Dart 18 National Championship at Dee Sailing Club

Dart 18 Nationals at Dee © Jon Worthington

Dee Sailing Club welcomed 40 Dart 18s to the 2024 Nationals held over the bank holiday weekend of 25th to 27th May. Despite being organised at short notice, visitors came from as far North as Royal Tay, Scotland to Sanguinet, France and all enjoyed a range of light to moderate conditions on the tidal estuary.

Saturday began with a hearty breakfast which was followed by a briefing from the race team of John Worthington and Dee Commodore Andrew Potter, before Dart 18 oracle Gareth Owen provided a few words of wisdom.

Despite an overcast start, the racing was anything but dreary, with some highly competitive racing. With the fleet aware of the strong tide and impending black flag, the inaugural race kicked-off without a hitch in light-moderate airs. Royal Tay's Gordon Kohler and Vicky-Lea Mills were first to cross the line, however many of fleet missed the committee boat's S flag resulting in minor chaos at the gate mark and many position changes with Tony & James Dod in 2nd followed by Matt & Jakob Exon in 3rd.

Race 2 started promptly, in a force 3 although as the breeze died this quickly descended into an expensive game of tidal Pooh sticks on the final downwind leg. As is often the case, however the best still found their way to the front with David Lloyd and Jojo getting the bullet followed by Joe and Kieran Franks in 2nd and the Dods in 3rd.

Despite the wind picking up to Force 3-4, race 3 proved to be similarly unpredictable. While Alex Jardine & Iona Deacon capitalised on a massive left hand shift to port tack the fleet, it was Simon Moruzzi and Mark Stones who profited from another massive left hander to round the 1st mark miles ahead before holding the lead to the finish.

Dart 18 Nationals at Dee - photo © Jon Worthington

Back on terra firma, the sailors were welcomed to shore by a refreshing beer and pasty generously provided by Bottle to Throttle. Mr Whippy Ice Cream van provided an afternoon treat, before the sailors enjoyed a classic hot pot. The ensuing DJ provided an opportunity to cast away any thoughts of wayward results and throw some shapes on the dance floor, with a particularly noteworthy performance from Dee legend Lee Matthews.

Day 2 began with overcast conditions and light-moderate breeze with the extra 45 minutes tidal break providing much needed rest for some of the fleet. Race 4 began in approx. 10 knots with the 2 Dee boats of Mike Moruzzi and Max Spedding plus Alex Jardine and Iona Deacon leading in from the left before holding these positions to the finish. Race 5 provided more drama as the sailors experienced very light conditions as two breezes cancelling each out. Following much drifting and a 180 degree wind shift it was Matt & Jakob Exon who came out on top with David Lloyd & Jojo in 2nd and reigning champions, Grant & Ella May Piggott in 3rd. Following a wind and course reset Race 6 got off in light to moderate winds with David Lloyd leading from the off. Local tidal knowledge allowed Alex Jardine and Iona Deacon to pass 3 boats on the 1st spreader leg and move up into 2nd before the strengthening tide and fading wind resulted in a race finish at the 2nd windward mark with 1st and 2nd maintaining their positions with the Piggotts in 3rd.

The sailors were once again welcomed off the water by Bottle & Throttle's cold beer before they tucked into a local fish and chips generously provided by Deva Electronics. This was followed by a live band which was enjoyed by a full bar late into the night.

The final day started with highly changeable conditions with Race 7 starting in light airs despite a Force 4-5 squall 30 mins earlier. It was boats on the right which profited up the first beat with those on the left largely marooned. David Lloyd and Jojo again found their way to the front with the Dod's in 2nd and Simon and Rosa Palmer in an impressive 3rd. The final race of the championship started in near prime Dart conditions with a Force 4 blowing from the west with short-fetch waves rolling in from Liverpool Bay. Caleb Cooper and Chloe Millward powered away to lead from start to finish with Grant and Ella May Piggott showing impressive pace to finish 2nd and David Lloyd and Jojo in 3rd.

Dart 18 Nationals at Dee - photo © Jon Worthington

The sailors enjoyed Dee's magnificent estuary views with a refreshing drink and burger before prize-giving. All prize winners also received excellent framed sailing photography prizes generously supplied by Indigo Art. Likewise, many thanks to headline sponsor Spire Healthcare as well as Windsport who kept the fleet on the water and provided useful Dart-specific advice.

All said and done David Lloyd and Jojo came out miles on top with a net score of 11, with Lloyd claiming his 6th national title. The Exon's narrowly clinched 2nd with just a point less than the Piggotts in 3rd. Gordon Kohler and Vicky-Lea Mills finished fourth with first home boat Mike Moruzzi and Max Spedding in 5th just ahead of winners of first couple and most improved prizes Alex Jardine and Iona Deacon in 6th.

Special mentions also go to Gary Piper who competed at his first nationals, winning the Endeavour trophy, as well as youth champions Billy Christie and Alisha Monkman. Likewise, kudos to François Morisset and Leon James who made the impressive 900 miles trip from Sanguinet.

Many thanks again to headline sponsor Spire Healthcare without whom, such marvellous event would not have been possible.

All competitors extend their warm thanks to the many Dee and association volunteers working both on and offshore who likewise made the event such a success. Thanks also to all competitors who make the Dart 18 such as friendly, yet competitive class and we look forward to seeing more boats on the water in 2025!

Dart 18 Nationals at Dee - photo © Jon Worthington

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Dart 18 nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here