Osprey National Championships at Porthpean Sailing Club - Overall

Tim Rush & Mike Greig on day 4 of the Osprey Nationals at Porthpean © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

Emma Stevenson & Tim Bowden on day 4 of the Osprey Nationals at Porthpean © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

Burge and Townend seize title in the final race

On the final day of the Osprey Nationals at Porthpean, Cornwall, it was another day of bright basking sunshine, and a wait for the wind. This time though the initial wind was onshore, so it settled and eventually rose to 6 kts to allow racing, with a trapezoid / sausage course getting its first airing of the event.

The leaderboard was tight at the top, and the two favourites were leaders D J Edwards and James Coxon, and second placed Matt Burge and Vyv Townend. However the expected gunfight didn't happen, with the two boats choosing different paths up the first beat. Edwards opted for offshore in the Southerly breeze, while Burge chose to head for the Western shore. That turned out to be the right choice, and Edwards was unable to pull back the places, finishing 12th, while Burge & Townend took the race win, and the overall lead. After the first race, the wind faded, so no further racing was possible, and Burge and Townend's lead translated into a Championship win, eighteen years after Townend had last raced on Osprey.

After eight races over four days, both the Championship and many of the places below were radically affected by the final race, such is the close nature of racing in the 40 strong Osprey fleet. Four wins spread over the event laid the base for Burge/ Townend's win, while second place Edwards/ Coxon and third placed Chris Gould/ Nick Broomhall also scored very well, both counting a mix of wins, second and third places.

It was a Championship well hosted and run by the little but very welcoming Porthpean club, who sail from a lovely beach surrounded by cliffs. There was racing on all four days despite tricky wind conditions, and up to three races per day, with a variety of course shapes to give all a chance.

The Osprey class showed its family friendly nature, with many family teams, and the biggest number of lady competitors, thirteen, for many years, and occupying both helm and crew positions. There were a number of young helms and crews, with Alexandra Willis taking best under 21 helm and best lady helm, and Harry Odling best under 21 crew. Top lady crew was Lisa Chess, sailing with husband Oscar, while both Alexandra and Harry sailed with their Dads.

Boats included some beautiful all wood examples, while just over half were the modern Mark 4 examples by Hartley Boats. The majority of both FRP and wooden boats used carbon spars. The Osprey fleet left Porthpean in rude health, after a second successive 40 boat Nationals, and looking forward to many national and regional opens until their next major Championship, the End of Seasons at Rutland on November.

Event sponsors were Gul Watersports, Hartley Boats, Allen Brothers, Clamcleat, Marlow Ropes, Creation Covers, D G Buscombe and Towergate insurance.

Overall Results:
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