Noble Marine Albacore UK National and European Championships 2024 at Tynemouth Sailing Club

21 Albacores entered the Noble Marine National and European Championships held at the picturesque Tynemouth SC. Along with their friends and families the teams enjoyed a generally sunny four days of well organised sailing and socials with close racing throughout the fleet.

Winds were generally on the light side and the North bay was the chosen race area with good views of the historic Abbey and the holidaymakers enjoying the sandy beaches. There was also a number of massive and varied ships using the river entrance and a pod of dolphins kept the sailors company on most of the race days with some nearly jumping into the boats!

All eight races counted towards the Nationals with the final four also the Europeans as a mini series. Two races were sailed each day and the PRO Howard Steavenson and his team expertly completed a full race quota with only the occasional use of the black flag!

Competitors were treated to post race pasta on each day and the long-lasting hot showers got rave reviews. The reintroduction of beers for the first boat to the windward mark brought added incentive to the first beat plus top ten mugs were presented (once only) to anyone who achieved this score.

A picturesque background at Tynemouth SC - Albacore UK National and European Championships 2024 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Race Day 1

This was the windiest day of the event with a number of planing reaches enjoyed by the fleet. Nathan and Rob (Tynemouth SC) in 8229 showed their intent in Race 1 by taking the win just beating Judy and Paul (Scaling Dam) in 8228 and Michael and Colin in 6493 (Grimsby & Clethorpes/ Tynemouth SC) a close third.

Race 2 was a similar story but this time Nev and Lewis in 7145 (Lymington Town/Tewkesbury SC) got into third place. After racing the Commodores reception was held in the Pier View bar with the warm welcome setting the theme of the whole event.

Race Day 2

With lighter winds the leaderboard had a slightly different look with Judy and Paul winning both races and Allan Tyler and Richard Frost in 8236 (Lyme Regis SC) getting third place in Race 3. A large right hand shift in Race 4 brought a number of new faces in to the top ten. The longest-traveled Steve Brown in 8073 from Shetland (South Yell SC) crewed by TSC member John Pitkethly managed a creditable 5th and Steve and Jeremy in 6504 (Nottingham SC) got their best result of the week in 6th. Following the racing the entrants enjoyed a lovely chilli meal and pudding following the class AGM.

Albacore UK National and European Championships 2024 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Race Day 3

The lighter winds remained and the sun shone but Nathan and Rob bounced back to take both race wins whilst their nearest rivals slipped down the ladders! Allan and Richard had a successful day with a brace of seconds and Matt and daughter Heather in 8255 (Tewkesbury SC) scored an impressive third in the first race of the day with Richard and Annissia in 7987 (Benfleet/ Thorpe Bay SC) also scoring a great forth in that race.

Marine Photographer, Tim Olin was on hand to record the days events whilst in the evening the teams shared takeaways in the club before some departed to sample the delights of Saturday night in Tynemouth!

Race Day 4

The final day saw a grey dawn and some drizzle as the wind came in from the East and with it some rolling waves that were a bit of a shock to some of the crews. This made launching and recovery a hazardous thing and a number of boats sustained minor damage in the surf on return to shore.

The racing remained tight though when Nathan and Rob scored a forth in the first race it was enough to win the event and they retired early back to shore. Michael and Colin scored their first race win as did Allan and Richard in the final race which was enough to win them the European mini series.

Start line - Albacore UK National and European Championships 2024 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

So overall, Tynemouth SC members Nathan Bachelor and Rob Holmes are the Noble Marine Albacore National Champions with Judy and Paul Armstrong a worthy second followed by Michael Mc Namara and Colin Gardiner a close third.

Allan Tyler and his crew Richard Frost won the European Championship mini series.

The team trophy was won by Tynemouth SC with last years winners, Scaling Dam, in second.

First in the Silver fleet were Clive Gimson and Paul McHenry in 6654 (Notts County SC).

At the prize-giving Nathan thanked the PRO and the safety shore teams plus the other competitors and commended the Albacore class for its ability to maintain and keep tracks on the wonderful array of silver trophies it presented.

The Albacore Class would like to give special thanks to Sarah Batchelor, wife of winning helm Nathan, who spent hours pre and during the event in organising everyone and everything to ensure maximum enjoyment for all! Along with her willing team of volunteers in the galley and bar all the sailors really appreciated their tireless efforts to deliver a great event.

Thanks also to title sponsor Noble Marine Insurance plus Ovington boats who make the Albacore hulls just around the corner from the club!

Next year the Albacores return to Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy for its Nationals on Fri 5th, Sat 6th and Sun 7th September .

2025 is also an Internationals year with the October event being hosted by the Hampton YC in Virginia, USA. It looks like the class will be sending two containers with over 12 boats to do battle with the North Americans.

Nathan Batchelor and Rob Holmes, overall winners - Albacore UK National and European Championships 2024 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

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