Wayfarer Craftinsure National Circuit Open at Blackwater Sailing Club

 

The Craftinsure UK Wayfarer National Circuit resumed over the weekend of the 5-6th October at Blackwater Sailing Club.

The event shared with the Snipe Fleet which ensured a great social and camaraderie across the competitors. The event saw a competitive fleet of Wayfarers take to the water, with visiting teams from Bexhill (Colin and Lexie Goodman), Bough Beech/Medway Yacht Club (Elliot Marks and Sam Pygall) and Walton and Frinton Yacht Club (Arlo Atkins and Penny Smith) vying for top honours alongside the home fleet. To increase interest and encourage participation, the fleets were split into Gold and Silver fleets which worked well to create a widespread sense of competition.

After arrivals and a competitor briefing, the first day of racing was marked by champagne sailing conditions with flat open water, and a steady force 3-4 from the south east and triangle-sausage racing configurations.

Day two saw slightly windier conditions, with a force 5 being registered at the club weather station, again from the south east. As it transpired, the wind was a bit lighter than this on the water to begin with but did build and then dropped during the day.

Overall Results after six races  :-

1. Fiasco (11120) - Elliot Marks & Sam Pygall (Bough Beech SC) - 5 points

2. Bertha Bell (998) - Colin & Lexie Goodman (Bexhill SC) - 6 points

3. Jay Jay (10925) - Jess & Rob Haigh (Blackwater SC) - 12 points

4. Nomad (11183) - Clem & Dave Evans (Blackwater SC) - 22 points

5. No Name (11356) - Alan & Janet Hoy (Blackwater SC) - 23 points

6. Oystercatcher (10757) - Steve Perkins & Jack/George Perkins (Blackwater SC) - 26 points

7. Nimbus (10740) - Arlo Atkins & Penny Smith (Walton Frinton Yacht Club) - 32 points

8. Hokken (10661) - John Joyce & Tim James (Blackwater SC) - 38 points

9. Dragonfly (11364) - Belinda Hunt-Sturge & Colin Hansford (Blackwater SC) - 42 points

10. Quicksilver (10947) - Graham & Georgina Fisher (Blackwater SC) - 44 points

The Blackwater Sailing Club UKWA Craftinsure National Circuit Open meeting was a resounding success once again, with excellent racing and sportsmanship on display. A particular shout out to Steve Perkins and the Blackwater team for the excellent organisation both on and off the water. The event was a testament to the skill and dedication of the Wayfarer sailors and sets the stage for the final event in the Craftinsure National Circuit at Bough Beech on the 9-10th November. Hope to see you there for a fitting finale for the Circuit in 2024.