Hornet National Championship 2023 at Mumbles Yacht Club - Overall

The third day of the Hornet Nationals was never looking promising and true to forecast 30 plus Knots on the racecourse left the race committee no options but to abandon racing for the day, this gave the fleet the opportunity to explore the beautiful Mumbles coastline.

The shortest AGM in class history was held in the evening, led by Chairman Sam Woolner looking forward to building on the classes numbers and talent. Vice Chair Terry Curtis gave chat on next years events and Championships at Dabchicks SC in the depths of Essex.

Mumbles YC catering crew hosted the Championship Dinner alongside the Kestrel fleet and, going hand in hand together like cheese and wine (which was also enjoyed), beer and sailing chat followed!

Sunday dawned much more promising and whilst still breezy, the race team set off into the bay with conviction and the fleet followed suit.

With the decision to only run two races after a heavy lay day, our new National Champions had already been declared, but more race wins were there to be had!

Hornet National Championship at Mumbles - photo © Richard Woffinden

In the first race of the day Skudder & Hills headed for the hills and off into the lead with the marginally lighter breeze. The boys in the borrowed 2190 gave good competition for owners Garry & Woolner and Coombe & Beer with a tussle between the three of them coming down to the final mark.

Curtis & Poulloin took their sixth win of the championship with McNamara & Chatterton again second and Skudder & Hills third after a a notable unhooking of the trapeze for Hills.

The Scottish contingent put up a great fight to stay fourth, with Coombe/Broatch/Garry in that order.

With first and second decided the fantastic conditions in Swansea Bay drew most of the fleet to the start line for the final race of a memorable championship and there was plenty to play for in the top six: Garry & Woolner could take third but needing a race win, Coombe & Beer to move into fourth and a potential snakes and ladders further down the pack.

Hornet National Championship at Mumbles - photo © Richard Woffinden

McNamara had one goal in sight, despite a guaranteed second place and no opportunity to build on that, he had a point to prove and the final race to win.

Curtis, having the perfect score sheet hoped to end the regatta with a clean sweep however this was plucked from his grasp and took an honourable second to McNamara, as his worst score of the week, and Garry (securing fourth place overall by a point) took third. Skudder had done enough to secure third overall.

Coombe & Beer in fifth making up a Starcross 3,4,5 for the second year in a row, more practice required for team SYC!

The scoresheet never lies, or so I am told! But in this case the racing was significantly tighter than it looks with constant place changes, close quarters manoeuvres and some of the best racing anyone has had in years.

A huge congratulations to our new National Champions Terry Curtis & Gavin Poulloin who sailed a solid regatta. And congratulations to Michael McNamara & Harry Chatterton for giving master classes around the racecourse and getting their final race win to finish second.

Hornet National Championship at Mumbles - photo © Ancel Davison

To potentially the lightest crew of Nigel Skudder & Keith Hills in literally punching well above their weight and showing how versatile the Hornet can be to finish third in testing conditions.

Thanks have to go to Richard Woffinden and his team at Mumbles for a well organised championships, and to the Kestrel fleet as well-mannered championship partners.

Also a big thanks to our sponsor Exe Sails, celebrating their tenth year this year and supporting the class since their beginning.

We look forward to seeing all the Hornet sailors at Rutland for our final fling in October!

Hornet National Championship at Mumbles - photo © Richard Woffinden

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Hornet nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

Hornet National Championship at Mumbles - photo © Ancel Davison