2001 Blaze National Championship

The Blaze National Championship,  sponsored by Surfers Against Sewage,  was held at Weston Sailing Club over the weekend of 23 & 24 June.  The sun shone throughout with each day giving totally different but equally testing conditions.

The first race started in 15-20 knot SE'ly wind with a short swell and confused sea,   Chris Coleman,  last years Champion, powered off the line with Mike Lyons,   Dave Evans and Andy Skynner for company.  At the windward mark Coleman attempted to tack inside an Int. Canoe,  touched the mark and capsized. By the time he had completed a 360  turn, the chasing trio were surfing away down the reach.

At the wing mark Lyons capsized and stuck his mast in the mud,  by the end of the lap Coleman had overtaken both Evans and Skynner.  On the second lap Skynner passed Evans to finish second behind Coleman.

In race two Dave Evans sailing his new boat lead from start to finish whilst Coleman and Lyons could not find a way past.  To the elated Evans the investment and fitness training over the winter had all been worthwhile!

Race three saw Lyons first round the windward mark with Coleman and Roger Williams in pursuit.  On the second beat Coleman closed the gap and they rounded the windward mark together.  Coleman sailed high to avoid being luffed, both boats surfed wildly towards the gybe mark.  At the mark Coleman gybed first, planing down the wash of a ferry,  while Lyons with his bow burried in the back of the wave was unable to bear away and forced to tack round.  Williams and Evans were not quite close enough to over take Lyons.

Sunday was a complete contrast with racing delayed due to lack of wind and it looked like a day for the lightweight pond sailors to shine.

Race four started in a light and shifty breeze with David Angwin making the most of the shifts to lead throughout.  Coleman and Lyons once again sailed boat for boat with Williams close behind at the finish.

The last two races were sailed in similar conditions with a fickle sea breeze never getting established.

Race five finished Coleman from Lyons and Angwin.

Race six Coleman, Lyons and Andy Skynner,  regaining his early form,  third.

Winning Championships is all about being consistant,  Coleman with two firsts and a second each day regained the National Title, Mike Lyons, who found the sea conditions difficult to deal with on Saturday, finished second and Roger Williams a well deserved third.

It is interesting to note that Chris Coleman at 14 1/2 stone sailing his 5 year old boat with the old 10.4m sail had virtually identical boat speed to Mike Lyons who at 12 1/2 stone was sailing his new boat with the new 10.1m sail. A great weekends sailing was had by all with generous prizes donated by Surfers Against Sewage.

1st     Chris Coleman    Warsash SC             1,      2,    1,    2,    1,     1,            6 pts
2nd    Mike Lyons        Burghfield SC            8,    3       2,    3,    2,     2,         12  pts
3rd    Roger Williams    Burghfield SC            4,     4,     3,    4,    4,    4,          19  pts
4th    Dave Evans         Calshot SC               3,     1,    4,    11   12     11,        30 pts
5th    Andy Skynner      Chichester YC           2,    6,  12,    12,    8,     3,         31 pts
6th    Peter Barlow        Burghfield SC            6,    11,   5,      7,   7,     6,        31 pts

Contact: Chris Coleman  Tel: 01329 847627