Leader Nationals at Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club

Felixstowe Ferry provided an exciting and challenging venue for this year’s Leader Class Association National Championships.

Saturday’s racing took place in Force 5-6 winds and a very steep chop - with at times breaking waves. After several capsizes and gear failures before the start, 4 of the boats retired to the safety of the shore, leaving 3 to compete in the first race. The Morris family started but retired due to seasickness before the windward mark, leaving Mike and Val Sherwen of Deben YC and Mike Fitzgerald and Tim Dormer of Dell Quay SC to battle against the conditions. The Race was won by Mike and Val who established a clear lead. The remaining races on Saturday were cancelled.

On Sunday conditions were much better, with a Force 3 building to a Force 4 and a much smoother sea state. Race 2 was won by Mike and Val Sherwen, who used their local knowledge to move well ahead up the first beat, a lead which they never lost. They were only threatened by the Wharmbys and Fitzgerald/Dormer who were gaining on each spinnaker reach. Roger Morse and Ashley Smith of Welwyn GC SC were never far behind, and the junior Fitzgeralds (Scott and Matt) fought a close battle with the Morris’s.

So the Sherwens started Race 3 in a strong position to take the Nationals trophy with two firsts already under their belts. But as the wind built during Races 3 and 4, the boats flying spinnakers were able to draw more and more advantage (as long as they could stay upright) and the Wharmbys won Races 3 and 4, followed closely by Fitzgerald and Dormer.

At the final reckoning only 2 points separated the first three boats... with the Wharmbys retaining their National Championship title, the Sherwens second and Fitzgerald and Dormer third.

Overall Results: (Click here to fill in Gear Guide information)