Dart 16 Nationals at Hastings & St Leonards Sailing Club

Now in its third year the Dart 16 nationals were at Hastings & St Leonards Sailing Club over 15/16 June and attracted 24 entries the largest so far.

Among the contenders were Shaun & Mark Pollard (ex-TT winners), Mike Ager & Chris Brook the (current TT leaders) with Paul Roberts (ex-National Champion) defending with his father Steve. A turn out from Ant & Marie James from the Laser Centre to support the event was a welcomed one, Whilst the fleet speculated on the arrival of the newest fleet from Eastbourne with no less than 6 boats attending,

Saturday’s racing was to be held in force 3-4.

Race one saw an impressive start from Paul & Steve Roberts midway down the line, but at the windward mark it was Ant & Marie James in first followed by Shaun & Mark Pollard with Mike Ager & Chris Brook in third. That’s how it stayed till the finish line with Ant & Marie recording a healthy lead from Shaun & Mark, Mike & Chris in third, with the Roberts`s having to settle for 4th. After a short break for lunch/tuning races 2 & 3 were held back to back in slightly less wind.

A hectic start made of race 2 with Shaun & Mark starting on starboard in front of the rest of the fleet on port. At the WWM it was Mike & Chris in first followed by Shaun & Mark with Ant & Marie in third, but this time Paul & Steve managed to edge in front of Mike & Chris who choose to go inshore on the down wind leg. At the finish it was Ant & Marie notching up another win from Paul & Steve stealing second from the Pollards at the final mark, Mike & Chris had to settle for 4th.

Race 3 again saw Mike & Chris in first followed by Shaun & Mark, but with Paul & Steve stealing positions downwind. First from the Pollards and then Mike & Chris they secured their first win narrowly in front of Shaun & Mark who just squeezed inside Mike & Chris at the leeward mark to take second and third in front of Ant & Marie who settled for 4th.

Before Sunday’s racing started the front runners where pretty close, Ant & Marie in 1st with 2pts, Paul & Steve with 3pts and Shaun & Mark on 4pts.

Race 4 saw the front 4 gain control once again early on Ant & Marie led the race for the main part from Mike & Chris and then Shaun & Mark.

Downwind Paul & Steve managed to pass through into second but could not match the upwind speed of the other three. So in the end it was Ant & Marie who took line homours followed by Mike & Chris with Shaun & Mark in third with the Roberts`s having to settle for 4th.

Race 5 Saw a number of boats fail to round the WWM smoothly changing the usual proceedings with local sailors Laura & Clare Wiseman leading the fleet. However at the finish it was Ant & Marie in first followed by Mike & Chris both making good recoveries with Nick Hart & B Dennis-Smither in third with Alistair Dean & R Thomson having to settle 4th.

The final race was very similar to R5 with some very close racing, Ant & Marie finished off in style with yet another win Roger Sinnhuber & Jane Robinson were second leaving Mike & Chris to make do with third in front of Alistair & R Thomson who settled for 4th.

Overall Results: