Category: Dart 18

Dart 18 Singlehanded and Ladies UK Championships 2012 (sponsored by Windsport) – 13th & 14th October 2012

Blue skies and puffy clouds greeted the teams as they rigged up at Parkstone YC club for a great weekend of  close Dart18 catamaran racing. The Windsport support team and trailer were on hand to keep sailors on the water and offer technical advice.  This was the last of nine UK  Dart 18 events the Windsport team has supported in 2012 with a comprehensive event package that only the Sprint 15 class (also supported by Windsport), can match.

Travelling to a Dart18 event is more than just the racing. The fleet racing is great, but the backup, help and social atmosphere is even better!!

Over the course of the weekend The Parkstone event saw:-

Day 1 saw a fresh breeze  with a strong spring tide across the course, requiring eyes out of the boat to  take advantage of every opportunity on the course. Every boat completed all 3 races setting up the following days racing as a cliff hanger.

Day 2  delivered a lighter breeze but just as testing with numerous changes in boat positions right up to the finish line of each race. The 6 race series  tallied up to a very close finish at the top in both fleets, with numerous battles mid fleet.

Alicia and Louisa Clifford won the Ladies championships by just one point from local team Cat Lee-Elliott -Marian Hallet.  Alicia and Louise are new to the Dart fleet but really enjoyed the close racing.

Des Barns won the singlehanded championships by the narrowest of margins.  He finished the event on equal points with Paul Grattage but took the trophy by virtue of  a count back. Remarkably Paul sailed  over from the IOW  just to compete, sailing back on the Monday!

No surprise it proved to be a great weekend on and off the water and for those who could not make it, you missed a great weekend.

Next and final event of the Dart TT program is @ Marconi end of October, a great event to finish the summer season off forAll Dart sailors.

Final results

Parkstone trophy Winners

Dart Singlehanded Championships 1st Des Barnes (Bridlington Sc), 2nd Paul Grattage(Stokes Bat SC) 3rd Bruce Stunt (Parkstone YC)

Dart Ladies Championships 1st Alicia & Louisa Clifford (Whitstable YC ) 2^nd Cat Lee- Elliott & Marian Hallett (Parkstone YC) 3rd Mary Hill & Rosemary Crinon (Parkstone YC)

Win a weekend of Catamaran Coaching

This is an opportunity not to be missed.  Our Location on the banks of the Fal is perfect for catamaran sailing and with a chance to win  - your personal coach for  two days  intensive training – All you have to do is fill out a simple on line form or come to our Dart 18 or Sprint 15 stand at Alexander Palace at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show.

Windsport has camping onsite, B & B close by and for those who want to splash out luxury hotels just down the road. Your visit to Cornwall does not have to be all about training, take a day or so either side and enjoy a short break with family or friends. There are plenty of places to explore, famous restaurants, cliff walks, picture galleries; the list goes on and on. For those who want some alternative sailing action, Windsport landyachting is an activity not to be missed.  For more information on the Windsport coaching weekend contact the Windsport office info@windsport.co.uk Tel: 01326 376191