Please select your home edition
Edition
Savvy Navvy 2024

2020 Unicorn National Championship at Stokes Bay Sailing Club

by Daniel Jarman 8 Sep 2020 13:09 UTC 4-6 September 2020
2020 Unicorn National Championship at Stokes Bay © Tanya Piper

Stokes Bay Sailing Club welcomed the Unicorn Catamaran fleet to hold their 2020 National Championships. There was an air of excitement among competitors in anticipation for the fine weather forecast for the long weekend of 4th-6th September.

Race officers Dave and Louise Roberts provided superb race management with slick turn-arounds between races. Friday's first race started at mid-day as scheduled in a steady force 3 and late summer sunshine. Marginal trapezing conditions prevailed during race 1 as current title holder Dan Jarman built up a steady lead to take race 1 ahead of Brian Whitmey from Eastbourne making a great start to his championship debut.

There was slightly less wind for the second start and most of the fleet arrived at the windward mark together. William Dawson made tactical gains downwind in the favourable central tide-flow to round the leeward mark slightly ahead. The breeze suddenly kicked in to a solid F4 where former champ Dawson covered on the second lap in full trapezing conditions to win race 2.

As the afternoon wore on the breeze ramped up to a F5 for the final race of the day. Blasting off the start line into the Solent chop and brilliant sun made for a thrilling first beat lead by Richard Beke from Queensmead. Making the most of the downwind surf, Jarman managed to break away from the pack to take a second win of the day with another excellent performance from Whitmey hot on his heels.

Saturday provided a very similar weather pattern. Another newcomer to the class, catamaran specialist Paul Grattage, used his tactical prowess in the light conditions to gain a formidable win in race 4.

With the wind increasing to a solid F4 for the afternoon's racing, again Jarman locked back into full-on mode to say on top.

Stokes Bay sailor Gary Piper managed to put his earlier frustrations behind him to get back on his usual championship form, holding off short and frantic gybing duels going on behind to avoid the Solent ebb. Piper kept his cool to take race 6 in the closest racing in the series so far, with the finishing fleet divided only by seconds.

Very light breeze was predicted for the final day. Four different race winners and with the consistency of Brian Whitmey lying second overall, the series was still wide open.

Short tacking along the shore to avoid the tide was the order of the day. This gave the light weather experts Julius Mach, Will Stefanou and Iain Rogers the chance to get back in amongst the front runners and stir up the points even more. Piper's form continued in the light wind, enough to pass Jarman on the final run back, finishing first and second respectively.

Similar tactics were key for the final race 8. Again, it was Paul Grattage who tracked down the best shifts and tides to notch up his second win of the event.

After a challenging week-end event, Dan Jarman eventually took top spot to retain the Mazzotti Trophy.

Overall Results:
If you took part in the Unicorn nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

1st Dan Jarman - GBR 1088 - Locks SC - 15 points
2nd Gary Piper - GBR 1094 - Stokes Bay SC - 19 points
3rd Brian Whitmey - GBR 1085 - Eastbourne SC - 21 points
4th William Dawson - GBR 1091 - Stokes Bay SC - 24 points
5th Paul Grattage - GBR 1062 - Stokes Bay SC - 27 points
6th Richard Beke - GBR 1100 - Queensmead SC - 37 points
7th Will Stefanou - GBR 1098 - Stokes Bay SC - 40 points
8th Julius Mach - GBR 1095 - Netley SC - 48 points
9th Iain Rogers - GBR 1092 - Bala SC - 61 points

Related Articles

Unicorn and A Class Catamaran UK Nationals
Estranged two sisters sail together for the first time in many years The last weekend of June, at Hayling Ferry SC, a family reunion took place. It was the first time estranged two sisters had sailed together in their National Championships for many years, and it was a lovely occasion for all involved. Posted on 3 Jul
Oldest videos of racing catamarans
We start in 1965, covering Hobie, Shearwater, Prindle and C Class, then the Worrell 1000 We delve into the past, and round-up all the videos which show racing catamarans, including Hobie cats, Shearwaters, Prindles and C Class, from the 1960s to the 90s. Plus some Worrell 1000 history. Posted on 7 Apr
Unicorn Nationals at Weston
The self-described 'bridesmaid' finally wins again William Dawson became the 2023 Unicorn Nationals held at Weston Sailing Club. The self-described 'bridesmaid', having not won the Nationals since 1995, put together consistently good results to produce a convincing win. Posted on 23 Jun 2023
Solent Forts Race 2023
Part of the Allen Endurance Series The Solent Forts Race is an annual long-distance event for catamarans and other high performance boats, run by Hayling Ferry Sailing Club from their base at the entrance to Langstone Harbour. Posted on 17 Jun 2023
Unicorn Nationals at Hayling Ferry
Racing in the Solent and the confines of Langstone Harbour Hayling Ferry Sailing Club was the ideal venue to host the 53rd Unicorn National Championship held between 23rd and 25th June 2022. The event was also planned to merge with the Solent Forts Race which followed at the weekend for its 10th Anniversary. Posted on 1 Jul 2022
Unicorn Nationals at Stone Week 2021
Joining the 34 strong fast handicap division at the event The influence of the current climate resulted in a smaller than usual fleet of Unicorns to attend Stone Week for their National Championship held during the first week of August. Posted on 10 Aug 2021
Stokes Bay Sailing Club Catamaran Open preview
Sailors eagerly anticipating the first big catamaran event of the season Catamaran sailors from various classes are eagerly anticipating the first big catamaran event of the season, which will be at Stokes Bay Sailing Club, in the centre of the south coast. Posted on 6 May 2021
Unicorn 2020 Nationals to be held at Stokes Bay
Support and dedication of the sailing committee and club members appreciated Stokes Bay Sailing Club will be hosting the Unicorn 2020 Nationals on 4th - 6th September. It has been a very difficult year for all racing, but in late July, Stokes Bay Sailing Club started club racing with Covid-19 precautions and great turnouts. Posted on 7 Aug 2020
50th Unicorn Nationals at Stone
Boisterous conditions on the Blackwater Estuary The 50th Unicorn National Championship was held this year in conjunction with Stone Sailing Club's 70th anniversary celebrations during the week 5th-9th August. Posted on 15 Aug 2019
Unicorn Traveller Series update
Three spectacular venues, three weekends on the bounce Three spectacular venues, three weekends on the bounce, marked the start of the Unicorn catamaran traveller series held in conjunction with the wider Cat Open scene. Posted on 15 May 2019
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTER