707 Northern Championship at Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club
by Murray Macdonald 24 Jul 2018 14:37 BST
21-22 July 2018
Blue skies at Hartlepool and Tees YC for the 707 Northern Championships © 707 Class Association
Five visiting 707s (from Edinburgh, Windermere and Scarborough) made the trip to Hartlepool for the ever popular 707 Northern Championships to join local boat Sharky. The fleet of six boats enjoyed super close racing in light and challenging conditions which made for some difficult decisions for the race officers and mark-layers.
Boats arrived at Hartlepool on Friday afternoon in the pouring rain which is not pleasant when rigging up 707s after a four-hour drive, but the fleet were well looked after by the Sharky boys. Tees & Hartlepool Yacht Club put on a very warm welcome with delicious home cooked meals by the yacht club staff with healthy portions at excellent value as well as much liquid refreshment with the guest ale of Mango beer being well received with well over 40 pints sold to thirsty competitors!
Saturday saw the fleet up early for a 8am lift in at the marina before entering the lock to head out for the first of the days racing. At the event last year, competitors exited the lock to over 30 knots of wind where Eddie from More T Vicar went half swimming following a mega broach, he was advised to bring armbands for this year's event! However, they were not required as the winds were very light and shifty making course laying difficult for the race committee.
After a short postponement, race 1 got underway which saw last year's overall winner More T Vicar absolutely rocket along the race course. Slickly helmed by youngster Brendan Lynch, the Vicar took a strong and well-deserved win with Andrew Lawrie and the instructors on Valhalla in second (their blue mansion tent is worth a visit) and local boat and chairman Andy Hughes on Sharky in third place.
Race 2 got underway shortly after completion of race 1 following a relay of the course with continuing light and shifting winds which gradually died halfway up the first windward leg. Most of the fleet headed left on the beat which eventually turned into a park up at the windward mark with places won and lost. But Andy McKeown and his young team on 707 association part-funded boat Partial Pressure took a different tactic and kept right of the fleet instead of left and it was rewarded with an unassailable lead and a very much well-deserved win for this new team. Sharky started to find their groove to take a second with More T Vicar taking third.
With the dying winds and tight time limit to return to the marina lock, the race officer had to abandon racing for the rest of the day. Points were close with More T Vicar holding the lead with Sharky hot on their heels with Partial Pressure in third, so it was all to play for on Sunday.
The fleet returned to the lock and the delights of the yacht club where most enjoyed a few civilised beers, dinner and a short nap before the main evening's entertainment began starting with a free drink courtesy of one of the sponsors of the event (Hartlepool Marina). Back by popular demand from last year were the band Mango Hangover! With their excellent music, competitors and visitors alike danced the night away as well as causing various 707 shenanigans such as a human pile up on THYC commodore and Sharky crew member Phillip Hope, there must have been at least ten people on top of him, how we all laughed!
Micky Early (Northern Rep) then started the popular game of "toss the pound coin" to win a very big bottle of Jack Daniels! The fleet rapidly divulged their pockets in search of coins which all were donated to the yacht club for their further development in youth sail training. The bottle was eventually won by the commodore's wife who generously ensured that all present received a glass to drink which was hugely appreciated.
Sunday dawned with a fair few sore heads but very warm sunshine. The fleet locked out promptly to be greeted once again by light and shifting winds. The first race started with the fleet all trying to find a beneficial gap on the line which as usual they were all greedy for and tried to steal each other's gap which resulted in a general recall and a race restart but soon turned into a postponement when the wind once again shifted, and marks had to uplifted and relayed!
However, competitors did not have to wait long as a absolutely perfect sea breeze filled in to give four fantastic races. Race 1 saw Valhalla sail well to take a good first with the More T Vicar taking a second and Sharky third.
Race 2 got underway with no issues with Partial Pressure getting clear air at the start and holding a clear lead to take the win with Valhalla second and new boat from Windermere school taking a deserved third place. Race 3 again went without a hitch with Partial Pressure taking the win but second, third and fourth was very close with three boats crossing the finish line within inches of each other. Windermere School sailed very well to take a second place with Valhalla third by just an inch from More T Vicar. You don't get closer racing then this!
The final race of the day was sailed in perfect conditions that saw More T Vicar back on form to take the win after a tricky day with various wins and losses and a torn spinnaker! You can't give anything away in this fleet, you either find a gap and go for it otherwise your stuffed! Valhalla took second with Sharky taking third after a poor start.
The fleet decamped back to the marina for lift out and all were very slick in demisting (some at sea) and preparing for various journeys home. Valhalla were crowned as well deserved winners of the event after sailing superbly throughout the weekend, regular crew and good tactics benefit! Partial Pressure and More T Vicar both finished on 16 points just two points behind Valhalla but on countback Partial Pressure with the most firsts took second overall with More T Vicar in third.
Congratulations to Andrew Lawrie and his team, this is their first big win! Thanks were extended to everyone who had made the event possible especially to Tees & Hartlepool Yacht Club for their outstanding hospitality in accommodating the fleet and to event sponsors Hartlepool Marina, Purple Bricks and Hartburn Consultants ltd and of course to race officers Steve from Hartlepool and Murray from Autism on the Water and their team of mark-layers and helpers.
Next up are the 707 UK Nationals at Burnham on Crouch and a big fleet is expected to make the long journey south to Burnham for one of the fleets most prestigious events.