British 420 Inland Championship at Rutland Sailing Club

The first day started off light with the wind coming from the club which meant we were going to have light shifty conditions. We warmed up for the racing and the race committee were straight into racing.

The first start was competitive with all boats on the front row raring to go. Those who came out on top the first day were those who played the shifts and pressure throughout the race. Alice Davis and Ollie Rayner took the first race win with an impressive lead all the way round the course. Races two and three were lighter than the previous race, another close start launched the racing.

Ellie Creighton and Bea Greenfield during the British 420 Inlands at Rutland - photo © Jon Cawthorne

In the second race there was no telling who would win until the final downwind where the podium places were decided: Ralph & Harry, Joe & Hennie, and Imogen & Teddy.

Race three was in the hands of Holly Wright and Olivia Nixon until the reach across the top where the angle was too tight to carry a kite. The final moments of the race were intense until Ralph & Harry, Sabine & Merle, and Holly & Olivia rounded up the podium.

Close mark roundings during the British 420 Inlands at Rutland - photo © Jon Cawthorne

A mixed day for most teams meant that the fourth race needed to be a counter and the pressure was on. George Creasy and David Bromilow won the pin end and took an early lead, they went on to extend from the fleet for the rest of the race whilst everyone behind battled for the last two spots on the podium for Saturday. George & David took a decisive win, followed by Alice & Ollie then Ralph & Harry.. At the end of day one the standings were close throughout the whole fleet with the top spots being taken by Harry & Ralph, Joe Waricker & Hugo valentine, and George Ccreasy & David Bromilow.

Day 2 had high wind speeds with gusts of up to 27kts, but a nice warm sun.

Harry George and Ralph Cawthorne during the British 420 Inlands at Rutland - photo © Jon Cawthorne

Races five and six were decisive wins for the two boys in bow 38 Henry Heathcote and Oscar Cawthorne. They were flying throughout the day and showed the fleet their skills in the wind. In the top 10, boats were switching from place to place in the battle for consistent results. Race 5 podium was Oscar Cawthorne and Henry Heathcote, Arwen Flurr and Arlo Braund, and Imogen Wade and Teddy Dunn. Race six podium consisted of Henry Heathcote and Oscar Cawthorne, Alice Davies and Ollie Rayner, and George Creasy and David Bromilow.

Race seven was a battle for first between the winners of the first two races of the day along with Neil' Mars bar' Marsden with his crew Olivia Creasy. The two boats were very quick and there was no room for mistakes. After the long battle Oscar and Henry came out on top winning their third race of the day. 2nd And 3rd were taken by Mars bar Marsden and Olivia creasy, and Alice Davies and Ollie Rayner.

Joe Warwicker and Hugo Valentine during the British 420 Inlands at Rutland - photo © Jon Cawthorne

In race eight the wind picked up once again and the day's winners rounded the top mark in first but capsized mid gybe. The rest of the race left a tussle for the podium results and a competitive mid fleet race. The decision for victory had come down to the last race. Places switched for the races and overall results throughout the race. In the end, Joe Warwicker and Hugo Valentine sailed to victory, but Alice Davies and Ollie Rayner managed to come close enough in order to secure the victory by just 1 point.

The prize-giving was hosted in the bar at the club where thanks were given to all the volunteers and the race committee and jury. First all-female were Holly Wright and Olivia Nixon who outperformed the other boats in their category with consistency and performance, Sabine Potter and Merle Newland taking second.

Alice Davis and Oliver Rayner with Gareth Greenfield during the British 420 Inlands at Rutland - photo © Jon Cawthorne

Winner of the all-male category, and second overall were Joe Warwicker and Hugo Valentine who fought a tough battle to the finish and second all-male were Oscar Cawthorne and Henry Heathcote who won the second day of racing counting only 9 points and took fourth overall.

Harry and Ralph took first under 17s and third overall.

The second mixed boat was Imogen Wade and Teddy Dunn. And finally, the first mixed pairing and first overall, were Alice Davies and Oliver Rayner who were consistent the whole weekend and showed the rest of the fleet why they have won three events in a row. What a brilliant weekend of racing we had at Rutland, and I hope we revisit the racecourse soon as there are more battles to be fought within the fleet as we progress in performance.

Overall Results: