Stewartby Sprint 15 Open 2025
Published 22:24 on 18 Nov 2025
Saturday 15th November saw my 3rd ever sail on a Sprint 15 and my first race on one. The forecast was for light winds and thus a gentle introduction to the boat. I have previously helped run this annual event as safety crew and assistant race officer, and it is typically well attended. With 25 boats registered I was a little apprehensive of my ability to stay out of trouble. The competition was really hot too, with 2 National Champions and numerous Open Meeting winners amongst the visitors.
Having helped others rig and launch I took to the water with the expectation that I would be battling it out at the back end of the fleet on account of my inexperience. Much to my surprise I managed very good starts in the first two races, crossing the line amongst the first boats, but completely fouling up my third start which saw me cross the start line last.
Race 1
The first beat up to the windward mark in the Eastern corner of the lake was always closely contested with a throng of boats trying to round the mark at once. A misjudged tack followed by a shout of starboard saw me get a lot closer to another boat than both of us would have liked and consequently in my stalling. The fleet sailed away into the fog leaving me battling it out with the tail enders, including Colin Wright and Stuart Yates plus Chris Maher and Ben, who had been well up the fleet until they managed to straddle the windward mark. Despite subsequently showing good pace Chris and Ben didnt quite manage to bridge the gap so it ended with Colin finishing just ahead of myself followed by Stuart then Chris and Ben. Further up the fleet Scott Wilcox had a stormer finishing 2nd, Tim Browning also battling with the front runners ended in 10th with Andy Bunyan 15th followed closely by Mark Patten in 17th.
Race 2
The second race went better but again inexperience in trimming boat and sail meant a lackluster performance compared to the regulars. Scott, Mark and Tim were but momentary companions at the start of the races before disappearing with the faster boats. Andy and Colin would hang around for a bit, then sail off, reappear after a stall or other mishap before slipping away again. Out of us battling four, it ended with Chris and Ben taking the honors followed by Colin, myself and Stuart. Ahead and mid fleet was Andy in 18th whilst Tim and Mark were flying and really showing how it should be done. Mark managed a very credible 8th, Scott 10th and Tim 11th.
Race 3
The third race saw a poor start but with a wind shift and an early tack towards the club saw me gain back a good number of places before gliding into a gap at the windward mark between two stalled visitors, promptly stalling myself. A nudge of the mark meant a 360 penalty, something that I managed to do again on a subsequent lap at the second mark. By the third lap Stewart and I were in a close fought battle for the wooden spoon with Stewart worrying me with a good turn of speed down to the leeward mark. I think I managed to hold him off but there was some confusion between Colin, Stewart and myself as the finishing horn went off in quick succession. The results showed Chris and Ben were followed by Colin, myself the Stuart. The other Stewartby guys had a very close ding dong battle all race and they too finished in close succession amongst a tight bunch of boats, Scott 9th, Mark 13th and Andy 14th.
The overall winners:-
1st Liam Thom (Shanklin), 2nd Jason Clarke ( Marconi), 3rd George Love (Carsington), 4th Paul Tanner ( Shanklin), 5th Steve Sawford (Rutland).
Stewartby winners:-
1st Scott Wilcox, 2nd Mark Patten, 3rd Tim Browning, 4th Andy Bunyan.
Although we didnt make the podium this time, all in all, it was great fun and a steep learning curve. It was great to see so many boats on the water and everyone was very friendly. Its amazing how close the racing is meaning such a simple thing as a fluffed tack can loose you half a dozen places. Good game, fingers crossed for a bit more wind next year!
Ian
Last updated 22:24 on 18 November 2025