49er FX and 49ers at the WPNSA Skiff Open
by Simon Hiscocks 16 May 06:48 BST
11-12 May 2024
WPNSA Skiff Open © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
Inclusion for the 49er and FX class for the first time at the National Sailing Academy's multi-class skiff open can only be described as a resounding success. Despite clashing with the Europeans, keeping the travelling squad sailors away, an equal number of mixed and single gender teams competed over the 8 race series.
An interesting mix of sailors, some fresh out of youth and some still very much active in their youth classes plus an older parent to keep everyone behaved. The concept of the FX as a transition boat from youth into senior sailing seems to be gathering pace.
Out on the race course and sharing a start line with the International 14's wasn't too problematic but it did present another element to the tactical challenge with traffic management on top of an unstable South East South wind direction. Once off the line and into the second lap was when the fun began as the faster boats began to negotiate the course with a large number of B14s, Musto Skiffs, Laser 4000s, Cherubs and even a few ISOs.
The combination of variable wind speed and Direction plus the traffic never let any one get away with notable performances coming from Finn Morris and Ben Bradley in a 20 year old sliding wing boat, they sadly had to miss out on most of Sunday's races with a broken cap shroud. Ironically possibly one of the newest parts on their boat! Carrie Clark and Sophie Raven mixed it up at the front in every race, whilst Leo Wilkinson and Fliss Brellisford got better with each race. Lia Fletcher and Izzy Smith were never far behind, always pushing the top three.
Charlie Gran and Noah Fitzgerald had some moments on Saturday but really got into their stride on Sunday with a string of firsts to win the day and elevate them into the runners up spot. Not quite enough to catch Simon and Amelie Hiscocks who kept it consistent to take the win.
For more information keep an eye on the 49er Facebook page and make contact via there to get an add on to the class WhatsApp group. There have already been two pop up events this year so expect a few more plus a National Championship timed for 26th - 29th September. It's open to all ages, genders and experience.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | Gender | Age Group | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Pts |
|---|
| 49er FX Fleet |
|---|
| 1 | 3 | Simon Hiscocks | Amelie Hiscocks | | Mixed | Adult/Youth | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‑3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| 2 | 41 | Charlie Gran | Noah Fitzgerald | WPNSA | M | Adult/Youth | 4 | ‑5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 16 |
| 3 | 9 | Leo Wilkinson | Fliss Brellisford | Essex SC | Mixed | Adult/Youth | 5 | 3 | ‑6 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 22 |
| 4 | 42 | Finn Morris | BJ Bradders | Royal Madras YC | M | Adult/Youth | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | (RET [9]) | DNC [9] | DNC [9] | 36 |
| 5 | 291 | Karrie Clark | Sophie Raven | Exe SC | F | Adult/Youth | 2 | 4 | 4 | (OCS [9]) | DNC [9] | DNC [9] | DNC [9] | DNC [9] | 46 |
| 6 | 713 | Lia Fletcher | Izzy Smith | | F | Adult | 6 | 6 | 3 | 4 | (DNC [9]) | DNC [9] | DNC [9] | DNC [9] | 46 |
| 7 | 123 | Katy Jenkins | Barna Aranyi | WPNSA | Mixed | Youth | (DNC [9]) | DNC [9] | DNC [9] | DNC [9] | 5 | 4 | 4 | NSC [9] | 49 |
| 8 | 281 | James Crossley | Rachael Potter | | Mixed | Adult/Youth | (DNC [9]) | 7 | 7 | 6 | DNC [9] | DNC [9] | DNC [9] | DNC [9] | 56 |
| 49er Fleet |
|---|
| 1 | 6 | Tom Ahlheid | Teddy Dunn | | M | Adult | | ‑1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |