Solution Harken Nationals 2008
The second Harken Solution National Championship was open to all with the absence of the previous National Champion McKee. A total of 12 boats made the journey to Northampton for a 12-15 knot breeze in a North Easterly direction; all fleet members had good competitive racing, with 3 races on the first day and two on the second.
Dave Butler won the first race, closely followed by Simon Clarke and Stuart Hoare. Kevin Clark then raised his game to secure victory in the second and third races. Ted Cordall and Dave Butler both challenged his position but each had to settle with a second position (Cordall in the second race, Butler in the third). Meanwhile Hoare was securing third position in race 2, and Kerry Stares (new to the fleet) getting his best position of the day by finishing 3rd in the final race of day 1. Results at the end of the first day; Kevin Clark 1st, Dave Butler 2nd and Simon Clarke 3rd.
The evening complimented the day’s sailing with fine food, good company and cold beer, with some suffering the following morning.
The second day started early with sunshine and a steady force 3, Kevin Clark was looking to secure his overall victory and first National championship victory. The slight change in wind direction changed the favoured tack; those going up the middle of the lake gaining the advantage. Kevin Clark won the fourth race, with Ted Cordall still in hot pursuit and Kerry Stares trying to improve his position.
The light wind conditions in the fifth race allowed Kerry Stares and Simon Clarke to edge their way past Kevin Clark. With Clark’s overall win already secured the race was on between Stares and Clarke, with Stares winning the last race to steal second place overall from Simon Clarke who lost out on countback.
The second Harken Solution Nationals was a fantastic weekend. Northampton sailing club providing an excellent event and venue, thank you and well done to all who participated.
Overall Results:
Rank SailNo Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Nett
1 407 Kevin Clark Seafarers 4 1 1 1 3 6
2 408 Kerry Stares Seafarers 5 5 3 3 1 12
3 418 Simon Clarke Gunfleet 2 4 5 4 2 12
4 393 Dave Butler North Staffs 1 6 2 6 4 13
5 405 Ted Cordall Bosham 8 2 6 SCP 2 7 17
6 429 Stuart Hoare West Riding 3 3 6 DNC 6 18
7 427 Wendy Pickstock Rudyard Lake 6 7 10 5 8 26
8 411 Kathryn Hayfield Delph 7 8 7 7 5 26
9 409 Patrick Manning Delph 9 9 8 9 9 35
10 413 Gay Wright Seafarers 10 11 11 10 10 41
11 400 Gavin Steven Ripon 11 12 12 8 11 42
12 419 Duncan Tarry Rudyard Lake 13 DNF 10 9 DNC DNC 45