Optimus Prime at N18 English Championships 2023
Published 01:00 on 22 Aug 2023
Report and photos by Alastair Banks
Matt PJ, Kaan Yarcigi and Alastair Banks attended the N18 English Championships at Bosham SC over the weekend of 19/20 August 2023. A good turnout of ten 18s turned up including 3 Ultras, 3 Classic 18s, 2 Chichester Harbour 18s, 1 Ultimate and 1 Penultimate. A few ex-Tammy boats were out including Heatwave. Rupert White of White Formula turned up with Ultra 429 which is almost straight out the factory at Brightlingsea. Jeremy Vines brought Ultra 424 'Ace'.
Matt helmed with Kaan on wire and your correspondent on middleman duties. The format was for 5 races, 3 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. The forecast was for strong winds on Saturday and less wind on Sunday, which proved to be the case. Saturday witnessed gusts varying between 20-25 knots. The result being a tough day on the water for all concerned.
A useful lesson for those who haven't sailed at Bosham before is to leave plenty of time from launching to reaching the start line as the distance caught a few boats out! Optimus Prime completed Race 1 on Saturday before deciding to call it a day, having witnessed 'Ace' go for a swim. It proved to be a sensible decision as not only had 'Ace' lost a trapeze wire and a Classic 18 lost its jib halyard. Optimus Prime and her crew took comfort in a well-earned pint or two in the club bar. Bosham SC has built a new balcony / veranda which replaced the tent which had been there previously. It was well utilised on the Saturday evening when all concerned enjoyed a drink overlooking Bosham estuary on a summer's evening.
Sunday bought lighter winds with gusts getting up to 20mph. Race 4 saw the fleet head to Hayling Island before a long run back to the finish. Race 5 saw a shorter course with the top mark by East Head before crossing the harbour to round the next mark by the tip of Thorney Island. The final leg saw a sprint back to the finish by Bosham SC. Optimus Prime and her crew completed both races on Sunday to finish 6th overall.
Jeremy and his crew took honours over Rupert White, which is certainly no mean feat.
Overall, it was worth the trip down and was a very enjoyable weekend of racing.
Last updated 22:17 on 27 April 2025