Dark and Stormy win in the RS21 UK and Ireland Nationals at the Royal Dart Yacht Club

 

Team Dark and Stormy, helmed by Liam Willis, triumphed at the RS21 UK and Ireland National Championships, hosted by the Royal Dart Yacht Club.

The RS21s gathered for their UK Championships, held over 4 days from 15-18 August in beautiful Dartmouth. After 11 close races, Liam Willis and his Dark and Stormy team of Keith Willis, Will Taylor and Matt Taylor of Lymington Town Sailing Club, emerged victorious, after 6 race wins and 5 seconds.

Team Dark and Stormy did not have things all their own way, however. They were chased hard all the way by Philip Bendon's team Zaddy Racing crew from Royal Southern YC and Eirini Marios' Ares Racing team from Australia, the 2023 SB20 World Champions. Victory for Willis' crew was only secured after the penultimate race, while Zaddy Racing and Ares Racing were only separated by 3 points at the end.

The race officials and course setters did a great job in putting together an enjoyable race series in fluctuating winds. And a final word must go to the Royal Dart Yacht Club for their warm welcome hosting the event in a spectacular surroundings. 

The class look forward to their World championships in near Barcelona, Spain at the end of September where 60 boats are expected. The UK and Ireland class will be back in 2025 with a series of exciting events in some great locations to be announced soon.

Overall Results:

Pos Boat Name Nat Sail No Helm Crew 1 Crew 2 Crew 3 Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 Pts

1st Dark & Stormy GBR 252 Liam Willis Keith Willis Will Taylor Matt Taylor Lymington Town SC 1 (2) 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 14

2nd Zaddy Racing IRL 290 Philip Bendon James Curtis Harry Phelps Joel Carey Royal Southern YC 2 3 1 3 3 2 2 2 1 3 (5) 22

3rd Ares AUS 308 Eirini Marios Henry Wetherell Paige Caldecoat Will Sargent Derwent Sailing Squadron (NSC) 1 RDG 1 2 3 3 3 4 4 1 25

4th Skedaddle GBR 334 Russell Collister June Collister Flynn Davies Greg Kelly Isle of Man YC 3 4 3 (5) 5 4 5 5 3 2 4 38

5th Stormfly GBR 223 Charles Balmain Rupert Balmain Henry Balmain Jack Wilson Hamble 4 (5) 4 4 4 5 4 4 5 5 3 42

6th AttaBuoy GBR 208 Philip Grannum Dom So Iain Coke Tim Kendal‑James Royal Southern YC (DNC) DNC DNC 6 6 7 6 7 7 6 6 67

7th GBR 310 Paul Ravenhill Henry Ravenhill Oliver Ravenhill George Ravenhill Hayling Island SC (DNC) DNC DNC 7 7 6 7 6 6 7 7 69