"Packing for the 2005 mirror nationals on a beautiful sunny May day, the main problem was what to bring. Would a shorty wetsuit suffice in such lovely weather? Or would it be more sensible just to bring a drysuit? Whether or not they ended up packing the right gear, none of the 32 Itchenor competitors and their countless on-shore supporters at Poole on the weekend beginning on the 28th June could be expecting such diverse weather over the three competition days; ranging from the occasional 40 knot gusts on Saturday to moments of utterly no wind on Sunday. Despite the challenging conditions, the sixteen Itchenor boats managed to thoroughly enjoy themselves beating the old enemy (Poole Yacht Club – who only supplied twelve boats) on their own home ground!
The mirror class has been undergoing a revival, with 91 boats attending at Poole, more than has been seen for at least three years previously. However, this remarkable number of competitors was only achieved by the help of Itchenor, who, with the help of Sarah Fitzgerald, are experiencing a revival of their own in mirrors. Andy Shaw, George Yeoman and the Kalderons returned to mirrors purely for the Nationals to compete in the Gold Fleet along with 2004/05 National Squad members Jack Yeoman, Jilli Darling and Edward Fitzgerald. Six more Itchenor boats raced in the Silver Fleet; Helena Newell, Sam Hartley, Henry Spreckly, Rosie Sibthorp, Grace Spreckly and Olivia Bottomley, while Megan Pudney, Amy Richardson, Alex Peacock and Jack Pudney sailed in the Bronze Fleet.
Day 1 - Saturday
On a bright, sunny Saturday morning, the wind was whipping at the sails as the Itchenor team battled against the elements – and we were still only rigging the boats in the car park! By the time of the first start, the Yeoman team, true to form, had only just arrived and the wind was a steady 30-40 knots; nobody was in sailing gear as the race was postponed for an hour.
By two o’clock we were all waiting not-so-patiently in Poole Yacht Club’s upstairs bar, just to be told that a rolling postponement of one hour was being put in place until four o’clock, the latest that they could start the first race, in the unlikely event of the wind dying to a safe level. From our vantage point looking out over Poole Harbour, we could see the white horses and swirling force 8 gusts hitting into the windsurfers, who seemed to be having an amazing time! It didn’t look as if there was ever a chance of getting sailing that day, and so boredom began to kick in with the prospect of waiting until four with nothing to do. The majority of the Itchenor fleet began to enjoy themselves in the sun outside while Alice Darling attempted to revise for her GCSEs to the backdrop of the parent’s gossiping!
With our predictions confirmed at four o’clock, we all returned to our hotels after a hard day’s (cough) sitting around. Thirty-eight of the Itchenorites met up on Saturday evening; not content with taking over Poole Yacht Club, we decided to invade the restaurant at the Saltern’s hotel for a thoroughly enjoyable meal.
Day 2 - Sunday
We awoke bright and early to sunshine and very little wind, the storm having blown itself out overnight. With boats rigged and shorty wetsuits put on, the wait for enough wind to sail by begun. At this stage, getting the advertised six races in seemed unlikely. Luckily they managed to launch us only half an hour after the first race was due to start and the first race was soon underway, after a few general recalls. Half way up the first beat, a huge wind shift kicked in and the race had to be abandoned just before the first boat reached the windward mark, much to the chagrin of several Itchenor boats who had found themselves doing rather well.
However it wasn’t long before the course was re-laid and the race was started again. Starting the series on a positive note was George Yeoman and crew Kate Robinson who sailed skilfully into 4th place, their best result of the series!
Sadly, after this race finished the wind died again, the weather not supporting Poole’s amazing organization skills, and the entire fleet sailed home again for an hour’s rest, until the wind increased. This contained an ‘Itchenor Fleet photo’, of us all crowded together on the slipway. Despite Charlotte Fitzgerald’s determination to stand behind the taller members of the fleet, and George Yeoman’s crew, Kate Robinson’s insistence that she wasn’t a member of Itchenor and so shouldn’t be in the photo, it was finally taken with all competitors able to be seen. Soon after this, the wind increased, allowing for two more races late on into the evening.
