Sailing Chandlery D-Zero National Championships at Llandudno Sailing Club - Runners and Riders
by David Valentine 14 Jun 2023 05:50 NZST
23-25 June 2023
2022 Barracuda Bay D-Zero Nationals at Brixham © Georgie Altham /
www.photoboat.co.uk
With the 8th D-Zero National Championships only days away and our great sponsor Sailing Chandlery in place, its time to do the review of who might win, who might not and who might surprise us all at Llandudno Sailing Club. (These are all our opinions and we're sticking to it).
This is a year without multiple nationals/euros/worlds winner, Nick Craig, no Steve Gaffer-Bolland and no Dan, the designer, Holman who liked the D-Zero so much he's won the Champs three times, so the field is wide open, there for the taking, simples.... Or maybe not?..... So, in no particular order here's our take on the form book:
Stork (Alistair McLaughlin to his enemies) flies in in light weather and is no slouch in the big breezes, 80% of the time he flies in the right direction at starts, tends to perch on the pin. For those looking forward, rather than enjoying the view astern you could worse that to take his flight path, only remember the wind is always the same ten minutes later! Remember that he beat the Rooster to win the RS300 Nationals so could be tipped for the top (no pressure there then!)
The Professor (Ian Baillie) like Stork, Ian is a past RS300 champion, was pretty quick in Lasers (ILCAs to the nippers) and can teach us a thing or two about the science of sailing. He'll have everything worked out, his starts will be calculating and his beats bring a degree of speed a lot of us just don't understand. When it's windy he turns the mainsail inside out (not pretty, but fast) and generally heads to the top of the class. Watch him he could be after a championship win, now he's got nothing better to do!
Tin Man, the Dealer, the Chairman (David Valentine) gets faster every year, and he has time to train, 'cos he doesn't have a proper job! If its breezy he could be up there, but never follow him as he doesn't really know where's he's going.... he just gets there quickly! Having forgot to tell Dan, Nick and Steve where and when the championships are he is sure of finishing three places better this year at least!
Bertie Bassett (Jon Bassett) has been showing an assortment of great pace, winning speed and loads of potential, he's always been in the running at Nationals and is winning locally too. Having "given up work" to refine his sailing, spot birds and be a better Dad (he says) this could be a year when Jon jumps onto the podium. All sorts of people think he could do well his year.
The Quiet Man (Scott Munro) let's his sailing do the talking and has given the likes of "BIG" Neil Ritchie a run for his money, but then they're not know for splashing the cash up in Aberdeen. One of the fit big guy's Scott could be a force to be reckoned with if it gets breezy and the Stonehaven guys love big waves too (he'll want a Northerly F5/6)
James Jenkins - another Emsworthian racing against Olympic coaches & multiple Champions, and has challenged and beaten others mentioned here in some good breeze and longer race weeks, age is on his side, and could be right up in the top 5, plus doesn't have his dad to keep him awake this year snoring !!
John Aston - always been right up there, has a No.3 on his sail so the D-Zero itself is keen, and has good form so maybe an each way bet as long as his lovely green/blue teal hull doesn't get spotted on the startline
SLIMB BOY (Simon Limb) - new to the nationals and relatively new to the D-Zero this one mean Yorkshireman who give no free space at a start, a mark or crossing. He has great speed up to 10kts, when he's maxed out!, but he'll give nothing away for free at any time and is gritty to the end. Could be a in the top of the fleet in light to medium winds.
Paul Jefferies, ex and founding chairman - can be quick in the right conditions, the flukey, shifty & weedy stuff, though like Martin Latimer.... Can he last the pace - or will he crash & burn. He's got winning form at his home club.... An outside bet maybe?
GRUMPY (Martin Latimer) - Many, many buckets of talent have been sent his way, and lost by the couriers [so DV says], the potential is good especially if he can string things together and not throw a wobbly, bash his head or knacker his knee. Probably better at 4-wheel drifting or handbrake turning than straight lining! Has been in training with the Stork, but has he learnt anything?
Liz Potter - Lets the boat do the talking (see what we did there) - If the winds light, there is very good potential, as apparently Zippy doesn't like breeze but does like dolphins. Scored a maiden D-Zero win at the Largs One Design so who knows how good Zippy really is?
Gordon Stewart - always in the mix and always 'avin a larf is fitter and faster being another one who's given up working and is living life to the full. Watch him on boat to boat! Could be further up the ladder this year and ahead of the Zippy, Mick Green, Grumpy quartet.
And was mentioned in the first draft but a late withdrawal due to a cub camp (I'm sure that's what he said) - Andy McIvor - has piloted a few decent boats (though not as good as the DZ obviously) including those foily thingys, though was challenged in the breeze - needs more purchase maybe or to purchase more [Ed. add] !
We can't mention everyone (though open to drinks, free food etc to add for next year) but loads of people are improving and while the so-called Top Cats are away (did they choose to or was it an error) who knows how the Nationals will play out? Watch social media and Y&Y for news.
Roll of Honour - D-Zero National Champions:
Dan Holman - 2015
Ian Morgan - 2016
George Cousins - 2017
Steve Bolland - 2018
Dan Holman - 2019
[No Event] - 2020
Dan Holman - 2021
Nick Craig - 2022
Who ? - 2023