UK 505 National Championship at Tynemouth Sailing Club

505 Nationals at Tynemouth © Andrew Nel

The opening day of the 505 UK Nationals on 1st June saw 21 boats ready for the 12-18mph north easterly wind and big swell with a long fetch from Norway!

Nathan Batchelor & Sam Pascoe started as they meant to go on with an emphatic 1,1,1 scoreline. Howie Hamlin & Jeff Nelson, from California and launching their new boat that day (built half mile away at Ovington Boats) got a 2,2,5 - not too put off by the cool north sea conditions. Other things of note were Ian Pinnell & Alex Davies getting their first DSQ for hitting the gate boat! Great to see visiting boats from Ireland, France as well as the USA.

505 Nationals at Tynemouth - photo © Andrew Nel

The second day was lighter winds but still a large swell. Similar results at the top - Batchelor/ Pascoe 1,1,1, and Hamlin/ Nelson a 2,2,4. David Ellis & Jim Hunt were starting to find their rhythm with a 3,3,2 - great to see these guys in the fleet - always sailing smart and popping up in the right places. Pinnell & Davies had their 2nd DSQ for hitting the gate boat! Dolphins were seen off the starboard end of the gate start to add to the excitement.

Day 3 was tricky for competitors and the race team alike. Light, shift winds from the east with leftover swell and comparatively strong tide made it a head scratcher for all involved.

505 Nationals at Tynemouth - photo © Andrew Nel

Day 4 was a different day, racing in the North Bay off Longsands. A light- medium northerly and the flattest water of the week gave a different view. The first race was a reply of many other with Batchelor/ Pascoe first, followed in by Hamlin/ Nelson. Mike Sims & Carl Gibbon sailed a solid series, counting nothing worse than a 6th - time on the water paying off.

505 Nationals at Tynemouth - photo © Andrew Nel

Overall, Nathan & Sam won comprehensively, winning 8 out of the 10 races they sailed, but the racing was close throughout the fleet. Very pleasing to see a good number of Scottish boats racing with this evening being the furthest north it's been in over 15 years. It's the first time the 505s have visited Tynemouth, and the club put on a great regatta both on & off the water.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the 505 nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here