X-322 National Champs at Royal Southern Yacht Club
by Eddie Mays 4 Sep 2006 16:49 BST
30 August – 2 September 2006
The Royal Southern Y.C. hosted this year's championships and the racing was over four days on a variety of courses throughout the Solent. Three visitors from the East Coast joined the Solent fleet. Wednesday's racing was for the Raymarine Cup and PRO David Arnold set the fleet three windward / leeward races with the requirement to pass through the start / finish line on each beat. First blood went to Mike & Jo Brand & David Elderfield (Exotic) who just held off the challenge of Nigel Theadom (Crikey VI). The wind had shifted significantly during the last leg and so there was time for lunch whilst the course was reset.
The start of the 2nd race was much tighter and four boats were called OCS. Ian Dawson (Glide-X) took full advantage of this error to lead all the way until the last 10 metres. On the final short beat he picked a lay line to the ODM whilst Theadom chose the committee boat end and won by four seconds. With a stronger breeze the committee was able to start the day's final race immediately. In the closest race of the day Dawson edged ahead on the 2nd lap and made no mistake in his approach to the finish to hold off Theadom in 2nd. With a 2,1,2 scoreline Theadom took the day's trophy and an overnight lead.
Thursday's Coastal race was for the Spinlock Golden Clutch and with the wind blowing from the Needles the fleet were sent out to North Head, just outside Hurst Narrows. It was a real tussle all the way with virtually every boat leading at some stage but after four hours and tens of tacks Tom & Bob Peters (Reckless Rat) were first to the mark. The run back down the Solent took just over an hour and both 'Crikey VI' and 'Exotic' got past the 'RR'.
For Friday's trophy, the Dubarry Boot, the class were given two windward / leeward races. The morning's start was initially spoilt as the wind shifted to the left in the last few seconds of countdown and 'Reckless Rat' was caught OCS. She recovered well during the course of the race to finish 3rd behind 'Crikey VI' and 'Exotic'. 'Glide-X' came 4th after a race when she seemed to gain or lose places on each leg, a real Curate's egg of a race. The wind had settled at 215 degs and for the 2nd race the course was extended to three laps. 'Crikey VI' and 'Exotic' were firmly placed as 1 & 2 in the overall table and the real battle was between 'Reckless Rat' & 'Glide-X' for the other podium place. 'La Nef IV' (John Noe) was forced out at the start and went on to have the race from hell. The four main contenders all got away in the middle of the line and crossed tacks all the way up the first beat. By the top mark 'Crikey VI' was just ahead of the others but it was very tight. 'Brightwork' (Bob & Jon Barker) was also in the mix at this point. Slowly over the rest of the race 'Crikey VI' & 'Exotic' managed to ease away and 'Reckless Rat' got past 'Glide-X' for 3rd.
The weather on Saturday morning was grim and the forecast was for a lot of wind in the afternoon, not ideal conditions for everyone after last night's championship dinner. With a single 'round the cans' race for the Class Association Trophy it was important that the race started on time. Both 'Crikey VI' & 'Exotic', secure in their 1st & 2nd places overall, elected to leave the others to fight it out. 'Glide-X' had to win the race if she was to hold onto 3rd place and when she was squeezed onto Port tack just after the start it looked unpromising. However Dawson played the shifts well and arrived at the top mark with a narrow lead. With conditions worsening PRO Arnold shortened the course at Royal Southern. Dawson sailed conservatively covering the Peters Bros. to take the win he needed to stay 3rd.
At the prize giving in the Royal Southern Clubhouse afterwards Class Chairman Rick Waterhouse pointed out that the top Solent boat only came 3rd. He then went on to thank everyone concerned for their efforts in putting on such a good event. In particular he thanked the Day Sponsors; North Sails, UK Halsey Sails, the Quantum Sail Design Group and Mailspeedmarine for supporting the Class. The championship also received support from Seastart, Silva Marine, Yachts & Yachting and Kayospruce Ltd.
Results:
1st, Crikey VI, Nigel Theadom, Royal Temple Y.C.
2nd, Exotic, Mike & Jo Brand and David Elderfield, Haven Ports Y.C.
3rd, Glide-X, Ian Dawson, Warsash S.C.
4th, Reckless Rat, Tom & Bob Peters, R.Y.A.