The two home boats of George Love and Ray Gall were joined by a band of thirteen travellers from all points of the country to compete in the first summer TT of the 2026 season and for the title of Northern Champion. The picturesque setting of Carsington on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District also hosted a fleet of twelve Dart 18s and five Catapults to share the event which each fleet having a separate start. A bright and breezy day with the odd squally grey clouds greeted the sailors as they headed out to do battle on a trapezoidal course set by PRO Henry Wright ably assisted by AROs Keith and Liz Appleby and a safety/mark laying team led by Murray Leiper. The moderate but shifty conditions with the frequent tasty gusts were to be the order of the day and would provide for ups and downs in results across some of the fleet. Race 1 saw a heavily port biased line and whilst most of the fleet opted for a starboard start, Angus Cook (Castaways) went for a port flyer which he successfully nailed to see him lead at the first windward mark. Liam Thom (Shanklin), Jason Clarke (Marconi) and defending northern champion, Jenny Ball (Marconi) and Ed Tuite Dalton (Draycote) comprised the chasing pack in that order which was maintained to the finish after 3 laps. Race 2 and the fleet got cleanly way with Liam taking an early lead followed by Angus, Jason and (Chairman) Paul Tanner (Shanklin), Jenny and Ed. By the end of lap 3, Jenny had pulled up to lead from Angus, Liam, Paul and Jason. Somewhat surprisingly Jason felt that, at this stage, the race was over so after crossing the line he went off to the side of the course to join some Dart 18s who had already finished their race. With drink and chocolate bar in hand he quickly realised that the following pack of Ed, George, Yvonne Pike (Shanklin), David Ball (Marconi), Christophe Clarke (Marconi) and Ray were charging through the line and heading back to the windward mark. His rehydration stop cost him dearly with an 11th place finish. At the end of the fourth lap Angus took the gun closely followed by Liam, Jenny, Ed, Paul and David. Race 3 and Jason was on fire fuelled by extra liquid hydration, chocolate and some understandable annoyance at his faux pas in race 2. He led from start to finish over 4 laps with the chasers of Jenny, Angus, Liam, David and Ed in that order across the race duration. The fleet headed home for beer, banter and food and in the knowledge that it was all to play for on day 2. Day 2 dawned bright and sunny with a building breeze which was much more than forecast to the delight of all the protagonists. Race 4 and the front runners from day 1 were quickly off the line and pulling out a good lead over the pack. Liam was first to the windward mark followed by Jason, Angus, David, Jenny, Ed, Paul and Yvonne. This order was maintained to the finish with the exception of Yvonne pipping Paul on the final run in. Race 5 and both Liam and Angus opted for a port start at the pin end. Liam managed to keep clear from the starboard starters but Angus was not so fortunate and the ensuing tangle saw him having to take turns. At the end of lap 1, Liam was in charge but very closely followed by Jenny, Jason and Angus with a chasing pack headed by Ray, David, Ed and Paul. But Liam was not to be denied and took the gun from Angus, Jason, David and Christophe posting his best finish of the event. Race 6 and barring a major upset, it was to be a three way duel for the trophy between Liam, Angus and Jason. Liam and Angus again opted for the pin end on port tack. As the race developed, all three were neck and neck with Jason just ahead at the final windward mark followed by Liam and Angus. The chasing pack of George (who had finally got his mojo together), Yvonne (who would, unbeknown to her at this point, have a deciding hand in the final outcome) and Jenny were hot on their heels. As Angus went for a windward overtake on Liam on the reach, Liam pushed him up to wind and both boats sailed high and wide of the course with Liam knowing that if that allowed another boat to overtake them the championship would be his whatever his final position in the race. Is that what’s called using your noddle? Jason duly obliged and in the final beat to the finish Yvonne was now close on Angus’s transom. She tacked early on the final mark forcing Angus to duck her on the beat to the line and to take a magnificent third place and which ultimately handed the championship to Liam. At the prizegiving the followed, the stellar performance of one young sailor was recognised. Jonathan Ball (13 from Marconi SC) who, in past events has competed as crew for dad, David, was competing solo for the first time in his own boat. A final placing of 12th put him ahead overall of some old hands and a 6th place in the final race saw him beat dad, David, a past national champion. Could Jonathan be a national champion on the making? Time will tell and I do hope so! Dad, David did take away the honours of the first ‘Classic Boat’.
Pictures by Pauline Love.    Results:Full Series Results available here
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