Mirror Eastern Championship at Brightlingsea Sailing Club

by Joe Adams 15 Sep 03:26 PDT 12-13 September 2026

A crisp 15 knot breeze greeted the Mirror Fleet at Brightlingsea on the 12/13th September. An eager fleet of 20 Mirrors launched into a building breeze and patchy sunshine.

The racing started on time, with some jostling for the pin (a theme for the weekend). James and Meris Date won the pin and made the cross to dominate the middle of the course, taking a narrow lead from Joe and William Adams at the top, they were chased hard by Scott and Erin Bonner and Dave and Lowenna Kent. Team Bonner and Kent pushed right and leapfrogged Team Adams to take 2nd and 3rd by the finish.

The second race saw the breeze lock in a consistent 15 knots with occasional 20 knot gusts, the sea state was also building and was becoming very good fun. Team Date stretched out on the first beat to take a commanding lead from Team Adams, who were chased hard by Toby and Molly Wincer. The top three kept the positions to the finish.

The tide had turned and was kicking up some really big swell with some very courageous sailing on display, especially from the little crews in the fleet.

Race 3 kicked off with the pin dominant, middle paying but gentler conditions on the right out of the worst of the swell. Team Date were in a league of their own by the stage, using their size and tactical excellence to push into the lead, followed by Team Adams and Team Wincer. The fleet enjoyed some of the best downwind sailing of the season, three sail reaching in huge waves - Brightlingsea was putting on a show!

The fleet headed in for some excellent beach games, a hearty meal and pub quiz night - wonderful hosting by the club.

Day 2 dawned - damp conditions, with a soft confused breeze flicking from left to right under the large rain clouds swirling overhead.

Race 1 started, slowly, the fleet worked their way up the beat at a snail pace, but light wind local legends David and Barney Conlon glided ahead at the top mark. Joe and William Adams made a valiant effort to reel them in, but it was not to be. Much like professional America's Cup teams, Team Conlon were also fielding a female team, with Sarah and Freya Conlon chasing hard to take a close 3rd place.

Race 2 saw the fleet pushing the pin hard, over half the fleet were over and having to go around the ends. This allowed Team Date, Robert and Dominic Forbes, Becky and Ella Priest and Team Lady Conlon to lead at the top. Sarah and Freya Conlon were so quick they raced into the lead, creating a sizeable gap by the bottom mark. Team Date were fighting hard, but struggled to keep pace as Team Adams and David and Barney bunched up on the final reach. With Ladies Team Conlon taking the win, Mens team Conlon taking 2nd on the line ahead of Team Date in 3rd.

Race 3 took a long time to get away, with the wind flicking 20-30 degrees, under the huge clouds. Eventually after several postponements and general recalls the race started with both Conlon teams pushing right locking into the dark water under the cloud. The breeze flicked 30 degrees to the right and the Conlons were away for another 1-2 position. A chaotic chase from the rest of the fleet with Team Wincer leading the pack, cutting through with a well deserved 3rd place.

Overall Results:

1st overall James and Meris Date crowned the Eastern Champions
2nd place went to local heroes David and Barney Conlon
3rd Place went to Joe and William Adams
1st Cadet boat: Willow Cross and Katie Bees