Wayfarer Western Area Championship at Arun Yacht Club - Preview
by Tim Townsend 8 Aug 2019 02:05 NZST
10-11 August 2019
2017 Wayfarer National Championship at Arun © Sue Blessett
After the excitement of the recent International and UK National Championships at Greystones SC, the Wayfarers return to the south coast of England over the weekend of 10th/11th August.
Arun Yacht club will host the Wayfarer Western Area Championships and event #6 of the Craftinsure sponsored UKWA National Circuit and Travellers Series 2019 (NCS). The Wayfarer fleet is no stranger to Arun YC which hosted a successful class National Championship in 2017 and the competitors will look forward to contending with all that open sea sailing can throw at them; clean winds, big waves and strong tides. At the recent week long Championships at Greystones, Co. Wicklow, the Wayfarer proved once again what a great all round racing boat it is with most of the series sailed in winds of around 20 knots or more.
To date, 62 boats, representing 23 different clubs, have competed in one or more of the open meetings and championships included in the NCS. The National Circuit Series, where the best three results (including at least one at a fresh water venue and one at a salt water venue) count, is currently led by Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend, followed closely by Andrew and Tom Wilson and Brian Lamb and Sam Pygall. In the Travellers Series, where all events count, It is the Wilsons who lead from Brian Lamb and Sam Pygall/Sue Risbridger. The Swarkestone team of Mike Weighill and Carl Martin hold third place.
Several of the leading competitors will be at Arun YC this weekend, when fresh to strong winds are expected.
In addition to the silverware, participation in the NCS events counts towards the end of season prize draw where there are great prizes on offer from the sponsors, Craftinsure, Hartley Boats, McNamara Sails, Allen Brothers and Pinnell & Bax. The greater the number of events attended the greater the chances of having your sail number drawn from the hat.
For more information about the Wayfarer Class please visit wayfarer.org.uk