Harken D-Zero National Championships 2025 at Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club - Runners and Riders
by Martin Latimer 27 Jun 08:18 PDT
4-6 July 2025
Sailing Chandlery Devoti Sailing D-Zero Europeans and UK Nationals at the WPNSA © Lotte Johnson /
www.lottejohnson.com
With just a week to go to the 2025 Nationals at Lee on Solent the D-Zero fleet will have honed their fitness to a peak of athleticism and will now be concentrating on the the last elements of fining tuning, foil prep and hull-fairing. Or maybe just training down the pub for the brilliant onshore banter and socials.
Local LOSSC member (Poster Buoy) Tom Southwell has been the liaison with the club and brought Harken on board as title sponsor; ensuring that this will be one hell of an event.
But what the fleet fliers, fleet supporters, hangers-on and D-Zero "trolley dollies" want to know is who is in the running for the top slots, the big prizes, the stunning Nationals Trophy and international stardom. Who are the key runners and riders and of course we don't know who the sleepers might be?
With the likes of last year's champion Ben Flower, rising star Roo Perves, hot shot Nick Craig and past champs like Dan Holman, Steve Boland and George Cousins all absent. Will past champ Ian Morgan find a boat in time and will Jon Emmet find the little bit of DZ Magic that takes a top tier sailor all the way to the top step of the podium?
The ones most likely to; well a selection of them anyway...
Ian Baillie (the Prof) a fairly recent D-Zero National Champ and a past RS300 National Champion, and no slouch in any boat, we would have tipped him for the top. However, a recent photo of him sailing a Solo (or is so-slow?) makes us think he might be aging fast. He's cool under fire, has a scientist's mindset and would be a popular winner. His 4th place at the 2024 Europeans shows he is still in form.
Ian Morgan (the Pro Sailer) - Sailmaker Ian was one of our earlier National Champions, but since we've all got fitter, faster and cannier we haven't seen Ian at any recent champs, however he did win the 2025 Solution Championships so the speed might still be there. Rumour is he's looking for a boat and he has certainly entered. Will he rise to the top of the cream of our fleet... we'll see?
Jon Bassett (Bertie) - Jon was subject to all sorts of varied performances until he chucked in his job and started flying in the D-Zero, 2nd at the 2023 National Championships and 8th in a hot Euro fleet last year Jon has the speed and drive to be at the top. Coming from a hot Scottish fleet he has an advantage. No pressure Bertie
Tom Southwell (Poster Buoy) - Always in the pic he's a slick operator and some might say poser, but having trained a bit with Nick Craig (who's not slow in anything) Tom has a few tricks to cover the miles and will supply the smiles at every mark, just to be in photos. As he organised this year's event, maybe others should let him through at the marks. He certainly could be a top ranker.
Adam Cockerill - Winner of this year's hotly contested Emsworth Slipper Open and 3rd at the the Euros in 2024 Adam has a proven record near the top of the fleet. According to our glorious dealer the Slipper fleet are the boys to beat this year, not that the Scots agree... we'll see
David Valentine (Tin Man or the Big Cheese) - Big, noisy, oversized and not too rusty when it comes to pedalling a D-Zero in big winds, David features in this scribe a) because he is the dealer, b) because he's been making big claims about his skill and performance, c) because he can be quick sometime and d) because he told me too! However given big breezes and lumpy seas David will be quick and he understands tides too. If he wins we'll all get big discounts on new boats too... isn't that right David?
Jon Emmett (da Coach) - a well known face in the classic sailing scene (ILCAs) and made a strong debut with a 5th in the D-Zeros in Weymouth. His boat was brand new and needed a few tweaks and setting up, as did Jon as he was carrying an injury. This year, with a better knowledge of the boat, good knowledge of the Solent and not being too shabby on the strategy and performance front he could be a title contender in the light and medium winds.
Jon Aston (Minty) - Jon is a light airs flyer, but not always as good at staying in his boat (see photos from Llandudno!). He knows his way up a light airs beat, but how will he deal with the Solent chop and those tide things - still one to watch.
As for the surprise fliers that may come out of the fleet to shoot down the big guns, who knows, but watch these pages and the D-Zero Facebook page for up to date results.