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Wayfarer Northern Championship & Craftinsure National Circuit at Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club
Over the weekend of the 31st August and 1st September, Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club (LLSC) proudly hosted the Wayfarer Northern Championship as part of the UK Wayfarer Association (UKWA) Craftinsure National Circuit.
A small, select fleet eagerly competed in six races over two days, enjoying perfect champagne sailing conditions with a warm force 3 wind and sunshine.
LLSC is emerging as the active Wayfarer fleet in the northwest, and we extend our gratitude to the traveling boats who made the journey to support the event.
The championship featured superb, varied, and challenging courses, providing sailors with numerous opportunities for gains and losses due to shifty and gusty conditions.
Racers experienced exciting and close competition across all ranges of Wayfarers. The oldest boat, number 9000, with 30-year-old sails, proved to be highly competitive. Mike and Laura, our newest Wayfarer owners, confidently competed just three weeks after taking possession of their boat—an impressive feat. Darren and Keith also achieved their first open meeting, showing great determination. The event sparked interest among other sailors, and we hope to welcome them into the fleet soon. Notably, Nigel O’Donnell and Belinda showcased their skill by climbing through the fleet, finishing with an impressive second overall.
In the first two races, I and Nigel H (not to be confused with Nigel O’Donnell; there are many Nigels in our fleet!) received a lovely lap of honour. Our thanks go to Iron Man Mike, the Officer of the Day, but we opted to take a break for a cup of tea and a morsel of cake as a treat for our victory in a race!
We experienced no capsizes throughout the weekend, which meant we couldn’t award that prize. Several participants enjoyed the free camping facilities, and we hosted a delightful BBQ along with reasonably priced beer, music, and even human table football—truly a mini-Glastonbury experience with sailing. Overall, it was a fabulous first Northern Championship at LLSC, and we hope to attract even more competitors next year as interest in our fleet continues to grow. We apologize to all non-Wayfarer sailors for blocking their wind with our large sails!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10747 | Louise Mckeand | Nigel Hall | LLSC | ‑1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2nd | 11458 | Nigel O’Donnell | Belinda O’Donnell | Swarkestone | 2 | 2 | ‑4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| 3rd | 9000 | Tony Tomlinson | Cathy Blyfield | Elton | ‑5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
| 4th | 10049 | Fred Duran | Martin Lea | LLSC | ‑6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 22 |
| 5th | 11211 | Phil Washart | Jessica Hughes | LLSC | 4 | 4 | 6 | ‑7 | 5 | 4 | 23 |
| 6th | 10806 | Mike Barnes | Laura Barnes | LLSC | 3 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | (DNC) | 26 |
| 7th | 10906 | Darren Watkinson | Keith Kelly | LLSC | (DNC) | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 31 |
A big thank you goes to Mike and his team for expertly managing the racing, and to Val and her crew for providing us with delicious food throughout the weekend.
The UK National Circuit will conclude this season with events at Blackwater (5-6th October) and Bough Beech (9-10th November), including the Classic Wayfarer National Championships. We hope to see you there!
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Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.
