Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships at Frensham © Jonathan Inglesfield

A highly competitive fleet of Larks gathered at Frensham Pond Sailing Club on 16-17 November to contest their Winter Championships, the final event of 2024.

Race 1 got under way in light winds with a heavily pin-end biased line. Newcomers to the class, Guy Brearey & Lucy Preston, shot off the line on port at the pin and quickly established a healthy lead over those choosing a more conservative approach. Jonny Coate & Kate Phillips tacked onto port and gave chase, overhauling the leaders by the first mark.

With the fleet fighting behind them, Coate & Phillips built on that lead over the next two laps. Ollie Goodhead, in his recently acquired boat, crewed by Katie Keith, managed to break free of the pack and reel in Coate & Phillips on the last lap. They took the lead for a couple of legs, but Coate & Phillips took advantage of a shift near the finish to win.

Race two saw some argie-bargie at the committee boat end, with Coate & Phillips blocked out and having to gybe around and start on the transom of James Stewart & Hannah Carruthers. While the fleet sailed up the left side of the beat, Coate & Phillips broke away to the right arriving at the first mark just ahead of the pack and maintained the lead until the finish. Again, Goodhead & Keith, showing great pace, took second place. Harry Pynn & Gemma Cook finished the day with two third places. These would be the overall top three overnight.

Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships at Frensham - photo © Jonathan Inglesfield

On Saturday evening, the fleet gathered at the club for a delicious evening meal, followed by a live band. The bar did a deal on 'Dark & Stormy' cocktails, so it wasn't long before competitors were throwing shapes on the dance floor.

Sunday morning arrived with more breeze and glorious sunshine, making it the finest day of November sailing anyone could remember for a long time.

Races 3 & 4 were also won by Coate & Phillips, sealing the event victory with a race to spare. Brearey & Preston challenged the order with a second place in race 4. A great battle was unfolding for second place overall between Goodhead & Keith and Pynn & Cook, with only one point separating them going into the last race.

Race 5 didn't disappoint, with a running battle for the lead between the two over the course of the race. The experienced Pynn & Cook team took the race, and with it second place overall.

Special mention to Bronze Fleet winners George Graham & Jessica Hooker. George is a regular on the circuit, but usually as a crew. It's great to see him helming a boat now and arriving at the first mark in the top three a couple of times. Nigel Scott & Tegwyn Tricker won the silver fleet.

Special thanks to Lark class sponsor Craftinsure who kindly provided excellent prizes.

Thanks also to OOD Ian Gregory who did an excellent job over the weekend and to Commodore Rob Anstey and Chris Ellis for their efforts in organising a great weekend.

Craftinsure Lark Winter Championships at Frensham - photo © Jonathan Inglesfield

Overall Results: