54th Unicorn National Championship at Weston Sailing Club
by Dan Jarman 23 Jun 2023 17:05 NZST
16-18 June 2023
William Dawson became the 2023 Unicorn Nationals held at Weston Sailing Club. The self-described 'bridesmaid', having not won the Nationals since 1995, put together consistently good results to produce a convincing win over the eight race series held between 16th-18th June.
A balmy force 3 to 4 breezed into Southampton Water, bang on cue for a midday start. With a return to his former club, Dawson managed to hold off some robust challenges from Gary Piper and Grant Piggott to win both races on day 1.
Conditions for the start of race 3 on Saturday morning were extremely light, but again Dawson kept a cool head to secure another win. A solid breeze filled in for the afternoon's racing and after his own troublesome start to the regatta it was Dan Jarman who eventually settled in to take the early afternoon race.
Grant Piggott was next to get into the mix. Having found and beautifully restoring a foam sandwich, glass fibre Unicorn that his father had built many years ago, Piggott was in serious contention and went on to win the final race of the day just ahead of multihull stalwart Paul Chatfield in second place.
Back to shore and it was time for competitors to kick back for a sunset barbecue and acoustic live music on the waterfront, all provided by the Unicorn association.
Fortunately the weather forecasters got it wrong for Sunday. Instead of light winds, competitors woke to a solid force 4, much to Dan Jarman's liking who went on to take races 6 and 7. Despite this late challenge, Dawson's consistent set of results at the top end were looking certain for him to clinch the series. Grant Piggott proved once more that his recently restored Unicorn was on-point, with a comfortable win in fresh conditions for the final race.
But this was to be William Dawson's time and after 28 years it was pleasing for all to see him lift the Mazzotti Trophy once again.
Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Unicorn nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here
| Pos | Helm | Sail No | Boat Name | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | William Dawson | 1091 | | Stokes Bay | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ‑5 | 2 | 2 | (DNC) | 9 |
| 2nd | Dan Jarman | 1088 | | Locks | ‑6 | 4 | ‑7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| 3rd | Grant Piggott | 1073 | | Weston SC | ‑4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | (RET) | 3 | 1 | 14 |
| 4th | Gary Piper | 1094 | | Stokes Bay | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | ‑6 | 3 | 4 | (DNC) | 20 |
| 5th | Paul Chatfield | 1098 | | Stokes Bay | 3 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 4 | (RET) | (DNC) | 23 |
| 6th | Julius Mach | 1095 | | Weston SC | 5 | 6 | 5 | ‑7 | ‑8 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 29 |
| 7th | Adam Piggott | FF | Fast Fingers | Weston SC | DNS | DNS | 3 | 6 | 4 | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | 45 |
| 8th | lain Rogers | 1092 | | Stokes Bay | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7 | (DNC) | (DNC) | 4 | 45 |
| 9th | Andy Bunyan | 1026 | | Stewartby | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 6 | (DNC) | (DNC) | 47 |
| 10th | Will Stefanou | 1093 | | Stokes Bay | (DNC) | (DNC) | 8 | RET | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 67 |
| 11th | Adam Piggott | 1062 | | | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 72 |