Dart 15 Summer TT at Marconi Sailing Club

Dart 15 Summer TT at Marconi © Paul Metcalfe

Winner Jason Clarke during the Dart 15 Summer TT at Marconi © Paul Metcalfe

The first Summer TT of 2025 was held at Marconi Sailing Club on the River Blackwater in Essex with support from Alex Metcalf of Windsport International and race officers Nigel and Fiona Denchfield.

With glorious sunshine set for the weekend, some sailors arrived early on Friday to get a lay of the land and go for a cruise with some of the local sailors. However, due to light winds and tide, this turned into a drift, and the need for some paddling to get back. Yet Saturday morning broke and conditions were looking a lot more promising, with more sunshine and an easterly breeze.

The 26 Dart 15s registered and fuelled up on bacon rolls and breakfasts from the galley keeping Nick and Tracey very busy. Sailors and families caught up in the boat park and club house before a briefing for the weekend was held lead by our Events Secretary Jenny and Race Officer Nigel.

The first race set off swiftly as scheduled at 12pm with the 8 Shearwaters taking to the course straight in front of the club first as they were the quicker fleet. This was followed quickly by the Dart 15 start.

The fleet held back from the line so there was a clean start with Jason Clarke (Marconi) taking the lead early and rounding the windward mark first and managing to hold this lead for both laps to take the win. With Angus Cook (Castaways) in second followed by Liam Thom (Shanklin) and Jenny Ball (Marconi). While the rest of the fleet closely battled and swapped places with the tide to their advantage on the downwind legs.

With the efforts of the Race officers and support boats/mark layers, the turn around between race one and two was quick. So race 2 got under way before the tide turned allowing for lap one to be much the same as race one. Jason again made the break first to get to the windward mark, followed by Liam and Angus. However, by lap 2 the tide had now turned and was going out. So, sticking in the tide and tacking early after the committee boat meant places were gained and lost down the fleet and tactics had to change. However, Jason held on to the lead for lap 2 to finish first followed by Liam and Angus.

With the tide now turned Race 3 started with new tactics not to be taken over the line by the tide. Plus a few choosing to go for port hand flyers to get the better side of the course taking advantage of the tide. The wind over tide also lead to bigger chop in the channel. Jason one of those starting from the port end benefited over Angus and Liam who stuck to starboard, with one tack straight to the windward mark. Jenny and Yvonne Pike (Shanklin) also opted for a port start and closely followed Angus and then Liam. With the wind picking up, 3 laps were completed with Jason taking another win to dominate the day followed by Angus and Liam.

Results after day 1 Jason in first, Angus in second and Liam in third.

Sailors went ashore after a glorious 3 races, to enjoy tea and cake. Then the bar was opened. The fleet sat down for a meal laid on by the galley and stories were shared of the day's races. Competitors caught up with fellow fleet members and Steve Sawford (Rutland) was questioning his generosity to lend Angus some spare rigging in the morning.

Sunday morning arrived with the wind shifting 180 degrees to the west and increasing slightly.

Ready to launch ahead of the Dart 15 Summer TT at Marconi - photo © Fenella Miller

The course was set off the south of Osea Island. With the plan for the day to run 2 "round the can's" races followed by the much-anticipated stand-alone, figure of eight around Northey and Osea Islands. This race had not been held since 2018 due to the extremes of weather, with none or too much wind in recent years. So, a short briefing was held on the latter subject to give visitors and idea of what to expect on the course.

To ensure that all 3 races could be completed, the fleets launched after filling up on breakfast for race 4. With the start line now set just off the shore of Osea Island, competitors lined up for the start of race 4. George Love (Carsington) led the fleet round for the first lap with Liam and Jason chasing him down and getting past him on lap 2 after George capsized near the Osea Pier. With Yvonne Pike (Shanklin) close behind. But Jason was able to make his way back past Liam to carry on where he left off on Saturday to take the win followed by Liam. Angus and Jenny had fought their way back from the back of the fleet at the start to finish in third and fourth respectively.

Race 5 Started with lots of boats very close to the line and with the tide under the competitors. Many were taken over the line with so the Committee Boat went for a general recall and the black flag was raised. So, after a short delay the race was restarted and got under way. With Jason leading the first lap with David and John Ball (Marconi) and Jenny Ball (Marconi) close behind. With the tide making rounding mark 3 and 4 tricky the fleet positions moved around quite a bit. After 3 laps Jenny successfully managed to break Jason's streak and take the final win of the regatta, with Jason in second and Liam in third.

With the main regatta over, some with long journeys headed ashore to pack up boats. But that was not end of racing as the much-anticipated long distance race was to come. 20 boats took to the start line for the final race of the weekend. With the course set, the competitors took Osea island to starboard, Northey Island to Port, Osea Island to starboard and then No.1 mark to starboard before fighting the tide to get across the line. Some competitors again opted for a port hand start to help stay in the tide and use it to their advantage, causing a lot of congestion at the pin.

With some fluky conditions around the back of Northey, from large moored boats creating gusts and lulls, places were traded constantly. George unfortunately fell foul to another capsize. Once round the back of Osea the competitors had to get their bearings and find the large green no 1 mark which is easier said than done even for the locals. Fortunately, the lead Ribs were positioned at the mark so it was duly rounded and tactics now were to decide whether to keep close to the Osea shore or head across to the Marconi shore to cross the line. Jenny took the win, followed by Liam, Jason and Steve.

The fleet returned ashore and were grateful to have some assistance after 6 great races in mostly glorious sunshine. The prize-giving started with thanking the many people who had made the event possible both ashore and afloat being thanked. In particular, the safety boat crews, the Committee Boat Crews and Race Officers Nigel and Fiona were thanked with bottles of wine for their efforts. Clare and Fen who kept us all safe and Nick and Tracey who kept everyone feed.

Prizes were then awarded from 10th place:

1st - Jason Clarke, Marconi
2nd - Liam Thom, Shanklin
3rd - Angus Cook, Castaways
4th - Jenny Ball, Marconi
5th - Rob Forrester, Weston
6th - Steve Sawford, Rutland
7th - David and John Ball, Marconi
8th - Paul Tanner, Shanklin
9th - Yvonne Pike, Shanklin
10th - George Love. Carsington

Long distance 1st - Jenny Ball, Marconi

A big thank you Jenny Ball for organising a fantastic event while also competing and to Nigel and Fiona Denchfield for giving up their weekend to run the racing and to all the safety boat teams. Thanks also to everyone shoreside who supported registration, tally board, results, galley and bar its very much appreciated.

More event pictures at dart15.co.uk/gallery.php

Overall Results: