British Nats 2014 @Rutland SC: Sam Newton 1st

Another complete report (as usual) by Gordon Upton / BACCA www.aclasscatamaran.co.uk
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British Nats 'A' Class Catamaran National Championship Report.
The largest fleet of A Class catamarans ever assembled in the UK took to the water at Rutland SC on the 26th – 28th September. 23 of these thoroughbred racers were seen at the best attended British Nationals ever. This represented some 85% of the national membership, a remarkable feat.

The event was preceded by a training day coached by multiple National champ Chris Field, who concentrated on downwind trapezing techniques and the wind played ball on that particular day, with a good 12 – 15 kts. and this allowed everyone to practice capsize recovery techniques at some point. Lester Barr, when his new J board DNA suddenly foiled unexpectedly and he did a textbook starboard broach, on film. Jamies Rankin and Walker stuffed in during gybes. Rookie DNA pilot Robin Cruickshank put the nose too deep in. Gordon Upton massively messed up coming back in off the wire and fell off the back while still attached. And Phil Neal somehow headbutted his own hull and was taken to the local hospital for four stitches.

All agreed it was a thoroughly useful and fun, if bruising, session. Phil was back in the bar later with a large glass of red wine in his hand, feeling better.

The Championship began on Friday. The wind was forecast to be the same, however, it steadily decreased throughout the day. Race one saw Sam Newton gain the upper hand over an occasionally foiling Chris Field in the moderating but shifting conditions, with Dave Lowe getting a superb 3rd over former double Olympic Tornado ace, but ‘A’ Class rookie Dave Williams. The next race saw Sam and Chris swapping places, but poor Dave W managed to pick up a whole forest of weed by going too far inshore on the way to the top mark, which jammed itself onto his winged rudders and dragged him down 8 places. Another ‘A’ class newby, Mike Bawden, came in third.

By now, most had decided the right of the course was the favored side, with a lift as you approached the top mark. Race three was Sam’s again over Chris with Dave back in contention after deweeding himself in the dropping wind. Further down the fleet, places were being swapped regularly as some close racing took place over the course.

The next day dawned with a flat mirrorlike calm on Rutland water. Ducks and fishing boats were the only things moving. The race officer delayed the racing as class rules dictate that 5kts is the minimum race starting conditions. Some took time to tweak boats, a few raked masts forward to get every drop of power from the rig, the rest lounged about and drank tea like fighter pilots waiting for a squadron scramble. Finally the bell rang as the wind had filled in at about 12.30. and everyone then suddenly took to the water for the 2 mile drift to the start down near the dam.

Sailing the ‘A’ cat in light airs is all about smoothness and sail twist. Any sudden movements can destroy the airflow so you have to start all over again. The first race start seemed to be in slow motion. All were sat on the front beam and the big efficient rigs started to do their work and as the boats accelerated, bigger gusts allowed first the lighter sailors and then even the ‘larger gentlemen’ to get on the wire in the lightly rippling water.

The nature of the wind was such that no one side of the course was favored, leaving every lap to be sailed differently. One of our sponsors, Refreshment Systems, had paid for the Sail Racer tracking to come along and as everyone was fitted with transponders, interested viewers could watch the highly tactical races that ensued. Their system allows anyone to see the race again via their website, and later in the bar, many analyzed their personal performances.

Mark Aldridge, Robin Cruickshank and Toby Winchester reached the top mark first in race 4, with the rest of the pack following closely behind. The fleet then split in two as local boy Phil Neal headed left side inshore in search of wind, whilst others went to the right. However, none really found a lift and the whole fleet rejoined at the bottom again for the second lap with Mark still in the lead.

But at this point Sam tacked left and was then able to start to cover the whole fleet in a good example of defensive sailing. Reaching the top mark again he was first followed by Chris who had pulled back six places in the beat. However, by the third lap, the flyweight Sam had pulled out an unassailable lead over Chris who finished ahead of Struan Wallace in 3rd.

Race 5 saw most favor the left of the course as a nice lift had developed and the fleet remained closely packed. Gradually a four pack of Sam, Mike, Dave Williams and Chris broke away and at the top mark again, Chris had just pulled in front. He covered like the expert he is, just beating Sam into 2nd, with Dave W third.

Race 6 started as the previous two, with a gentle glide to the top mark and the usual fleet split to the bottom. However, as the wind was dropping, the race officer sensibly decided to finish the fleet at the top mark. This had the interesting effect for some of those who tended to leave their mistakes until later in the race getting good finishing positions to the delight of some and annoyance of others. The fleet then sailed on back to shore and the BACCA AGM. There then followed a magnificent roast carvery dinner and a raffle for prizes of various clothing items and an impact vest, kindly donated by our other sponsor Forward Sailing WIP.

Day three had even less wind so it was voted that, as a championship number of races had been sailed, the day’s racing was scrubbed allowing travellers to go home early.

Sam Newton was the new British Champion, Chris Field 2nd, Dave Williams 3rd and Mike Bawden 4th

However, one peculiar result of the cancelled last day was that several of the watching visitors, some who had come to check out the A class, decided to buy some of the used boats, resulting in a total of 6, YES that’s SIX (!) A Class Cats changing hands over the weekend and pushing the BACCA membership up to over 30 and including our first female A Class sailor!

The ‘A’ class fleet has never been healthier and more popular, leaving us to try to get 30+ boats to the 2015 Nationals in Weymouth next time.

ALso this weekend, Lucy Stone joined the exclusive international club of female A Cat sailors, when she became the first British woman to sail an A Class cat!

Many thanks again to BACCA sponsors Refreshment Systems and Forward Sailing WIP.
Gordon Upton