Papercourt Weather

Access Dinghy National Championships – 11/12 July

Congratulations to Alex Hovden and support team on an amazing result!
Report from Alex below ...

The Access UK Nationals 2009 were held at Northampton, based out of Pitsford Reservoir just north of Northampton. I had never been there before, although we did know someone from their Sailability whom we had met at a previous competition.

I was sailing the Liberty, which we borrowed from Papercourt Sailing Club. For the racing, the Liberty would be given its own separate start, as there were 6 Libertys competing.

On the Saturday morning, racing was postponed due to the lack of wind. Racing finally got underway in the afternoon in light, shifty (and occasionally non-existent) wind. The course was a trapezoidal course, however by the time they started the race, the upwind leg had turned into a reach across the wind!

Race 1... I got a decent start, and was the first boat to round the first mark. I held on to this lead for most of the two laps that we did. Unfortunately, a bit of bad luck and loss of concentration resulted in me dropping back, and I finished 3rd in this race. Race 1 result: 3rd.

Race 2... Just as the race committee were about to call it a day, the wind filled in to a constant force 2. They adjusted the position of the course, and started the sequence. I got a very strong start, and again was the leader by the windward mark. For the next two legs, the racing was very close, with places being gained and lost every few boat lengths however by the time we were on the upwind leg again, I was the leader again. There I stayed for the remainder of the race to record an emphatic first win! Race 2 result: 1st.

Overnight, I was the leader on 4 points, with my closest opposition on 5 points. The pressure was on...

The next day, the wind had strengthened to a force 3 gusting 4. I was out on the course early to ensure I could prepare properly.

Race 3... Again, I had a good start, and was focussed on being the first boat at the windward mark, which I was, allowing me to hold on to 1st place for the rest of the race. Race 3 result: 1st.

Race 4... This race, I followed a similar plan to race 3. However luck was not on my side as I battled with a rudder malfunction. Despite being in the lead for some of the race, I had to settle for 2nd as the issue with the rudder hindered my upwind performance. Race 4 result: 2nd.

At lunch, the issue with the rudder was resolved. Again, I was the leader by just one point.

Race 5... The wind had strengthened to a constant force 4. In this race I was focussed on staying between my competition and the next mark. This meant covering him on the upwind leg, and defending my water downwind. It worked, which secured the race. Race 5 result: 1st.

Race 6... I had worked out that I only needed a 2nd place to secure the series. This allowed me to relax (or so I thought). A rubbish start resulted in me having to fight all the way up the first beat. Nevertheless, I was the first boat to round the windward mark, and there I stayed for the rest of the race, securing the series and the championship. Race 6 result: 1st.

So, I had won the series. My 3rd place was my discarded score, leaving me with 6 points from 5 races. In the end, I was 3 points ahead of my opposition.

Overall, I am very pleased with my performance during the championships, and it reflects the improvement that I have made since I last competed in the Liberty two years ago. Despite this, the competition, which included past champions Melvin Kinnear and Simon Harle, and also David Durston who has much more experience than me, kept pushing me right until the end so it was not a walk in the park!

Thanks go to Papercourt Sailing Club and Sailability – without whom I wouldn’t have had access to the Liberty. Particular thanks go to Mum, Dave, Ben, Marianne, Sylvia, and Derek for their help during the weekend. Also to Guildford Marine for rescuing us by providing us with a trolley! Thanks also to Northampton Sailability and the Access Class Association for such a well organised event.

A whole new chapter has begun. Winning will be far easier from now... whatever boat I am in.

 Back to main news page