Dabchicks Sailing Club at West Mersea proved a very popular venue for the 2007 Stratos national championship over the weekend with twice as many entries as the inland venue of 2006. Triangular courses set well offshore in the Blackwater Estuary gave five good races, under the faultless management of Race Officer Peter Fitt.

In the first race Terry, John Crook and son were first to the windward mark but sailed to the wrong leeward mark, letting Mike Beggs and Peter Barker through to the win.

The second race, on a day forecast to be light winds, saw rain showers bringing down 25 knot squalls, with inventive ways of capsizing in which Michael Dye and crew Jane showed great creativity.

In the third race, with building ebb tide, rounding the windward mark became entertaining, with first Beggs catching Crook on port so they both floated off on the tide letting Jason Wild and crew Vicky MacLaughlin into the lead.

On Sunday the weather improved giving excellent racing, both races won by Terry Crook but too late to prevent Beggs winning overall.

Overall Results
1st Mike Beggs and Peter Barker Lymington Town Sailing Club, 5 points
2nd Terry Crook, John Cook and son Blackwater Sailing Club, 6 points
3rd Jason Wild and Vicki MacLaughlin Whitstable Yacht Club, 11 points
4th Brian George and Ian Vince Dabchicks Sailing Club, 14 points
5th Michael Dye and Jane. Fishers Green Sailing Club, 21 points
6th Peter and Sandy Carter and family Whitstable Yacht Club, 22 points
7thGareth Hughes and Mark Treadwell. Burghfield Sailing Club, 25 points
8th Neil, Ben and George Luckett. Felixstowe Ferry SC, 27 points