- 480 - David 'The Whistler' Acres (Emsworth) - 2013 champion, is to training what Brazil are to defending but will no doubt put up a stronger defence of the title than Spain managed. Fleet Training Rep whose multiple whistling instructions usually mean he's hyperventilating.
Gave it everything and unfortunate not to win the opening race after, yet again, being involved in very close boat on boat action with Bolly. Already started his training regime for 2015 by leaving the bar before 3.00am one night.
- 411 - Steve Bolland (Bristol Corinthian) - Previous champion, smarting from his off-wind frailties last year, spies tell us he's been putting in loads of sea practice and is even rumoured to have carried out some boat maintenance recently. Probably explains why his rudder fell off during the Weymouth Regatta last weekend. Sporting a new black sail to blend in and avoid an OCS like last year.
Only once let those down-wind demons hit – but sometimes when a wave has your name on it there is just no escape – but by then 5 bullets in a row had secured his 6th title. Boat stayed together despite some last minute maintenance that resulted in a cracked mast. Relieved the strong winds on days 3 & 4 saved sailing with a monster hangover.
- 323 - Matt 'Pin End' Jenkins (Sheffield Viking) - Very quiet but very fast, especially when the line's port-biased. 3rd last year and current Winter Champ.
Not quite up to the speed of last year. Perhaps a lightwind Abersoch week had lulled Matt into a false sense of security. Still favoured the pin end regardless of the wind direction at the start. Still hasn't plucked up the courage to attempt a port tack flyer though.
- 417 - Dan Treloar (Aldenham) - Not so quiet and not so fast - here to learn and always sails with a smile.
3 out of 3 – perfect predictions and earned a deserved improver award but needs to grow into that large T-shirt.
- 524 - Matt 'The Major' Sargent (Thorney Island) - If you want a debate then Matt's your man. Involved in the first protest in years at the Southerns - then went home!!! Will show good consistent form all week. 4th last year.
Matt's natural instincts were dented from the on-set with Prestwick's 3 golden rules – no politics, no religion and no protests. Improved as the week went on and the winds increased for a well deserved 3rd overall. Unlucky to suffer boat damage during beach recovery on day 2 – also relieved that days 3 & 4 were winded-off after a night in the showers post Boom of Doom.
- 416 - Neil 'Bevs' Beveridge (Prestwick) - Think of Mel Gibson in Braveheart and wonder why you have never seen Mel & Bevs in the same room. Strong in heart, strong in character, strong in enthusiasm. Likes to say the word "pish" at every opportunity. Will be a threat if the wind's up.
Apparently was not heard to utter "pish" once – great company and vowed to bring his posse down to the 2015 Nationals for revenge.
- 328 - Tim 'The Traveller' Keen (Sheffield Viking) - There is hardly an event that Tim hasn't been to in the last decade. Despite his stature eats F4 and above for breakfast (normally). Current Northerner Champ. Best to stay clear on the start line.
Best ever Nationals for the transit-dwelling Travelling Man – only a point away from a final podium place after eating all those force 4s for breakfast.
- 507 - Dave 'Boy' McCardel (Prestwick) - Current Scottish Champion, showing great form as long as he can avoid a Sambucca head.
Another suffering from lack of boat maintenance – the lone voice calling for sailing on days 3 & 4. There is always one, usually the one still drunk from the night before.
- 426 - Richard LeMare (Barnt Green) - Now with a purple mast to match his purple hull, the fleet's Mr Fix-it, praying for strong winds and a free bar, only one of which is likely to happen.
Brought a new meaning to "support crew" for the week and we never did see what the purple abstract photo was, unless that was for his "triage" eyes only!
- 354 - Mark 'Sparky' Newton (Thorney Island) - Another Mr Fix-it, but actually knows what he's doing. Now sporting the larger B rig and praying for lighter winds, although adept in any conditions. Will a veggie diet and B rig work together?
The fleet's newly appointed crash test dummy – testing wind strength on days 3 & 4 with his short-board and 4.2m" rig. Proved to earn his Mr Fix-It stripes with the temporary repair to Matt's boat, in the same marquee as the pig-roast was being cooked – surely some form of Japanese torture for a veggie, although his repair was never tested in earnest (or in the water for that matter).
- 500 - 'Two Pint' Pete Ellis (Aldenham) - Likely to be more successful in the pre-nationals golf competition than the sailing. May make the odd appearance near the front on the first beat but goes backwards faster than an Italian tank downwind.
4 correct out of 4 on the predictions – rightly accused of deliberately throwing day 1 to secure a silver fleet berth, only to make use of his considerable weight advantage to win the division. Now has to engrave the newly re-discovered trophy from 2009 as his penalty.
