The 2023 Craftinsure Wayfarer National Circuit concluded over the weekend of the 11-12 November 2023 with the traditional "Finale" hosted by Bough Beech Sailing Club, a firm favourite amongst the Wayfarer racing fraternity.
The event brought a competitive 2023 Wayfarer Racing season for this all weather, all crew weight boat to a suitable conclusion following circuit events at Datchet, West Oxfordshire, Parkstone, Medway, Dabchicks, Blackwater and Blithfield and opens at Banbury, Waldringfield and Aldeburgh.
The 13 strong fleet of locals and travellers was comprised of a small but elite selection of several form teams of the year, including the 2023 National champions, Medway and Blackwater event winners Andrew and Tom Wilson, multiple 2023 event winners and 2022 Finale winners John Clementson and Mel Titmus and Martin and Donna in the immaculate "woodie" 88. We also had another wooden boat on the start-line in the shape of Colin and Lexie Goodman, runners-up at the recent open meeting at Blackwater and the "family competition within the competition" of Guy Marks taking on son Elliot, crewed respectively by Katy Seddon and Harrison Williams.
After five races over two days the overall winners were John and Mel repeated their triumph from last year with a commanding Finale victory, claiming four wins out of five and demonstrating a mastery of the Wayfarer in light wind inland conditions that is to be applauded. The Wilsons showed both grit and determination to claim a hard-fought runners-up spot at this true test of inland sailing skill. Ian and Sam claimed 3rd place on count-back from Martin and Donna by virtue of their win in race 2. The family "competition within a competition" saw Guy and Katy snatch 5th from Elliott and Harrison. Kudos to Harrison who was our youngest competitor and won some Craftinsure spot prizes for his efforts. Colin and Lexie rounded out the top 7. John took the opportunity to thank Bough Beech Sailing Club, including the race and shore-based teams for laying on an excellent event once again for the grateful Wayfarer fleet.
Bough Beech Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Crew R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Pts
1 11101 John Clementson Mel Titmus 1 ‑2 1 1 1 4
2 11093 Andrew Wilson Tom Wilson 2 ‑6 2 5 4 13
3 11170 Ian Foxwell Sam Pygall 6 1 5 3 ‑8 15
4 88 Martin Collen Donna Rouse ‑7 3 4 2 6 15
5 11120 Guy Marks Katy Seddon 3 7 7 ‑10 3 20
6 7470 Elliot Marks Harrison Williams 8 5 ‑10 4 5 22
7 998 Colin Goodman Lexie Goodman ‑9 4 8 9 2 23
8 11282 Nigel O'Donnell Belinda O'Donnell 4 8 ‑9 7 7 26
9 10688 Bill Whitney John Shelton 10 9 3 8 ‑12 30
10 11118 John Goudie Sam Boniface 5 10 6 ‑12 10 31
11 10686 Brian McKenzie Elizabeth McKenzie 11 ‑12 12 6 9 38
12 11398 Richard Bailey Ian Curtis 12 11 11 ‑13 13 47
13 11218 James Maynard Ed Maynard (DNC) DNC DNC 11 11 50
As this was the final Wayfarer open meeting of 2023 for the fleet there was an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the fleet over the full year on the circuit. This included the Craftinsure National Circuit winners; John Clementson and Mel Titmus, followed closely by Andrew and Tom Wilson. These two teams have been the class of the fleet over the course of 2023 and have demonstrated superior boat-speed, handling and tactics over a wide range of waters. Ian Foxwell and Sam Pygall, following their podiums at Datchet, Medway and Bough Beech, took the bronze medal in their first season sailing on the circuit as a team. Circuit stalwarts the O'Donnells took 4th overall, which included scoring a maiden open meeting victory at West Oxfordshire. The Travellers Trophy for the lowest total score across all the events was comfortably won by the Wilsons, retaining the trophy from 2022.
There was also an opportunity to acknowledge the considerable support three major sponsors of the class: Craftinsure, Hartley Boats and McNamara Sails. Their support has been fantastic over the course of the season.
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