2024 Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club Hosts Hurricane 5.9 SX National Championship

2024 Hurricane 5.9 SX National Championship at Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club

23-26 August 2024

Twenty-five Hurricane 5.9 SX catamarans gathered at the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club for their 2024 National Championship, with seven boats participating in their first national championship.

The first day’s racing was impacted by Storm Lilian, which brought strong winds of over 52 knots. The winds delayed the start until late afternoon, prompting sailors to rig through the evening after enjoying local seafood and refreshments in the nearby town.

Supported by AB Graphic International and the usual sponsors, Sailing Chandlery, AW Sailboats, and M2 Graphics, the event commenced on Saturday. Four races were scheduled in strong offshore southwest breezes, which created challenging conditions. The first race showcased close competition among the top seven boats, ultimately won by Jack Tindale and Hugo Bull from Stone SC, followed by Trevor Bawden and Tom Wass in second, and Richie Hanmore and Matt Kimber in third.

Race two began under similar conditions, with Jack and Hugo continuing to lead. Adam Charlesworth and Rich Robinson from Stokes Bay SC secured second place, while European Champions Alex Farrall and Alex Warrington from Thorpe Bay YC finished third.

As the breeze began to fade during race three, the shifting winds made for unpredictable racing. Alex and Alex clinched the victory, followed closely by Jack and Hugo and Dan Tindale and Lee Saunders in third. The final race of the day saw Jack and Hugo take their third win from Dan and Lee, with Richie and Matt finishing third, solidifying a strong showing from Stone SC.

On Sunday, the winds returned forcefully, with conditions ranging from 25 to 30 knots and choppy waters. Racing was postponed until later in the afternoon; however, with the winds refusing to abate, racing was ultimately abandoned, leading many sailors back into town for some leisure activities.

The final morning presented a steady force 4 wind, allowing for an early start and four races to be scheduled. The fifth race had to be recalled due to a general recall but eventually saw a clean start. Alex and Alex continued their strong performance with a win, followed by Trevor and Tom, and Jack and Hugo. Race six witnessed Jack and Hugo take an early lead and maintain it throughout the race, while Dan and Lee followed in second and Richie and Matt claimed third.

The wind eased for the last two races, yet Alex and Alex took race seven, edging out fellow Thorpe Bay YC sailors Paul and Robert Palmer in second and Trevor and Tom in third. The final race concluded with Jack and Hugo claiming victory for their fifth win of the regatta, followed by George and Howard Warrington and Simon and Sophie Boygle.

Jack and Hugo demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the regatta, earning their fourth national championship title. Stone SC secured the team trophy, with four boats finishing in the top five, all exhibiting impressive speed.

Other notable performances included Rupert and Caleb Greeves from Starcross YC, who excelled in the battle of the maiden national championship contenders. Chris White and Mike Wright, competing for the first time, showcased impressive speed by the end of the regatta and won a new jib in a raffle. Additionally, 14-year-old Rowan Greeves, only recently begun helming a Hurricane, earned the Reg White trophy.

Overall Results: