Fifteen WSC member owned boats competed at the Rooster Sailing Lark National Championship over 20-27 July at Looe S.C. A total of 58 boats competed with WSC boats having varying degrees of success but once again showing that WSC has the best fleet in the country. Counting results between 19th and 26th Will Branton and Helen Hunt (25th overall) won the Bronze fleet without needing to sail the last race.

Emma Harris consistent with all placings in the top ten once again won the Top Lady Helm with 5th overall. Alan Krailing and Edd McArdle lost their title after their gooseneck fell off (something never heard of before) and the dodgy gate boat their explanation. They did make amends by winning race 8 in ubiquitous style. Matthew White with Harriet Steer top placed with a 2nd and their other solid results earnt their best result ever with 6th overall. Just behind in 7th were the brothers Videlo. Stephen and Christopher also had an argument with the gate boat early on but with all bar one countable result in the top 10 easily won the top Student's prize.

Christopher Fish/Beth Condie finished down in 8th. After winning races 2 and 3 they were overnight leaders but failed to continue their form with a capsize, holing of their boat, hitting a mark and an OCS not helping. Harry Pynn and Claire Gosling won race 4 helping them to just avoid the dreaded plate for 11th place. In previous years their score of 58 points would have placed them much higher.

The other teams competing were Simon Cox/ Adam Owen 17th, Daniel Watson/Harri Condie 24th, Geoff Sinton/ Sara Olliff 31st, Spanni Archer/ Hannah Mayhew 37th, Seb Balch/ Jamie Mayhew 44th, Geoff Mayhew/ Kim Lamb 47th. Fiona Grey, sailing "Alice", with a fellow Portsmouth University student (and Ian Videlo on the last day) finished well for 34th overall (3rd
Bronze). Former member Stevie Dunn (sailing Jonathan Fish's boat) was involved in the biggest on the water drama of the week.

Sailing with crew Toby "(fan)tastic" Lewis from Poole, Stevie needed a 7th from either of the last two races to win. But the eventual winners were Stephen Cumley and Eluned Jones of Barnt Green SC. They used negative tactics very well to sail Stevie/ Toby down the fleet but fortunately they retained 2nd by pulling up from last to 14th in the final race. Chris Whitehouse, with a triathlon competing crew again from far away and sailing under Ranelagh S.C. topped the silver fleet with 3rd overall, counting results all between 3 and 8.
 

As has become usual the Club Team trophy went to WSC with a record 6 teams in the top 10 the best overall ever.

Christopher Fish