DeWalt Scorpion National Championship at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club - Day 5

The day dawned to a nice breeze but a less optimistic forecast, and as predicted the wind had dropped to 3 knots at the scheduled launch time so a one hour postponement was very sensibly decided upon.

At this announcement the fleet dispersed to go and find some lunch (varying from shrimps to ice cream). The big question for those who were already in the kit was to change back and risk having to get changed again or stick in kit and slowly roast to death.

DeWALT Scorpion Nationals at Eastbourne Day 5 - photo © Ben / Send It Media

An hour later things hadn't really improved with only 4 knots being recorded on the racetrack, so a further one hour postponement was put up. This intensified the game of to wetsuit or not to wetsuit and a few more players bailed out and got changed. Other than that, very little happened over the next hour (I've got an easy day to write a report for here).

Another hour later 4 knots was still being recorded so the wind was given it's last chance to play ball with a final one hour postponement being put up before a final decision at 2.30. A light breeze blew into the club house, giving optimism for some and others wished that it would clear off as they'd already started packing the boat up - or had dewetsuited. By this time only the hard-core wet suit enthusiasts remained; Nigel Denchfield and Caroline Monk to name a couple.

2.30 came and it was decision time, and after some discussion it was decided that unfortunately the conditions were unraceable and racing was cancelled for the day.

At this moment Alan Krailing and Simon Forbes were declared DeWALT Scorpion National champions 2023- huge congratulations to them- with Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray in second, and Sam Pascoe and Sam Barker in third. Far more importantly the wetsuitists had lost the game and sulked off to get changed. The fleet was glad of the early finish as it meant for time to prepare for the main social event of the Scorpion year - the fancy dress party, with the theme this year being your boat name.

DeWALT Scorpion Nationals at Eastbourne Day 5 - photo © Ben / Send It Media

Huge thanks to everyone at Eastbourne for a fantastic week, and to all our sponsors DeWALT, Craftinsure and P&B.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Scorpion nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

Find out more at sailscorpion.co.uk/scorpion-national-championships-2023.html