2.4m class UK National Championships at Rutland Sailing Club

Megan Pascoe wins the 2.4m class UK National Championships at Rutland © Megan Pascoe

Last weekend saw the 2.4 fleet join the Challengers for their Nationals. A small but perfectly formed fleet had three days of good racing, except Friday that was a bit iffy with not much wind.

The first race was sailed. Slight pile up at the windward mark and Steve Bullmore won. By the time I turned up from work I found some in the pub and some had retired early. I should have followed the latter but didn't. Most of us got taken out by the Irish and a bottle of Kracken. We should have learnt by now.

Saturday was a nice breeze. There were the usual challenges of which way to go up the beat, which end of the line to start at but Rutland brought new challenges. The aerators we have all met before. I don't remember there being so many. On the edge of every aerator there were two fisherman in boats that drift. Apologies to any fisherman reading this, hopefully we didn't disturb too much.

I likened it to playing Mario Kart. Definitely added another dimension to the racing.

The fleet was tightly packed. Everyone in the fleet had their moment in the limelight. Steve was back to his speedy ways but it was Bruce Hill who took a win off Megan. Kate Hedley, Simon Meehan, Rob Anstey, Jazz Turner all made a top three finish with the last run causing big place changes.

Saturday night we had a nice meal with the Challengers whilst helping the Irish watch the rugby. There seemed to be a potato eating going on which was slightly odd. I think five races had tired the fleet out and most retired early.

Sunday morning we relaunched the boats. It takes a fleet effort to do and many thanks to all for helping. Breeze was good again and we were set for another two good races. Less fisherman and aerators but slightly trickier shifts.

Brian Harding was showing the pace he had in the Netherlands a week before. Sadly couldn't hold onto third on the last run. The last race was led by Bruce all the way round and it was Paddy who had decided it was his race finishing the series with a third.

Massive thanks to Ben for driving the tractor to put boats in and out. We really can't do it without him. Prize of the weekend goes to Simon for lending his not-so-dry drysuit to Sean for getting the boats out. He claims he didn't know. Thanks to Richard and David for organising great racing and Val for organising the weekend.

We had a very nice prize-giving thanks to Nick the Commodore and the High Sheriff of Rutland, Geraldine Feehally. Top three were all past National Champions. Jazz Turner won the first disabled prize, I think for the first time.

Fleet are ending the season in Antwerp at the end of October.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the 2.4m nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

Jazz Turner was top sailor with a disability in the 2.4m class UK National Championships at Rutland - photo © Megan Pascoe