British Moth National Championship 2024 at Hollowell Sailing Club
by BMBA 17 Aug 17:41 NZST
7-9 August 2024
The British Moth Nationals were once again held at Hollowell Sailing Club from 7th to 9th August. With an increased number of entries on previous years it was all set for a good event.
Race 1 started in blustery conditions with the usual suspects at the front of the field, Toby Cooper (Broxbourne SC) went on to take the win followed by Tim Davison (Medley SC) in second & Toby Smith (Medley SC) showing excellent form in third place. Sadly it was too windy for Peter Agwin (Severn SC) who was sporting an arm injury & he retired & didn't sail again but stayed on to support the rest of the event. Graham Pope (Severn SC) retired after a disappointing first race to do some serious bimbling.
Race 2 saw no let up in the wind which was starting to take its toll. Tim Davison had a good start & finished in first ahead of Toby Cooper. Mike Harding (Hollowell SC) was 5th & showing a lot of potential in a boat lent to him by Abby Freeley & would improve through the event. BM newby Andrew Parsons (Medley SC) was battling away towards the back of the fleet & said he learnt a lot from sailing in the difficult conditions.
After race 2 the Mothists retired for tea & cakes as they do. Later on the AGM was held & Andrew Parsons somehow found himself as class chairman with Tim Davison as VC with Medley SC being the heart of the Moth fleet this seems to be the way forward for the class. Ian Edwards once again said he would carry on as Treasurer for another year. There was a vote of thanks for Toby Cooper for his work over the last year as chair. After the AGM the sailors were fed in style by the wonderful Sue in the galley & were watered thanks to a barrel of beer supplied by Popes Brewery.
The second day of the event dawned with news of two retirements from the event, Toby Cooper being unwell & Toby Smith due to family circumstance but the fleet was joined by Simon Hall & Liam Gray both from Maidenhead SC
Race 3 saw the wind blowing harder & gustier. Mike Harding showed great form having done some serious boat tweaking & won the race but had to be towed in immediately afterwards due to a broken rudder, Tim Davison took second place followed by Andy Matthews (Fowey Gallants SC). Graham Pope had a much better result (4th) following his bimbling. Liam Gray in a boat borrowed from Simon Hall didn't make the start due to a broken rudder & Colin Hall (Hunt SC) had to retire after needing rescuing from a capsize. Gavin Goodall had his best race of the event with a 6th place.
Race 4 was sailed back to back with race 3 & saw Liam Gray sailing with his repaired rudder which would fail again before the end of the race & leaving him needing to be towed in. With Mike Harding unable to sail it allowed Tim Davison to take first place followed by Andy Matthews & Graham Pope. Further back Gary Tompkins (Hunts SC) & Gary Hogan (Emberton Park SC) were having a battle along with Elaine Laverty (Leamington Spa SC) with Elaine losing out due to an incident allowing the Garys to get away with Gary T taking 4th & Gary H 5th.
Race 5 was held after lunch on day two & saw the return of Mike Harding with a repaired rudder & Liam Gray with a borrowed rudder. There was a restart due to the lead boat taking the fleet on the wrong course, well done to Gavin Goodall for actually going the right way! Mike Harding sailed an excellent race for first place Andy (Mr Consistency) Matthews was second again & Colin Hall a respectable third, Tim Davison had his worst result with a 6th following a nasty capsize & Elaine Laverty decided discretion was the better part of valour & retired
Race 6 was held on the last day of the championships in what seemed benign conditions compared to the previous 2 days. Tim Davison was just needing a second place to win the championship which he did. Andy Matthews finally got that elusive first place with Mike Harding in third. Colin Hall once again lost out due to a capsize & new class chair Andrew Parsons scored his best result with an 8th place.
Race 7 saw Tim Davison break his kicking strap & retire but it didn't matter as he already had the championship tied up. Mike Harding took first again followed by Andy Matthews with Gary Tompkins in a creditable third place.
This year the class trialled a Personal Handicap Championship alongside the main event & this was won by Graham Pope.
Overall Results:
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| Pos | Fleet | Boat | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Veteran | Mulligan | 892 | Tim Davison | Medley | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ‑6 | 2 | (DNF) | 8 |
| 2nd | Senior | x Moth | 881 | Andy Mathews | Fowey Gallants | ‑4 | ‑3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| 3rd | Senior | | 884 | Mike Harding | Hollowell | ‑5 | 5 | 1 | (DNC) | 1 | 3 | 1 | 11 |
| 4th | Veteran | Grommit | 828 | Graham Pope | Severn | ‑10 | (DNC) | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 19 |
| 5th | Senior | Lapwing | 883 | Gary Tomkins | Hunts | ‑7 | 6 | ‑7 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 25 |
| 8th | Veteran | Ockhams Razor | 856 | Colin Hall | Hunts | 6 | 7 | (DNF) | 7 | 3 | ‑10 | 5 | 28 |
| 7th | Senior | Northern Soul | 894 | Gary Hogan | Emberton Park | 8 | ‑9 | 5 | 5 | (DNC) | 6 | 7 | 31 |
| 8th | Senior | Wobbiley Bob | 898 | Elaine Laverty | Leamington Spa | ‑9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | (DNF) | 7 | 6 | 35 |
| 9th | Senior | | 847 | Simon Hall | Maidenhead | (DNC) | (DNC) | 9 | DNF | 9 | 9 | 8 | 43 |
| 10th | Senior | | 889 | Liam Grey | Maidenhead | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNF | DNF | 05:00 | 11 | DNF | 45 |
| 11th | Senior | Fidgit | 836 | Andrew Parsons | Medley | (RET) | RET | 10 | DNF | (DNC) | 8 | 9 | 46 |
| 12th | Senior | There is No Spoon | 887 | Toby Cooper | Broxbourne | 1 | 2 | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 51 |
| 13th | Senior | Shwarzeneggar | 812 | Gavin Goodall | Telford | 11 | 10 | 6 | (DNC) | 8 | (16 | NC) | 51 |
| 14th | Senior | Blue One | 888 | Toby Smith | Medley | 3 | 4 | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 55 |
| 15th | Senior | | 859 | Peter Angwin | Servern | DNF | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 76 |
1st Veteran, Tim Davison
1st Lady, Elaine Laverty
Endeavour trophy, Andrew Parsons
Vintage Boat, Gavin Goodall
Team Trophy, Team B (Tim D, Elaine L, Andrew P)
A big thank you to John Burford who travelled all the way from Fowey in Cornwall to be Race Officer for the event ably assisted by Pete Jackson from Hollowell SC, thanks also to all the rescue crew who were kept busy for the event, particularly Stuart who lead the boats for the first lap of each race & last but not least to Sue & Nicky in the galley for keeping us fed & watered so well.