Triumphant Victory for A Dark and Stormy at RS21 UK and Ireland Nationals 2023
A Dark and Stormy Win at the RS21 UK and Ireland Nationals
Team Dark and Stormy, helmed by Liam Willis, celebrated their victory at the RS21 UK and Ireland National Championships, hosted by the Royal Dart Yacht Club.
The RS21s came together for their UK Championships over four days from 15-18 August in picturesque Dartmouth. After 11 thrilling races, Liam Willis and his team, consisting of Keith Willis, Will Taylor, and Matt Taylor from Lymington Town Sailing Club, emerged as the champions, securing 6 race wins and 5 second-place finishes.
However, the competition was fierce, with Team Dark and Stormy facing strong challenges from Philip Bendon’s Zaddy Racing crew from Royal Southern YC and Eirini Marios’ Ares Racing team from Australia, the 2023 SB20 World Champions. Their victory was only confirmed after the penultimate race, with Zaddy Racing and Ares Racing finishing just 3 points apart in the standings.
On Day 1 of the competition, strong winds and waves caused a one-hour delay to the start on Thursday. When the races commenced, winds exceeded 20 knots, accompanied by waves reaching 2.5 meters. The racing was exhilarating under these challenging conditions, with race victories shared among Dark and Stormy, Ares, and Zaddy. Ares faced a particularly dramatic day, initially receiving a Did Not Compete (DNC) in race 1 due to a leeward gate error, before bouncing back to win race 2, but ultimately retiring from race 3 due to damage, for which they were awarded redress. An honorable mention goes to Team Stormfly, led by Charles Balmain and crewed by his teenage sons Rupert and Henry, along with their friend Jack Wilson, who managed to complete all three races despite the tough conditions.
As the week progressed, Day 2 saw considerably lighter winds. Racing on Friday did not start until 3 PM, as gentle breezes filled in later in the afternoon, settling at around 12 knots. The races remained closely contested throughout the event, marked by only one general recall on Day 3, when the tide caught the fleet off-guard. Over the remaining days, Team Zaddy concluded the championships with 2 race victories, while Ares demonstrated their prowess by winning 3 races. Despite a smaller fleet due to some regular crews being absent, competitive spirit remained high, with minor positions only finalized in the final race. Russell and June Collister’s Skedaddle crew from the Isle of Man secured 4th place after a strong showing on the last day, while Philip Grannum’s AttaBuoy crew defended their 6th place against the Ravenhill family crew.
The race officials and course setters executed a commendable job in organizing an engaging race series amid fluctuating winds. The Royal Dart Yacht Club offered a warm welcome, hosting the event in spectacular surroundings, further enhanced by a fireworks display on Saturday night.
Looking ahead, the class anticipates their World Championships near Barcelona, Spain, at the end of September, where around 60 boats are expected to participate. The UK and Ireland class is excited to return in 2025 with a series of thrilling events in fantastic locations yet to be announced.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Name | Nat | Sail No | Helm | Crew 1 | Crew 2 | Crew 3 | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Dark & Stormy | GBR | 252 | Liam Willis | Keith Willis | Will Taylor | Matt Taylor | Lymington Town SC | 1 | (2) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 14 |
| 2nd | Zaddy Racing | IRL | 290 | Philip Bendon | James Curtis | Harry Phelps | Joel Carey | Royal Southern YC | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | (5) | 22 |
| 3rd | Ares | AUS | 308 | Eirini Marios | Henry Wetherell | Paige Caldecoat | Will Sargent | Derwent Sailing Squadron | (NSC) | 1 | RDG | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| 4th | Skedaddle | GBR | 334 | Russell Collister | June Collister | Flynn Davies | Greg Kelly | Isle of Man YC | 3 | 4 | 3 | (5) | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 38 |
| 5th | Stormfly | GBR | 223 | Charles Balmain | Rupert Balmain | Henry Balmain | Jack Wilson | Hamble | 4 | (5) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 42 |
| 6th | AttaBuoy | GBR | 208 | Philip Grannum | Dom So | Iain Coke | Tim Kendal‑James | Royal Southern YC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 67 |
| 7th | GBR | 310 | Paul Ravenhill | Henry Ravenhill | Oliver Ravenhill | George Ravenhill | Hayling Island SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 69 |
Luca Moretti, an accomplished sailor and marine journalist from Genoa, Italy, has a lifelong passion for the sea that has defined his career. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Genoa, Luca is celebrated for his vivid and insightful storytelling. His work captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime traditions of Europe, making him a well-respected voice in the sailing community. When he’s not writing, Luca can be found exploring the Mediterranean’s picturesque coastlines and competing in regattas, always seeking new adventures on the open water.