Strong winds and ominous clouds greeted the 37 Larks that arrived at Bristol Corinthian YC for the Inland Nationals (17-18 May). The racing was tough during the weekend with many place changes on the tight course and in the shifty conditions. Some of the back markers practiced their capsize drills during the weekend.

At the onset of Saturday night’s festivities, Dougal Scott and Ruth Johnson were the top dogs with two golden bullets and a ninth. Sarah Richards, returning to the fleet after three years maternity leave, crewed by brother Nigel Wakefield were showing consistency with a first and two seconds. Simon Cox was lying third overall.

The winds abated overnight, only to return in time for the last two races. Chris Fish and Anna Hotchkiss overtook Nigel Hufton to lead and win the fourth race by a considerable margin. Further back in the fleet, Sarah Richards hauled her way up to third sufficiently far ahead of Dougal Scott/Ruth Johnson to take the title with a race to spare. Richards/Wakefield also won the last race. Lark Inland Championships at Bristol Corinthian YC

Strong winds and ominous clouds greeted the 37 Larks that arrived at Bristol Corinthian YC for the Inland Nationals (17-18 May). The racing was tough during the weekend with many place changes on the tight course and in the shifty conditions. Some of the back markers practiced their capsize drills during the weekend.

At the onset of Saturday night’s festivities, Dougal Scott and Ruth Johnson were the top dogs with two golden bullets and a ninth. Sarah Richards, returning to the fleet after three years maternity leave, crewed by brother Nigel Wakefield were showing consistency with a first and two seconds. Simon Cox was lying third overall.

The winds abated overnight, only to return in time for the last two races. Chris Fish and Anna Hotchkiss overtook Nigel Hufton to lead and win the fourth race by a considerable margin. Further back in the fleet, Sarah Richards hauled her way up to third sufficiently far ahead of Dougal Scott/Ruth Johnson to take the title with a race to spare. Richards/Wakefield also won the last race.

Overall Results

1st Sarah Richards/Nigel Wakefield 6pnts

2nd Dougal Scott/Ruth Johnson 19pnts

3rd Steve Dunn/Tegwyn Roborts 20pnts

4th Steve Cumley/Rachel Jones 21pnts

5th Chris Fish/Anna Hotchkiss 23pnts