(mainly) by Terry Curtis 26 Jul
21-24 July 2022
The Hornet Nationals were hosted by Weymouth Sailing Club over four days from July 21st-24th. The fleet started to assemble in the club dinghy park on Wednesday and were greeted by wall-to-wall sunshine which encouraged much ‘bimbling activity’, with several boats sampling Weymouth Bay for some sneaky practice in the afternoon.
The forecast was set to be challenging for Ken Newing and his race team, with most points of the compass forecast over the four days of racing.
With the fleet fully prepped racing got under way in a light Southwesterly breeze which never quite developed into the classic Weymouth sea breeze. The day was conclusively won by Tim Coombe and James Beer of Starcross taking both races comfortably, leaving them with a 7 point cushion. Jo Powell and Richard Roberts from Port Dinorwic in 2nd and Nigel Skudder and Keith Hills from Starcross lying in 3rd. For most of the fleet it was a day of snakes and ladders with most teams picking up one high score. Results of note were local team Emma Stevenson and Tim Bowden, new to the class bringing the association boat in 3rd in race 2.
Friday was set with 3 races with a rapidly changing forecast overnight, the fleet awoke to a solid easterly breeze and big rolling seas. The day was set for some classic downwind surfing conditions and the bay didn’t disappoint. Different conditions turned the leaderboard inside out with Terry Curtis and Gavin Poullion taking all 3 bullets revelling in the big wave conditions. The last race of the day they were assisted by Mike McNamara falling out of his boat on the approach to the windward mark. Mike and crew Harry Chatterton finished the day with 3 second places, leaving them adrift from Terry and Gavin on the top spot by a single point. Tim and James demoted to 3rd place and Nigel and Keith 4th.
On Saturday the weather changed gear again, shifting back to the more typical SW direction of around 15 knots. Nigel and Keith took the first race of the day showing good speed in the flatter water. Mike and Harry took the next two races having scored a 4th in Race 1 with Terry and Gavin picking up a 3,2,2 score line.
With two races to go it was tight at the top with Terry and Gavin still leading on countback from Mike and Harry. Nigel and Keith, Tim and James were also tied 9 points back. The wind was again 15 knots SW and forecast to build. Mike and Harry showed impressive boat speed upwind leading around the windward mark and extending through the race. Nigel and Terry exchanged places throughout the race with Nigel hanging on for 2nd with Terry 3rd.
Mike now with the upper hand made no mistakes in the final race, sailing a conservative race and using his speed to take the win and the event. The breeze was now gusting 25 knots and a nip and tuck 4 boat battle was taking place between Terry and Gavin, Dick Garry and Sam Woolner, Nigel and Keith, Tim and James. Dick managed to surf over the back of Terry’s boat at the top of the run and consequently capsized doing turns. Tim lost his rudder at the bottom of the second reach. Terry and Gavin finished the race in second and runner up overall, with Nigel and Keith completing the top 3.
Congratulations to Mike and Harry for a well earned win. Thanks must go to sponsors Exe Sails and McNamara Sails for supporting the event and to Weymouth Sailing Club for running a slick championships with some 30 volunteers giving up their time to give the Hornet class a Nationals to remember.
Special mention for local sailor and championship organiser, Terry Curtis. Excellent job working with WSC and delivering a superb event. Thank you
