Lark Open at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

Frensham Pond Lark Open © Lorna Nee

After a glorious day of sunshine for the Lark Youth Championships, conditions on Sunday could not have been further away from the forecast! Heavy rainfall greeted out sailors, but in true Lark fashion, racing must go on!

Race 1 saw Samuel Bailey/ Finn Morgan reach the windward mark first after tacking up the middle of the course. John Brickwood/Andy Hicks rounded in second with the pack closely behind.

Bailey/Morgan managed to escape and take race 1 victory with Brickwood/Hicks in 2nd. Nigel/Fiona Denchfield took 3rd, demonstrating that Parkers have still got it! Go Buffy The Vampire Slayer!

With the rain now at its worst and the wind all but gone, the PRO made the well-received decision to postpone until after lunch. Sailors were treated to a range of warm food options by galley staff which was well deserved after a wet first race!

Race 2 saw the wind return to light levels. Bailey/Morgan held onto their lead off the line to round the windward mark first again with Brickwood/Hicks in second.

Unable to escape this time, Brickwood/Hicks were hot on their heels, but Bailey/Morgan were able to keep them at bay and take their second race victory. Brickwood/Hicks took a close second with Steve Cumley/Eluned Stewart in 3rd.

Race 3 began soon afterwards with Brickwood/Hicks reaching the windward mark first, closely followed by Bailey/ Morgan and Nigel Hufton/Matt Wood. All three remained in striking distance for some time before Brickwood/Hicks pulled out a significant lead with Bailey/ Morgan extending their gap from Hufton/Wood. The three finished in 1st, 2nd & 3rd respectively.

Post racing the fleet was presented with a fabulous display of sandwiches, savoury snacks and sweet treats!

Prize giving saw Bailey/Morgan take 1st place and receive one of the most contested trophies in Lark history - The Frank Carter Trophy being raced for every year since 1968 (54 years!).

A well-respected 2nd and 3rd went to previous national champions Brickwood/Hicks and Cumley/Stewart, respectively.

Despite the weather, sailors displayed great enthusiasm and energy ran high throughout the day. Just one of the many demonstrations of positive and engaging energy running through the class.

A special mention goes out to our youth sailors; Rebecca Videlo & Katrina Gilbert, Hannah Carruthers & Tom Walker, and Sofia Kuhnert & Amelie Whitehouse who finished 8th, 10th & 12th respectively in what were difficult, light conditions! Well done to all and we can't wait to race against you again soon!

Thanks goes to Frensham Pond SC for hosting the event and Chris Ellis for taking the lead on organising!

Overall Results:

1st 2468 Samuel Bailey & Finlay Morgan, 2pts
2nd 2528 John Brickwood Andy Hicks, 3pts
3rd 2496 Steve Cumley & Eluned Stewart 7pts
4th 2538 Nigel Hufton & Matt Wood, 7pts
5th 2459 Nigel Denchfield & Fiona Denchfield, 10pts
6th 2471 Matthew White & Marion Enkel, 10pts

Next Event: Pentewan Sands for the 2022 MUSTO LARK NATIONALS!