All over

The Lark class have sailed their final event for the year

Torrential rain and gale force winds were not enough to deter a record 96 hardy soles from making the trip to Northampton Sailing Club for the Lark Winter Championships, rounding off a brilliant 2006 season and kicking off the 40th anniversary year in style.

When the breeze dropped and the rain cleared race officer Bruce Merry was keen to get things underway. Three races saw three different winners with Steve Cumley and Eluned Jones, Jon Fish and Toby Lewis and Jon Lewis and Tessa Nichols all taking line honours. Family team, Nick and Joanna Marlow had an excellent first race picking up a third place. However it was Alan Krailing and Edd McArdle who lead overnight with three second places.

The Laying Down Supper, hosted by the club, was fantastic and the whole fleet, plus a few old friends, were treated to a live band with dinner, drinking and dancing. The hotly contested Duckhams of the Year was awarded to Mark Ampleford for reasons too numerous to mention and the dancing continued.

Sunday wasn’t quite so well attended by the sailors with several choosing to nurse hangovers on shore rather than blow them away on the water. Two back to back races allowed no time for the cold to hit and an early get away while it was still light. There was a lot of spinnaker work as the Lark’s sailed two slalom courses and there was plenty of capsizing when the gusts caught the fuzzy headed sailors off guard. Steve and Eluned managed to hold off Harry Pynn and Joe Hunt to ensure there was all to play for in the last race as Alan and Edd only managed a fourth. Last years winners Chris Fish and Beth Condie rounded off the weekend well, overtaking Jon and Toby to win convincingly, Alan and Edd managed to get past them too securing another second place, which was enough to take the Winter Championship title.

As ever the competition was hotly contested throughout the class with prizes for the Silver and Bronze fleet as generous as those in the Gold. Portsmouth University brought seven boats to the event and took first and second places in the Bronze fleet. Geoff Sinton and Sara Olliff beat several Gold fleet boats to finish first in the Silver fleet.

Thanks to all at Northampton for a brilliant weekend (everyone is looking forward to next year).

Results:

1-Alan Krailing and Edd McArdle, Waldringfield SC, 8pts
2-Steve Cumley and Eluned Jones, Barnt Green SC, 10pts
3-Chris Fish and Beth Condie, Waldringfield SC, 15pts
4-Jon Fish and Toby Lewis, Waldringfield SC, 17pts
5-Jonathan Lewis and Tessa Nicholls, Burghfield SC, 19pts
6-James Stewart and Ruth Johnson, Stokes Bay SC, 23pts