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GJW Direct Lark Nationals at Saundersfoot Sailing Club - Overall

by Nigel Hufton 10 Aug 2015 07:14 PDT 2-8 August 2015
GJW Direct Lark Nationals at Saundersfoot © Paul Griffiths

The Larks visited Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire between 1-8 August. This was only their second visit, their previous visits being in 2001 and 1984.

The Welsh wind gods threw everything they could at the fleet, including sun, rain, squalls – sometimes during the same race! However, despite this leading to a loss of three days, it never dampened the enjoyments, while the excellent planning of the race team meant that competitors were able to go off and enjoy other Welsh delights when not sailing.

In in the end it was past National Champion Alan Krailing and his crew who were to triumph. They won three races and their remarkable consistency, never finishing lower than fourth.

However, behind them there was considerable competition and strength in depth, with four other race winners and second to fourth places overall being split by only 1 point.

Race 1 saw glorious sunshine and 15-18 knots coming from the south bringing a decent sized swell along with it. James Ward and Eluned Stewart had the honour of being pathfinders in the first race, but it was Alan Krailing and Joe Hunt who laid down their mark and led around the course, with Nigel Hufton and Will Kennedy puling through to second, followed by current champions Charlie Roome and Jeremy Stephens..

Race 2 started with Chris Holliman and Kate Hutchins as pathfinder - a good day to be pathfinder, as the race track had moved to the right. With some early starters over-standing, they led from Roome/Stephens, Krailing/Hunt. However, it was Steve & Ally Hall who worked the waves low to sail around the group and win the race.

Race 3 saw a few OCSs, leading to some big names returning or not hearing a gun at the end. Krailing/Hunt picked up a lead that they never relinquished, but a big squall on the first reach saw a few people inspecting their centreboards, leaving a chasing pack of Ross Kearney/Jane Kearney and Chris Holliman/Kate Hutchins to take the podium places.

Race 4 saw a more mixed breeze with everything from breezy reaches to light runs. Krailing/Hunt escaped, with the boats behind having a close tussle in the shifty breeze. Steve Hall/Ally Hall emerged from the melee to take second, with Ross Kearney/Jane Kearney in third.

Race 5 was held in a more consistent strong breeze. Roome/Stephens made the best of the left hander just after the start, while Hufton/Kennedy pulled through to take second and Holiman/Hutchins third again.

After 2 days lost to the wind and rain, Race 6 got underway in a light offshore breeze. Ward/Stewart led the way at the windward mark by playing the shifts up the first beat, but it was Pete Gray and Rachael Rhodes who overtook all the leaders by not gybing down the run, followed by Krailing/Hunt and Hufton/Kennedy in third.

In Race 7, Chris White and Chris "Warby" Warburton took full advantage of being the gate boat to lead the fleet. With the breeze oscillating and changing in pressure White and Krailing pulled away from the rest of the fleet and became engaged in a battle for line honours. Hufton/Kennedy went looking on the left hand side of the beat for an expected port shift. This duly arrived, taking them into the lead, followed by Gray/Rhodes and Krailing/Hunt.

With Friday eventually being canned for lack of wind, this left Krailing and Hunt as new Champions. This is the fourth win for Alan, making him the second most frequent winner of the Lark National after Julian Hereward.

Bring on the Lark Nationals at Lyme Regis in 2016!

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Lark nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

PositionHelmCrewSail No.Boat NameClub R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 Points
1Alan KrailingJoe Hunt2521MozzyWaldringfield0.7530.750.7542310.25
2Charlie RoomeJeremy Stephens2519Wicked RumoursRanelagh/Penzance32540.758721.75
3Nigel HuftonWill Kennedy2470TigerFrensham Pond29196230.7522.75
4Peter GrayRachael Rhodes2531Polar BearStaunton Harold466550.75222.75
5Steve HallAlly Hall2536 Burnham90.7592651131.75
6Christopher HollmanKate Hutchins2475Flow CoatRYA10431237936
7James GossNic Booth2533 South Staffs777879440
8Ross KearneyJane Kearney2501 South Staffs552310191944
9Chris WhitehouseRuth Johnson2411VoodooRanelagh 111041096645
10James WardEluned Stewart2507Mr Bruce?8889114845
11Chris White Chris Warburton2464Rocket RonnySouth Staffs612197810548
12Stuart NorrisCharlotte Norris2517 Shropshire1513121114121072
13Steve ChattenJulia Griffiths2502 Frensham Pond1315101313111272
14Garry PackerRichard Packer 2252Blue TacBristol Corinthian1211131512141577
15Chris EllisJudith Young2530WindchaserFrensham Pond1414111419151381
16Ben HipwellTim Freeman2165Rough Justice?1719141619161698
17Nicholas Von Benzon?2509ExpressoSevern16191919191314100
18Nigel ScottMartin Andrews2472 219191919191919114

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