Wetsuit Outlet, Allen Brothers for supporting the traveller series which will conclude in September at the Royal Yorkshire YC Open.
Navigators & General sponsored a new Jib which was drawn on Saturday. N&G representative, John Tuckwell, drove all the way from Bala to draw the winners which was won by Adrian & Steph Bunting.
Of course out thanks to the legend; Andy Webb, AW Sailboats for all his support and lots of fixing skills over the weekend.
Spinlock, represented at the event by Ash Holmes donated some great prizes. Which went to:
- Pro/Am winners: Pete Cole and Jenny Epps
- Highest place, first nationals: Andy Stickland
- Lowest finisher but completing every race (no mean feat): Greg Reed
Other trophies awarded:
- Veteran Trophy (highest combined age): Jim Bowie and Daren Fitchew
- Reg White Trophy - youngest competitor: Jojo Gillies
- Family Trophy - highest placed in the same family: George & Howard Warrington
The most covered however; the Team Trophy for the highest placed Club. Combined scores from the top 3 from each club. Held by Stone SC for too many years.
Finally Thorpe Bay Yacht Club won it and it's not going anywhere!
Thank Yous go to:
Richard Hamblin and Bev Warrington - RO & ARO and helpers.
Scott Weller, Phil Carr and Paul Graves and all their crews on the ribs.
Dave Maynard for all the photos
See you at Bridlington for the finale of the Allen Travellers Trophy 19/20 September.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat name | Sail No | Helm | Crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | | 229 | Jack Tindale | Hugo Bull | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ‑6 | 3 | ‑5 | 14 |
| 2 | Tor | 420 | Alex Farrall | Alex Warrington | 9 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | (RET) | 2 | 1 | (BFD) | 20 |
| 3 | Juliet | 409 | Ben Harris | Izzy Smith | 1 | 2 | ‑5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | ‑7 | 3 | 21 |
| 4 | Dairy Free | 481 | Trevor Bawden | Tom Wass | ‑16 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 1 | ‑9 | 2 | 29 |
| 5 | Made In Essex | 487 | George Warrington | Howard Warrington | 7 | ‑14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | ‑13 | 10 | 6 | 39 |
| 6 | Calypso | 429 | Ben Cutler‑Sharp | Kez Cutler‑Sharp | 6 | SCP | 2 | (RET) | 4 | (RET) | 8 | 2 | 1 | 40.8 |
| 7 | | 360 | Ash Holmes | James Gadsby | 2 | 4 | (OCS) | 6 | 7 | (RET) | 4 | 12 | 7 | 42 |
| 8 | Ell's Bells | 416 | Morgan Smith | Eloise Smith | ‑8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | (RET) | 7 | 4 | 4 | 43 |
| 9 | Weird Fish | 455 | Andy Stickland | Jeremy Sandford | 13 | 9 | 7 | 7 | (DNC) | 4 | ‑16 | 8 | 11 | 59 |
| 10 | | 316 | Paul Palmer | Bertie Palmer | 4 | 8 | 11 | 10 | ‑12 | 12 | 12 | 5 | (BFD) | 62 |
| 11 | Turbo'd on Rosé | 431 | Adam Charlesworth | Richard Robinson | 11 | 13 | (OCS) | 11 | 11 | 6 | 3 | ‑14 | 9 | 64 |
| 12 | Eager Beaver | 335 | Rob Graves | Paul Dell | 5 | 12 | 16 | (DNC) | 15 | (RET) | 11 | 11 | 10 | 80 |
| 13 | Stingray | 315 | Tesni King | Bill King | 12 | 11 | 9 | 17 | ‑20 | (DNC) | 10 | 13 | RDG | 85.1 |
| 14 | | 390 | James Fellows | Oliver Fellows | 14 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 13 | 8 | ‑20 | ‑24 | 17 | 91 |
| 15 | Living In The Past | 456 | Geoff Tindale | Jess Bunting | 20 | 7 | ‑22 | 21 | (RET) | RET | 14 | 6 | 8 | 98 |
| 16 | That's What Sea Said | 428 | Johnno Gilles | Jojo Gilles | 10 | 18 | 12 | 20 | 14 | (RET) | 17 | ‑21 | 13 | 104 |
| 17 | | 436 | Mark Mawditt | Richard Turner | ‑21 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 19 | ‑23 | 16 | 105 |
| 18 | Do It While You Can | 437 | Nicke Elmore | Charlie & Teddy Elmore | ‑22 | 21 | 14 | 12 | 9 | (RET) | 18 | 18 | 19 | 111 |
| 19 | Kit Cat | 102 | Adrian Bunting | Steph Bunting | 18 | ‑22 | 17 | 14 | 16 | (RET) | 15 | 20 | 12 | 112 |
| 20 | | 135 | Bruce Spratt | Ben Warrington | 15 | 16 | 10 | RET | (DNC) | (DNC) | 9 | 17 | BFD | 116 |
| 21 | | 333 | Greg Reed | Paul Elliot | ‑25 | ‑24 | 20 | 13 | 18 | 11 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 117 |
| 22 | | 483 | Pete Cole | Jenny Epps | 23 | ‑25 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 9 | 23 | 16 | (BFD) | 121 |
| 23 | | 173 | Paul Raven | Vicky Raven | 17 | 17 | 21 | 19 | RET | (DNC) | ‑25 | 15 | 14 | 126 |
| 24 | Bulldog | 453 | Jim Bowie | Darren Fitchew | ‑24 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 10 | 24 | ‑25 | 18 | 127 |
| 25 | | 368 | Peter Broomfield | Pippa Mintern | 19 | 19 | 23 | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | 22 | 22 | 20 | 151 |
