LOMO Blaze Inland Championships 2024 at Chase Sailing Club

LOMO Blaze Inlands at Chase © Charlie Minton Photography

The 2024 LOMO Blaze Inland Championships unfolded over the weekend of October 12th and 13th at The Chase Sailing Club, offering a blend of challenging weather and fierce competition.

This event was not only the final Blaze Championship of the season, but also the deciding race of the Blaze Traveller Series. Saturday's forecast promised steady winds of 10-15 knots, but conditions were expected to drop sharply to near-calm by Sunday afternoon. This left the Officer of the Day (OOD), Graham Flynn, with the tricky task of fitting in all six scheduled races. To capitalize on Saturday's favourable breeze, the plan was swiftly adjusted to run five consecutive races. It was an ambitious strategy, but the competitors rose to the challenge.

After a quick briefing, the 32-strong fleet launched and headed to the racecourse, ready for two back-to-back races to start the day.

The action kicked off in Race 1 with the fleet surging off the start line in a flurry of sails, each competitor jostling for position on the way to the windward mark. It was Christian Smart from Pembrokeshire Yacht Club who mastered the conditions, claiming victory after a hard-fought battle. Hot on his heels, Malcolm Hutchings sailed smoothly into 2nd place, while Charlie Matthews showcased his season's consistency by locking down 3rd.

Without missing a beat, the OOD promptly launched Race 2, and once again, the sailors charged off with precision. This time, local talent Ben Pickering from Chase Sailing Club stole the show, navigating the shifts with pinpoint accuracy to seize 1st place. Close behind, Mark Blackham, another Chase SC sailor, pushed hard to secure 2nd, while Charlie Matthews made his mark yet again with another solid 3rd-place finish. The competition was heating up, with the top sailors setting the stage for an intense day of racing ahead.

LOMO Blaze Inlands at Chase - photo © Charlie Minton Photography

With two races completed, the sailors took a well-earned lunch break, courtesy of Trish Blackham and her fantastic catering team. However, the OOD gave only a brief reprieve, determined to keep the momentum going by running the next three races consecutively. Groans were heard from the fleet, but they obediently prepared for a long afternoon on the water.

Race 3 provided a true test of skill, as the wind had built to a lively force 3 (11-16 knots). The fleet fought their way around the course through a turbulent wind, with a handful of sailors struggling to stay upright. The Chase SC rescue team was kept busy but handled everything smoothly. Four boats retired early (DNF) due to the challenging conditions and some mechanical failures, but Ben Pickering showed no signs of faltering, taking another 1st place. William Gould from Carsington SC claimed 2nd, with Charlie Matthews once again in 3rd.

LOMO Blaze Inlands at Chase - photo © Charlie Minton Photography

Despite exhaustion creeping in, the OOD pressed on with Race 4. By now, seven boats had retired, choosing the comfort of the clubhouse bar over the breezy conditions. For those who remained, the race was another tough battle. Charlie Matthews took 1st place, with Alan Harris from Porthpean SC in 2nd, and Ben Pickering rounding out the top three.

With one final race planned for the day, the OOD stuck to his word, knowing Sunday's forecast looked bleak. Although the breeze lightened slightly, only 17 boats lined up for Race 5. This race was critical, as it could determine the overall winner if the wind failed to arrive the following day. The race was thrown into disarray by a significant wind shift, but the sailors adapted well. Charlie Matthews secured another 1st place, followed by William Gould in 2nd and Ben Pickering in 3rd. With the sun setting and a long day complete, the fleet returned to shore, exhausted but with smiles intact. The sailors gathered for a lively Mexican-themed night back at the clubhouse. The Blaze fleet partied hard, draining the bar dry of tequila, Sambuca, and Mexican beer. Spirits were high, though the evening left more than a few sore heads for Sunday morning.

LOMO Blaze Inlands at Chase - photo © Charlie Minton Photography

Day 2: One Final Race Decides the Champion

Despite some bleary eyes, the fleet was greeted with more breeze than expected on Sunday morning. The OOD reminded everyone of the 10:30 AM start time, keen to get the final race under way before the wind vanished.

Race 6 proved decisive, with Ben Pickering taking an early lead and skilfully covering his competitors to maintain his advantage. Knowing a strong finish was crucial for the podium, Ben sailed a smart race, crossing the line in 1st. Charlie Matthews followed closely in 2nd, with Christian Smart securing 3rd.

