14 Tornados made their way to Weston Sailing club this weekend for the annual Tornado National Championships sponsored by Zhik.
The sailors were greeted with a variable wind forecast on Friday between 8 and 22 knots with sunshine all day. Three races were scheduled starting at midday to allow the sailors to build and prepare their boats.
On Saturday the Weston Cat Open also started so the class were joined by other catamaran sailors with 3 starts scheduled. Race officer Stuart Offer was keen to get racing complete as soon as possible so put in place a black flag rule for everyone if one fleet were over the line. The Tornados didn't start too well with a general recall, putting the pressure on the other fleets starting later (sorry). After the general recall the Tornados were put to the back of the pack.
We knew Sunday was going to be a windy one, the day started with a base wind of 28 knots with gusts of 38, however, the forecast said it was due to drop to nothing. After a short delay the race officer couldn't wait anymore and the fleet hit the water with the wind calming to around 20 knots.
Grant and Fraz managed to break their recent pattern of 2nd place in events and took the championships with a well deserved victory. This is Grants 3rd Tornado National Championships in a row, the General Lee appears to be unbeatable.
Top ten results
1. Grant Piggott and Simon Farren - Weston SC
2. John Ready and James Polinghole - Dabchicks SC
3. Aaron Young and Rob Butterfield - Timarau
4. Pete Jary and Tim Roden - Weston SC
5. Michaela and Andrew Dowley - Marconi SC
6. Paul and Robert Palmer - Thorpe Bay YC
7. Russel Belben and David Bates - Stokes Bay SC
8. Paul Mines and Stuart Smith - Brightlingsea SC
9. David Parker and Scott Cleary - Dalgety Bay SC
10. Barry Arnison and Nicole Davy (The Rope Puller) - Grafham Water SC
1st Foreigner Trophy - David Parker and Scott Cleary (Scotland)
Best New Comer - Russel Belben and David Bates
Challenge Cup (increases annually) - Chris Schiel and Ivo Jovakovich
Thank you to Zhik for once again supporting the class, not one person went home empty handed without a fantastic prize from Zhik. Thanks also to everyone at Weston for a great job and well run event. -- Andrew Dowley
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