The second race proved to be brilliant for most of the Itchenor fleet, with seven boats achieving their best results. Jack Yeoman and Chantal Crane almost gave their parents heart attacks as they battled their way expertly into 2nd place (Itchenor’s overall best result, achieved by one of our youngest helms). Andrew Shaw and James Wallace wwere close behind Jack in 7th place, followed by the Darling sisters in 13th, Helena Newell and Charlotte Fitzgerald in 23rd and Meg Pudney sailing with Annie Sibthorp in 40th place. Closely behind came Rosie Sibthorp and Lisa McDanell and Olivia Bottomly and Tots Boadle in 62nd. However this race wasn’t quite so good for two Itchenor boats; Alex Peacock and Jack Pudney who were black-flagged and so disqualified!
To the surprise of most of the fleet, the race officer decided to sail one more race as the sun began to set. This meant emergency repairs had to be made on the Darlings’ boat, as their tiller extension had decided to snap off half way down the last run, much to the astonishment of Alice Darling, who only the day before had proclaimed; ‘It’ll never break, it’s meant to look like that!’ After Roger Yeoman tied it back on with copious amount of rope and tape, they were ready for the start of the next race!
Sadly, in this race Meg Pudney and Will and Becca Kalderon were black-flagged, although Ed Fitzgerald , Henry and George Spreckly and Jack Pudney attained their best results; 12th, 29th and 61st respectively.
Returning back to the club at eight o’clock in the evening, exhaustion began to set in and the difficult decision of what to do that evening proved too much! The Itchenor fleet split up, with most staying on at Poole while the others went out to Pizza Express before falling into bed not much before eleven.
Day 3 – Monday
Finally the wind seemed perfect as we made our way down to the sailing club in the morning. Sadly we had lost one of our members; Jack Pudney and Nick Britton, who had to return back to Itchenor, although the remaining Itchenorites seemed to be optimistic about the day ahead.
The fourth race began almost on time and although both Meg Pudney and Alex Peacock were black-flagged for their second time in the series, Sam Hartley sailed his way up into 33rd place, his best result, while Jack Yeoman led the Itchenor fleet with another brilliant result; 7th.
After a short break, Will Kalderon managed follow in the footsteps of ‘Muffin’ and ‘Mega Wind’ as ‘Illiswilgig’ was over the line on a black flag start for the second time. Despite this, Grace Spreckly and Olivia Peacock achieved a 45th, their best result.
Finally it was time for the last race, a race which proved disappointing for both Andy Shaw in ‘Running Bear’ and Jilli Darling. Itchenor’s reputation was held up, however, as both the Kalderons and Alex Peacock sailed into their best positions; 8th and 69th.
Exhausted, we all returned to the shore, packed away our boats and added to the Bank Holiday traffic as we drove home. It had been a strange weekend, filled with winds of all different intensities and extremely long days, although everyone would agree that it was highly enjoyable! Although losing our ‘Best Club’ trophy to Chipstead (we were still 3rd) Itchenor returned home with a highly commendable three prizes.
Well done to:
George Yeoman – 8th overall
Edward Fitzgerald and Harry Richardson – 25th overall
Helena Newell – 3rd in Silver Fleet.
Congratulations to everyone who competed and well done to those of you whom it was your first nationals (especially Jilli Darling, who in her first nationals helming finished 21st!) However, special mention must go to Annie Sibthorp for being the youngest Itchenor crew who finished every race (except the ones she was black-flagged in!)
The on-shore supporters also deserve some recognition:
Official Itchenor Repair Man: Roger Yeoman, for emergency tiller extension fixing!
Official Most Helpful Spectator: Millie Yeoman, for offering to help de-rig boats every day!
Official Most Responsible Parent: Trycha Darling, for leaving her children to find their own lunch while she shopped in Thorntons!
Official Worst Hairstyle: Tom Spreckly, for attempting to ‘highlight’ his hair on Sunday!
This summer, out of 25 boats selected to represent Britain at the Mirror Worlds in Sweden , five are from Itchenor.
Best of luck to:
Edward Fitzgerald and Harry Richardson
Jack Yeoman and Chantal Crane
Jilli and Alice Darling
Rob Struckett
Will and Becca Kalderon
