The British International 420 Class Open and National Championships at Hayling Island SC attracted a total of 72 entries, with many of the placings up for grabs until the final day.

The exception was top British pair Nic Asher and Elliot Willis, who built a commanding lead to the point where they required only one win to take the title on the final day. But with only a few points separating the chasing group, there was everything to play for further down the rankings.

Leading at the mark in the first race of the final day, an early advantage which they displayed on several days during the week, leaders in the Ladies’ Championship, local Hampshire sailors Alison Martin and Bethan Carden found themselves passed by Asher and Willis and strong Malaysian pair Jeremy Koo Wui Ken and Loo Sing Yew who took an advantageous inshore course. Quickly gaining ground, Ladies National Youth Champions Charlotte Savage and Maia Walsh slipped past the early leader, closely pursuing Asher and Willis to the finish. With the Malaysian pair finishing third and Sam Carter and 2001 National Champion crew Paul Davies producing one of their best results of the week to finish fourth, Martin and Carden took a good fifth to move up to fourth overall ahead of National Youth Champions Laurie Fitzjohn-Sykes and Tom Mapplebeck.

With their victory now secure, Asher and Willis inevitably relaxed, sailing to a comfortable third in the second race. Scottish pair Callum Macdonald and Andrew Greer reached the first mark ahead of the next placed Malaysian pair by a large margin, an advantage which they maintained to the finish, preserving their second overall placing by four points from Koo Wui Ken and Sing Yew. Local Hayling Island sailors Oliver Dix and Philip Lasko produced their best race of the week to finish fifth. A 10th place held Martin and Carden in fourth for the championship with Fitzjohn-Sykes and Mapplebeck finishing sixth to narrow the margin between themselves and the Ladies’ leaders.

With the both the Open and Ladies’ titles decided, and Asher and Willis opting to rest on their laurels, the third race promised a battle for the other leading positions. In a freshening wind, Savage and Walsh made a flying start to take a narrow lead from Koo Wui Ken and Sing Yew. The Malaysian pair consolidating a excellent week to pass the female boat and finish second overall, Fitzjohn-Sykes and Mapplebeck took fifth, with sufficient advantage over Martin and Carden to ease past them in the rankings and steal fourth place. Excepting discards, never outside the top 10, the consistent form of Macdonald and Greer held them in third. Fifth overall, Martin and Carden also won the Ladies’ Championship by a substantial margin.

Local sailors showed good form throughout the championships, with Hayling Island sailors Oliver Dix and Philip Lasko taking ninth position, while Itchenor pair Rachel Wigmore and Sophie Anderson finished fourth in the Ladies Championship and 15th overall.

After a full week of sailing, Asher and Willis displayed their dominance and skill in all conditions, justifying their second position in last month’s world championship in Portugal. With a strong international field and considerable competition, they nonetheless cruised to victory and are clearly British Olympic hopefuls of the future. Despite the clear margin of their victory, however, the racing was exciting throughout the week with the competition brought to a climax as the placings were only decided in the final race.

Overall Results
1Nic Asher and Elliot Willis (GBR)
2Jeremy Koo Wui Ken and Loo Sing Yew (MAS)
3Callum Macdonald and Andrew Greer (GBR)
4Laurie Fitzjohn-Sykes and Tom Mapplebeck (GBR)
5Alison Martin and Bethan Carden (GBR)

For full results click here