Marblehead Nationals 2017 – Results

This was a fantastic event. Not only did the wind blow straight down the lake for most of the three days, but the 48 boat entry, including 13 competitors from overseas, was of a very high standard. Many of the top boats and skippers from last year’s Marblehead World Championship at Lake Garda travelled to the exposed Lancashire coast to compete on probably the best lake in the world for more top-class radio racing. Racing started on Friday and allowed 18, three heat races to be sailed with two or three lap courses using the whole length of the 250 metre lake for the simple windward leeward courses.

 Friday
An 6 to 14 mph wind greeted competitors allowing B or C rigs to be used and generating some spectacular downwind speeds, which gave some competitors a problem keeping up with these speed machines. The racing was dominated by Brad Gibson, who was taking a break from his foiling Moth sailing and returning to radio race his GRUNGE design with his usual finesse. Other skippers enjoying the conditions and getting podium positions were Martin Roberts sailing his elderly, but still very quick pink STARKERS, Tony Edwards, also with a GRUNGE, Matteo Longhi from Italy sailing a NIOUTRAM and Graham Bantock sailing his QUARK design.

Saturday
Light and more variable conditions coming off the sea created a problem for Race Officer, Derek Priestley, who was forced to create a zigzag course up the 70 metre wide lake. Aided by Peter and Judith Baldwin they called for an early lunch as the wind was dying, which was a good call as after lunch the wind came straight down the middle again and gave some good light airs racing in A rig.

In the morning it was Brad Gibson who once again won every race, but in the afternoon James Edwards won Race 10 with his GRUNGE, with Frenchman Arnaud Toureau sailing a SISCO taking Race 11 and Martin Roberts winning Race 12.
After racing had finished a team race using DF one designs it was organised and was followed by a Lancashire fish and chip supper in the clubhouse, followed by a quiz and a good time was had by all.

Sunday
The RO and race team were delighted that the wind was another north-westerly straight down the lake between 8 and 10 miles an hour, giving perfect A rig conditions. Graham Bantock got his only win of the event in Race 13, but then let Brad Gibson take all the remaining races, except the penultimate Race 17, which was won by Frenchman, Gilles di Crescenzo sailing another SISCO design.

This was another amazing performance by Brad and his GRUNGE, scoring under one third of the points of second placed Martin Roberts, whose performance was also remarkable and very encouraging for club sailors, as he was racing his elderly pink STARKERS, which is still available from designer/builder Dave Creed. He was squeezed between Brad and the two GRUNGEs of Darin Ballington and Tony Edwards, who finished ahead of the Italian, Matteo Longhi.

Boats

There was a great deal of variety in the 17 designs racing, but the common factor in the light airs was the use of the swing rig, for all except four competitors. The most interesting design was ROCKET from the board of young designer/builder Mike Cooke because of its wave piercing ‘dreadnought’ bow and neutral T foil on the bottom of the rudder to keep the boat stable when pressed hard.. Whilst there was insufficient wind to demonstrate the boat’s ability Mike will be developing more designs to improve the breed. Already there is a phenomenal standard of boat and equipment and this made the racing very close indeed, wherever you were in the fleet.

Prize-giving

Brad Gibson thanked Derek and his race team for creating a great event and also Maureen Priestley whose team of friendly helpers behind the bar kept competitors fed and watered throughout the event. Competitors not sailing in the 10 racing National Championship which followed were pleased to stop racing which on this lake is quite physical, as in following your boat up and down the lake you will be walking or running at least 10 kilometres a day!

Results of the top 10

1^st Brad Gibson Birkenhead GRUNGE               17

2^nd Martin Roberts Birkenhead STARKERS         58.5

3^rd Darin Ballington Manor Park GRUNGE       81

4^th Tony Edwards Yeovil GRUNGE                  84

5^th Matteo Longhi NW Garda ITA NIOUTRAM 96

6^th  Graham Bantock Chelmsford QUARK         101

7^th Peter Stollery Guildford UPROAR               103

8^th Gilles di Crescenzo FRA SISCO           111

9^th Colin Goodman Coalhouse Fort QUARK     112

10^th James Edwards Yeovil GRUNGE                121

Roger Stollery 2017-07-14