Sonata National Championship 2024 at Medway Yacht Club

Sonata Nationals 2024 at Medway YC © Paul Babington

The Sonata National Championship 2024 has been won convincingly by Joe Cross sailing Duette from Poole YC. This was just not another Nationals win for Joe Cross but also for Duette which first won the Nationals in 1981.

Counting six first places and a result never lower than third, meant that Duette was twenty-eight points clear of Ollie Smyth on Joey from Itchenor SC in second place. Joey achieved a second place overall by consistency, never scoring below seventh place. Third place was taken by Eddie Bridle on Spellbound from Colne YC/Brightlingsea SC. The chasing pack of four boats finished within eight points of third.

Sonata Nationals 2024 at Medway YC - photo © Paul Babington

The Sonata National Championships were held at Medway YC between the 11th and 14th August 2024 and were very generously sponsored by Pirates Cave Chandlery, Emblem Workwear, Boys & Maughan Solicitors, Sea Clean, Wilkinson Sails, Craft Insure and Hamilton Home and Living who sponsored the annual Sonata Class dinner. A special thanks also to the providers of the race prizes, Myatt's of Mockbeggar who supplied sparkling rhubarb wine (much enjoyed by the crew of Duette) and Doug Smith for the wine.

Twenty-one boats competed over eleven races held on the River Medway estuary. Three or four races were held each day despite some light and variable winds making setting true windward/leeward courses difficult. Unfortunately, the winds were not favourable on the last day and only one short race was managed.

Sonata Nationals 2024 at Medway YC - photo © Paul Babington

Winds varied in strength between calm to Force 4 and from most points of the compass. The majority of the races were two lap windward/leewards and two races were held around the channel buoys including a visit up one of the many Medway Creeks (No paddles required!). The Medway's tides meant that a keen awareness of the flow and strength was essential to achieve a good result. The weather was generally sunny and included one of the hottest days of the year.

Racing was close, competitive and friendly with most of the fleet experiencing good and poor results. The benefit of two discards was appreciated by many in order to achieve a decent overall result.

Sonata Nationals 2024 at Medway YC - photo © Paul Babington

Boats came from all around the UK and Ireland with twelve visitors and nine local boats. Visitors generally came by road from eight different clubs showing the spread of Sonata sailing across the British Isles. Two boats sailed over from Brightlingsea to join the event. A ten-hour passage against head winds and tides in the Thames Estuary for them.

The club provided competitors with a full and varied food package. Competitors also kept themselves amused with entertainment in the evenings of a quiz night, pub games event, annual dinner with live band and prize-giving BBQ.

All competitors warmly thanked the Race Officer Tim Townsend for his patience and ability to set fair courses over the event. A special thanks must also go to the organisers, helpers, assistants and club staff for ensuring that all things ran smoothly and for making this another great championship. A few of the many thanks include:

"Great event and great bunch of people. We really enjoyed it. Thanks again. Team Joey."

"Brilliant event, on and off the water. Thanks to all at MYC. From the moment we arrived you could tell the volunteers and staff were going to ensure the event was a success and it was. Thank you to all. We loved it. Frankie the Rhino."

"Thank you to all at Medway YC for putting on a fantastic nationals. Team Zinghy had a great time. Thank you so much."

Sonata Nationals 2024 at Medway YC - photo © Doug Smith

Next year's National Championships are due to be held 24th - 27th August 2025 at Castle Cove SC and the class association hopes to have another good turnout for the event.

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