Please select your home edition
Edition
Savvy Navvy 2024
Product Feature
Crewsaver Crewfit 180N Pro
Crewsaver Crewfit 180N Pro

Dinghyshack / Pinnell & Bax Graduate Nationals at Northampton Sailing Club - Day 1

by Graduate class 17 Jun 2023 22:16 BST 16-18 June 2023

After a day of sunbathing, tweaking rig setups, and getting some last minute practice in on the Friday training day, the Grad fleet awoke to a swinging 3-5 knots of breeze on Saturday morning.

With 4 races scheduled for the day, Race Officer Isaac Marsh held a short snappy briefing, and we hit the water!

After a short postponement to wait for the wind to settle and build to 6-9 knots(ish), the Phantom fleet got away for their start, and the Grads were next up.

Leading the first nationals race of 2023 was Brynster Abendstern & Emma Hull of Toddbrook SC. The pair got into the groove right from the off, tacking out from the committee boat end and never looking back, showing the fleet a clean pair of heels. John Clementson & Guy Marks came home 2nd, and Fresh Abendstern & Ross Southwell rounded out the top 3.

In the second race, we had a different leader, with Fresh & Ross making a strong start from the committee boat, and leading from start to finish. Once again, John & Guy slotted into 2nd place, with the Bassenthwaite boat of Chris & Chloe Parker taking the 3rd step of the podium.

Next up was lunch, and we were treated to sarnies, chips, sossy rolls, pasties... clearly the caterers hadn't got the light wind memo!

Back out onto the water and race 3 was a pin end favoured line, Brynster & Emma, and Fresh & Ross both came off the pin hot, and when they tacked on the header it was Brynster who came out on top. On lap 2, Fresh & Ross managed to reel in Brynster & Emma, passing them at the windward mark, only for Brynster to retake the lead down the run. With a shortened course sound signal, it was a desperate tacking duel between the pair, with Brynster & Emma sneaking their second race win of the championships, Fresh & Ross 2nd, and Bob & Maggie Murrell 3rd place in their new Butler Grad.

The final race of the day was a tricky one, John & Guy picking out the shifts on the first beat to round first, followed by Chris & Chloe, and Ric Lewis & Sandra Jordan.

Sailing down the run, Fresh & Ross found a special gust that was just for them, and sailed their way into 2nd place, while Brynster & Emma and Bob & Maggie also joined the party.

Up the next beat, Brynster & Emma and Bob & Maggie picked their way through to get 3rd & 4th place respectively, and these positions held for the next lap, despite some "interesting" shifts.

Throughout the fleet there were some good healthy battles going on, special shout outs to Jo Hill, who was promoted from trolley dolly to supersub crew, Meg Adams who is currently first lady helm, and Rodger Pass & Sally Harris who are sailing in their first Grad Nationals!

Once back on land, points were totted up, post race beers were sunk (courtesy of Fresh & Marsh), and we held our AGM in the clubhouse, before sitting down for a delicious dinner cooked by the club caterers #CrimbleCrumble!

We held the infamous Graduate Raffle, with the Phantoms joining in the fun, before cracking on with some spot prizes kindly donated by Saturday sponsor DinghyShack. Many thanks to DinghyShack for supporting the class, and if you need any chandlery or clothing, definitely have a look on these guys' website!

We're currently sat propping the bar up, and with 2 races to go (plus the Champagne Race) and the top 3 all on equal points, it's anyone's game going into Sunday's racing...

Results after Day 1:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4Pts
1st3013Bryn AbendsternEmma HullToddbrook1‑4135
2nd3009John ClementsonGuy MarksChipstead22‑415
3rd3020Fresh AbendsternRoss SouthwellToddbrook‑31225
4th2839Chris ParkerChloe ParkerBassenthwaite435‑812
5th3026Bob MurrellMaggie MurrellChipstead‑773414
6th3008Ric LewisSandra JordanChipstead55‑7616
7th3025Megan AdamsJack CammannPUBES666‑1018
8th3004Clare ThorpeJane ThorpeToddbrook‑12108523
9th2750Hannah WithamEmma RobertsonToddbrook‑1189724
10th2962Roger CherrillSarah‑Jane CritchleyChipstead10911‑1230
11th3015James WebberHelen RecardoChipstead91110‑1330
12th30 3Richard ThorpeLewis Lupton CoppingerToddbrook8‑13131132
13th2531Patrick HillJonathan HillSwarkestone1312‑14934
14th2896Simon ForwardMoses ForwardToddbrook14(RET)121440
15th2987Roger PassSally HarrisBartley151415‑1644
16th3024Christine DawberJo HillDale‑1615161546

Related Articles

Graduate Nationals at Carsington overall
As promised, Bank Holiday Monday was windy, very windy As promised, Bank Holiday Monday was windy, very windy. There was also a 90 degree shift which meant that wind came over the dam and whipped down Carsington Water but as the clubhouse was in a wind shadow the competitors were only aware of this once out. Posted on 28 May
Graduate Nationals at Carsington Day 2
The all too familiar sound of rain, and lots of it The 7 o'clock alarm came all too early accompanied by the all too familiar sound of rain, and lots of it. The forecast was no better with the very strong chance of thunder and lightning in the afternoon. Posted on 27 May
Graduate Nationals at Carsington Day 1
A freshening breeze for the fleet who are racing alongside the Miracles Twelve crews arrived to bright sunshine over Carsington Water, anticipating a great weekend's competition sharing the water with the Miracles who were celebrating their 50th anniversary. Posted on 26 May
Graduate Nationals runners and riders
The fleet are off to Carsington this weekend The Graduates head to Carsington this weekend for their Nationals, sharing the water with the Miracles in what promises to be a fab weekend in the Midlands! It's time to give Y&Y the article everyone has been waiting for: the runners and riders! Posted on 23 May
Guy Fawkes Pursuit Race at Leigh & Lowton
It's a Graduate 1, 2 Leigh & Lowton SC kicked off their winter programme with their traditional Guy Fawkes Pursuit, this year on Guy Fawkes night itself, so there was Mulled Wine, Parkin Cake and Treacle Toffee available by a roaring fire after prize-giving. Posted on 11 Nov 2023
Craftinsure Bass Week 2023
230 entries, the biggest in the last 10 years Craftinsure Bass Week 2023 was a big one, with 230 entries, the biggest in the last 10 years. The club grounds were expertly prepared for the onslaught when the gates opened at 9am on Friday 5th August. Posted on 15 Aug 2023
Graduate Northerns at Bassenthwaite
Held over the first weekend of Bass Week A select group of eight Grads entered the Graduate Northern Championships which were held over the first weekend of Bass Week. Posted on 13 Aug 2023
Graduate Nationals at Northampton overall
Starting with Pitsford reservoir looking distinctly holey! Overnight results were tight, and as Sunday dawned it looked like it was going to be another light wind day, with Pitsford reservoir looking distinctly holey! Posted on 19 Jun 2023
Graduate Nationals runners and riders
Who could be the fastest pairings at Northampton next weekend? This year the Grads are heading to Northampton on the 16th-18th June for our National Championships. With 15 boats currently entered, and entry still open for anyone with FOMO, it's set to be a cracking weekend at Pitsford reservoir! Posted on 12 Jun 2023
Graduate Southerns at Chipstead
A twenty strong fleet race on the Sunday and Monday of the Coronation weekend A twenty strong fleet of Graduates attended the two day event, shared with the Heron Nationals, held on the Sunday and Monday of the Coronation weekend, taking advantage of the extra bank holiday Monday, with 5 visitors joining 15 home boats. Posted on 10 May 2023