Comet National Championship 2026 at Chipstead Sailing Club

Having the largest Comet fleet in the country it was inevitable that the Nationals would be hosted eventually by Chipstead SC.

With 8 championship races scheduled to be spread over the weekend 50 Comets gathered at the Kent venue, one of the largest Nationals entries for the class. Expectations were moderated by the weather forecast which predicted predominantly light northerly winds, especially difficult conditions expected for Sunday morning. No problems with lack of water here though, the lake maintains its depth throughout the year and is 100 feet deep in places.

Several travellers came long distances to take part, with campervans and tents being set up the night before in the club grounds. 16 of the entries were ladies, which roughly matches the percentage of ladies who are class association members, and the ladies trophy was hotly contested. The age range was from under 18 to 81. There were 4 entrants who had previously won the Comet National Championship, and many other contenders who could potentially win a race or the event. The final results showed 5 different race winners from the 6 races held.

Comet Nationals at Chipstead - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Andy Simmons from Comet Dinghies was there to help with boat issues, and given that he was the designer and has been the builder of all the Comets over 40+ years he must have felt a sense of pride in his achievements and the ongoing popularity of the Comet. Plans for the Nationals had long been in development overseen by Ilhan Aysan (Comet fleet captain at Chipstead), with breakfasts, lunch and evening meals all provided by excellent caterers. A top race team had also been assembled, including a very competent and highly experienced race officer and similarly-qualified on-water judge. The judge monitored Rule 42 adherence. This is not a particular problem for the class, demonstrated by the fact that there were only 2 transgressions (not named here) both on day 1.

Lots of cars arrived not long after 6 am each day in the club car park - though these were not sailors but swimmers who basked in a water temperature of 21 C and a rising mist on the calm Sunday! After they finished swimming the lake was for others to enjoy. When the Comets were not racing then model yachts, kayaks and paddleboards went afloat. Such diverse use of sailing club facilities was great to witness, and surely represents the way forward for clubs if water owners allow.

Comet Nationals at Chipstead - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

The CSC race team led by race officer Mick Kostiw worked hard to set the best start line and course, considering the wind direction which was blowing across the lake. Throughout the event Mick liaised with the class about courses and other matters, and always explained his decisions with clarity - a first-rate race officer.

The whole event is best described as a joyous occasion, as well as a celebration of the Comet by its "family".

A crowded startline during the Comet Nationals 2026 at Chipstead - photo © Norah Jaggers

Championship Race 1 on Friday afternoon. The start line heavily favoured the committee boat end, but just at the gun the pressure suddenly came in at the pin end and those who were there found themselves in the money, sailing over the top of the rest of the fleet. In the fluky northerly breeze the fleet made its way to the eastern end of the lake, the leaders leaving lots of sail wash behind them adding to the woes of those behind. The battle at the front end set the scene for the weekend between Cole Briscoe, Ian Gore and Dave Peacock, closely followed by local boy Luke Hagon. The RO set two laps with a final beat to the line and Dave Peacock took the gun closely followed by Ian Gore with Cole Briscoe in third, the next three places going to home boats of Luke Hagon, Sarah-Jane Critchley and Jane Marshall.

Race 2 started promptly with the same start line, and this time the favoured committee boat end retained pressure allowing helms at that end to get away cleanly. Bob Murrell established an early lead with Guy Wilkins, Ian Gore and Nigel Austin close behind. With the breeze dying Murrell and Wilkins pulled away, Bob Murrell maintaining the lead to the finish for his bullet of the weekend, Guy Wilkins next and then the ever consistent Ian Gore. Nigel Austin, with his best result of the weekend, in fourth and Toby Hancox coming home in fifth. Ian Gore from Up River YC was the overnight leader.

Comet Nationals at Chipstead - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Saturday dawned with the breeze still from the north but at least with more pressure as was forecast. Fortunately, this proved reliable and Mick Kostiw was able to set a true windward mark in the northeast corner of the lake for Race 3. With a start line bias to port tack the fleet got away, the middle-liners having a slight advantage. Guy Wilkins revelled in the conditions leading from the gun after tacking immediately on to port and taking a creditable bullet, Ian Gore on his heels and Jack Daly (defending National Champion) close behind also enjoying the stronger breeze. Cole Briscoe was keeping his title hopes alive with fourth and Toby Hancox having another fifth to add to his tally. Local Ric Lewis was also happier with the increased pressure rounding up the top six.

