Windsport Catparts 2013 Report

The Windsport Catparts Traveller Series for 2013 was concluded at Grafham on 26/27 October with our biggest traveller attendance (40) for more than 5 years which added to another big attendance of 37 at Thorpe Bay a few months earlier shows this cat class retains it’s popularity. The Traveller series was won by Paul Grattage by just one point from National Champion  and last year’s TT winner, Stuart Snell, in a nail biting final event.  Thomas Sandal of Grafham was third and 2011 National Champion, Kevin Dutch, was fourth.  The spoils were shared this year as Grattage won the Inland Championships, Dutch won the Southern Championships and Snell won the Northern Championships at Carsington in September.

The series kicked off in April at Marconi  where 17  travellers joined 8 locals on a weekend of light breezes. Three races were completed on the Saturday but on the Sunday the long distance race had to be shorted to the circumnavigation of just one Island (Osea). The Balls made it a family affair with Jenny winning from brother, David while Paul Grattage, Thomas Sandal and Paul Craft took the next 3 places. Grattage took the long distance race by a ‘Country Mile’.

The second traveller of the series was also the Southern Championships and was held at Seasalter on a very windy weekend in June.  The forecast clearly put off a number of competitors but 13 travellers joined 6 locals to give it a bash. Just one race was possible on the Saturday in a strong SW wind with gusts of up to 30mph but gusts of over 40mph caused the second race to be postponed. Two further races were held on Sunday also in strong and gusting breeze. Kevin Dutch (1,2,1) won  this man’s event from Paul Grattage (2,1,2) and Nick Dewhirst (4,3,3)was third . Liam Thom, Jon Finch and Robert Finch took 4^th to 6^th respectively. Nick Dewhirst sadly died in July so this was his last podium in the class he lead for some 25 years.

The third regatta of the series was at Thorpe Bay testing out the 2014 National Championship venue but there were concerns that the high pressure which had dominated the week before would cause the weekend to be windless.  The impressive entry of 37 boats (22 locals) need not have worried as nice Easterly breeze was complemented by the sea breeze and we got good sailing all weekend.  Five races were completed and Paul Grattage (1,2,2,1) won the event from Stuart Snell (3,1,1,3) and  Thomas Sandal (1,3,7,2). Steve Healy was the top local in fourth place followed by Kevin Dutch, Howard Hawkes and George Stephen.

The September traveller (also the Northern Championships) at Carsington was another light wind affair. It was good to see two 2-up entries (Fraser & Grace Manning and Duncan & Nicole Manning) as well as a guest appearance from Tom Gall.  All five races were held but light wind expert Stuart Snell ran away with it 4 first places from Thomas Sandal and Tom Gall showing he has not forgotten how. Steve Hanby who has recently returnedto the class took fourth and the top placed 2-up boat was Fraser & Grace Manning in sixth place.

The finale and Inland Championships was at Grafham  in October on another windy weekend as storm St Jude threatened the weekends sailing. Fortunately 4 races were possible on the Saturday for the large entry of 40 boats (including 30 travellers) but Sunday’s races were cancelled. In an exciting climax Paul Grattage (1,2,4) did just enough to win the event and the Summer Series from Stuart Snell (1,6,1) and Mark Aldridge (2,4,2) also pushed them hard. David Ball, Simon Farting and Robert Finch also revelled in the strong breeze and took 4^th to 6^th respectively.

So Paul Grattage won the Traveller series and the Inland Championships from Stuart Snell who was cursing hitting a mark at Graham and spoing his score sheet.

The fleet has now moved on to the ever popular winter series of one day races which is already underway.