Craftinsure Lark Inlands 2025 at Northampton Sailing Club

Craftinsure Lark Inlands 2025 at Northampton © Roger LePla and Liam Wheeler

Craftinsure Lark Inlands 2025 at Northampton © Roger LePla and Liam Wheeler

Northampton SC welcomed the 17 Larks to its Craftinsure 2025 Inland National Championship, which fortunately was not suffering the fate of other inland venues with their water level.

With the ample water level NSC hosted the Europes and the Wayfarers as well as the Larks. The forecast for the 2-day meeting was for medium winds on Saturday and nothing on Sunday!

Saturday's 3 races began with substantially more wind than predicted with winds of F4.

Race 1 begun with a long beat up lake with a tight bunch rounding for the tight reach. By the end of the first lap Stuart and Nick Hydon had manged to pull into the lead followed by Harry Pynn / Gemma Cook, but close pursued by Ed Bradburn /Holly Evans. On the penultimate run Ed/Holly managed to squeeze past to take a last-minute second position.

Race 2 was looking like being the same as race 1 until trying to get through the Europe's changed the running order. Ed/Holly took full advantage of the situation scoring a win. This was followed by Stuart/Nick who were holding off Alan and Emily Krailing. Sam Bailey/Laura Burch pulled into fourth after a very close race.

Race 3 saw Stuart/Nick led from Ed/Holly. Alan/Emily were pushing hard taking advantage of the slightly reduced wind together with Harry/Gemma.

The race officer sensibly decided to use his judgement and slip a fourth race in given Sunday's forecast. As the race got under way most boats continued up the left-hand side of the beat, except Ollie Goodhead/ Katie Keith who banged the right-hand side. At the top mark Ollie/Katie had established a comfortable lead. Behind them places were rapidly changing with each lap. Ollie/Katie continued to go right on subsequent laps stretching their lead. George Graham/Hannah Carruthers followed Ollie/Katie up the right-hand side and got in to the mix until spinnaker problems led them to fall back. Ollie/Katie went on with a comfortable win with Alan/Emily pulling ahead of Stuart/Nick.

Sunday delivered as predicted limited breeze! The race office postponed, but got one race in. Reaching the start area took a long time akin to the length of time sailing out to a national championship race area!

From the start Jonny Coate/Kate Phillips were looking strong pulling away in these variable conditions. Stuart/Nick managed to pull past them with Ed/Holly pulling in third despite an earlier penalty. Stuart/Nick extended their lead. Jonny/Kate managed second despite at one time losing their position to Ed/Holly. Special mentioned goes to Will Croxford who back in a Lark with his very young son Max. Well done Max for completing all 5 races aged 8.

Thanks go to NSC for hoisting the event together with the Lark Class sponsors Craftinsure.

Overall Results: