Ajax National Championships 1995

The 28^th Ajax National Championships were hosted by the Royal Harwich Yacht Club in Dovercourt Bay, Harwich.

Two visiting boats entered from St. Mawes SC, Falmouth and provided the home fleet with competitive sailing.

The weather was fine for the five race series with a variety of winds. A mixture of windward-leeward and Olympic courses were expertly set by the OOD, Ewen Stamp, of international and world championship repute.

The first race was sailed in a light Force Two. David Mathewson, one of the visitors, soon discovered that going right paid off and took the race from David Mayne.

The wind freshened to Force Three in the afternoon and Richard Beaman, another visitor, won the second race.

On day two, the third race was again sailed in a Force Two. John Williams, from the RHYC, rounded the windward mark 12^th, but worked his way up the fleet on the runs with his superior spinnaker technique to win the race from David Mathewson.

In the fourth race, Richard Beaman lost his spinnaker halyard and sent one of his crew up the mast to retrieve it. The race was eventually won by Dr. Chris Brown from RHYC, who has been overall champion on several previous occasions.

On the last day, the wind freshened to Force Four/Five for the fifth race. This provided an exciting finish to the series.

Chris Brown broke a spreader and retired. Tony James, Commodore of RHYC, led for most of the race, but was overtaken on the last beat by David Mathewson, who won his second race and the championship.

OVERALL RESULTS.

1. Ajax, David Mathewson (St. Mawes SC)

2. Nimrod, Richard Beaman (St. Mawes SC);

3. Thunderer, John Williams (RHYC);

4. Mars, Chris Brown (RHYC);

5. Sirius, Tony James (RHYC);

6. Guillemot, David Mayne (RHYC)