21 Albacores entered the Noble Marine National and European Championships held at the picturesque Tynemouth SC. Along with their friends and families the teams enjoyed a generally sunny four days of well organised sailing and socials with close racing throughout the fleet.
All eight races counted towards the Nationals with the final four also the Europeans as a mini series. Two races were sailed each day and the PRO Howard Steavenson and his team expertly completed a full race quota with only the occasional use of the black flag!
Competitors were treated to post race pasta on each day and the long-lasting hot showers got rave reviews. The reintroduction of beers for the first boat to the windward mark brought added incentive to the first beat plus top ten mugs were presented (once only) to anyone who achieved this score.
Tynemouth SC members Nathan Bachelor and Rob Holmes are the Noble Marine Albacore National Champions with Judy and Paul Armstrong a worthy second followed by Michael Mc Namara and Colin Gardiner a close third.
Allan Tyler and his crew Richard Frost won the European Championship mini series.
The team trophy was won by Tynemouth SC with last years winners, Scaling Dam, in second.
First in the Silver fleet were Clive Gimson and Paul McHenry in 6654 (Notts County SC).
At the prize-giving Nathan thanked the PRO and the safety shore teams plus the other competitors and commended the Albacore class for its ability to maintain and keep tracks on the wonderful array of silver trophies it presented.
The Albacore Class would like to give special thanks to Sarah Batchelor, wife of winning helm Nathan, who spent hours pre and during the event in organising everyone and everything to ensure maximum enjoyment for all! Along with her willing team of volunteers in the galley and bar all the sailors really appreciated their tireless efforts to deliver a great event.
Thanks also to title sponsor Noble Marine Insurance plus Ovington boats who make the Albacore hulls just around the corner from the club!
Next year the Albacores return to Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy for its Nationals on Fri 5th, Sat 6th and Sun 7th September .
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