British A Class Catamaran Nationals at Island Yacht Club, Canvey Island

British A Class Nationals at Canvey Island © Richard Bartholemew

British A Class Nationals at Canvey Island © Richard Bartholemew

British A Class Nationals at Canvey Island © Richard Bartholemew

Fourteen 'A' Class Catamarans made up the strongest field for a few years at the on Canvey at the Island Yacht Club. Even the great Dutch Grandmaster himself, Piet Saarberg, came over with a pair of Vision A Cats for Chris Field and him to race on.

The weekend forecast had something for everyone. Friday was bright sun with a pleasant 8-10kt SW breeze. The three races got underway after a general recall on the first race as everyone was a little too keen to get the ball rolling. Black flag rules resulted in most then being a little line shy the second time. Once underway, Chris Field led the way with Sam Newton, Bob Fletcher and Phil Neal on his heels. At the flag, Sam had his first bullet, with Chris 2nd and Bob 3rd. Piet was disqualified for not going through the line. Further down the fleet, places were being swapped frequently as tide and wind favoured different sides of the course each time.

Races 2 and 3 and three followed a similar pattern but with Chris getting the other 2 bullets. Sam was disqualified on the second race for the same reason as Piet in the first, giving the 2nd to Phil. The Flying Dutchman, however capsized near the line in the 3rd race after forgetting he needed to unhook from the wire before going under the boom. He was disqualified anyway, again, for missing the admittedly narrow line.

Day two was forecast for rain all day. And a little more wind – 10 kts more in fact. It was to be a day for boat handling skills to be turned up to 11. Half the fleet decided to stay ashore, but then most took up the offer of a spectator boat to view the hoped for carnage. They were not disappointed.

Race 4 got off to a flying start without a couple of boats, Chris included, who decided not to join in the launching melee with assorted Hurricanes and F18s, or who were for breakage reasons, late away. Showing real skill and even surviving a massive near pitchpole, Flyweight Sam Newton led Phil Neal and Struan Wallace to his next bullet.

Race 5 had everyone blasting to windward into the wind over tide conditions. The spectator boat placed itself at the 'washing machine' end, just by the top mark to view the action. Gordon Upton did not disappoint. Lying in 3rd as he rounded the top mark and headed for the spreader, he then fell off in a way reminiscent of a shot cowboy in a Western, being dragged along by a foot strap until eventually he dropped off. A real crowd pleaser was that one! But he still managed a 4th. Sam won again followed by Chris and Phil.

Race 6 was just a repeat but with tiered crews. The race officer said it was 'only' 19 gusting 23 kits. Various breakages then rendered Jamie Walker, Sam Newton and Jamie Rankin out of action, reducing the field. Chris got another bullet, Gordon 2nd and Phil 3rd. All returned home to their adoring fans with tales to tell.

Day 3 was supposed to be a repeat of day 1, however, it decided that so much fun was had on day 2, it would give it another go, much to the horror of the sailors who had stayed ashore on the previous day and were now waiting for the off. And late night in the club with a great band didn't help much either. A large wind shift after the start of the first race in a squall meant that the Race Officer stopped it. Everyone then hung about, bouncing around before the light weather cynosures decided that life and limb was not worth risking and bounced off to shore.

Race 7 finally started. Same procedure as the day before, Chris, Sam And Phil were the top 3 again. And Race 8 took it's toll on a couple more boats and with Chris, Sam and Struan taking the podium for that one. A snapped trapeze finished off Jamie Walker and a detached rudder pintle did for Gordon.

Even though only 2 boats, Lester Barr and Phil Neal completed every race, considering the conditions, that was impressive. However, judging from later conversations in the bar with Hurricane crews, the A Class Cat's ability to handle heavy going really surprised them. They held the belief that the A Cat is a delicate little flower, only suited to gentle breezes. The ability to massively depower the rig was a revelation to them.

Everyone had a really great time though. The hospitality and welcome offered by the Canvey club cannot go unremarked upon. They even arranged a live screening of some other Cat sailing race in San Francisco or somewhere I think. Can't have been that important though, only 2 boats bothered to turn up at that one!

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the A Class Catamaran nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here