HolidayCottages Tasar National Championships 2025 at Whitstable Yacht Club
by Sally Gostelow, Alastair Nicolson & Rick Perkins
Photos © Georgios Rafeletos
Day 1
The Tasar bandwagon rolled up to Whitstable (Putney by Sea) for a three day championship. A mixture of the current in form runners and riders and some old well-known faces returning to the party to enjoy the atmosphere for the weekend.
The forecast was not looking good wind wise, but the sun was out with wall to wall sunshine and the temperature built to over 28 degrees C+. So, on cue the sea breeze kicked in at 1130 and built, exceeding the provisional forecast to approx. gradient breeze 12 knots with gusts of 16+ knots.
Tom Bruton R/O and conductor for the event, dropped the D flag and called the fleet to attendance with the first start going on time. Unfortunately, the fleet had not read the script, and many ended up on the naughty list, resulting in the black flag coming out. Race 1 got away and first to fall to the scythe of the grim reaper was 2629 (Rick/Sarah Perkins). Off the start with little in it, those that did not hit the line risking OCS, tacked to the right and hit the gravy train led by 175 (Ian Swan/Spike Daniels).
Over the race there was little to choose between the front six with the lead changing several times resulting in 2975 (Paul/Bromwyn Ridgeway) Taking the first bullet followed by 2973 (Jeremy/Susanne Hawkins) and 2815 (David/Fiona Sayce).
Races two and three followed a similar format with the top six – seven boats changing places throughout the races and to close to call who would be rise to the top with less than 90 seconds separating this group at the finish. Race two was won by Dave/Fiona Sayce just holding out Rick/Sarah Perkins and Jeremy/Susanne Hawkins. Race three was won by Jeremy/Susanne Hawkins, second Paul/Bromwyn Ridgeway, third Ian Swan/Spike Daniels (after leading at one point both races 1 and 3).
Consistency was to prove the tonic on the day not just in the front pack but also right down through the fleet. Coming ashore, teams had beaming faces and stories shared of how close the racing had been and opportunities missed.
Special mentions to 298 (Tyn Udo/Jan Slotemaker) probably the oldest team on the water and having to add 2.5 kg of lead to his boat at the weigh-in lying sixth overall and Joe Barton 14, super keen and light at 40 kg, crewing 2814 with Barnsie putting in a stellar performance as a warm-up to the Topper Worlds in the Netherlands in July grabbing three fifths and fifth overall.
Tomorrow is showing a gradient breeze of 16 – 20 knots with possible sea breeze on top. It could be a day of where it blows dogs off chains or we get racing in if under the 25 knot gradient breeze limit with gusts to 30 knots. Having team weights ranging 121 – 165 kg, will the bantam weight teams still be flexing their guns against the middle and cruiser weight teams?
What is certain, is it will be a day for some champagne sailing if within the limits.
With live music provided tonight made up of Whitstable Yacht club members from the Tasar fleet and friends from other club bands, yes we have a few with some doing gigs across the region. A lively evening was had, but many tired bodies departs by 2130 with club members staying on the remaining sailors to enjoy the evening prior to the arrival of a spectacular thunder storm.
Thanks goes out to our title sponsor Holiday Cottages and race day sponsor Rooster Sailing.
Day 2
After a noisy night of thunderstorms and torrential rain, the Tasar fleet woke to the anticipated fresh to strong westerly breeze and warm sunshine.
Having got in the lead in 2 races the previous day without winning, Ian Swann and Spike Daniels had a close tussle with Paul and Bronwyn Ridgway to win Race 4.
Lightweight team Mark Barnes and Joe Barton finished third ahead of Team Hawkins followed by the Sayces.
The fleet greatly appreciated the fast turn around of races provided by the Race Team and Race 5 soon got under way.
Conditions proved to be even more challenging as the seas kicked up, providing screaming reaches and exciting runs. Jeremy and Suzanne Hawkins revelled in the conditions and finished well ahead of Barnsey and Joe followed by Ian and Spike.
The last race of the day saw a reduced number of starters with only 10 crossing the starting line. The wind seemed even stronger with bigger gusts up the first beat. The Hawkins soon had a lead that they had no difficulty keeping until the finish. Ian and Spike were 2nd with Paul and Bronwyn finished 3rd despite doing penalty turns after an incident with Barnsey.
Barnsey subsequently lost his pole and took a detour looking for it which meant his hopes of catching the Sayces were frustrated. The German Team of Stephan Heim and Suzanne Schwikert showed great speed to windward in the stronger conditions and enjoyed close competition with ex champions Rick and Sarah Perkins.
Strong winds, bright sunshine and big waves combined with slick race management: Tasar sailing at its best.
Day 3
After yesterday’s three windy races, the evening followed up with a delicious buffet and more live music at WYC. The final day dawned with moderate breezes to give the whole fleet a great final day of sailing in the sunshine.
As the fleet assembled for race 7, it was all set up for a head-to-head battle between Jeremy and Suzanne Hawkins and Paul and Bronwyn Ridgway for the overall title. 3rd to 6th was in the balance with very tight points.
After a bit of fine tuning of the course the fleet were away, Mark Barnes and Joe Barton were early leaders but Rick and Sarah Perkins snuck through into the lead on the first reach and were pressed hard all the way to the finish taking the win, with Paul and Bronwyn Ridgway chasing hard to score a 2nd followed by David and Fiona Sayce in 3rd. Jeremy and Suzanne finished 4th which whilst a decent score wasn’t enough to finish the job leaving it all to be decided on the final race…
Race 8 started in less breeze and was away under a black flag… unfortunately Paul and Bronwyn got black flagged and so the title was in the bag for Jeremy and Suzanne but of course they didn’t know so the race progressed as per usual. Initially the port end starters looked favoured but with little wind, those that to the right were hiking hard and Mark Barnes and Joe Barton lead at the windward mark chased by the pack.
At the finish Mark & Joe took the bullet and Jeremy and Suzanne Hawkins took 2nd and with it the title. 3rd was Stephan Heim and Susanne Schwickert from Germany who scored their best result of the regatta.
With 8 races completed the fleet returned ashore and WYC promptly held the prize-giving to recognise the worthy winners and to allow those with long journeys home to make a quick exit however it seems most chose to remain and enjoy the hospitality and one last legendary Whitstable sunset.
In summary a great event with sailors of all ages competing (from 14 to 75+), teams were a mix of friends, couples all competing evenly and having a great time.
The event was organised superbly by Ali Nicolson who marshalled a great team of volunteers from WYC and the on-the-water race management was again slick, lead by race officer Tom Bruton.
Jeremy and Suzanne Hawkins were both worthy and popular winners and will also welcome all the competitors to next year’s Nationals which will be at their home club so a home defence is ahead of them.
Thanks again to WYC and to the supporters of the event www.holidaycottages.co.uk and to all the competitors who made the event so enjoyable
