Scorpion National Championships at Paignton

by Rob Smith on 10 Aug 2006 As the 63 teams arrived on Paignton seafront for the Scorpion National Championships, some were sponging out rain before weigh-in and others stripping off shirts in the Devon sun – as the preceding heat wave gave way to wind and weather.

Everyone had a full workout in the practice race with John Mursell and Nick Keast showing their intentions by crossing first after 2 hours in a 3-4.

Although drier overhead, conditions remained for race 1 on Sunday. From well down Mursell and Keast used the long hard legs to pull back into second but no-one was surprised to see Chris Turner & Simon Maguire up front early and keeping their reputation as strong wind kings by securing win one. Dave Wade and Ben Rayner filled third spot.

The sail out on Monday quickly showed the fun ahead with 25knt gusts ripping through. After some first mark disaster roundings, Tom Jeffocoate and Andy Smith had their first of many – ‘plane off in to the sun’ moments and if not for Turner/Maguires superior upwind speed would have been clear. Although clearly faster downhill, Jeffcoate could not stop race 1 winners from adding a second bullet, with Richard Mason and Rob Gardner and Dave and Mike Hannan also revelling in conditions.

Testing any running repairs, there was no respite for limbs as Tuesdays two ‘P’course races were force 4-5+ blasters with a top mark grandstand view of the downwind spills for those on the pier.

Inevitably Mursell and Keast bounced back with two firsts to put them right back in the frame, however Turner and Maguire added a second, Tim Rush and Chris Bishop appeared with two good thirds, Mason/Gardner kept in the hunt with a 2nd and 4th and ever present Steve Walker and Barry Rawlins posted their third 4 of the week.

After testing Dexterity (and cross-dressing!) on games night, brains and noise levels on quiz night and glass draining at club (and Spinning Wheel) every night – some of the fleet were tiring as Wednesday dawned bright and – windy again.

Back to traditional full length triangle sausage for race 5, and after some big start shifts and lots of tacking practice Wade and Raynes had built a lead which they protected to the finish. Although Jeffcoate/Smith (with ‘pecker’ as a kite catcher!) were again in contention, Turner and Maguire strengthened their lead by pulling through to second followed by Adrian and Rob Smith who spent the last couple of laps right on their tail to take third.

After Mike and Kirsten’s Wednesday night ‘bigger’ boat trip (with a bar), 2 race Thursday followed with a shifty force 1-3. After a potential – 180 degree shifting nightmare of race 7 was abandoned and re-started - honours were shared between Jeffocoate and Smith – 2nd and finally a win, and Turner and Maguire whose 1 and 3 was enough to secure the Championship a day early, although the maths wasn’t done until the boat park congratulations.
Rush and Bishop had a good day with a 4 and 2.

As Torbay finally succumbed to the expected sea breeze loitering, the fleet enjoyed an hours sun onshore while Chris packed early and Simon tried to remember where his fancy dress bike was! A couple of black flags later and a few more were doing the same, but not Tim Parsons & Sarah Maguire who worked their way up excellently to just take last race victory from another consistent performer Pete and Andrew Rose. Mursell and Keast’s snatched championship second with a third on the day just ahead of old rivals Dave Woodhead and Jerry Hannabus.

The Scorpions would like to thank Paigton SC and their great class sponsors Speed Sails, P&B, Barford Sails, Craftinsure and Harken.

Overall Results:

1st 2001 'Zephyr' Chris Turner and Simon Maguire (Lyme Regis SC) 10pts;
2nd 1936 'Bottyburp The Barbarian' John Mursell and Nick Keast (Castle Cove SC) 18pts;
3rd 1986 'Secret Squirrel' Tom Jeffcoate and Andy Smith (Notts County SC) 21pts;
4th 2003 'Pin Box' Dave Wade and Ben Rayner (Northampton SC) 29pts;
5th 1987 'Les Coulles des Chiens' Tim Rush and Chris Bishop (Notts County SC) 32pts;
6th 1997 'Peaches' Richard Mason and Rob Gardner (Notts County SC) 35pts;
7th 1947 'Angel Dust' Dave Woodhead and Jerry Hannabus (Pennine) 42pts;
8th 1970 'Custard Tart' Steve Walker and Barry Rawlins (Pennine) 44pts;
9th 1995 'Silverlode' Pete Rose and Andrew Rose (Chew Valley SC) 47pts;
10th 1939 'Ice on Fire' Adrian Smith and Rob Smith (Hythe & Saltwood SC) 50pts.
11th 1930 ‘Optimus Prime’ Dave Hannan and Mike Hannan (Netley SC) 60pts
12th 1962 ‘In the Bag’ Tim Parsons and Sarah Maguire (Lyme Regis SC) 66pts

Specials:-

First Lady Helm Carol Haines – 1952
First Lady Crew Sarah Maguire – 1962
Junior Helm James Salter – 1731
Under 18 Crew Andrew Rose – 1995
Over 45 Helm John Mursell – 1936
Over 45 Crew Jerry Hannabus – 1947
Youth Combo Steve Hackett, Tim Noyce – 1867
First Nationals Richard Jones, Nathan M – 1971
Over 90 Combo Dave Woodhead, Jerry Hannabus – 1947
Over 110 Combo Carol Haines, Jon Haines – 1952
Classic Boat (20-25) Andy & Max Hayman – 1861
Admirals Cup (25+) Oliver Salter, Heather Martin – 1836

Special presentation – Carol & Jon Haines – 40th Scorpion Nationals