2025

PSUK National Dinghy Sailing Championships
hosted by Cheshire Police
Wednesday-Thursday, 11th & 12th June, 2025
at Winsford Flash S.C.
Stocks Hill, Winsford, CW7 4EE

Update 04/07/25: Race Results, Report - plus Pictures of the Event, Beth's report...

Observations from the shore..

22 boats representing 10 police forces gathered at Winsford for the 50th running of the PAA/PSUK Dinghy Sailing Championships. Competitors were welcomed by the Cheshire ACC, Bill Dutton. The Race Officer was Jon Close.

Day One
For Race 1 a light SSE, F1-2 wind. The fleet got away on time heading for the windward mark (8), then to buoy 6 for a zigzag course down to buoy 3 and back through the start line. After the first beat tackled in shifting wind, Olly Saunders found himself first to arrive at the windward mark, closely followed by the two Phantoms, Nick Mason & Andy Taverner. The wind remained unsettled and the RS Feva was an early capsize followed by the Streaker and Supernova when caught in surprising gusts. The odd gust was catching out a few. The race at the front became a challenge between the two Phantoms and Charlie Devenport with crew, Adrian Bunting in the Essex Albacore. Matt Minton (DEVOTI D-ZERO) and Pete Walker (Laser) were also well up. At the end of the 50 minute race Saunders was the clear winner by almost two minutes on corrected time with Walker second and Mason third.

Race 2 after lunch started late due to a few boats with rigging problems. Fresher conditions. Same course and this time it was Mason first to the windward mark with the Albacore pressing, followed by Paul Franklin (Laser) who then capsized on the reach. Three Avon boats fighting for position managed to clash, with Jeff Stratford and Bob Lowrie coming off worst resulting in the tack on the mainsail coming adrift and forcing an early retirement. After 30 minutes racing Mason had established a healthy lead over Taverner with Devenport well up. Gybing by the IM buoy, Richard Gibson (Comet), a newcomer to sailing managed to capsize and wrap the mainsheet around the centreboard forcing him to retire. Saunders was again the clear winner on corrected time.

In Race 3 Mason had the perfect start and lead throughout the race. The fleet became well spread out. In mid-fleet Frank Lafferty (Supernova) and Alex Piggott (Laser) were enjoying the conditions with the wind strong enough to give them gains on the water. Meanwhile Stratford and Lowrie found themselves in deep water, with one at each end of their RS Vision. With encouragement from the rescue boat standing by, they managed to right the boat and continue sailing until eventually retiring.

Day 2 Course

Day Two opened with fair weather but with predicted storms due to arrive at 1pm. Briefing was held early and races planned back-to-back in order to finish racing before storms arrived.

Race 4 started promptly at 10.30. The wind was more towards the East and Buoy 6 was made the windward mark.  The wind, although light, was more consistent than Day One. Taverner, again lead by the first mark and by the second lap had a 200 yard lead over the second Phantom with Devenport, Lafferty and Piggott not far behind. By lap three Mason was making little headway against Taverner who had a 50 second lead. Piggott remained the leading Laser with the second Laser (Pete Walker) not far behind. The Race was shortened after 40 minutes, Saunders winning by a minute on corrected time from Piggott with Walker 3rd and Taverner with his best result of the series, 4th.

Race 5. Same course. In the light conditions Beth Colbourne (Laser) made a splendid start to be leading boat at the windward mark with Minton's Devoti following close behind. By the next mark Beth lost the lead but remained the leading Laser. After 1 lap Saunders retired followed shortly by Stuart Jenkins (Comet Versa). The Phantoms were sailing close together with, this time, Mason leading on lap 3. Then disaster.. Preparing to gybe at buoy 6, Mason caught a sudden gust with the inevitable wet result. Conditions favoured the Lasers who ended up 1st, 2nd, 3rd on corrected time.

The Championships had been well organised, thanks to Janet Gaukroger. Beth Colbourne and the Cheshire team. Thanks also to Jon Close and Winsford Flash Sailing Club who had made us very welcome  - and to 'the Flash' that had treated us kindly.

R.S.

 

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