Sonata Northern Championship at Whitby Yacht Club
by Alison Paton 5 Jul 2010 09:13 BST
26-27 June 2010
Last weekend Whitby Yacht Club hosted the National Sonata Northern Championship, welcoming visitors from all parts of the United Kingdom arriving both by land and sea. Whitby has 4 of the class (BOB, Monty, Serenade and Skywalker) and they were joined by a further 9 boats coming from as far afield as the Medway, Prestwick and Granton (Firth of Forth). There were also a few more local boats from Hartlepool, Sunderland and Scarborough.
Owing to tides that dictate the swing bridge opening times in Whitby, the racing did not commence until Saturday afternoon. From the sunshine and shelter of the marina it was hard to imagine the weather in store just beyond the breakwater. A lively, and un-forecast, force 4-5 was blowing from the southeast. With white caps glistening in the afternoon light it was clear from the outset that it was going to be an interesting and challenging day for the Sonata fleet. This was almost immediately confirmed by the unfortunate early departure of Sunderland's White Magic who lost her mast well before the first start signal. That was not to be the only damage of the day, as the wind freshened and even new gear was tested to its limits. Former National Champion, Blue Tack from Hartlepool, found this to her cost as a fault with her new mast meant that she had to retire at the end of racing on Saturday. As a result, she was unable to compete on Sunday.
The racing then began in earnest, or so we thought. From the Committee Vessel the Race Officer (RO) started the first race and broadcast a bearing for the windward mark. However, despite this information the fleet all went round the e wrong buoy! That race was abandoned and a further race was promptly started. This was the first to count.
In a fashion that was to become de rigueur, for Saturday at least, Blue Tack led the fleet up the beat. The fleet split with several opting for the offshore side of the beat, with others plumping for the inshore route. The racing was close with only 20 seconds between Blue Tack in first and A Sharp Exit, from Abersoch, in second. Local Whitby boat, BOB, was a close third. However, for some the close racing was a bit too close for comfort. Early on, as Skywalker and BFG approached the first mark, BFG had to avoid Skywalker in port and starboard situation. As BFG bore away she was picked up by a wave and consequently surged towards Skywalker. The two boats chinked masts, with the glancing blow being sufficient to snap Skywalker's forestay. Both retired: BFG just for that race; and Skywalker for the rest of the day.
The second and third races of the day had mercifully less drama. The wind was by now a sporty force 5 with a building sea and spinnaker flying was fast becoming a risky business. Even the leader, Blue Tack, was laid on her side several times and there wasn’t a boat in the fleet that didn’t suffer a broach. In fact, in race two, Serenity suffered a very costly broach within sight of the finish line, losing her opportunity to clinch second place as she finally finished in sixth. Again, Blue Tack was victorious this time with Saraband in second. Serenade of Whitby, pipped her club rival BOB to third place as she surfed over the line, a mere second in front.
The third and final race of Saturday’s proceedings saw Blue Tack take the lead to produce her third win of the day in the ever-freshening breeze. A Sharp Exit pulled off another second, with Zeris of Scarborough coming a close third. The Scarborough boat was on good form achieving top-5 performances in each of Saturday’s races, leaving her in third overall overnight.
After the racing the crews retreated to the calm of the marina to enjoy the last of the evening sun and some well-earned drinks. Later, Whitby Yacht Club was filled with hungry sailors who enjoyed a fiery chilli organised by the Club’s social committee. There was a great atmosphere with live entertainment and a fun prize giving in which Whitby souvenirs were dished out to celebrate achievements such as ‘best broach’; furthest travelled; and youngest crew, amongst others. The latter was awarded to 13-year old Christopher Taylor of Saraband, enjoying his first real Sonata event.
Sunday morning and what a difference a day makes. From the morning's earlier start, it was clear that the wind had seriously abated. With Blue Tack unable to race there was everything to play for. Skywalker and White Magic had both acquired suitable spares and came out to compete in the second day.
The first race began in an easterly force 2-3 accompanied by brilliant sunshine. White Magic got off to a great start, highlighting her potential and therefore her misfortune in having to retire the day before. However, she lost her way on the first beat and Whitby Yacht Club's Commodore, in his boat Monty crept into pole position. Monty built a strong 30 second lead to claim victory over BOB: a great result for the host fleet. A Sharp Exit came in third, with another solid performance.
Throughout the first race the wind was waning and by 11:45 the second race got under way in about 4 knots of breeze. Saraband, seeming to find wind all of her own, took the inshore line to lead the fleet by a considerable distance. However, her luck ran out as she floundered in a hole waiting for the wind to fill in from astern. This, as is so often the case, brought the tail end of fleet back into contention. From behind, Zeris in particular picked off her competitors to make steady progress to the finish line in first place. Over a minute later, fellow Scarborough boat, Bee Sharp scooped second with A Sharp Exit not far behind in third.
The Race Officer postponed the next start in the hope that a sea breeze would develop but it was not to be and the fleet returned to port, just in time to see England play Germany – though many wished they hadn’t!
When the scores were calculated and discarded races taken in to account, it was to be the consistent sailing of Martin and Catherine Hartley's A Sharp Exit that earned them first overall with 10 points. With 13 points Brian Sizer's Zeris came second. This left BOB, owned by William Uppington and Partners, in third. Despite her non-participation on Sunday Blue Tack’s impeccable results on Saturday meant that Dave Boatman still came fourth.
This is the first time that Whitby Yacht Club has hosted a Sonata event and the feeling from locals and visitors alike was that it was a resounding success. Whitby Yacht Club is proud of its achievements and acknowledges the support of several sponsors in making the event possible; Astin's; Coates Marine Ltd; Esk Belle II; Harry's Bar; Montpelier; W. Eves: and Whitby and Scarborough Borough Council.
The Club also extends its thanks to all of those Members who contributed their time, resources and expertise to facilitate this super event.