- 503 - Dave 'Desperate Dan' Sinclair - Part of the fabled Prestwick mini fleet sponsored by Greggs. Goes in a breeze.
Definitely goes in a breeze but somehow managed to crack a couple of ribs in the process which made the comedy night a bit uncomfortable. Needs to spend more time on boat maintenance for next year. One of the clubhouse dwellers over the weekend.
- 518 - Luke Pepper (Hykeham) - New dad, new boat, new to waves. Sails downwind with all the stability of someone's who's consumed 10 pints of Stella.
Mr Go-Pro enjoying his first Nationals and going well, but needs more wave action experience. And more pies.
- 360 - Peter Mackin (Bolton) - Hot footing from a very successful debut 8th at the Supernova Nationals, larger than life character who is likely to make an impact somewhere at the champs. Purveyor of the foredeck continuous knitting system.
Mr Sober #1 survived the alcoholic evenings to post 14th overall in his first Nationals. Back to the books Pete and we'll see you in 2015 by which time you'll be legally able to drink. Happy 60th Birthday Dad Eddie.
- 403 - Alasdair 'Wireman' Cattenach (Prestwick) - The 300 is his first non-trapeze boat. Wears a harness for old time's sake. Confused.
Survived all the races with no trapeze so may be getting to grips with the pain of hiking. His worst race was the windiest though so you'll have to make your own mind up on that one.
- 342 - Ian Hopkins (Southport) - Bouncing back from having his boat destroyed by a bouncing ski ramp in the spring storms. Things can only get better.
They did. Made a huge impact at his first Nationals, notably in the bar, failing to get home at all one night. Solid first Nationals on the sailing front, finishing every race and even challenged the McVicar's for largest entourage.
- 410 - Tom 'The Miner' Moore - Taking the "furthest travelled" trophy to extremes. Living the dream and jetting in from Zambia to compete. Strange accent.
Sailing with his Welsh beanie hat made him feel he belonged (somewhere). Worth the travelling as very definitely getting to grips with waves.
- 336 - Mark Taylor (Prestwick) - From the host club but with severe emotional problems that will need to be overcome. Racing from a Scottish club but with Welsh and Malaysian mainsail flags. Is he Welsh? Is he Scottish? Nobody knows, nobody cares, but the mystery man has more boats of different classes than the Portsmouth Yardstick.
Steady set of results improving as the regatta progressed – enjoyed the whisky tasting and found a new 10 yr old malt to his liking. Post Nationals has ditched the 300 already and is currently to be seen in a Sonata.
- 374 - Tom 'Team Racer' Whitehead (Prestwick) - Watch out for this man on the start line - no prisoners will be taken. Goes like a rocket in the light stuff, so we're praying for wind.
The fleet's prayers were answered. After an impressive 4th in race 1, the winds picked up and Tom spent most of the time wishing he had eaten Desperate Dan's pies.
- 527 - Alan 'Snaps' Henderson (Prestwick) - Another man for the lighter conditions, so we're praying for wind. Huge amount of Prestwick experience so if you want to know how to beat the tide, follow this man.
Sailed in the lightest race of the week and then retired to take pics. Snaps has again produced a great photo selection for us all to enjoy.
- 490 – Alistair 'Storky' McClaughlin (Prestwick) - Super fast in the light stuff, so we're praying for wind. Some say that double denim is out of fashion, but not to our Storky!
Again the fleet's prayers were answered, with a 9th in lightwind race 1 then suffered from the stronger breezes. The only competitor to bring a 'bitch' into the clubhouse and get away with it.
- 450 - Mark Henman (Sunderland) - Loads of experience, an old head on old shoulders. Based in Sunderland so almost a local. Will be one of the quickest lightweights.
Definitely one of the lightest and one of only 2 A riggers present. The old head worked wonders though and finished every race despite his diminutive size. More pies a priority before next year.
- 454 - Duncan Jenkins - Third element of the defending Aldenham top team from 2013. Has the potential to ping in a few top results if he turns up and his boat stays in one piece.
Turned up, boat stayed in one piece and almost displaced Bolly on the top podium for race 3 but needs to work on consistency and fitness to mount a serious challenge in 2015. Another top 10 position overall in only his second Nationals.
- 476 - Steve Sallis - Part of the new fleet at Hykenham - experienced dinghy sailor who will be getting to grips with the 300.
Devastating debut Nationals for Steve – quick both in the light and strong stuff. A masterful performance by a Lightweight Apprentice scooping both these awards.
