Osprey Welsh & Midlands Championships this weekend at Blithfield

The brand-new Hartley Osprey at the RYA Dinghy Show © Paddy Lewis

For those who have been lucky enough be able to spend the winter sailing this weekend's Welsh & Midlands Championships at Blithfield is the continuation of the 12 month season we have now. This is largely thanks to the rising popularity of the Sailjuice Winter Series in which Ospreys have been out in force once again with two boats finishing in the top 15. More people are being attracted to the Osprey having seen it on the winter circuit and the dinghy show was a hive of activity with sailors from other classes looking for boats for this year's Nationals.

Blithfield will see the return of Richard & Mark Hartley to the class after an 18 month break. They've built themselves a fantastic special edition boat pictured here on dry land at the RYA Dinghy Show. There is no doubt they will be out of the blocks like a rat up a drain pipe and wanting to avoid any close contact with that beautiful new deck. Let's hope Basher Marshall remembers the port starboard rule, which is unlikely!

The Blithfield locals will be looking for top 3 slots. The current national champions Gareth Caldwell & Jon Gibbons have been spending the winter at Blithfield two boat tuning with last years newcomer and Inland National Champion, Chris Gould crewed by the old guard of Nick Broomhall.

Mike Pickering & Mike Priddle will be there and on it as always, swept along by the extreme high of knowing they will be on a plane first thing on Monday morning to Barbados for the 505 Worlds. They've played a blinder as well because they will be the last to arrive of the UK boats in the container and their boat went in last! Nice one chaps!

Many others will be on the start line and we will be guaranteed a high standard of racing all weekend. If you've got an Osprey don't miss this meeting, it sets the tone for the rest of the season and the Hog roast the club puts on is second to none. See you there.