LOMO Blaze Inlands at Chase - photo © Charlie Minton Photography

After the boats were packed away, the scores were tallied, and the podium places confirmed. Commodore Dave Watkins delivered his closing remarks, thanking everyone involved and congratulating the competitors.

Overall Results:

Ben Pickering's commanding performance across both days earned him the overall championship title, with Charlie Matthews securing second place after a well-fought campaign. Christian Smart's consistent sailing placed him third, with Alan Harris and Mark Blackham rounding out the top five.

The prize table had groaned under the sponsored Lomo goodies and other class spoils, and the customary raft of Blaze Class prize categories were all well served.

LOMO Blaze Inlands at Chase - photo © Andy Wilson

As well as the envied and kindly sponsored Lomo Blaze Expedition Holdalls for the top three, two more went to the Endeavour (last to finish all races) and the first polyester sailors. The remaining category winners were:

1st Lady - Alex Porteous - Royal Corinthian YC
1st Youth - Will Gould - Carsington
1st Master - Christian Smart - Pembrokeshire YC
1st Grandmaster - Mark Blackham - Chase SC
1st Great grandmaster - Pete Barlow - Burghfield SC
1st Polyester boat - Ollie Williams - Burton SC
John Abbot Mid Fleet - Mark Cuthbert - Leigh and Lowton SC
Endeavour - Mark Cuthbert
Best improver - Mark Cuthbert
Faff award - Theo Holmes - Carsington SC (for still splicing control lines 10 mins before first launch)
D**k of the Day - James Vyse - The Chase SC (for 'overindulging' on Friday night)

LOMO Blaze Inlands at Chase - photo © Andy Wilson

The Chase Sailing Club once again demonstrated why it's a perfect venue for championship events. The club's ability to handle varying wind conditions, an experienced race team, and excellent facilities make it a favourite among sailors. The hospitality, from the food to the post race celebrations, creates a welcoming atmosphere that encourages fierce competition on the water and camaraderie ashore.

The 2024 LOMO Blaze Inland Championships delivered everything: strong winds, light breezes, rain, sunshine, and thrilling racing. With outstanding organization, a fantastic race team, and a dedicated group of competitors, it was a weekend to remember.

Blaze Travellers Series 2024

With 22 boats standing to qualify for the Travellers Series at this Inlands event there was more to play for than just the Championship kudos. Five sailors were in with a chance of the 6-event series top spot with a good inlands result and they were all present. And in no mood to pass up on the extended array of Series prizes - in addition to the Championship trove - the stakes were unusually high.

The results had required countback to settle the results, both 1st- 2nd, and 3rd -4th, so a very close contest.

Travellers Series Results: (top five)

1st - Charlie Matthews
2nd - Christian Smart
3rd - Alan Harris
4th - Doug Clow
5th - Will Gould

Bravo to all those who took the time and effort to trailer-up this year. A twofold increase in Traveller qualifiers from last year is testament to the continuing success of the Class.

Blaze Class Association Fire Sail Demo Scheme

With grateful thanks to Hartley Boats for their sponsorship of this new loan scheme, Blaze Class Association is delighted to offer FREE Fire sail loans to Class Association members.

The Fire sail is the latest addition to the Blaze family and is designed for high-performance racing by lighter / smaller helms, or as a high-wind alternative to the powerful Blaze sail. The Fire sets on regular Blaze mast and boom with no adjustment to your regular Blaze rig.

If you'd like to read more about what the Fire sail is, take a look at www.blaze-sailing.org/fire-halo

This scheme has been set up for any Blaze Class Association member to take delivery of a NEW demo Fire sail to help promote the class. We'll have the Fire delivered to you in a box for you to trial and we encourage you to pass it around your club so anyone and everyone can experience for themselves what a fun and exhilarating sail it is, whatever your size or weight.

All that we ask is that you give it a good go - race it if you can (RYA Experimental PY 1050) - and make it available to your fellow club members. We'd love to see maximum exposure for this growing class of sail and forecast seeing the Fire burning brightly throughout the dinghy world.

To register your interest - with no commitment - please visit www.blaze-sailing.org/fire-demo-scheme