British Sharpie Championships at Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club - Preview
by James Case 21 Sep 2021 02:05 PDT
24-26 September 2021
GBR 63 Chuckles competing in the 2019 Sharpie Europeans at Itchenor © James Case
This weekend Brancaster Staithe SC are hosting the British Sharpie Championships, 24-26th September. The club have rallied round post Covid, to combine this event with the traditional end of season Sharpie event, the Les Dye memorial trophy.
The LDMT will be the first race on Friday, 8 a.m. start, with the first Championship race to follow. With several teams unable to manage a day off to sail, there will be a few "guest crews" on Friday.
The format allows for four from five races to count, which will concentrate the minds and starting tactics of those unable to use a discard! So far there are 17 entries, including the Dutch team of Daan Versteeg and Ton van Berkel who are keen to re-establish the strong European links.
I am sad to report that Terence (Terry) Smith passed away earlier this month.
Terry crewed for Jasper Blackall in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, winning the Bronze medal in the 12 Sq M Sharpie class. I believe he was keen to come and see their Sharpie K63 "Chuckles" beautifully restored by Mike Farrell, and competing again this weekend. Both Mike and Terry still have the Bronze medals from 1956.
We look forward to the relatively low key Nationals, with the Sharpie Class still strongly supported and keenly raced, Nationally and Internationally.