Thorpe Bay held its annual 9er open on the last weekend of September. The forecast did not promise a lot of wind but all six races were held over the two days.

Saturdays three races were light – the last race of the day proving a challenge for some against a strengthening tidal stream and dying wind. Sunday did not look good but by the end of the day a good 10 knot easterly had kicked in giving a great race for the last sail of the day.

In the 49er fleet the expected strong teams did not have it all their own way. Wins from Colin Goodman and Bruce Spratt, and Mark and Paul Dell meant that the overall winners Paul Campbell-James and Mark Asquith had their work cut out and had to resort to match racing in the last race to ensure victory.

National champions Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign kept a steady score to finish second overall.

The large fleet of 29ers was dominated in the light winds of Saturday and early Sunday by the girl teams of Francis Peters and Claire Lasko, and Becky Diamond and Fiona Hampshire. The stronger wind in the last race of the event gave the boy teams a look in and along with some excellent sailing in the lighter winds James Hopson and Dan Henderson finished a very credible second.

Overall Results

49er

1st Paul Campell-James and Mark Asquith

2nd Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign

3rd Mark and Paull Dell

29ers

1st Francis Peters and Claire Lasko

2nd James Hopson and Dan Henderson

3rd Nick Redding and Adam Hilton