405 National Championship at Northampton Sailing Club

405 nationals at Northampton © Chris Wright

The 405 National Championship was held at Northampton SC on 17th/18th October. The competitors were greeted with near perfect conditions on the Saturday and four races were completed in force three winds.

The first race was won easily by 344 Patrick and Ella, who even took time for a quick cap size, second was 155 Sully and Hanna, the rest of the fleet followed in close formation. The winner of the second race was the home club boat of Sully and Hanna, followed into second was Oliver and Max in 98, also of the home club and new to the 405 fleet. In third place were 344 Patrick and Ella from Notts. County.

Race three was close between98 and 408, Stuart and Henry from Banbury SC, with 98 Oliver and Max taking the gun, third was 344 Patrick and Ella.

Race four saw 408 Stuart and Henry take the win, with 98 Oliver and Max second, and again 344 Patrick and Ella third.

Arriving Sunday morning there was no wind at 10:00: Hrs., but then at 10:30 hrs there was a slight ruffle on the water which filled in to a force three similar to the previous day and the fifth race was started at 11:15 hrs. This was won after much place changing by 408 Stuart and Henry and in second place sailing very well 353 James and David from Banbury SC and third 344 Patrick and Ella, who were putting in a very consistent series.

After the break the last race had four boats in contention for the title, places were changing through out the race, but at the finish it was 98 Oliver and Max first, with 360 Glen and Anastasia from the home club second, having been in the lead for most of the race, and 408 was third, which was enough to make Stuart and Henry National 405 Champions from Banbury SC. for 2009.

Second were 98, Oliver and Max from Northampton SC., who also took the under 14yrs prize, and best result at their first 405 Nationals. Third overall was 344, Patrick and Ella from Notts County SC.