On Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September Weymouth SC hosted the National Squib South Coast Championships. Visitors came from as far north as Merseyside, as far as west as Plymouth and Suffolk in the east – a sizeable armada even came from overseas, well, the Isle of Wight.
The weather forecast had been looking dodgy for quite a few days so we all expected a lively wind with some rain – fortunately the latter didn't materialise. Two days of superb sailing were enjoyed by all.
RO Peter Jacobs and team did a splendid job utilising all the courses available, with 'proper' sized legs with some memorable surfing on the reaches and runs. Yes, squibs can surf ! Saturday gave a SW wind with brisk conditions with sunshine all day for 3 races. Sunday saw the wind from the ESE which gave choppy beats with exciting downwind legs as the wind gradually strengthened.
Only one black flag start in 5 races and no OCS boats – is this a record for the Squib fleet ?!
The event was won by Weymouth's Mike and Penny Fenwick sailing 758. Second was Aquabat number 13 from the Royal Victoria YC sailed by Ben Gibson and class chairman Steve Warren-Smith. Third was Pocahontas from South Caernarvonshire YC sailed by Mike Hughes and John Stephenson.
Weymouth SC are also looking forward to hosting next year's National Championships – 25th June to 1st July 2016 – squibs.wsc.org.uk
Next year's event will be held from 8th to 11th September near Bordeaux in conjunction with the Squib European Championships hosted by Cercle de Voile de Cazaux Lac – an exciting new venue for the class.
Submitted on 13th September 2015