WILL GIBBS RETAINS HIS BRITISH TITLE
22 crews competed in the championships set in the North Sea off Brancaster Staithe over the long weekend from 16th to 18th June. British boats were challenged by 2 leading Dutch crews, including Dutch Champions and previous European winners.
The weather was fair with winds from the South and South West , increasing from 2/3 on day 1 to a stiff 4 on the final day. Spring tides also provided an opportunity to display good judgement for lay lines and entertainment for watchers. The sea provided some exciting downwind experiences with 3 – 4 feet short ‘chop’.
Day 1 was dominated by defending champion GBR 125 Windspiel helmed by Will Gibbs crewed by his father Chris. They won both races comfortably. In race 1 Ned 14 Daan Versteeg was second and Chris’s brother Tim Gibbs GBR 12 (Rockabye) third crewed by newcomer Charlie Orton. A notable 5thplace was from improving Burnham Overy team of Alex Smith and Paul Beachell in Capella GBR 128.
In race 2 Paddy and Ros Spink (GBR 9) were second with Ned 135 (Dennis van Vliet) third. Ghost GBR 133 (Ben and Paul Goakes ) had a creditable 5thplace.
Day 2 saw winds increasing which was to the liking of our Dutch visitors. In race 3 Ned 135 took the lead only to capsize allowing Ned 14 to take the win. Second was Tim Gibbs (GBR12) with Will Gibbs(GBR125) in third. Richard Mulderiij (NED226) , a Dutchman now domiciled in UK crewed by local headteacher Alistair Ogle began to show pace taking 4thplace. Brancaster Commodore Brian Lambert crewed by Sam Neal was a creditable 5thin Rackker (GBR136).
In race 4 the Dutch dominated with NED 14, NED 135 and NED 226 in that order. Will Gibbs was 4thwith his uncle Tim in 5th. Henry Burkitt and James Nye had a good 6thin newly refurbished Luffa (GBR123).
Day 3 saw the wind increase once more and the sea become a bit more tricky resulting in some midfleet capsizes.
Once again the Dutch took 1,2,3 in race 5 in the same order. Will Gibbs was 4th with Wells commodore Sally Wynne and her husband Rob taking an excellent 5thin Adventurer GBR69.
Race 6 was won by Ned135 with Ned 14 second, Will Gibbs third and Ned 226 4th.
It was unfortunate that Rockabye (Tim Gibbs)was unable to compete on the final day having laid with the leaders after 4 races.
OVERALL RESULTS
1 7 pts Jan Van Galen NED 14 Daan Versteeg Ton V Berkel
2 12 pts Windspiel GBR 125 Will / Chris Gibbs
3 12 pts Krek Wan Wou NED 135 Dennis V Vliet / Ben Kloos
4 27 pts Fuut NED 226 Richard Mulderij / A Ogle
5 37 pts Poelsnip GBR 135 Martin Read / Imogen Gibbs
6 38 pts Rakker GBR 136 Brian Lambert / Sam Neal
British placings
1 Will Gibbs (2018 champion) Windspiel
2 Richard Mulderij (runner up winning the Oliver Atkins Plate) Fuut
3 Martin Read Poelsnip
(Report by Martin Read)