Comet National Championship at Staunton Harold Sailing Club

Twenty-nine Comets took part in the 2018 Comet Class Association National Championships at Staunton Harold Sailing Club, Melbourne, Derbyshire on the 25th-27th August.

Day 1 saw a 10 knot North Westerly breeze which swung just before race 2 to Northerly. General recalls occurred on race 1 and race 3 for which the second start was under black flag.

Race 1 winner was Chris Hatton who beat the first mark leader Nigel Austin into second place.

The wind shifted in several directions moments before race 2 was due to start and led to some delay until it had settled to allow Race Officer, Howard Jones, to set a course. Race 2 was closely contested between John Blundell, Chris Hatton and Eddie Pope with all in the lead at some point. The race was won by Chris Hatton with Eddie Pope second.

The second start of race 3 was under black flag and Paul Williamson got a great start at the pin end of the line. The fleet was chaotic at the downwind mark as the second group of boats caught up with the leaders as they ran down to the mark. Eventual winner was Chris Hatton with Nigel Pepperdine in second.

Day 2 had a Southerly, gusty wind and race 4 winner Chris Hatton took the lead on the second beat from Bob Dodds who finished second.

The gusty and very wet conditions for race 5 caused several incidents at the marks with Peter Mountford and Paul Hinde needing to do turns in separate incidents. Chris Hatton was the race winner with Chris Blundell in second place.

The final race of day 2 saw John Blundell first to the windward mark with Chris Hatton second round the mark but Chris overtook John on the reach down towards the dam wall to take his familiar first place. Nigel Pepperdine was third.

Day 3 with a Westerly 12 knot wind started with John Blundell leading race 7 for the first lap until Chris Hatton took the better side of the reservoir on the second beat. What was now becoming the familiar first and second places were as before and the battle was for third spot. Steve Bellamy took this third place from Bob Dodds after battling it out on the last two beats.

The final race of day 3 saw a long beat set and with Chris Hatton in the lead, Bob Dodds, John Blundell, Eddie Pope, Paul Williamson and Nigel Pepperdine battled for second place. John Blundell eventually took second place but the fight within the group slowed them down and Michael Ettershank, who was in sixth place, moved up, took and held onto third place on the last beat.

Overall Results:

Other winners were:

Paul Williamson (Veteran)
Peter Mountford (Ancient Mariner)
Rhiain Bevan (First Lady)
Izac Dodds (First Youth)
Roger Harrison (First Newcomer)
Staunton Harold Sailing Club (First Team)