Papercourt Club Championships 2009
A light Northerly greeted the competitors assembled for the annual Papercourt Club Championships on Saturday 17th October. With a number of current and past National Champions in attendance including Alex Hovden (Liberty Access), Colin Smith (Laser), and Nigel Bird (Enterprise Master) as well as the club’s top sailors, the scene was set for a battle royal. A total of 70 sailors took part in 3 races across 13 classes. Large fleets and light winds put a premium on a good start with the inevitable OCS appearing liberally across the scoresheets.
The fleet of boats was divided into two events, the first, the Champion of Champions (CoC) which is for those that have won silverware at Papercourt or won an open meeting away from the club, attracted 24 entries. The second, the Lawes Trophy, was by no means a lesser competition with 39 entries including a large fleet of Optimists as well as Fevas, as some of the Optimist trainers and sailors took the opportunity to try out a two handed boat.
The CoC was dominated by Alex Hovden in the Liberty Access, who won every race. The fight for second was a five way battle between the Mirror of Paul and James Hammett, last years runner’s up, the Solos of Roger Puttock, Mike Murphy and Patrick Fell as well as Sam Tozer and Julian Jones in an RS200. Race 1 saw Alex Hovden take the honours with Roger Puttock recovering well from a poor start to finish second, the Hammetts in the Mirror third and Patrick Fell in the Solo fourth. The wind firmed slightly in the second race and Hovden prevailed again to win from Fell in the Solo, the Hammetts third and Mike Murphy in the Solo fourth. An OCS caught out Colin Smith in the Laser who looked well placed on the water. In the last race the Hammetts and Hovden had to return after premature starts. Hovden again won comfortably from Sam Tozer and Julian Jones in the RS200, James Scott in an Optimist was an impressive third and Colin Smith in the Laser fourth. Behind Hovden the battle for second overall was tight with one point separating Patrick Fell second, the Hammetts third (first two-hander) and Roger Puttock. James Scott in the Optimist took seventh and the under 13 price. Rebecca Clark in a Topper took 1st Lady and Ollie Matchell in a Topper took the Youth under 16 prize.
The Lawes was a tight series with the consistent Andy Bird in the Topper with three seconds pipped by Niall Maynard, in a single handed Graduate, who after a second race wobble in fifth place had two firsts in races 1 and 3. Four Solos separated by four points followed - Frank Brown, James Ralph, Chris Bryant (winner of race 2) and Dean Silcock. Jamie Smith took seventh, the under 13 prize and was first of a seventeen strong Optimist fleet. Iain Bird in an Optimist was the first under 10 sailor. The leading two hander was the RS200 of Craig Clarke / Charlie Beck in 21st place with the first Feva Jessy Hammett and Esther Fenton-Jones in 23rd.
A great day was had by all and a big thanks to the race team led by Martin and Ann Smith who worked tirelessly to ensure racing was to a high standard.
Prize Winners
Champion of Champions
1st Alex Hovden (Liberty Access)
2nd Patrick Fell (Solo), and 1st Master
3rd Paul Hammett and James Hammett (Mirror) and 1st two handed boat
6th Mike Murphy (Solo) 1st Grand Master Helm
7th James Scott (Optimist) 1st Junior (Under 13) Helm
14th Rebecca Clarke (Topper) 1st Lady helm
17th Oliver Matchel (Topper) 1st Youth (Under 16) Helm
Lawes Trophy
1st Niall Maynard – SH Graduate and 1st Master
2nd Andy Bird – Topper and 1st Lady
3rd Frank Brown – Solo
1st First two handed boat Craig Clarke / Charlie Beck (RS200)
1st Junior (Under 13) Helm Jamie Smith (Optimist)
1st Junior (Under 10) Iain Bird (Optimist)
1st Feva Jessy Hammett and Esther Fenton-Jones
