Wayfarer National Championship at Dabchicks Sailing Club

 

The 2023 Wayfarer Nationals, generously sponsored by Craftinsure, McNamara Sails and Hartley Boats were held over the long weekend of the 30th June to the 2nd July at Dabchicks Sailing Club. Originally slated as the venue for the Wayfarer nationals during the Covid-impacted 2020 season where all the Wayfarer events were wiped out, this was a relatively new venue for the Wayfarer Nationals.

Following a Thursday arrival for many of the fleet, the action began in earnest on the Friday with the practice race and two points races held back-to-back. With a fleet of 28 comprising home fleet entries and visiting contingents from Blackwater Sailing Club and Medway Yacht Club, a great competition was in prospect. 

After two further days racing the final results were calculated, this results in a top 5 of :-

Andrew and Tom Wilson, 13 points

Graham Hoy and Rob Haigh, 30 points

Will Powell and Rob Gaskell, 31 points

John Clementson and Mel Titmus, 37 points

Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend, 39 points

Other prize winners included:

First silver fleet - Graham Hoy and Rob Haigh

First bronze fleet - Henry Townsend and Daisy Lee-Browne

First female helm - Monica Schaefer

Pork Pie Perpetual (First female crew) - Melanie Titmus

Pert Platter (First Husband and Wife Team) - Brian and Liz McKenzie

First Club Team - Blackwater Sailing Club

Nipegegi Trophy (first Wayfarer with sail number below 10506) - Henry Townsend and Daisy Lee-Browne

Dick Notley Trophy (first helm under 21) - Nick Evans

Andrew Wilson, a well-deserved winner of tough championship that presented a test of stamina, endurance and heavy weather boat handling took the opportunity to thank the race team led by Paul Jackson and Dabchicks Sailing Club for hosting the event. Andrew and Tom have won at many venues over recent years but this represented their first championship title together as father and son - a fantastic achievement. This win did represent some significant family history for the Wayfarer and the Wilson family. Andrew was a winning helm back in 1982 sailing with his brother Martin and Andrew's father also a two-time Wayfarer national champion in 1974 and 1975. A tremendous family legacy in Wayfarer Racing!

The 2023 UKWA Craftinsure Travellers circuit continues later in the month at the Southern Area Championships at Shoreham Sailing Club (15-16 July 2023) and further events at Blackwater, Blithfield and Bough Beech to close out the 2023 Craftinsure Travellers series.