Hunter Formula One Nationals at Rutland Sailing Club
by John Ball 2 Jul 2003 08:07 BST
27-29 June
Rutland S.C hosted the Hunter Formula One National Championships 27-29 June. The local club welcomed 15 competitors with boats travelling from Ireland, Poole and Lake Windermere to compete against the local fleet. Race Officer Dave Picket organised seven Windward Leward races with six to count. Race one greeted the competitors with force 1-2 SW winds to test the light wind abilities of the Formula One sailors. Paul Harkness and crew sailing Hitch Hiker pulled out a sizeable lead on the first beat leaving the defending National Champion, Jou Jou from Courtown S.C to play catch up. Race one finnished with Hitch Hiker compounding on their lead to take the line honours. Race two followed a similar pattern with Hitch Hiker pulling away from the fleet to win followed by Genie Mac (Courtown S.C) and Fracas (Rutland S.C).
The light winds of day one continued for the duration of the weekend allowing Hitch Hiker to show why they are considered to be the best light wind sailors in the the Formula One fleet, finishing with an almost perfect five first and two second places to take The National Championship trophy back to the lake district. Whisky Mac Helmed by Steve Pirnie managed to find enough wind to finish runner up for the second year running, with Appocalypse helmed by local Rutland S.C sailor Nick Bett finnishing a close third. Rutland Sailing Club and their staff helped to make the event as successful as ever ensuring the Hunter Formula One Class continues to attract competitive sailors from the Uk and Ireland.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Type | Sail No | Boat Name | Helm | Club | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Formula One | 8044 | Hitch Hiker | Paul Harkness | LDBC | 8 |
| 2nd | F1 | 8060 | Whisky Mac | Steve Pirnie | PYC | 25 |
| 3rd | F1 | 7283 | Appocalypse | Nick Bett | RSC | 25 |