AJAX NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1989

The Ajax National Championships were held under the burgee of Royal Harwich Yacht Club over Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Dovercourt Bay. The Championships provided a good weekend’s racing for 17 boats under varied conditions.

Light winds meant a delayed start on Friday, but when a sea breeze did fill in, Thunderer made the early running and won the first race, followed by Mars and Hermione. The wind freshened for the afternoon race and once again Mars and Thunderer fought for line honours, with the latter winning, followed by Guillemot in third place.

Saturday again started with little wind but the sea breeze came to the rescue. Hermione established a long lead in the long downwind leg and was never caught, with Mars taking second and Guillemot third place. The wind soon began to die during the afternoon and competitors struggled to overcome the foul-tide beat. Mars and Artemis mastered the conditions well and had a fierce battle to the finishing line with Mars winning by a nose from Artemis, with Guillemot in her now customary third place.

The final face on Sunday started in a good northerly breeze. Storm Petrel made the early running with Mars, and a fierce battle commenced which ended with Mars leading Storm Petrel at the finish, but subsequently having to return for a starting infringement. Storm Petrel therefore won the last race with Guillemot second, just ahead of Artemis in a very close finished.

Overall victory in the series went to Chris Brown and Alan Barker in Mars after a consistent series. Good consistency also enabled Bruce Johnson and Nick Wrinch in Guillemot to take second place overall from John Williams in Thunderer, who had an excellent first day, but disappointing second and third days.

Racing was always very keen and competitive with many boats being in contention for a trophy at the start of the last race.

Results: Overall

1. Mars (C. Brown/A. Barker). (Geoffrey Wrinch Challenge Cup)

2. Guillemot (B. Johnson/N. Wrinch) (Du Sautoy Tray; )

3. Thunderer (J. Williams) (Mike Rowe Memorial Trophy)

Victory Salver – Storm Petrel (H. Barker/J. Selby).