Northern championship

The SB3 fleet headed to Sunderland YC for their Northern Spring Championships

It was great to get the Northern SB3 fleet together at the start of the season with crews from Sunderland Ullswater and Scotland doing some early season preparation in advance of the ‘storm’ south for the Warsash Spring Championship weekends. Tom Dawson had even returned from Southampton to compete on home waters in Bullet.

The Fleet assembled on a cold Saturday in Sunderland, but Dave Cheyne’s weather forecast had (predictably) got it wrong - the waves were there but the wind was variable rather than blowing ‘old boots’. This made for some tricky sailing to keep the boats moving over the lumpy sea (and still keep breakfast & lunch down). Through the afternoon the wind increased and the sailing improved to near perfect conditions. Most of the front running was by Jono Shelley, Graham Priestley and Ben Shelley and Tom Dawson and his team of stars fighting it out, with Peter Kitchen and Jon Outhwaite being ‘Mr consistent’ until David Clarke, James Wanlass and Andy Cutting finally found their boat speed to mix it in the last race of the day.

On Saturday night SYC held a fund raiser in aid of the Stuart Edmundson Memorial Fund co owner of ‘More Kit Off’ who passed away suddenly at the end of last year.

On Sunday the force four and sunshine arrived which made for some great sailing and multiple place changes.

Jono and Tom were now playing Cat and Mouse. Everyone was pushing at the start and a number of boats were forced to return to behind the line in order to avoid the dreaded OCS. Dave Clarke was now definitely up to speed winning the first race. Neal Piper and his team appeared towards the front as did Tom Taylor from Scotland until shredding his kite. Peter Kitchen and John Outhwaite put in another consistent performance in their new purchase to secure an impressive fourth overall first time out.

Thanks must go to Liftingsafety.co.uk for providing excellent prizes for the first eight contenders.

This was a great value regatta. Seven races, a free crane in/out, overnight birth in the marina, a warm and friendly club – all for £25 quid. Recognition must go to the race organisers who managed to set excellent courses and turn the racing round in no time at all.

The scene is set for the Warsash Spring Champs.

Results:

1-Jono Shelley
2-Tom Dawson
3-David Clarke
4-Peter Kitchen
5-Neal Piper