Sonata Nationals 2023, sponsored by Axent Workwear, at Parkstone Yacht Club - Overall

The 2023 Sonata Class, National Championship [their 46th] came to a close at Parkstone YC, attracting 18 boats from all over the UK with teams descending on Poole Harbour from as far afield as Scotland, Blackpool, North Wales and Newcastle with more local boats traveling under their own keels from the Solent, Christchurch and Weymouth.

Tight One Design racing saw boats across the fleet mixing it up in the top ten across the four days of racing. A shout out to the top 7 boats all achieving a 1st or 2nd place throughout the regatta; Frankie the Rhino, Duette, Joey, MINIM, Aquila, Saraband, Off Quay and Araya.

Day 1

With launching and One Design scrutineering completed on the Saturday, Sunday started with a postponement on shore waiting for a South Westerly winds to move into Poole Bay. Finally the fleet scuttled down to their boats and made their way out to the Bay.

With light winds dominating the day it was all about tactics for the sonata fleet. Joe Cross on Duette a local boat favouring the light winds and choppy channel swell went into the lead with a triple bullet, the previous Nationals Champion showing how it's done.

Frankie during the Sonata Nationals at Parkstone - photo © David Harding / www.sailingscenes.com

The rest of fleet having their own skirmishes with everyone getting in tune with their boats in the unstable winds and waves.

The 1st day ended with sundowners and views across Poole Harbour on the beautiful Sunset terrace.

Day 2

With the race officer keen to get racing away on time, the Sonata armada headed out on full throttle [All 3.5hps of it!] for another days of light wind racing. The winds were more stable with a gentle south-westerly of 7-10knts. With tide pushing boats over the start line, even the U flag couldn't deter the Gung-ho fleet from its faltering starts. After a fair few general recalls (4 in total) the fleet got started on a top quality days racing. The light winds and tidal gates causing compressions at the marks making the tacticians to get their rule books out. Frankie the Rhino had a strong day taking two bullets. Closely followed by MINIM with a brace of 2nds.

2023 Sonata National Championship, final day - photo © Mary Redyhoff

Day 3

With a more stable forecast the race officer was keen to get 4 races in for the day and mix up the courses including around the cans. Race one started with a substantial right shift which saw Joey take a comfortable lead, which they held to the finish. The race officer this time decided to keep the class under control with a back flag.

Off Quay and Nancy taking there discards for the day. Frankie the Rhino now in their grove gaining a 1,2,1 helping them chase down Duette in the lead. Aquila also now getting the hang of the tight racing and stable winds putting pressure on the top end of the class with a 3,3,2. The days racing was finished with beautiful sail in past the Sandbanks mansions and a visit from the Waverley paddle steamer.

2023 Sonata National Championship, final day - photo © Mary Redyhoff

Besides the great action on the water as ever the Sonata Nationals delivered a vibrant and fun shore side program with a well-attended Dinner and Dance event on the Tuesday night featuring the brilliant 'Diplomats Band' and over 90 people in attendance along with a charity raffle raising money for the Parkstone YC charities.

Back on the water and after 9 races the leading bunch had extended on the fleet and all was to play for to decide the podium places going into the final day.

The final day of racing was scheduled to take place within Poole Harbour in the 'Top Triangle' just West of Brownsea Island. In a very light Northerly breeze a 2 lap Windward Leeward course was set.

Day 4

The last and final day brought the final roll of the dice for the top 6 boats. The class buzzing there way out to west of Brownsea Island, the locals favoured arena, where a good game of snakes and ladders were played. The very odd northerly breeze even caused pain for the local Poole Boats. Winds flicking left and right causing the boats to Yo-Yo through every position. With racing under way it was Saraband getting the grips of the mill pond like sailing in Race 10, delivering 1st position. Frankie the Rhino and Duette duelling it out in race 10 meant the final race of series and championship points, was brought down to the wire. The final race allowing 6 boats to all compete in being the top 3, it was all to play for!

After a long postponement waiting for the wind to make its mind up and the race committee having to shift the course the warning signal was raised on the committee boat. The final race of the series saw a large shift at the windward mark causing the right side to pay off. The 3 leading boats just slipping round the windward mark with a bit of breeze. The remainder of the fleet parking with their spinnakers up on the spreader mark waiting to see who came out of the mixing bowl first.

2023 Sonata National Championship, final day - photo © Mary Redyhoff

Eventually a few veins of wind got everyone round the windward mark and reaching back to the leeward gate with 'Frankie the Rhino' and 'Joey' making the most of the pressure. With the large wind shift and dying breeze the Race Officer under pressure to complete two races and get the boats ashore due to tidal restrictions on cranage, the decision was taken to shorten the course at the leeward gate, however, 8053 'Duette' and 8032 'MINIM' had been overwhelmed by the fleet at the windward mark shut down and so the leaderboard took a flip.

Frankie the Rhino pulling a last minute roll on Araya at the three boat length zone, to take first place and the championship overall. Duette lead the following pack from the spreader mark, sandwiching Joey in 3rd. - 'Frankie The Rhino' winning the Nationals on countback.

Congratulations to Frankie the Rhino sailed by Tim Woods, Jim Hunt, Keith Byers and Lisa Woods in 1st place.

A big thank you to Parkstone Yacht club, the race committee and yard team for putting on a great event.

A huge thanks you to our event sponsor AXent Workwear and also to our Nationals supporters: Goacher Sails, Marlow Ropes, North Sails, Quay West Chandlers and B&G

We look forward to the next Sonata events including the Sonata Southern Championships taking place at the International Poole Paints Regatta May 2024, and the 47th Nationals in 2024 will take place at the Medway Yacht Club, from the 10th - 14th August, 2024. Dates for your diary!! See you all there!!

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