On to Race 4 and the breeze thankfully stayed but still from the north to northeast. The fleet got away cleanly, and there was a mix of racing with plenty of position changes across the race track with the windward mark challenging and resulting in many gains and losses. The leading pack got away with the now familiar names in the top 5. Cole Briscoe recorded his first win of the series closely followed home by Gore, Peacock, Wilkins and Hagon. In for a well-earned lunch before the racing recommenced in much lighter conditions in the afternoon although the sun still shone strongly.

Comet Nationals at Chipstead - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Race 5 had a start line bias tempting a port flyer from the pin end the fleet pushed the boundaries, then about 5 seconds before the start there was a wind increase and shift which caused chaos, resulting in the only general recall of the championship. On restart, there was an impressive display from Luke Hagon who shot off from the line and established a significant lead immediately, never to be challenged. Toby Hancox also had his best result with a creditable second place, Cole Briscoe not far off in third with Ian Gore keeping his championship hopes alive with fourth. Comet Association chair Eddie Pope was closely behind in fifth, and rounding off the top six was Dave Peacock.

In Race 6 Cole Briscoe led from early on and maintained this to the finish to record his second victory, though he was closely challenged by Dave Peacock throughout. With the breeze dying away the RO took the brave step of sending the competitors around for a second lap. Behind Cole and Dave and in the lighter conditions home advantage came into play, with Bob Murrell slipping past Ian Gore and Eddie Pope on the final beat to come home within a hair's breadth of Mark Wilkins to be third and fourth. The overnight leaderboard made interesting reading after 2 discards had been taken into account - Briscoe one point ahead of Gore with 8 and 9 points respectively, Peacock a further 3 points adrift on 12. Sunday would be the crunch day as any of these three could secure the championship.

Comet Nationals at Chipstead - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

That evening we held the class AGM, and the club organised a fiercely-contested quiz in part with a nautical theme.

In the event, Sunday's dreaded forecast of minimal wind came true with mirror-like conditions greeting the competitors giving fine reflections of the opposite bank, which was very pretty unless you wanted to go racing. Sensibly the RO postponed for one hour which then became one and half hours, until the inevitable decision was taken to abandon the final two races resulting in Cole Briscoe becoming the 2026 Comet National Champion at his first attempt. Cole and Ian are also successful in other classes such as Solo, Streaker and National 12.

Winning helm Cole Briscoe in the Comet Nationals 2026 at Chipstead - photo © Norah Jaggers

Competitors then packed away boats before lunch and prize-giving, enabling those with long journeys to get home earlier than expected. There were lots of kind words in the prize-giving, with particular thanks to the 31 Chipstead members who have been involved with organisation and delivery of the Championships. In his winner's speech Cole said that Chipstead was the friendliest club he has been to. Prizes were awarded by class president Henry Jaggers, who has been involved with the Comet since the early days and is still competitive. Eddie Pope presented the Chipstead Commodore with a memento for the clubhouse wall, which will help maintain memories of this superb event long into the future. Everybody really enjoyed themselves and hopefully many of the visitors will return to Chipstead next year for their annual Comet open.

Lady helms during the Comet Nationals 2026 at Chipstead - photo © Norah Jaggers

Every helm received a memento, and the prize winners were:

1st overall - Cole Briscoe
2nd overall - Ian Gore
3rd overall - Dave Peacock
4th overall - Guy Wilkins
5th overall - Luke Hagon
Club prize (top 3 helms) - Chipstead SC
Ist lady - Sarah-Jane Critchley
1st Veteran - Simon Thompson
1st Ancient Mariner - Bob Murrell
1st Junior - Mim Asker
1st Newcomer - Nick Mumford
Committee Prize - Ali Knight

Sailors in the Comet Nationals 2026 at Chipstead - photo © Norah Jagger

Overall Results: