Yeoman/Kinsman Nationals at Norfolk Broads Yacht Club

35 boats for the 35th Yeoman/Kinsman nationals © Andrew Musgrave

35 boats for the 35th Yeoman/Kinsman nationals © Andrew Musgrave

35 boats lined up for the 35th annual Yeoman/Kinsman championships at Norfolk Broads Yacht Club on Wroxham Broad, with the best 4 of 5 races to count.

Guy Coleman and Chris Hanson in Yeoman 142 (Blackjack) signalled their intentions with convincing wins in both of the practices races arranged on the Friday afternoon, and followed this up with a win in the first championship race on Saturday morning over 4 rounds of the broad.

A stiff southerly wind made course setting simple, but with gusts of over 30 knots, many boats were in difficulties and 19 retired before the end of the first round.

The wind was rather more settled for the second race at lunchtime although many boats were now sailing ‘3 up’, and Jono Brown sailing the Harston’s Y 14 (Tiger Moth) showed how much he had learned from his recent successes in the world Topper championships with an easy win to follow his second in the earlier race, crewed by Benny Harston and Simon Barker. Sally Dugdale of Snowflakes S.C., who had been a first race casualty, took the second bell followed by Steve Cliffe and with Guy Coleman only managing sixth.

The third and final Saturday race saw Queen Mary S.C visitors Neil Beaton and Martin Pride (Y 118, Diamond Lil) taking first bell from Steve Cliffe and Guy Coleman with Jono Brown 4th and Sally Dugdale down in 6th.

Sunday morning was bright and sunny with considerably lighter winds from the southwest encouraging the race officers to set a more interesting course of 6 marks.

Sally Dugdale crewed by son Richard in Y32 – Lavinia came into her own in these conditions and romped home in the first race followed by Paul and Janet Barker in second, and with ‘Ginger’ Baron third, competing in his last nationals after 35 years sailing this class.

There was still everything to play for in the final race after lunch on Sunday with 3 or 4 potential championship winners. In the event, a perfect start from Sally Dugdale saw her quickly build up a lead from which she was never challenged. Close racing for the next three places saw James Buntin from Horning (Y 173 – Blue Ripple) hold off Guy Coleman for second place with Steve Cliffe close behind in fourth.

By the narrowest of margins, Sally and Richard Dugdale emerged as champions from Guy Coleman and Chris Hanson, whilst consistently good results put Jono Brown in third ahead of Steve Cliffe. A good final race gained fifth place for James Buntin with David and Lynn Brown in sixth.

Trophies were presented by N.B.Y.C Commodores wife, Jo Sabberton with further awards going to Doug Noble from Horning (Y 155 – Swift) for first ‘non-spinnaker’ boat, and to Graham Biggs from Rutland (K 40 – Jemima) for first Kinsman.

Following generous sponsorship from Navigators & General Insurers, Stuart Rix from Saturn Sails, Norfolk Marine Chandlery and Jeckells sails, the organisers were able to present various other awards, and all competing boats were given a Yeoman burgee to commemorate the event.