2008 Nationals results Nationals

Weston Cat Open Report added 5 Nov 2007Open Meetings 2007

New boat for sale

For Sale

UNICORN NATIONALS 2003

28 July to 1 August 2003

Stone Sailing Club

Stone Sailing Club played host to the 2003 Unicorn Nationals as part of the excellent Stone Week Regatta. The sailing was highly varied with winds from force 1 to force 7, courses around the club marks as well as Olympic and 'P' courses from a committee boat. All the events were held in the Blackwater River and required careful consideration of the very strong tides. Eleven boats competed but unfortunately the current National Champion, Dan Jarman was unable to attend.

Veteran Bob Dorks made a flying port start in the first race, closely followed by William Dawson, Peter Toft and Gary Piper. Dorks made the most of his local knowledge and held the lead throughout although he was chased hard to the line by Dawson as the winds eased during the latter stages. The afternoon race was in better winds and newcomer Glen Truswell led the fleet to the first mark followed by Dawson, Piper and Dorks. The lead changed numerous times but unfortunately Truswell suffered a failure on his new carbon rig leaving Dawson to take line honours followed by Piper and Dorks.

The races on Tuesday used a 'P' course from a committee boat. The first beat across a strong tide split the fleet and John Wade led around the first mark followed by Dawson and Piper. Dawson and Piper moved ahead but made an error on the second lap going for the wrong mark letting Wade back into the lead. Piper recovered quickly and regained the lead on the next lap which he held to the finish. Meanwhile Tony Welch had worked up through the fleet to take up second place only to give it away to Wade on the finish line.

The second race started in a brisk force 5, a major windshift at the start giving port end flyers for Gary Piper and William Dawson. They opened a large lead over Dorks, Stewart Legrove and Toft. The winds strengthened to force 6 in the second lap leading to a capsize for Welch and a rig breakage for Dawson when leading. Legrove made the most of the high winds which were gusting to over 30kts during the 3^rd lap and he worked through to a strong second place behind Piper. Truswell took 3^rd, the carbon rig working really well in the severe weather.

Following a lay day, Thursday set an Olympic course in very light and fickle winds. Dawson read the conditions well and took the lead from Piper, Toft and Wade. These four pulled away from the fleet but were joined by Welch at the end of the second beat. However the fickle conditions hit as the lead group sailed into calm conditions at the wing mark. The tide carried the lead group down river while the rest of the fleet continued to sail up to the wing mark, the earlier boats falling to the same fate. The wind finally kicked in and Truswell took first followed by Dawson and Welch.

A force 3 was welcome for the afternoon race which was led by Dawson, Toft, Piper and Dorks. Dawson took the win while in spite of having to complete a penalty turn Piper gradually recovered to take 2^nd from Toft.

The final race was in light and variable winds and saw the lead change between Toft, Dawson and Truswell. While these battled it out, veteran Bob Higgins closed up on the group, passing Toft and closing to within half a boat length of Truswell at the finish. Dawson took the win.

Endeavour Plate Stewart Legrove 1072 (SSC)