One point win for Pollard

Report and results from the Comer Homes Melges 24 UK Championships

Crews competing in the Comer Homes Melges 24 UK Championships were taxed by a variety of conditions in Weymouth Bay last weekend. Racing was very close between the 13 boats with crews of 4 or 5 sailors, amateurs and professional sailors and included several potential Olympic competitors and even a crew from France.

On Friday a stiff northerly breeze provided plenty of shift-tacking up wind and exciting slay-rides down wind. After a long day of racing the crews enjoyed the championship dinner at Weymouth Sailing club.

Saturday was less windy but no less challenging for the crews with frequent variations in wind strength and direction. By the end of the second day, with eight races completed, any of the top four teams were in the running to win the regatta.

Sunday brought waves with the strong breeze from the east. great surfing conditions for the boats. The reigning champions, Team Xcellent, helmed by John Pollard prevailed over the last two hard fought races to retain the title. The prize for the top Corinthian (all amateur) boat went to Eamonn O’Nolan’s Team Unlimited with John Gimson steering.

The crews appreciated the warm welcome, friendliness and excellent facilities of the Weymouth Sailing Club; many thanks to everyone who made the regatta such a success.

	Name	Helm	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	R9	R10	Pts
1	Xcellent	John Pollard	-4	4	2	2	3	1	4	1	1	1	19
2	Blue	Nick Cherry	2	2	1	1	5	2	-7	2	2	3	20
3	Team Panasonic	Adrian Peach	3	1	3	3	4	3	1	4	3	-8	25
4	Wild Thing	John Gimson	-5	3	5	5	2	5	2	3	4	2	31
5	Cotes d'Armor	Yannick Le Clech	1	5	4	6	1	-13	5	8	7	9	46
6	Helmut Rises Again	Nigel Grogan	6	8	6	4	-10	7	6	5	5	5	52
7	Comfortably Numb	Simon Dobson	10	-12	7	9	11	4	3	6	10	6	66
8	White Rabbit	Simon Henning	9	9	10	8	7	9	-13	7	6	7	72
9	Madcap	J Hamilton	7	6	-13	7	8	8	8	10	8	12	74
10	Blue	Tim Cunliffe	8	10	11	-12	6	6	12	11	9	10	83
11	Wicked Feet	Chris Sharp	11	11	9	10	-12	11	10	12	11	4	89
12	Crazeology	James Middleton-Stewart	12	7	8	11	-13	12	9	9	13	11	92
13	Mad Max	David Franks	13	14	-16	16	9	10	11	16	12	13	114