Inlands at Grafham

Eleven boats entered the 2022 505 Inland Championships held as part of the Ovington regatta at Grafham Water SC. Pre-event reminiscing saw old timers regale how over 100 boats used to enter a Grafham 505 open in the 1980s! Unfortunately times have changed a little, but the fleet was a good mix of newcomers to the fleet, multiple National Champions along with visitors from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The first day was a lovely Spring day with wall-to-wall sunshine but a strong 20mph breeze gusting up to 28mph ready to catch out and tire those sailors who hadn’t been out over the Winter! Roger Gilbert & Ben McGrane (Hyde Sails) started with intent – showing their winter victories at the Tiger Trophy, King George Gallop & Draycote Dash was no luck (as if there was any doubt).

Behind them the results were up and down with more mistakes cropping up. Winners of the final race to make their trip over from Cork (host of 2022 World Championships) worthwhile were Alex Barry & Harry Briddon.

Day 2 was a much more relaxed affair starting with 10 mph than dropped in fits and starts down to a glassy lake by the time the fleet drifted ashore at 1330. Winners of the final race, putting them into second overall on tie break was Nathan Batchelor & Sam Pascoe (Ovington boats). Third place went to a relative newcomer to the fleet, Mike Sims, sailing with ex-World Champion crew Carl Gibbon.

All images are copyright Paul Sanwell / OPP

James Read 28 March 2022