2026 CraftInsure Lark Class Winter Championship at Barnt Green Sailing Club

The 2026 CraftInsure Lark Class Winter Championship at Barnt Green Sailing Club delivered a weekend of close, tactical racing in shifting late winter conditions. Across five races, places were traded regularly, with no single boat able to dominate for long with tightly contested racing throughout.

Day one saw a shifty south easterly coming straight over the clubhouse. PRO Jeremy Hudson showed excellent race management with some great courses in challenging conditions. Given that is was the first event of the season, everyone seemed keen to show their starting skills throughout the day with multiple individual and general recalls.

2026 Craftinsure Lark Winter Championship at Barnt Green Sailing Club - photo © Matt Brown

The opening race set the pattern for the weekend, with Ed Bradburn & Holly Evans taking the first win ahead of Stuart & Nick Hydon, followed by a strong third from Guy Brearey & Holly McArthur. Race 2 saw a close top mark rounding with Alan and Emily Krailing leading the charge from Suart and Nick, Samuel Bailey and Kamila Czartolomna and Ed and Holly. At the 2nd mark this order reversed with a right-hand shift. However, on the 2nd beat it was Stuart and Nick who responded immediately taking the lead with Ed and Holly chasing. In the end it was Stuart and Nick taking the win and levelling the early battle at the front, while Samuel & Kamila sailed an excellent race to secure third. In Race 3, Guy and Holly took the early lead with Ed and Holly chasing again. Unfortunately, due to a slight geographical error Guy and Holly decided to add a small extra leg into the course allowing Ed and Holly to take the lead. Ed and Holly regained the advantage with another win, Stuart and Nick again close behind in second, and Alan & Emily producing a well executed performance to take third.

In the evening the fleet were treated to a 90's themed social with 40 or so people rolling back the years with kebabs and music from the 90's. I am assuming it was just the music that was from the 90's and not the kebabs. All expertly organised by Simon Morris and the Barnt Green committee.

2026 Craftinsure Lark Winter Championship at Barnt Green Sailing Club - photo © Matt Brown

Day two saw stronger winds and a different direction allowing for a triangle sausage course. Again, the fleet were eager to get started with another general recall. Race one began with the Stuart and Nick striking back once more, winning Race 4 and keeping the championship finely balanced into the last race. Ed and Holly followed in second, while Steve Cumley & Eluned Stewart sailed strongly to claim third. The wind increased further for the final race of the series with a few teams calling it quits for the day and a few breakages also with Samuel and Kamilla snapping a shroud and bending their mast ending their weekend prematurely. The final race was a close affair and continued the pattern at the front, after a tough close race Ed and Holly just managed to take the win from the Stuart and Nick in second, and Steve & Eluned repeating their Race 4 result with another solid third place.

When the points were tallied, it was Bradburn & Evans who secured the overall championship, with the Hydons finishing a close second. Third overall went to Brearey & McArthur, whose strong start and steady sailing across the weekend kept them ahead of the chasing pack.

2026 Craftinsure Lark Winter Championship at Barnt Green Sailing Club - photo © Matt Brown

A special mention goes to the junior teams, who brought fantastic energy and commitment to the event. Alex Enkel & Hettie Thorogood had a consistent series finishing 8th. George Cox-Oliff & Tom Krailing showed real composure in the challenging conditions and Jai & Amber Sanehi also impressed with their determination and willingness to push hard in every race. All three junior teams contributed hugely to the spirit of the weekend, and their performances promise a bright future for the class.

A massive thank you goes to Craftinsure for their continued support of the Lark Class, and to Barnt Green Sailing Club for hosting a superbly run event both on and off the water.

Overall Results: