Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

Dart 15 Winter TT at Stewartby Water Sailing Club

by Jenny Ball 12 Nov 2023 19:15 UTC 11 November 2023
Dart 15 Winter TT at Stewartby © Dave Russell

Hot competition in the variable conditions shakes up the status quo

With a forecast of variable (5-10 mph) winds and sunshine, a pleasant day was on the cards for the nineteen entries to the first Dart 15 TT of the Winter Series.

In time honoured tradition Brian Finch greeted the visitors at the gate and soon after boats were rigged and ready to go. Race Officer Richard Hargreaves then gave his normally concise race briefing whilst multi tasking preparing the after race soup and serving the bacon sarnies.

Race 1

Just prior to the race the 2 minute silence was observed then the start sequence commenced.

Right from the off the favourites led the way with Jason Clarke (Marconi) heading the fleet followed by Liam Thom (Shanklin) and Jenny Ball (Marconi) with Yvonne Pike (Shanklin) and George Love (Carsington) biting at their heels. On lap two, the upwind leg shifts played their tricks and Yvonne managed to get in front of Jenny and the led the charge after Jason and Liam.

As they passed through the gate for the last lap Jason was sailing so fast he was out on his own and Liam was lying a comfortable second. The next four places however, led by Yvonne, were being hotly contested but a split on the beat with Liam and Jenny going right which put Jenny back in third place with tight competition amongst those who had stayed left.

Race one ended Jason, Liam, Jenny, George, Scott Wilcox (Stewartby), Yvonne, Jeremy Franklin (Draycote).

Race 2

As the racers approached the start, a new sailor whilst trying to keep clear, managed to go into irons in front of the line close to the committee boat. Seconds before the gun he had drifted onto port exactly where the bulk of the approaching boats were headed. Minor chaos ensued and there were a few winners a few losers as a result.

George, well placed for a good start and hoping for another top placing was well and truly stuffed! By the time they had sorted themselves out George was lying a solid last.

George kindly took the opportunity to sail the course with the newcomer and offer some guidance and assistance through to the end of the race, despite remaining in last place himself - what a very sportsmanlike thing to do.

It was admirable how he and the other boats caught up in the chaos took the situation in their stride and the good nature and understanding displayed is a proud trait of our Dart 15 class racing.

At the first mark Scott briefly headed the way but soon lost the lead on the downwind leg where Jason was going particularly fast and by the end of the lap Jason led followed by Jeremy, Liam, Scott, Jenny, Ray Gall (Carsington) and David Clarke (Marconi). Lap two commenced and it was all change on the beat as Jason took a shift and stayed right only to find a hole costing him six places, leaving Jeremy heading the way.

Meanwhile, Jenny went up the middle with Derek James (Draycote) gaining two and three places respectively. Jeremy held on to the lead right to the end but Liam tacked early after mark four and managed to just pip Jeremy on the line. Going through the line and heading into the final lap the positions were Jeremy, Liam, Jenny, Scott, Derek and Jason. The downwind was particularly close with the front group varying their route but at the mark the placing remained.

As the finish approached however, Jeremy who had led for most of the race had Liam hot on his heals and as they tacked for the line, Liam accelerated out of the turn a little faster and just pipped Jeremy for line honours with Jenny third followed by Scott, Derek, Jason, David Clarke (Marconi).

Race 3

The wind was swinging north and continually dropping throughout the race, creating yet different conditions again.

The main contenders got off to a good start and most stayed left on the beat and at the first mark Liam headed the way followed by Nigel James (Marconi) and Scott who were neck and neck down the next to legs where Scott just nipped inside at the downwind mark.

At the end of the lap these three had managed to create a bit of space between them and the rest of the fleet as the wind continued to drop. The following batch were however fighting for every inch and as they finished lap one Jenny was fourth followed by Jason, Yvonne, Andy Bunyan (Stewartby).

As the wind became fickle the beat on the last lap created a number of encouraging or disheartening changes in the mid fleet. The most notable being Derek moving up 8 places, Mark Patten (Stewartby) gaining 5 places whilst Yvonne dropped 5 places.

