Second qualifier

Cherry and Farrell win match race weekend at Weymouth

The second qualifying event for the RYA National Match Racing Championship was held on 10-11 September at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), Weymouth. Six men’s and six women’s teams, entered the event in a bid qualify for the finals held at WPNSA, 7-9 October.

Racing in both the men’s and women’s fleet’s got off to a slow start in light winds. After starting the first flight, race officials abandoned racing and the sailors retired for the day in the hope that there would be better wind on Sunday. The wind cooperated and on Sunday morning, the women’s teams hit the water, completing the first of two round robins. Gemma Farrell dominated the first round robin by winning all of her five matches.

With the women off the water, the men’s fleet jumped into the RYA J80’s to complete their own series. The men’s fleet completed only one round robin before beginning the semi-finals and the final. After the round robin Ali Hall, Nick Cherry and Mark Campbell-James led in first, second and third respectively and would continue to be the strong sailors in the semi-finals and the finals. At the end of the series a triumphant Nick Cherry came out on top winning the Qualifying event.

Cherry Commented, “It’s great to have won this match racing qualifier. We sailed really well and beat out Mark Campbell-James who has been on good form, so we are really pleased with the result.”

After a long wait, the women’s fleet was eager to get back on the water. As time was running short and no race could be started after five, the women’s fleet completed a second round robin before crowning their champion. Again Farrell took the lead and came out on top of a further four matches, finally wining the qualifying event with nine points. In second place with five points was Josie Gibson followed by Lucy Macgregor in third.

The next qualifier will be held on 24-25 September 2005 and the finals on 7-9 October 2005.

1. Gemma Farrell, Lucy Burn, Bethan Carden, Jules Wilkinson, Di Shanks
2. Josie Gibson, Fiona Lockwood, Jo Bainbridge, Sue Parkin, Ali Sutherland
3. Lucy Macgregor, Nicky Macgregor, Mark Rook, Best Mariott
4. Lizzie Edwards, Emma Heeley, Fleur Oswald, Barbara Watson, Ruth Verrier-Jones
5. Katie Archer, Gemma Hardman, Dominica Lindsey, Kate Roore, Kate Fairclough
6. Jo Brigg, Jo skinner, Laura Wade, Charlotte Clay, Melissa Heppell

1. Nick Cherry, Andy Bryson, Ben Bainbridge, Connor Myant
2. Ali Hall, David Royse, Rob Greig-Gran, Rob Hoey
3. Mark Campell-James, David Mason, Luke Cross, Bret Aarons
4. Simon Wheeler, Sam Pearson, Alex Palmer, Justin Visser, Robbie Allan
5. James Fox, Jonathan Blackburn, Charlie Wylie, Jo Mclaughlian
6. Matt Lingley, Neil Clatworthy, Claire Frew, Martin Borley, Chris Frost