SCIRA UK NW Championships – Budworth Snipe Open

Budworth, UK, September 10-12, 2016.

(Photo courtesy of Joanna Prestwich)

Regatta report by Mark Antonelli

Light and variable breeze made for a tricky first days races for the 21 Snipes at Budworth SC in Cheshire. It was new Junior SCIRA members Nick Devereux and Sarah Jarman who kicked off with 2 x consecutive 1sts; Nicks local experience undoubtable proving its worth. With a couple of clean starts Mark Antonelli & Toby Moore secured the remaining 1st places of the day. With consistent performance from both crews, only 1 series point separated them after day 1.

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The Snipe is one of the two fleets that established Budworth SC and this event is part of the clubs great history, now in its 68th year. Mike Andrews sailing with son Giles first sailed it as a crew 50 years ago. Between races he dropped his grandson into Snipe 20023, just so he got an idea of the family tradition.

Day 2 saw bright sunshine with fresh 10 gusting 22 knots with frequent 10 degree shifts. Eric Paalman with David Alexander in the front recovered his form after a shaky first day to post a 1st in race 5. Sue and Steve Roberts enjoying the stronger breeze posted 2nds in race 5 & 6. The Italian representatives Marco Ballatore & Eugenia Vanni struggled with consistency but managed a 2nd place at the last race of each day. But it was Devereux and Jarman who regained their winning form to take 1st in the last three races to secure the overall win with a good margin.

Worldwide the Snipe is a huge class, the UK fleet has maintained good numbers in recent decades with boats as far North as the Orkney fleets, to the South in Essex and Kent. It makes for a big commitment to travel so we were pleased to welcome visitors to this event from Stromness in Orkney and Bough Beech in Kent As well as several Budworth members from the GP fleet spending a weekend with Snipes in the true spirit of Snipes “Serious Sailing Serious Fun”.

Mark Antonelli ~ Budworth SC Snipe Class Captain

Final Results