12sqM Sharpie British National Championship at Wells Sailing Club

Earlier in the year, Wells Sailing Club agreed to host a "low key" championship at the end of the season, due to the 4 yearly cycle of European events being hosted by nearby Brancaster Staithe SC in August. Expectations of around a dozen of the keenest crews participating were re-evaluated when the post Euro enthusiasm had boosted the entry list to 24 Sharpies.

Having planned for harbour courses to best cater for a compressed 6 race event, both club and race team worked tirelessly to cater for their favourite sailing class.

The reluctant breeze on Saturday led to the picturesque sight of long strings of classic boats being towed through the quayside, all the way to the race area in the upper harbour. The slowly filling SE breeze allowed for windward / leeward courses, with an extensive start line in front of the lifeboat house and main beach.

First upwind leg during the 12sqM Sharpie British Nationals at Wells - photo © James Case

First blood went to reigning champion Paddy Spink, crewed by daughter Claudia. New pairing for 2025, Ben Johnson & Will Worsley scored their best result of the weekend in 5th. Race two had another Father / Daughter combo first home, with Chris and Maddie Gibbs. The race was notable for two events, the only premature starter of the entire weekend, and what could have been an interesting request for redress, when Tim Ashby sailing with son Theo were struck on the mast by a drone covering the racing! The Sharpie won the brief altercation, with a very sad drone eventually recovered at low tide. We are very grateful to Mark Frary for his spectacular footage, which is hopefully recoverable in the near future. The final Saturday race saw a new team take the race win, with Adam Anthony & Gus Marshall-Andrews leading the way.

The post race inquests and camaraderie led to some of our very welcome Dutch sailors overindulging, and scoring a post race DNC, or perhaps a DNF! They sportingly decided to rest up well and ensure peak performance on Sunday, rather than join the other competitors in a stunning Lamb Tagine in the clubhouse!

Sunday served up a moderate S to SE breeze, with the course adjusted to a Starboard hand triangle, sausage. Race four saw a fourth different race winner with Alex Scoles & Dugan Aylen taking line honours. Some competitors had navigational hangovers, with the change from Port to Starboard hand courses, leading to some interesting manoeuvres with Sharpies taking the same buoy in opposite directions! Races five and six finally saw the well rested Daan Versteeg, & crew Ton van Berkel hit top form winning both comfortably. Conditions suited our other Dutch team, Job Volwater & Dennis van Vliet having a better day scoring 3,6,3. Team Gibbs consolidated scoring two second places, team Spink found Sunday's half a metre lower tide brought mudbanks cleared yesterday into play, resulting in a dramatic emergency stop.

Versteeg & van Berkel showed their class to win the event and the Spring Rice Trophy, with the class rules deeming the title of British Champions goes to the top British boat, Chris & Maddie Gibbs add another win to their credit.

12sqM Sharpie British Nationals at Wells - photo © James Case

Sharpies are all about family and continuity, so it was perfect to present the "Chuckles" (Bronze medal 1956 Olympics) rudder trophy for the best youth / newcomers to Alex Mulderij & Diesel van Dorst. Two teenagers, with second and third generation Sharpie family history.

Thanks to Wells Sailing Club for hosting a great championship in their traditional and friendly "all hands on deck" way.

Overall Results: