Hobie 405 National Champs at South Shields Sailing Club

Racing at the National Championships © Steve Whelton

James Briggs and John Whelton win the National Championships © Steve Whelton

Eleven boats migrated to South Shields to take part in this year’s nationals. The three races on day 1 were held outside the harbour in the south bay in relatively balmy conditions – moderate southerly wind and sunshine. The course was a long one with the lead boat in the first race taking over 15 minutes to reach the windward mark. The wind then picked up mid racing providing some gusty conditions but then died away again at the end of the day. Keen competition saw the transitional squad teams of Burgess and Romano jointly leading the fleet after the first day’s racing.

Racing on day 2 proved difficult; all boats capsized at some point. Overcast, grey and blustery conditions with a 180° change of wind direction, much strengthened to average about 25 knots. Racing therefore was held in the harbour but the heavy winds favoured the stronger crews. However, after recording gusts of up to 35 knots and many boats retiring, racing was abandoned after the second race. The Romanos continued to lead overall with the national squad boats beginning to take up the chase.

Day 3 racing was also held in the harbour and although the weather was sunny the wind was still very strong. Three races were held in the morning with another three after lunch in an attempt to catch up with the missed races from day 2. During the afternoon the sun disappeared and the wind picked up considerably. The National Squad boats of Briggs/Whelton and Thomas/Hoyte used their superior experience and stamina to take the lead at the end of day 3.

The final day of racing was again cold, overcast and very windy. In an attempt to get three races in before the wind picked up, racing started early but inevitably the wind strengthened during the second race. Consequently several boats again retired leaving the contest open for Briggs/Whelton and Thomas/Hoyte to fight it out for the championship. It went to the wire with less than a boat length in the final race deciding the championship.

Prizes were awarded to the overall winners of the National Event, Briggs/Whelton, who also claimed the Junior and Youth trophies together with the Ranking Trophy; second position in the event went to Thomas/Hoyte and the Romano brothers claimed 3rd place together with the Benedict Tools Trophy for the highest placed boat in their first national event. A special prize was awarded to Connor Graham and James Gray as the youngest competitors for their unfailing enthusiasm after having capsized so many times and having only been sailing a 405 for two weeks!

The whole event was enjoyed by all participants and the fact that there was only one protest during the four days shows the friendly (yet competitive) spirit in which the event was held.

Overall Results: