Herne Bay SC hosted a first class championships on 3-5 August.

Held over a long weekend, the event proved a success attracting several new faces plus the now annual visit from American champions Barney Harris and David Byron.

PRO Dick Holness and his team provided excellent triangular courses throughout in what were testing conditions.

Race 1, postponed as thunder storms moved through, started in a variable force 2 with bunching at the starboard end of the line. Those starting towards the ODM saw the benefit of fresher breeze despite stronger tide. Neville Herbert and Steve Penfold were first around the windward mark, followed by Harris and Byron and Peter and Deborah Snowdon. The Snowdons improved to pass Harris whilst Herbert consolidated his lead.

Race 2 commenced in an easterly freshening force 2 beating into the incoming tide. Much of the fleet beat up the shore line in slacker water. However, those choosing to venture out to sea benefited from a stronger breeze and Herbert/Penfold were again first to the windward mark and again held the lead to finish ahead of Harris/Byron. The Snowdons lost third to David Hammond/Andrew Wilde on the final leg.

Day 2, Race 3 brought thunder, lightening and a long postponement to allow a fair course to be set. Under clearing skies, the wind steadied to a force 2 north-easterly. The fleet, over eager to race, was twice recalled and then black flagged. Mary Rook (soon to be 17) crewed by father, Jeremy lead up the starboard side of the beat to reach the windward mark comfortably ahead of Harris/Byron and held the position to finish first, Harris/Byron second. Judy and Paul Armstrong made steady progress to third.

Race 4 was characterised by the fleet splitting into two up the first beat. Herbert/Penfold apparently leading had however been on course side at the start. Harris/Byron therefore lead with the Armstrongs second and an improving Peter Lawrence and Adam Savage third.

Day 3 dawned wet with a light north-westerly . Race 5 started at approximately high tide. Those boats tempted by a long line with significant port bias to the inshore end lost the advantage to those at the committee boat end, heading straight out into strong breeze.

Trevor and Ann Smith opened a significant lead to reach the windward mark first and maintained position to the wing mark until overhauled by Harris/Byron who went onto win as Mary/Jeremy Rook also improved to take second from Paul and Simon McNamara.

By Race 6, Harris/Byron had the championship with Herbert/Penfold second but all was yet to play for for minor places.

Again, the fleet split into two and again Harris/Byron made the windward mark first with Herbert second followed by Rook, McNamara and Hammond.

Harris maintained his lead and as he rounded the windward mark for the second time in a strong outgoing tide and falling wind, he opened up a huge lead from Herbert/Penfold. Hammond/Wilde having passed McNamara and Rook almost overtook Herbert on what became a final reaching leg as the PRO shortened the course.

The full results are available here.