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54th Unicorn National Championship at Weston Sailing Club

by Dan Jarman 23 Jun 2023 05:05 UTC 16-18 June 2023

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 over the eight race series held between 16th-18th June.

A balmy force 3 to 4 breezed into Southampton Water, bang on cue for a midday start. With a return to his former club, Dawson managed to hold off some robust challenges from Gary Piper and Grant Piggott to win both races on day 1.

Conditions for the start of race 3 on Saturday morning were extremely light, but again Dawson kept a cool head to secure another win. A solid breeze filled in for the afternoon's racing and after his own troublesome start to the regatta it was Dan Jarman who eventually settled in to take the early afternoon race.

Grant Piggott was next to get into the mix. Having found and beautifully restoring a foam sandwich, glass fibre Unicorn that his father had built many years ago, Piggott was in serious contention and went on to win the final race of the day just ahead of multihull stalwart Paul Chatfield in second place.

Back to shore and it was time for competitors to kick back for a sunset barbecue and acoustic live music on the waterfront, all provided by the Unicorn association.

Fortunately the weather forecasters got it wrong for Sunday. Instead of light winds, competitors woke to a solid force 4, much to Dan Jarman's liking who went on to take races 6 and 7. Despite this late challenge, Dawson's consistent set of results at the top end were looking certain for him to clinch the series. Grant Piggott proved once more that his recently restored Unicorn was on-point, with a comfortable win in fresh conditions for the final race.

But this was to be William Dawson's time and after 28 years it was pleasing for all to see him lift the Mazzotti Trophy once again.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Unicorn nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

PosHelmSail NoBoat NameClubR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8Pts
1stWilliam Dawson1091 Stokes Bay1112‑522(DNC)9
2ndDan Jarman1088 Locks‑64‑71311212
3rdGrant Piggott1073 Weston SC‑42431(RET)3114
4thGary Piper1094 Stokes Bay2524‑634(DNC)20
5thPaul Chatfield1098 Stokes Bay336524(RET)(DNC)23
6thJulius Mach1095 Weston SC565‑7‑855329
7thAdam Piggott FFFast FingersWeston SCDNSDNS364(DNC)(DNC)DNC45
8thlain Rogers1092 Stokes Bay781097(DNC)(DNC)445
9thAndy Bunyan1026 Stewartby879896(DNC)(DNC)47
10thWill Stefanou1093 Stokes Bay(DNC)(DNC)8RETDNCDNCDNCDNC67
11thAdam Piggott1062  (DNC)(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNC72

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