Lark Masters

Brickwood and Hicks take title writes Nigel Hufton

The inaugural Lark Masters Championship was held over the weekend of 18/19 October at Stewartby S.C. The fleet of 44 boats included winners of 13 Lark National Championships spanning 4 decades, with everyone enjoying The Larks' unique blend of competitive racing and partying.

In a glorious autumn sunshine, Tim Fells & crew Richard Dowsett opened their campaign impressively with a score of 1 & 3, with John Brickwood and Andy Hicks recording 2,3 and Jon & Davey Ellis also recording a win.

Sunday dawned colder, with the building wind providing a stern test of boat handling and shift spotting. With the fleet ever-keen at the start, race officer Dougal Scott eventually resorted to the black flag, sending overnight leaders Fells & Dowsett and others home. When the fleet finally got away, it was Richard Stanley & Katie Shorrock who led the fleet home, chased by Brickwood/Hicks and Mark & Liz Rushall.

A large shift on the first beat of race 4 left many of the front-runners chasing through the fleet. Newcomer to the class Richard Estaugh, crewed by current National Champion crew Ruth Johnson, seized the opportunity, leading home Chris Ellis/Ed Smith, with Jon & Davey Ellis keeping their challenge alive in 3rd.

By the last race, only Brickwood/Hicks and Ellis/Ellis could win overall. The fast and furious conditions suited the ever-improving Estaugh/Johnson who led home Fells/Dowsett and Rushall/Rushall. However, a 5th for Brickwood/Hicks was sufficient for them to take the championship by an impressive 10-point margin.

Results - overall

1. John Brickwood & Andy Hicks - 12 pts
2. Jon & Davey Ellis - 22 pts
3. Richard Estaugh & Ruth Johnson - 23 pts
4. Nigel Hufton & Chris Whitehouse - 23 pts
5. Richard Stanley & Katie Shorrock - 25 pts
6. Steve Lovegrove & Paul Gardner - 26 pts

Grandmaster - Chris Ellis & Ed Smith (7th overall)