2000 class Latitude Series Event 4 at Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club

by 2000 Class Association 29 Jun 22:33 PDT 21-22 June 2025

The summer solstice weekend brought 8 visiting 2000's and a total entry of 15 boats to the picturesque sailing location of Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club on the North Norfolk coastline. The club had a Singlehanded and Asymmetric open event to which an invite was given to the class association to host the 2000 Class Association Latitude Series event supported by Lakes Mortgages.

With the weekend being forecast to be the hottest of the year, everybody was keen to get on the water. With high water at 3pm it gave plenty of time onshore to fettle the boats prior to racing. With a steadying breeze of 12 knots the decision was to head out of the Brancaster harbour and head to sea with the lovely backdrop of Brancaster beach and the Royal West Norfolk Golf Club. The race committee set the marks and the racing swiftly got under way.

Race one had the visiting boats of Kev and Laura, and Oliver and Elliott rounding the first mark in close proximity with the local boat of Joel and Sarah close by. Unfortunately, due a slight problem at the leeward mark in the powerboat fouling the mark line, the leeward mark was more than just a mark! The next windward leg kept the close racing as the fleet went through the upwind gate after 3 laps the race finished with Oliver and Elliott 1st, Joel and Sarah 2nd and Kev and Laura 3rd.

The race committee quickly got the 2nd race under way, however the wind decided to do a complete 180 in direction which caused a little bit of congestion at the windward mark, after 5 mins the race committee abandoned racing. This allowed for the course to be relayed and committee boat to re-position for the 2nd race.

Race 2 was as close as the first race with people settled into racing. The wind picked up to a steadying 8 - 10 knots and saw some tactical racing throughout. Race 2 finished with Oliver and Elliott taking 1st, Kev and Laura 2nd, Mike and Alex taking a well deserved 3rd place after a photo finish.

Day one racing ended as the available tide was quickly ebbing out of the bay, the wind was light and it took a while for the fleet to return home to Brancaster Sailing Club for a well deserved drink.

Saturday night the club hosted a meal for the competitors, which allowed new and old friends to have catch up on life. The summer solstice evening also treated the competitors to a wonderful sunset over the harbour, to which the fantastic club premises embrace due the open plan balcony.

Day 2 greeted the competitors with 20 knots plus and gusty conditions. A few decided to stay ashore, but some decided to brave the conditions in the bay. The race area was set in the vicinity of the club mark 'Cockle' with a flooding tidal beat to mark 'S'. With the breeze building to 25 knots and gusty conditions race one got under way. The local boat of Joel and Sarah decided with the wind and tidal direction that a port end flyer was the way to go, this proved to be a great decision as they rounded the windward mark in first position and led the race throughout. Oliver and Elliot came in 2nd and Kev and Laura 3rd.

The second race got under with only 3 2000's left on the water after a couple deciding that the conditions were a little challenging. The race started and Kev and Laura rounded the mark in first place, with Oliver and Elliott close on the transom, Joel and Sarah decided too gybe set which allowed them to close the gap after taking penalty turns at the start. The racing was close and Joel and Sarah squeezed in front of Kev and Laura after lap 2 and a very changing drop gybe manoeuvre at the leeward mark in 25 knots of breeze. Race finished with Oliver and Elliott in first place, Joel and Sarah in 2nd and Kev and Laura in 3rd place.

With the tide turning and the waves increasing with a wind over tide situation Kev and Laura decided to head home for an early shower, this left 2 boats on the water to battle it out. The 3rd race was won by the local boat of Joel and Sarah with Oliver and Elliott pressing hard and coming in 2nd place, which allowed them to win overall the 4th Latitude Series event supported by Lakes Mortgages at Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club.

The class association would like to thank Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club for hosting the event. A huge thank you to the club management team and catering staff for putting on a fantastic event throughout.

The next event on the 2000 Class Association calendar is the UK National Championship supported by Astral Azure at Hayling Island Sailing Club 17 - 22 August 2025. There's still plenty of time to enter. This is going to be a great event with lots planned for all competitors at a premier sailing location.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Crew	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	Pts
1st	22698	Oliver Thompson	Elliot Thompson	1	1	‑2	1	2	5
2nd	21889	Joel Walker	Sarah Walker	2	‑4	1	2	1	6
3rd	22674	Kevin O'Brien	Laura Holmes‑Short	3	2	3	3	(DNC)	11
4th	2345	David Crossman	Lorraine McNeil	4	9	4	(DNC)	DNC	36
5th	22619	Mike McEwing	Alex Wilby	5	3	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	46
6th	22694	Alistair Rose	Danni Burdett	6	6	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	50
7th	2724	William Knights	Bruce Kemp	9	5	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	52
8th	21412	Simon Spink	Ian Walters	7	8	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	53
9th	22730	Dirk Meyer	Leif Meyer	10	7	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	55
10th	21903	Kiki Pattenden	Rory	8	DNF	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	59
11th	2381			11	10	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	59
12th	2082	Mat Godbold	Rich Turner	(DNC)	DNC	DNF	DNC	DNC	64
13th	2928	Hannah Kingston	Sam Kingston	12	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	69
14th	2762	Paul Smith	Charlotte Smith	13	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	70
15th	2361	Charlie Plows	Tony Godwin	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	76
15th	21376	Jenny Barnes	Josh Barnes	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	76