Javelin Nationals at Filey Sailing Club

17 Javelins turned up for this year’s premier domestic event in beautiful North Yorkshire over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The event was certainly one of contrasts.

Saturday dawned sunny but still with very light airs, so light in fact that there was a postponement of the first race. Eventually it was decided to start racing although the winds had not improved.

Peter Crooks, the RO, set an Olympic inverted P course, which was new to most of the fleet. Defending Champions B Dixon/K Partington and the Earl Brothers showed their intent from the off by sailing clear of the rest of the fleet almost immediately. A close battle ensued which was won by the Earls. Dixon came in second. I Winterburn/C Sagar looked like they would take third until the wind shifted letting four boats through. K Deinhardt/O Schluter took third place.

A barbecue was organised by Filey Sailing Club which was enjoyed by all well into the night.

On Sunday conditions couldn’t have been more different. The wind was F5 NE with a four metre swell. A remark was heard that the sailing was like the southern oceans; in the dip of the wave it was not possible to see the rest of the fleet.

The first race N Faulkner/J Meachen led throughout but a mistake at the final mark let Dixon in to take first. P Ross/D Wilkes came in a few boat lengths behind in third.

In the wild conditions, M Pickles/R Fisher were the only ones to notice that the Committee Boat had started to drag it’s anchor at the start of the second race. They got a port hand flyer to sail well clear at the start. Heavy wind specialists R Smith/E Dyson showed why they are looked on as prospective champions by taking two firsts in the next two races. Dixon took two seconds. Third places were split between Faulkner, who was sailing very well and the Earls.

By the final race on Sunday sailors were getting very weary and stamina paid off. The Earls took first with Dixon second and Smith third. These were now the only three boats with a chance of winning.

Monday morning was windier than Sunday, a F6 NE. A course was set inshore in the shelter of Filey Brig. The sailing was extreme in the two races run and experience told as Dixon/Partington sailed a near faultless race to take the Championship with a race to spare. P Ross/D Wilkes were second and the Earls third.

In the final race the Earls, now in their 30th year of racing Javelins, took a comfortable victory from Ross, with Tim Greenaway coming in a very creditable third with his young son Liam.

A very good time was had by all in Filey and our gratitude is extended to everyone who worked hard to make it possible. We are all looking forward to next year and the Europeans.

Overall Results: