Signet Nationals at Brightlingsea Sailing Club Overall

August 5th - 10th

A mix of weather made for an interesting and close fought 2001 SigneT National Championships. Fifteen boats attended, including two all junior teams.

The practice race was sailed in moderate force 3 - 4 winds, with some confusion over the start timing and the course and also a few teething problems with boats. Roy Melsom and Emma Nicholson in ST761 won.

Race one started in moderate, quickly freshening winds. David and Robert Rothery (ST297) got off to a slow start changing their centreboard at the last minute. There were several capsizes and retirements including Tom Field and Lizzy Overs (ST41) who ended up on the sea wall! Twelve finishers were led home by Chris and Steven Whiteside (ST522).

Race two on Tuesday morning was sedate in a moderate 3 - 4, allowing effective spinnaker flying. Richard Cannon and Robert Britton (ST368) led the way home.

After a half hour's postponement nine SigneTs braved the force six winds at the start of race 3. Lap one started with capsizes for two boats and a retirement with a broken rudder for Paul Nicholson crewed by Tom Field (ST186). The race should have ended here, but the entire fleet failed to cross the line having missed the shortened course signs and went round again. A strong force 8 squall then hit. Home boats and SigneTs were both wiped out. Chris and Stephen Whiteside (ST522) broke a mast but gallantly finished holding mainsail aloft. Pat Overs and Morwenna Rothery (ST690) tore a sail and were accompanied back by a home sailor having blown out to sea. David and Robert Rothery (ST297) sustained a lot of damage when their mast step gave way and retired for the week. Several other sailors were grateful for David's help with rescue. Most SigneTs returned under genoa only.

Mention must go to Michael Overs and Mark Cowling (ST914) the only junior team to start and bring their own boat back in one piece with no assistance and John Pratt and Christine Eade (ST872) who finished without a single capsize. The results show Richard Cannon and Robert Britton (ST368) as the winners.

Extremely light winds in race 4 were in complete contrast. The fleet struggled to get away from the river mouth against the tide. Seven boats broke away to finish more than half an hour ahead. Paul and Alice Nicholson (ST186) won, also taking the Helm Invitation title.

The final championship race was again in light winds. Changes of position resulted from spinnaker flying. Many boats ran aground due to the low state of the tide including Keith and Madeline Hatton (ST858) who retired with a broken rudder pin. Roy Melsom and Emma Nicholson (ST 761) led the boats home.

The crew invitation race on Thursday afternoon for non-helms was won by Michael Wild crewed by Tim Wild (ST847); the single-handed race on Friday afternoon was won by Keith Hatton (ST858); the ladies cup was won by Lizzy Overs crewed by Tom Field (ST41) for her performance in the crew invitation; and the junior trophy was won by Michael Overs and Mark Cowling (ST914) as were the capsize trophy (four during the week) and the Clown Trophy for spectator amusement. Paxton Lakes won the team trophy. Grateful thanks to Brightlingsea Sailing Club for a well organised and fun week.

Overall Results:

More Information:

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