Reply To: Nationals 2013 Brixham
What an epic weekend of sailing, drinking, friendship and unbridled insults. It was fantastic. I almost didn’t go but so glad I did, irrespective of winning.
I think it was fabulous the way the class came together for this and proved that a championship can be a fun event on and off the water. The camaraderie and the obvious warmth within the fleet was reason enough to go. To be with the majority of the fleet, all drinking together and enjoying each other’s company late into the night, including a Greco-Roman wrestling display, was awesome. Dave was only on form for one night, but probably offended every old person within earshot. If you missed that you missed something special.
The racing was also fantastic in different ways with probably the most challenging and intense conditions we have had in a long time. Most of the fleet have grown up sailing the boat together in the UK and worldwide and shared life experiences as a group and this is something I think is a valuable and irreplaceable part of the class. I have been racing against Terry tooth and nail for a quarter of a century and it is still fun every time (more fun when I beat him). His on the water comments when we meet are priceless. There was an understated, “I’m a bit annoyed about that,” when you jag a 20 degree shift on the final beat to cross ahead after he had led the whole race or, “I’ll let you have that one then,” after he finished less than a boat length behind following a 75 minute gruelling race in 20 knots, and then we both crack up laughing because of the relief that the pain is over. It was Terry’s 25th Nationals, which must be a record and should be acknowledged for the support he has given the class over so many years. We’ve both been around far too long but it’s great to see some young sailors finally getting through to the front. Terry’s other comment, “We need a few more Burps in this fleet,” is true and hopefully not too far away. Next year we need a winner under 40 please.
Burp’s Hook Norton beer sponsorship was nothing short of genius, although slightly dangerous (216 pints consumed), and the hot pasties off the water were just what we needed. The quiz night, the sumptuous dinner, the libellous AGM…if you missed it then you missed something extraordinary. Thanks to everyone who got involved and organised all the bits the made the whole thing fantastic. It is why we all love to sail OKs and I loved every minute of it.
