Dinghyshack / Pinnell & Bax Graduate National Championships - Runners and Riders
by Graduate class 12 Jun 2023 14:17 UTC
16-18 June 2023
Graduate Nationals at Rutland 2021 © Alistair Roaf
This year the Grads are heading to Northampton on the 16th-18th June for our National Championships. With 15 boats currently entered, and entry still open for anyone with FOMO, it's set to be a cracking weekend at Pitsford reservoir!
While there is always close racing throughout the fleet, here are this year's "runners and riders"; people to look out for towards the pointy end...
Fresh Abendstern & Ross Southwell - this pair have form, having won last year's Nationals at Grafham and this year's Southern Champs at Chipstead. They've each bought a boat, Fresh has invested in Grad #3020, and Ross has bought an RS200... is this in preparation for the endeavour?
John Clementson & Mel Titmus - always on the pace, you'd be daft not to put money on these two. They're familiar with Northampton, and John was fast at the Steve Nicholson Trophy earlier in the year, as well as winning five national championships in past years. Will he return to the top step of the podium this year?
Bob & Maggie Murrell - having just purchased the newest Grad in the fleet, G3026, Bob & Maggie will be looking to promote the Butler boat with some good results. Third in 2013 & 2014, and second in 2015, will the new ship boost the pair into the chocolates?
Meg Adams & Jack Cammann - A contender for the lady helm trophy, Meg is teaming up with last year's fourth place crew Jack. The pair last sailed together at the 2015 Southport 24 hour race in an Enterprise, and they were blisteringly fast. But will they translate their Ent speed into the Grad?
Chris & Chloe Parker - usually seen in the top three at the windward mark at the Southern Champs at Chipstead, Chris is going to be looking forward to some (hopefully) more stable, less patchy winds at Northampton. He'll have packed the Haribo to keep his crew in the zone, and rumour has it he's promised her a paddleboard if they win!
Other notable mentions go to Clare & Jane who are vying for the top ladies spot, Brynster & Emma who I hear have been practising, Christine & Jacqueline who will be going for the "most improved" trophy, and Rodger & Sally from Bartley who are new to the fleet and coming to their first nationals!
If this tickles your proverbial pickle, there's still time to enter, head to graduatedinghy.com/events/nationals-2023
There's loads of cracking prizes kindly supplied by Dinghyshack and Pinnell & Bax, as well as goody bags for all entrants, and a free training day on Friday 16th.