- 321 - Andy Bayliss - Part of the new fleet at Hykenham - experienced dinghy sailor who will be getting to grips with the 300 - Part 2.
Solid debut – somewhat overshadowed by his partner Vicky's impressive display helping recover boats at high tide and winning the fantasy league bounty, the latter paying for their upcoming wedding.
- 437 – Malcolm Downie (Prestwick) - Never "shaken or stirred" our very own 007 will be cool, suave and sophisticated at all times.
Only a little shaken after missing the last two races. A stirring and solid performance until then though.
- 452 – Ian 'Reservoir Dog' Ross (Prestwick) - Our very own Mr Red. He's "smokin" E-Cigs of course.
Good job Ian was on E-cigs – would never have lit a real one on the balcony in all that wind. Likes to go it alone in the only red 300 ever built.
- 508 – Alan 'The Don' Sinclair (Prestwick) - Veteran of these parts, looking to regain his silverware
Determined to finish every race, no doubt pushing for an uplift in the age categories in 2015.
- 523 – Harry McVicar (Aldenham) - Like a good wine, is improving with age. Likely to bring the largest entourage to the event – possibly 4 generations of McV's.
Perhaps this year's academic efforts (first class honours degree) has taken its toll and Harry is a bit 'corked'. Will no doubt come back fighting in 2015. Actually swings a mean golf club – damn those supple youngsters.
- 521 – Eamonn '45 Degrees' Rankin (Prestwick) - Some say that flat is fast. Some say that hiking is good for the soul. But we say "Go Eamonn".
Unfortunately only managed to finish one race, but we all blame Bevs for the lack of training.
- 445 – Paul Rigg (East Lothian) - Newcomer to the Nationals scene but in a boat with a championship winning pedigree. Will be watched with interest.
Missed day 1, which cost dearly overall – actually coming 5th on day 2 results alone – for a lightweight with the nerve to sail downwind with no kicker. Definitely one to watch.
- 502 – John Wilson (Largo Bay) - Bit of a team racer in his spare time so knows the rules – beware. But always sails with a smile so you may get away with it.
Solid top 10 and second Prestwick boat – or is that Largo Bay?
- 536 – Richard Cumming (Weir Wood) - Unknown quantity, but brings the newest boat to the Nationals so bound to be cautious at the starts.
No show so still remains an unknown quantity – we trust all is well and we see the new boat later in the season.
- 379 – Dan Skinner (Aldenham) - One day Skins will actually bring an instrument to an event and show us his real talent - has go fast potential sprinkled with the odd cataclysmic capsize.
Mr Sober # 2 again brought his unique 'talking to his boat' traits, almost upsetting the Aldenham team hierarchy until running out of puff (too much talking) in the last races of Day 2. Still needs to bring an instrument to an event to demonstrate his real talent.
361 – Joe Watkins (Bassenthwaite) - Another newcomer to the Nationals scene and one of the youngest competitors. Will be watched with interest.
Don't these youngsters eat pies and drink any more? – needs to add a few pounds to combat the stronger winds and waves.
- 440 - John Osgood (Aldenham)
Entered so late that missed the 'runners & riders' as well as missing booking accommodation. Opted to sleep in the clubhouse so had to wait until last out before getting any kip, so rarely got any. At last finding a steady wind to learn the ropes, rather than dodgy Aldenham.
And what of the top team trophy won in the past by Draycote, Prestwick, Sheffield Viking, Thorney Island and Aldenham? Likely to be 8 teams competing this year from 4 different clubs. Defending club is Aldenham with the second highest number of boats entered. Will be trying to be the first club to score back-to-back wins but have failed to appreciate that Aldenham is based on a small lake in Hertfordshire while Prestwick is on the sea with big waves so we are likely to be royally entertained. Host club Prestwick has 4 teams entered. Likely to do well as have been training under the watchful eye of Neil Beveridge for the past 2 months. Looking forward to seeing a whole fleet of Bev clones. Hykeham enters a team for the first time, but with none having done a 300 champs before a year too early? Again, we are likely to be royally entertained. Sheffield Viking will be sporting a top team with all members likely to be in the top 10 if they can get Bish to enter. Another top team will be from Down South SC (Emsworth/Thorney Island) but only if they all remember to enter from the same club. Probably why they failed to win the team trophy last year. Will they learn?
With Bish not attending, the Viking's were out of it, and with the Prestwick Bevettes underperforming (rightly winning the wooden spoon) it left the pond paddling defending champions of Aldenham A (Port Tack Flyers) to challenge the Thorney posse. Thorney survived a late challenge on the legality of their collective club memberships to secure the title on countback.