Snipe SCIRA NW Championship 2026 at Budworth Sailing Club

Snipe NW Championship at Budworth © SCIRA

Despite losing five regular attendees to the date clash with the World Champs in Mahon, Budworth Sailing Club welcomed a strong fleet for the 79th Snipe Open.

With eight races scheduled and six to count, the championship provided plenty of opportunity for sailors to recover from an early mistake, while consistency proved crucial in the final standings.

The opening day saw four races sailed. After a couple of general recalls, it was Alan Williams (on his return to the event after many years) and Liz Pike who immediately showed their pace, opening the championship with a win. They followed it with a third, before returning to winning form in race 3. Ali Cormack and Katie Guess provided the main challenge, taking second in race 1 before winning race 2 and then finishing second in race 3.

With a tight course, a 15 knot westerly breeze continuing through the day with gusts up to 24 knots, there was no letup, every moment a gain or loss, a sapping series of races. The fourth race saw another victory for Cormack and Guess, while Williams and Pike finished third. At the end of Saturday, the two boats were already establishing a clear lead over the fleet.

More of the same for Sunday with the excellent windward leeward course. Williams and Pike winning race 5, with Cormack and Guess second, before the positions were reversed in race 6. Mark and Tracy Antonelli then produced an excellent performance in race 7, taking their first race win of the championship and moving themselves firmly into contention for a podium place.

The final race went to Williams and Pike, giving them five race wins from the eight races. Cormack and Guess finished second, securing the overall runner-up position.

Behind the leading pair, Mark and Tracy Antonelli, recorded a consistent series including a race win, discarding 5ths. Top Juniors James Alexander and Kris Barker back from Southampton Uni.

Mid table the competition was just as fierce, Eric Paalman with Kathryn Alexander day 1and Jo Howell day 2, Robin Mister and Stephany Ward alongside James Prestwich and Paul Donnelly, all finishing in equal net points. The trying conditions were too much for some of the less experienced Snipers towards the end, but everyone enjoyed a competitive weekend of "Serios Sailing Serious Fun".

Alan Williams and Lize Pike have competed together of a couple (maybe three) of decades worked tirelessly to take the SCIRA NW trophies. Ali Cormack and Katie Guess showed that despite their limited time sailing the Snipe they are a seriously dangerous team, "Watch out" there is much more to come from these two.

Congratulations to Alan and Liz on winning the 79th Budworth Snipe Open and SCIRA NW Championship title, and to all the sailors who competed over the weekend.

Thank you for all those who supported the event, especially Colin, Benjamin and Freddie for the work put into making the brilliant hand-thrown mugs. Neil Martin and his family who are Martin's Craft Bakers in Manchester for delicious breads and tray bakes.

Overall Results: