Saturday saw nearly 100 sailors busy in the boat park rigging 47 boats, eager to get sailing on a cold but sunny morning. A great start to a fabulous weekend at Draycote Water Sailing Club. Racing soon was upon us and with a north easterly wind it allowed spectators to see the busy starts and watch the line of colours racing towards the shore with boats racing through the finish line. With shifty conditions throughout the day, sailors were battling for a frontline start and we saw competitive racing on the course with coaches on the water noting the starts got better as the event went on.
Race one – Full of girl power, the first bullet of the weekend went to Rebecca Knock and Megan Gowers of Port Dinorwic Sailing Club, with Zoe Lomas-Clark and Mark Soars of Frensham Pond claiming second place and in third was Ed Stubbs and Noah Kenny of Lyme Regis Sailing Club.
Race two – Port Dinorwic Sailors were at the front of the fleet again, this time it was Ben Greenhalgh and Tom Sinfield that claimed first place with Rebecca and Megan on their stern. Brothers Thomas and Daniel Whitehead of Filey Sailing Club came in third place.
Race three – Ben and Tom were on a roll and took their second bullet of the day. Second and third place were claimed by sailors from Rutland Sailing Club, Luke Rowlands and Jude Beatty came second with Annabel Caldecott and Gabe Beatty in third place.
Race four – Zoe and Mark battled for first place, with Ben and Tom in second, and Ed and Noah claiming third place.
Race five – The final race of the day was the start of sprint racing. Finishing off the day with another bullet for Zoe Lomas-Clarke and Mark Soars. Followed by fellow club members Will Stratton-Brown and Will Ahlheid in second place and Ed and Noah placing third.
Sailors received a coaches debrief in the club with the pizza and fish and chips to follow in the club lounge.
There was a bit more breeze than expected on Sunday morning and it was a little chillier. Sailors were excited to have a day of sprint racing to complete their championship weekend, spectators were fortunate to be able to see the starts from the shore again. Close racing continued in the final five races.
Race six – the first race on Sunday morning was won by Ben and Tom with Ed and Noah in second place and Zoe and Mark claiming third place.
Race seven – Zoe and Mark came back and took another win, leaving the top two boats with there bullets each! In second place was Ben and Tom and third place Rebecca and Megan.
Race eight – First place goes to ed and Noah, their first win of the Championships. Second place was claimed by Zoe and Mark and in third was fellow club members Will and Will.
Race nine – Ben and Tom came back to take another win, followed by Ed and Noah in second. Third place went to Will and Will once more.
Race ten – It was the final race of the championships, with two discards now in place this would decide the Inland Champions of 2024. First place went to sailors that had now claimed five bullets over the weekend, Ben and Tom. Second place in was Will and Will their best result of the weekend. Third place went to Rebecca and Megan.
Crowned Grand Prix 5, Inland Champions – Ben and Tom of Port Dinorwic Sailing Club, Congratulations to you!
Second Place – Zoe and Mark of Frensham Pond Sailing Club
Third Place – Ed and Noah of Lyme Regis Sailing Club.
First School Boat – Daniel Larsen and George Aldridge of Magdalen College School
Endeavour Award – Charlton Yao and Nikhil Hauser of Magdalen College School
Fevaship Award – Sirene Le Petit and Felix Chataway of Saundersfoot Sailing Club/ Magdalen College School
Feva Fun Award – Laura Jubb and Abi Llewellyn of Hayling Island Sailing Club / Emsworth Sailing Club
Sailors’ sailor was Alex Breese of Royal Lymington Yacht Club
Well done to all the sailors that participated over the weekend it was fantastic to see you all enjoying the racing! We look forward to seeing you all at our next event, the big one, our Nationals in May.
We would like to say thank you to our series sponsors Rooster for their continued support throughout the series and Coastwatersports for coming onboard as a series sponsor. Many thanks to the Race Officer Matt Rowe and the whole team at Draycote Water Sailing Club . Thank you to our coaches Simon Greenhalgh and Jacob Knocks, our volunteers on safety and to Phil Rydin-Orwin for all the photos. Final thanks go to the sailors parents and friends we love your enthusiasm for the sport and all your smiles!