By the finish Jason had overhauled Jenny creating the final placing of Liam, Scott, Nigel, Jason, Jenny, Derek, George, Jon Pearse (Marconi).

Overall Results:

PositionHelmClubSailR1R2R3Net
1Liam ThomShanklin20342112
2Jason ClarkeMarconi20371645
3Scott WilcoxStewartby13595426
4Jenny BallMarconi20253356
5Jeremy FranklinDraycote193072159
6Nigel JamesMarconi2015810311
7George LoveCarsington2019419711
8Derek JamesDraycote194095611
9Jon PearseMarconi2035118816
10Yvonne PikeShanklin19656131117
11Ray GallCarsington20281091319
12Mark PattenStewartby170213111021
13Dave ClarkeMarconi17761571622
14Andy BunyanStewartby18991615924
15Colin WrightStewartby129218141226
16Christophe ClarkeMarconi198814121426
17Rob FinchStewartby199012162028
18Ian PasquetStewartby143117171734
19Stuart YatesStewartby134318181836

Related Articles

Dart 15 TT & Northern Championship at Carsington
It was hard to imagine the change in weather fortunes over the course of the regatta Ten Dart 15 travellers were welcomed by three home sailors to Carsington Sailing Club on a glorious autumn day and with the sun shining, warm temperatures and moderate breeze, the Derbyshire Dales / reservoir vista was looking superb. Posted on 24 Sep
Dart 15 Summer TT Draycote Water
A fresh westerly force four greeted the sailors On Saturday Draycote Water SC welcomed 17 Dart 15 sailors to the club. Special mention goes to Liam Thom and Yvonne Pike, who crossed the Solent to join us from Shanklin Sailing Club, and Ian Mounce and Keith Heason, who traveled up from Instow. Posted on 9 Jul
Noble Marine Dart 15 Nationals at the WPNSA
A stellar weekend of champagne sailing at the home of British Olympic sailing A stellar weekend of champagne sailing at the home of British Olympic sailing - the 2024 Dart 15 Nationals sponsored by Noble Marine insurance really were a weekend to remember! Posted on 12 Jun
Dart 15 Southern Championship at Shanklin
A game of two halves 29 boats entered the second of the Dart 15 Summer Series events with six sailors coming from across the Solent. Posted on 22 May
Dart 15 Summer TT at Marconi
Racing on the beautiful River Blackwater on the Essex East Coast Having concluded a successful Winter Series, the Dart 15s held their first Summer TT at Marconi Sailing Club on the beautiful River Blackwater on the Essex East Coast. Posted on 24 Apr
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
Dart 15 Winter TT at Grafham
Fifth and final TT of the series, racing for the Chris Black Icicle The fifth and final TT of the Dart 15 Winter Series for 2023/4 was held at Grafham Water on Sunday 3rd March. Posted on 8 Mar
Dart 15 Winter TT at Datchet
Competitors delighted to arrive to a decent breeze and mild temperatures The Dart 15 Winter Series continued with its fourth Winter TT at Datchet Water Sailing Club. The February TT does not have a great track record - with several years lost to either Covid or storm force winds. Posted on 23 Feb
Dart 15 Winter TT at Rutland
A weather window in the forecast for Sunday The second event of the Dart 15 Winter Series took place at Rutland Water on Sunday. Despite the 50 knot winds on the Saturday, there was a weather window in the forecast for Sunday which encouraged ten competitors to turn up and take part in the event. Posted on 13 Dec 2023
Gill Dart 15 Summer TT and Inlands at Grafham
A turnout of 19 sailors drawn by the sunny and breezy forecast Grafham Water Sailing Club hosted the Gill Dart 15 Inland Championship 2023 over the weekend of 14th & 15th October, with a turnout of 19 Dart 15 sailors drawn to GWSC given a sunny & sometimes breezy weather forecast leading up to the event. Posted on 18 Oct 2023
Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTERSavvy Navvy 2024