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Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships 2023 at Barnt Green Sailing Club

by Stuart Hydon & Daniel Watson 20 Nov 2023 19:21 UTC 18-19 November 2023
Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships at Barnt Green © Alex Mitchell

The biggest Lark sailing weekend of the year took place over the weekend of 18th/19th November at Barnt Green Sailing Club for the Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships. It was a chilly reminder of the delights of the "Peaky Blinders" countryside but super friendly, despite the sometimes machine gun wielding, local sailors.

Also for this event the class welcomed Craftinsure as headline sponsor, as a sponsor for next year's Traveller's series, starting with this Winter championships. With an entry of 28 boats the series has got off to an impressive start, with Larks from around the country competing against nine home boats, as the racing began in a reasonable F3/4 wind.

Race 1 saw Emma Harris/Rachael Jenkins take the early lead, chasing was John Brickwood & Andy Hicks and Harry Pynn & Gemma Cook. Towards the end of the race Emma & Rachael began to slip back after not realising a clump of weed was on her rudder. On the final triangle of the course Jonny Coate & Katie Philips together with Stuart Hydon & Ann Biglin were able to slip through to the leading bunch of five.

At the final mark Jonny & Kate claimed the lead and took the win ahead of John & Andy. Harry & Gemma pulled into third. The first five boats finished within 30 seconds of one another.

Race 2 began with Stuart & Ann leading down the first triangle closely pursued by John & Andy. After the first gybe a big gust hit the leaders leaving Stuart & Ann capsized. John & Andy managed to capitalise and eventually pulled out a huge lead. Harry & Gemma pulled into the second ahead of Emma & Rachael.

Race 3 and final race of Saturday, saw Stuart & Ann led the race to ahead Harry & Gemma. Emma & Rachael held third ahead of Jonny & Katie.

Overnight leaders were John & Andy with Harry & Gemma in second. Unfortunately, Harry & Gemma could only do the first day.

Barnt Green put on a tremendous Peaky/Pinchy Blinders themed party (hence the earlier machine gun reference) on Saturday evening and into the night with most retiring to Garrison Inn for their live band and party atmosphere that was enjoyed by all.

Sunday's racing should have been in high winds, but they didn't show-up!

Race 4 saw Simon & George Cox-Olliff took the lead and managed to pull away in a sizeable lead with Stuart & Ann close behind. On the penultimate leg Stuart & Ann managed to pull through to the lead although this was short-lived due to not seeing another boat coming up the windward leg which meant they had to beat upwind with the kite. Simon & George took the advantage and gained a well-deserved win.

Down to the final race, Emma & Rachael led up the first beat only to be told they were OCS. Stuart & Ann took the lead ahead of Samual Bailey & Laura Burch and managed to pull out a lead from the others. John & Andy pulled into third after an unimpressive start.

A massive thanks must go to all the work from Barnt Green members, most notably Simon Morris, for coordinating both the sailing and the massive Pinchy Blinder social on Saturday night and Geoff King as race officer setting an Olympic style courses including triangle/sausage. There is a massive Lark movement happening at the club and it's thanks to the likes of Simon, Mat Newton-Sherlock and other willing volunteers at the club. Thanks also goes to Craftinsure for their initial engagement and sponsorship of the event with generous prizes.

Overall Results:

PosFleetSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5Pts
1stGold2495Stuart HydonAnne BiglinShustoke Sailing Club‑441218
2ndGold2528John BrickwoodAndy HicksFrensham Pond Sailing Club21‑3339
3rdGold2464Jonny CoateKate PhillipsSouth Staffs sailing Club1544(DNC)14
4thGold2491Emma HarrisRachael JenkinsWalderingfield sailing Club5375(DNC)20
5thGold2541Simon CoxGeorge Cox‑OllifBrightlingsea Sailing Club‑11661821
6thGold2536Samuel BaileyLaura BurchSouth Staffs sailing Club8‑956221
7thGold252Megan BrickwoodConnorNetley sailing club‑9797427
8thGold2538Nigel HuftonHarriet TempleFrensham Pond Sailing Club688‑9527
9thBronze2468Olly SaundersZara FranktonShustoke Sailing Club710‑1311634
10thGold2520Harry PynnGemma PynnWalderingfield sailing Club322(DNC)DNC36
11thGold2496Steve CumleyJames DyerBarnt Green sailing Club10‑141181443
12thGold2540Guy BreareySam BreareyRoyal Thames Yacht Club1211‑22101043
13thSilver2539Nigel ScottTegwyn TrickerRYA‑13121213744
14thBronze246Rachael JenkinsKathryn BurgessBowmoor Sailing Club1613‑20121253
15thSilver2502Steve ChattenGeorge GrahamNetley sailing club‑22151020954
16thSilver2515Mat Newton‑SherlockStuart MannBarnt Green sailing Club‑171715151360
17thBronze2532Tony HotchkissEleanor DaviesSouth Staffs sailing Club14‑1616161662
18thSilver2467Bob SuggittJai SanehiBarnt Green sailing Club‑201919171166
19thSilver2443Kate MerrittVicky BurgessRYA19‑2218141566
20thBronze2421Simon MorrisSteven GeogiouBarnt Green sailing Club15‑2314191866
21stBronze2463Andrew PatonNick ShawBarnt Green sailing Club21182118(DNC)78
22ndBronze2466Mike CaleyKristian BrockBarnt Green sailing Club182117(DNC)DNC85
23rdBronze0Hugh Dyer/Paul SmithAmba SanehiBarnt Green sailing Club2324(DNC)221988
24thBronze2366Anila AtkinsNick MedilicottBarnt Green sailing Club(DNC)DNCDNC211796
25thBronze2411Phil KingSuzanne KingBarnt Green sailing Club2420(DNC)DNCDNC102
DNQSilver2531Dan WatsonLee BoehmWalderingfield/Barnt Green(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNC116
DNQBronze2481Andrew WardToby WardShustoke Sailing Club(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNC116
DNQBronze2366Evan BaseSophie ForbesSouth Staffs sailing Club(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNC116

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