HolidayCottages Tasar National Championships 2025 at Whitstable Yacht Club - Day 1

HolidayCottages Tasar National Championships at Whistable - Day 1 © Sam Turner

The Tasar bandwagon rolled up to Whitstable (Putney by Sea) for a three day championship. A mixture of the current in form runners and riders and some old well-known faces returning to the party to enjoy the atmosphere for the weekend.

The forecast was not looking good wind wise, but the sun was out with wall to wall sunshine and the temperature built to over 28 degrees C+. So, on cue the sea breeze kicked in at 1130 and built, exceeding the provisional forecast to approx. gradient breeze 12 knots with gusts of 16+ knots.

Tom Bruton R/O and conductor for the event, dropped the D flag and called the fleet to attendance with the first start going on time. Unfortunately, the fleet had not read the script, and many ended up on the naughty list, resulting in the black flag coming out. Race 1 got away and first to fall to the scythe of the grim reaper was 2629 (Rick/Sarah Perkins). Off the start with little in it, those that did not hit the line risking OCS, tacked to the right and hit the gravy train led by 175 (Ian Swan/Spike Daniels).

HolidayCottages Tasar National Championships at Whistable - Day 1 - photo © Sam Turner

Over the race there was little to choose between the front six with the lead changing several times resulting in 2975 (Paul/Bromwyn Ridgeway) Taking the first bullet followed by 2973 (Jeremy/Susanne Hawkins) and 2815 (David/Fiona Sayce).

Races two and three followed a similar format with the top six - seven boats changing places throughout the races and to close to call who would be rise to the top with less than 90 seconds separating this group at the finish. Race two was won by Dave/Fiona Sayce just holding out Rick/Sarah Perkins and Jeremy/Susanne Hawkins. Race three was won by Jeremy/Susanne Hawkins, second Paul/Bromwyn Ridgeway, third Ian Swan/Spike Daniels (after leading at one point both races 1 and 3).

Consistency was to prove the tonic on the day not just in the front pack but also right down through the fleet. Coming ashore, teams had beaming faces and stories shared of how close the racing had been and opportunities missed.

HolidayCottages Tasar National Championships at Whistable - Day 1 - photo © Sam Turner

Special mentions to 298 (Tyn Udo/Jan Slotemaker) probably the oldest team on the water and having to add 2.5 kg of lead to his boat at the weigh-in lying sixth overall and Joe Barton 14, super keen and light at 40 kg, crewing 2814 with Barnsie putting in a stellar performance as a warm-up to the Topper Worlds in the Netherlands in July grabbing three fifths and fifth overall.

Tomorrow is showing a gradient breeze of 16 - 20 knots with possible sea breeze on top. It could be a day of where it blows dogs off chains or we get racing in if under the 25 knot gradient breeze limit with gusts to 30 knots. Having team weights ranging 121 - 165 kg, will the bantam weight teams still be flexing their guns against the middle and cruiser weight teams?

What is certain, is it will be a day for some champagne sailing if within the limits.

With live music provided tonight made up of Whitstable Yacht club members from the Tasar fleet and friends from other club bands, yes we have a few with some doing gigs across the region. A lively evening was had, but many tired bodies departs by 2130 with club members staying on the remaining sailors to enjoy the evening prior to the arrival of a spectacular thunder storm.

Thanks goes out to our title sponsor Holiday Cottages and race day sponsor Rooster Sailing.

HolidayCottages Tasar National Championships at Whistable - Day 1 - photo © Sam Turner

Results after Day 1: