Thirteen Challengers took part in the English Challenger Championships held during the weekend 11-12 June. The event was organised by Grafham Water Sailability and held at the Grafham Water Centre. There were seven visiting sailors, two of whom were kindly loaned boats by Grafham Water Sailability.
The sun was shining but the wind was blowing. It was predominantly WSWly but with some significant shifts.
Given the wind direction, launching should have been easy but there were some substantial (20+ knot) gusts which made things "interesting". The wind had begun to build before the start of the first race.
Going into the last race, a win for Graham would not be enough as Val would have to be third (or worse) to lose the event. Val soon took charge and although chased hard by Graham, she took the win by about 12 seconds. Alex was unfortunately forced to retire with gear failure and after contemplating a long second beat Sarah too decided to head for home.
So Val retained the Shipwrights Trophy as first overall and she is the 2022 English Challenger champion. Graham was second and Nick third. In the silver fleet Pauline was just two points clear of Dean so was awarded the Anglo Marine Plate. The Bronze fleet was won by newcomer to the fleet Margaret, sailing with Graham Cox. Neil and Murray had to settle for second.
All in all it was an excellent event. At the prize-giving thanks were given to race officers Nigel Denchfield (Saturday) and David Williams (Sunday) and mark layer Naomi Watts - all from Grafham Water Sailing Club. Thanks were also given to Pauline Shaw as regatta organiser, all the Grafham Water Sailability volunteers and the Grafham Water Centre.
Overall Results:
The Shipwrights Trophy (1st overall) - Val Millward
Anglo Marine Plate (1st Silver) - Pauline Shaw
Bronze Barometer (1st Bronze) - Margaret Grummitt and Graham Cox
Gail Force Trophy (top Grafham boat) - Pauline Shaw
Judi Figgures Trophy (best Grafham effort) - Sarah Whitelock
John Cranston Trophy (best Grafham non-trophy) - Chris Flowerdew
Pos Fleet Sail No Boat name Helm (& crew) Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Pts
1st Gold 312 Legless Jester Val Millward Rutland SC 1 ‑3 1 1 1 4
2nd Gold 270 Daisy Graham Hall Rutland SC 2 1 2 ‑3 2 7
3rd Gold 261 Last Orders Nick Bett Rutland SC 3 2 (DNF) 4 3 12
4th Gold 275 Evelyn David Driffle Ogston SC 4 4 3 ‑5 4 15
5th Gold 304 Alex Hovden Papercourt SC 5 5 4 2 (DNF) 16
6th Silver 266 Louise Pauline Shaw Grafham Water Sailability ‑9 6 5 7 5 23
7th Silver 289 Elizabeth May Dean Abra Isle of Sheppey SC 6 7 (DNC) 6 6 25
8th Bronze 210 Dark Horse Margaret Grummitt & Graham Cox Grafham Water Sailability (DNC) 9 6 8 7 30
9th Silver 264 Silver Lining II Sarah Whitelock Grafham Water Sailability 10 8 7 9 (DNF) 34
10th Bronze 242 Grafham Odyssey Neal Bartlett & Murray Palmer Oxford Sailability 7 10 8 10 (DNC) 35
11th Silver 311 Judi Chris Flowerdew Grafham Water Sailability 8 (DNC) DNC DNC DNC 50
12th Silver 256 Gail Force John Simpson Grafham Water Sailability 11.5 (DNC) DNC DNC DNC 53.5
12th Bronze 200 Laura Saunderson & Peter Smith Grafham Water Sailability 11.5 (DNC) DNC DNC DNC
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