Unicorn Nationals at Stone Sailing Club

Gary Piper wins the Unicorn nationals at Stone © John Wade

A fleet of 9 Unicorns met for their Nationals as part of the Stone Week Regatta. Four stunning Piper built boats were among the fleet but the glass built boats featured strongly all week.

Race 1 and 2 were held around the club marks in a F3. Gary Piper made a flying start and was never challenged. Bob Dorks, John Wade and Peter Toft fought over 2nd spot and they eventually finished in that order after changing positions many times. In race 2, Piper took the lead at the start but was harried all the way to the finish by Wade and Dorks.

Race 3 and 4 were CB starts around a ‘P’ course. Race 3 was sailed in a F2 and race 3 in lighter winds. Piper and Dorks disappeared into the distance in race 3 leaving Wade, Toft and Richard Taylor to fight over 3rd place. Race 4 was fiercely contested with Dorks leading Piper by a few boat lengths right up to the final mark. Then Piper took advantage of some ‘regatta traffic’ and squeezed through to take the win by 5s.

Race 5 and 6 were CB starts around an Olympic course giving much more scope for tactical sailing. Race 5 started in a F3 with Dorks and Wade heading the pack up the first beat. Piper, having stopped to repair his trapeze harness gradually clawed back the deficit and took the lead by mid race. Wade closed on Dorks in the final lap to miss 2nd place by 4s. Race 6 was sailed in a light F2 with Piper taking the lead chased hard by Dorks and Wade throughout the race. These two rounded the final mark together and this time Wade took 2nd place by a few seconds.

Friday brought race 7 in a brisk F4 around the club marks. Piper took the lead and was never headed. Toft was finding a new CAWS sail to his liking and the extra drive took him to 2nd place ahead of Dorks. Race 8 was held in a freshening F5 with Dorks leading to consolidate his 2nd Championship place. However, his tiller extension snapped after a very dramatic reach and he was forced to retire. Wade needed a win to snatch 2nd place in the championships and was given the chance by Toft when he got caught in irons tacking at the windward mark. However, in the excitement Wade damaged his boat and also had to retire leaving Toft to win the final race with Rogers in second.

Piper, sailing one of his superb wooden boats with a Dewen designed hull dominated the Championships with a clean sweep of wins. Dorks showed his immense experience and a glass boat can still challenge the latest design and finished a solid 2nd place. Wade, having recently bought a Piper boat was delighted to finish in 3rd. Our thanks to Stone Sailing Club, this is a Regatta not to be missed.

Overall Results: