Dart 15 Travellers Trophy 2003

The Dart 2003 traveller series was concluded at the Grafham event on the weekend of 18/19 October, which as it happens, doubled up as the re-run of the National championships due to the Pentewan event being blown out. The series consisted of 7 events around the country which were at Marconi, Rutland, Angmering, Shanklin, Filey, Carsington and Grafham and 108 boats took part with 180 total entries. The series was won by George Carter with four first places and Grafham sailors dominated the proceedings with 4 places in the top six after the Northern contingent seem to have lost the urge to travel. Bob Carter was second (1,2,2,5) from Philip Howden (2,6,6,9) and Paul Craft was fourth. All events were completed and attendances were as follows: Marconi 15, Rutland 15, Angmering 21, Shanklin 35, Filey 13, Carsington 18, and Grafham 63.

Team Grafham at Pentewan

This was the Dart 15s 25th anniversary year and the highlights were the 3 National Championships. The huge attendance of 86 for the Pentewan Nationals was the biggest of any UK catamaran class (and 7th biggest in the UK) and despite the fact that the championship racing was blown out, the fun programme was a big success and the fleet enjoyed the holiday. The fun activities included cruises to Polkeris and Goran Haven, an afternoon /evening of Go-Kart racing, a 150 seat sell-out Championship dinner, a treasure hunt, a barbeque, a crews race and much more. The re-run was staged at Grafham in October with 63 entries and was 6 races of hard competitive sailing in stiff breezes. Additionally, the Sprint format (single handed sailing with jib and trapeze) National Championships at Gurnard, IoW, attracted 37 entries and was also fiercely competitive and sailed in strong winds and strong tides. Thus the class staged 3 of the 4 biggest catamaran championships in the UK in 2003.

The fleet now take a short break before starting the winter traveller series of one day races, which begins at Stewartby on 9 November.

Overall Results
1st G. Carter Grafham 4pts
2nd R. Carter Grafham 10pts
3rd P. Howden Grafham 23pts
4th P. Craft Angmering 36pts
5th G. Goldstone Queen Mary 47pts
6th A. Dean Grafham 51pts
7th B. Hoggard Beaver 51pts
8th G. Stephen Queen Mary 56pts

Northern Champion: G Carter

Southern Champion: R Carter

Isle of Wight Champion: C Blenkinsop

Click here to view the full results table.