420 British National Championship at Dale Yacht Club - Update
by Imogen Wade 25 Aug 10:27 BST
23-26 August 2024
Forty-one boats have made the epic journey to the most south-westerly part of Wales, Dale Yacht Club, a hidden gem with a fantastic race area directly onto the Atlantic for the 420 National Championships.
There has been plenty of excitement in the first six races and with 35 knots on the forecast, Sunday is now a welcome rest day. Most of the fleet took advantage of the practice day on Thursday, to test starting technique, first-beat tactics and become familiar with the new sailing waters.
Friday was complex, but rewarding conditions with strong winds, big gusts and tides challenging the competitors. Arwen Fflur and Matthew Rayner took wins in races one and three, with Will Fletcher and Oscar Cawthorne taking race two, meaning the former took the gold bibs overnight, the latter silver and Joe Jones and Hennie Burlton wearing bronze. Harry George and Ralph Cawthorne took a UFD in race three after solid results in races two and three, but otherwise our 'runners & riders' looked to be accurate.
Sabine Potter and Merle Nieuwland led the women's teams, now masters of the breezy conditions chased by temporary partnership Ellie Creighton and Charlotte Beardsall.
The day concluded with a beach BBQ and most sailors realizing that they hadn't worn enough sun cream. The daily prize-giving awarded silverware to race winners, a Rooster buoyancy aid to the tally winner (James Alexander) and North Sails caps to the top buddy team - the Mackerels.
Saturday, three more races scheduled at the earlier start time of 10:30am, and more sunshine and bigger breeze. Race one win went to Fletcher/Cawthorne to square the race wins with Fflur/Rayner. With Imogen Wade and Hugo Valentine taking a UFD in race one, it was starting to look like a two-horse race. Creighton/Beardsall took the lead in the female fleet with Jones/Burlton still leading the U17 fleet by a considerable margin.
Wade/Valentine found their form for races five and six and took the win in both, with Fletcher/Cawthorne and Fflur/Rayner taking one second each the top four boats are now within four points. The bibs all move to new boats for the final day.
The day was rounded off by the AGM where we welcomed a new committee followed by bingo, Greek God-themed dress and a (not-so) silent disco.
Ahead of the final day we have a black-tie dinner and the now infamous paper plate awards to look forward to.
Amongst the young people in the fleet are more experienced sailors sharing their knowledge to encourage younger sailors into top-level sailing. The real competition is between James George sailing with Lauren Mecklenberg in her first nationals and Hector Davies crewed by Haydn Sewell. After six races just one point separates them in 28th & 29th. Expect a big showdown on the final day.