Ullswater - 6 - 10 August 2001

The British Flying Dutchman fleet assembled at Ullswater Yacht Club for their National Championship and were greeted by very friendly club members, were provided with excellent hospitality and superb food during the week.

It soon became clear that Ullswater is an ideal venue for wind analysis.

Toby Dale and James Cole maintained their form from the Southern Area Championship and won all seven races.

The battle for second place was mainly between Peter Doran & Richard Phillips and Stephen Parry & David Parr. However, for the last race Doran/Phillips were left to defend third place with strong challenges from Julian & Cathy Bridges, John Berry & Andy Edwards and Tony Lyall & Colin Burns.

On Monday, after a light wind practice race and a short postponement, race 1 started in little wind. Lyall/Burns set the pace but Rosie & Niel Pye led at the first mark followed by Parry/Parr. The Bridges passed the Pyes and went on into the lead. Parry/Parr regained the lead on the second beat with Dale/Cole and Doran/Phillips fighting their way up the fleet, Two laps later Dale/Cole reached the lead, Parry/Parr held second and Doran/Phillips finished third.

On Tuesday, Peter Weeks & Karl Allen and Tim & Adrian Lester had two good races. In race 2, Parry/Parr gained another second with Weeks/Allen third and the Lesters fourth.

The third race was sailed in force 2 to 5 winds. Dale/Cole were challenged by Weeks/Allen. It took several laps for Doran/Phillips to pass the Lesters and eventually gain second place.

Wednesday was the island race day with generally light winds. At the end of a short beat from the start, Parry/Parr led Weeks/Allen. Parry Parr then got clear away with Dale/Cole. Doran/Phillips broke through and gave chase. Half way back to the finish Doran/Phillips briefly headed Dale/Cole. Both then enjoyed some strong winds which put Dale/Cole well ahead. With some massive variations in wind direction, Berry/Edwards found their way through to second and just kept ahead of Doran/Phillips. Keith Martin & John Lansley had their best race finishing fifth behind Parry/Parr.

The two races on Thursday were light wind affairs. The Bridges excelled in the first race but eventually settled for second with Parry/Parr third. The sixth race saw Parry/Parr secure their second place overall with a second and Lyall/Burns had their best race this year with a third.

The final race was sailed in a force 2 to 5 wind with large variations in wind direction. The Bridges needed to win to finish third overall. They finished third behind Parry/Parr. Tom Clancy & Ian Aldridge found a good shift on the final beat and shot into fourth place.

The weeks social programme included a barbeque and quiz night . The event was rounded off with a dinner and prize giving.