Comet Duo Nationals at Staunton Harold Sailing Club

Staunton Harold Reservoir in Derbyshire were hosts to the 2005 Comet Duo National championships, which was held over the May bank holiday weekend.

Storms were forecast over the area for Saturday and the conditions were mixed, with vicious gusts one minute and deadly lulls the next.

After two races the Hampton Pier boats were making their mark, with Geoff and Celia Gambrill first on the leader board, followed by Richard Gower and Barbara Gauntlett second, and Frank and Glynis Oliver close behind.

At the end of the first days racing Gambrill had only to secure a 2nd place in the remaining two races to win the championship.

Sunday dawned with little wind and a mist over the lake. Boats were drifting in all directions before the start but most managed to line up on the course just after the gun. As the wind picked up there were difficult decisions to be made as to which way to tack towards the first mark. The Hampton boats chose a starboard tack, this gave them right of way and proved invaluable as they were away on the reach after the first mark with two other contenders in hot pursuit. Halfway up this reach, a vicious gust hit John Linnell from Cransley S.C. who broached into Nigel Ford from Solihull and they both capsized.

Gambrill took line honours, which gave him the championship. The wind had picked up for the last race, with Frank Oliver taking his first championship win. The final results saw Hampton Pier Yacht Club take the top three places.

Overall Results:

1st (31) Geoff and Celia Gambrill
2nd (100) Richard Gower and Barbara Gauntlett
3rd (27) Frank and Glynis Oliver