Buzz Nationals at Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club

Simon Cory and Clare Hansell win the Buzz nationals © Penny Eyre

The Buzz Nationals were held at Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club on the 5th/6th September, in very varied conditions.

14 boats started on Saturday for three back to back races in winds gusting up to 30 knots. Breaking waves on the beach made launching difficult but thanks to excellent support from the beach team, everyone made it out safely. In race one Simon and Clare led the fleet, closely followed by Jon and Ethna Haines in a three lap up wind down wind course.

Race 2 was again won by Simon and Clare in Buzz 1201, with Ed and Sarah Styles in second place followed by John Cass and Julia Blackman in 1100. The wind was getting up and upturned boats could be seen all over the course. Mike Stainier broke a main halyard so had to retire as did James Russell.

By the third race, most competitors were tired but determined. Simon and Clare showed their star quality with a third win, followed by Andy Holmes and Janet Shaw. Ian Staples had a incident on the finish line that prevented him from finishing, however he managed repairs to be back for Sunday’s racing.

The shore team helped boats land safely in the breaking waves and everyone was glad of the waiting tea and home made cake. The AGM took place on Saturday evening, with Andy Holmes welcoming new members and Roger and Penny Eyre joining them up to the Class Association! This was followed by dinner in the club house with stunning views from the balcony.

Sunday dawned with much lighter force 3 winds and sunshine. The first race of the day was won by Stuart Bailey and Zoe Noble, followed by Jon and Ethna.

The wind shifted causing the race team to have to move the windward mark but this didn’t take long. Simon and Clare were back on form, winning the last two races to leave the title of National Champions in no doubt. Second place in race 5 was taken by Stuart and Zoe, and in race 6 by Ed and Sarah. Chris and Martin must be the most consistent competitors of the weekend, and the training organised earlier in the season by Mike Stanier paid of for Mark and Tris Turner who completed every race in testing conditions.

The Pro / Am competition, pairing the top half of the fleet with the lower half, was won by Stuartand Zoe paired with Ian and Jess Staples. Spot prizes were awarded to Jane Noble, for the best dressed person at prize giving - she and Mark had gone back out to help tune a fellow Buzz sailors boat and got locked out of the changing rooms! And Zoe Noble (no relation) had a prize for the sexiest scream on the downwind legs.

Simon thanked Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club for organising an excellent weekend. All competitors enjoyed the food and hospitality laid on by the club, and in return were invited to come back for future events.

Overall Results: