Graduate Dinghy Association National Chamionship 2026 at Chichester Yacht Club

Glorious sunshine and a warm welcome greeted the competitors for the 2026 Graduate Nationals on arrival at Chichester Yacht Club. Due to the tide times the racing on the three days was restricted to midday onwards over the weekend but the Race Officer, Peter Harrison, and his team worked wonders to get the fleet on to the water and racing as soon as the water allowed.

On Saturday the wind was initially very light and so it was just as well that the first start was for the practice race. Whilst the fleet drifted away from the line led by Ric Lewis and Sandra Jordan, showing early form, John and Jamie Clementson limped out the race area, cleared the line and then proceeded to have their own wind around the race course. Fortunately, as the race progressed the wind filled and was a nice breeze once the fleet was lined up for Championship Race 1.

Graduate Nationals 2026 at Chichester - photo © Mark Green

Local girl team Catherine Helmsley and Charlotte Tangye showed the rest of the crews the way to the first mark and maintained an impressive place for a while before dropping back. Due to the tide and the predominantly easterly lighting wind, the RO set a trapezoid course which gradually stretched the fleet, especially at the first gibe mark which was in a wind shadow near the East bank. Defending champions, Fresh Abendstern & Ross Southwell, took the first gun followed closely home by John & Jamie Clementson, Rory Odell & Isaac Marsh a creditable third.

Championship Race 2 got away smartly as soon as the competitors had finished the first race. The wind was more consistent but now with an outgoing tide to make life interesting and making the choice of course up the beats critical, the East side being the favourite. With the lead changing multiple times between Abendstern/Southwell, the Clementson's and Brendan Lynch & Rachel Scarf who were finding the conditions more to their liking. In fact the top 7 boats were circulating close together, Emma Robertson & Huw Hopkins, Bryn Abendstern & Jack Cammmann Odell/Marsh and Bob & Maggie Murrell all near the front at times.

Graduate Nationals 2026 at Chichester - photo © Mark Green

In the end, the Clementson team prevailed followed closely by Fresh & Ross which meant that these crews were tied on points overnight.

The tides allowed for a leisurely morning until suddenly the briefing for the day was taking place and the fleet was put on the water once again. There was a large swing in wind direction from Saturday, now from the South / Southwest and more consistent although with a few wind shifts to catch the unwary. With the last of the incoming tide Race 3 was under way, this time a triangle / sausage course, the first beat into the tide having an effect on the top placings. Early on the familiar pecking order was evident with the top teams from day one again battling it out. However, by the last lap the new kid on the block edged ahead and Rory & Isaac took line honours closely followed by Brendan & Rachel then Fresh & Ross with the Clementson's in fourth.

A quick turn-around for Race 4 at the top of the tide and the fleet was under way way again. With slacker water it was the shifts that dominated but the top 6 crews drew away led by Rory & Isaac. Tom Twist & Oscar North showed consistent speed to move through the fleet with Ant Law & Olly Wastnage having an excellent showing in ex-president David Wilson's Ruby Tuesday. Rory crossed the line first but with no gun sounding as he had been OCS gifting a second win to Fresh & Ross closely followed by John and then Brendan.

Graduate Nationals 2026 at Chichester - photo © Mark Green

By now the outgoing tide was strengthening and with a slightly biased line the bulk of the fleet crowded at the pin end of the start line for Race 5, inevitably being taken over the start line resulting in a general recall. The second start was again very congested and the tide continued to play its part in a second general recall. The RO had no choice but to black flag the third attempt and the fleet was more circumspect and the race was under way, this time using the middle of the race course up wind to make use of the ebb tide but hugging the East shore on the downwind legs. By the end the Clementsons had edged ahead, Fresh & Ross in second and Brendan & Rachel in third.

With one race to go the Clementsons and Fresh & Ross were on equal points counting two wins and two seconds each.

Graduate Nationals 2026 at Chichester - photo © Mark Green

Monday morning came with more sunshine than forecast but accompanied by the very light wind that was. The race team anchored in the race area but held the crews ashore whilst waiting for the wind to fill. Reports from downstream were promising and eventually there was sufficient wind for the RO to release the teams for the final sixth race. With a black flag in place to keep order and a diminished fleet of 6 boats (many had opted to sit this one out) the tactical battle between the leading two teams kicked off with 30 seconds to go, setting the scene for the race allowing Brendan & Rachel to break clear to the line, the Clementsons extricating themselves to take second and the championship with Rory & Isaac third.

Thanks go to the team at Chichester Yacht Club for their excellent organisation on and off the water.

Overall Results:
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