MYA National Vane “A” Class Championship Fleetwood 2026 Report

20/08/2026
Vane A, Northern District, Racing Reports

SATURDAY 25^th JULY

Registration was open and most competitors had arrived by the end of the afternoon.

Some decided to go out for sailing practice. At 7-00 pm there was a “Jacob’s Join” meal in the Clubhouse, where participants bring food to share amongst themselves.

SUNDAY 26^th JULY

Competitors were welcomed by the MYA’s and Fleetwood Club’s President,

Derek Priestley. There were 18 yachts, representing Birkenhead, Bournville, Fleetwood, Gosport, Keighley, Windrush and our regular supporter from the Netherlands, Arjan, sailing for the Guildford & Littleton Club. Teams of 3, TOTs were drawn at random and Clubs’ Teams of 3 for the Neptune Trophy were submitted.

The strong wind was from the West, so blowing straight down the lake giving classic Fleetwood conditions. Derek urged everyone to look out for each other and render assistance if necessary, especially for the older competitors who would probably struggle to keep up with their yachts.

“Evolution” suffered a broken mast on the run of Heat 3, so the next 2 heats of the day were to be sailed as resails once repairs were completed. There were other resails not completed, so it was difficult to give placings after these 5 heats.

However yachts which had had a good day’s sailing were “Pegasus” and “M’Aidez” with full points and “Black Knight” loosing just 2 points.

Most competitors attended the North Euston Hotel in the evening for a carvery meal and drinks.

MONDAY 27^th JULY

The Westerly wind was even stronger, so most yachts had reduced sail areas; the lighter boats in 2^nd or 3^rd suits. Five heats were sailed. “Evolution” came back in

Heat 7, but more time was needed to clear the resails accumulated whilst the yacht was being repaired. There were also other resails still to complete, so it was still not possible to give total scores for the fleet. It was decided to clear all resails in the Tuesday afternoon lay-day period.

However yachts having a good performance on Monday were “Dignity”, loosing 4 points, “Lance”, loosing 7 points, “Oppenheimer”, loosing 8 points and “Pegasus” loosing 9 points.

TUESDAY 28^th JULY

The wind was still Westerly, but slightly lighter in strength, so some yachts had their sail areas increased. Three heats were sailed and those without resails could have the afternoon off. Most of the backlog of resails were completed, except for “Evolution” which still had 4 to complete.

Provisional placings at Heat 13 were:

“Black Knight”                         74%
“Pegasus” 71%
“Dignity” 68%
“Oppenheimer”                      68%
“Reference Point”                   64%

WEDNESDAY 29^th JULY

This was the separate event for the Yachting Monthly Cup.

See report after the end of this Championship Report.

THURSDAY 30^th JULY

The wind was still Westerly, a similar strength to Tuesday. Due to personal injury,

“Pinball Wizard”, sailed by Brad Gibson, had to withdraw from the Championship competition. He had scored 26 points by Heat 13 and latterly was performing well. According to Free Sailing Rules, scores for and against this yacht had to be deleted and to carry on with the 18 boat schedule, those who had yet to race this boat would have a Bye instead. The other competitors wished Brad a speedy recovery.

The 4 heats of Round 1 were completed, then Round 2 was started. Choices of starting berths were reversed on the racing schedule. Two heats of Round 2 were completed.

Heat 19 positions were now:

“Black Knight”                         81%
“Pegasus”                                69%
“Oppenheimer”                      68%
“Dignity”                                 68%
“Reference Point”                   63%

FRIDAY 31^st JULY

The wind was still Westerly, about the same strength as the previous day. Four more heats were sailed, giving a total of 23 heats for the Championship. Resails were then completed, which took until 6-30pm. There was then a free BBQ for competitors, officials, any RA competitors who had arrived for their National Championship which was to follow 0n Saturday 1^st August, and any family members.

The Prize Presentation took place in front of the Clubhouse after the BBQ. The Prizes were presented by long time Fleetwood Club member and 5 times Vane “A” Nationals winner, David Latham.

Thanks are due to Derek Priestley for his regular briefings, Scorer, Bob Jolly aided by Paul Fishwick and Starter, John Sharman. Also to those who set up the lakeside signs telling the public that the lake and car park were reserved for the competition, hoisting the flags before racing, then removing everything afterwards. The signs appeared to keep the lake mostly clear of crabbers, who were directed to the large Boating Lake. However, there were still a few crabbers who refused to co-operate.

Competitors were most grateful to the younger competitors who gave extra support down the lakeside banks and caught any yachts when their crews couldn’t get there In time. Very often the volunteers jumped in the lake to stop the downwind yachts.

PRIZE WINNERS

1^st Chris Harris & Graham Bantock 84.5%
2^nd Martin & Sam Roberts 69.5%
3^rd David & Robert Bell 68.6%
4^th Jeremy Browne & John Simpson 67.3%

Scrutton Cup (Championship) Chris Harris
Jonnie’s Cup (Most beats) Chris Harris
Wing & Wing Cup (Most runs) Chris Harris
Little Portugal Cup Peter Fothergill
Dennis Lippett Trophy Sam Roberts
Neptune Trophy Windrush Josh King
Jeremy Browne
Chris Harris

TOTs Random Arjan van der Cingel
Chris Harris
Andy Fernie

Yachting Monthly Cup Russell & Lewis Wyeth
Top Vintage Yacht Nigel Brown
4-Candle Trophy (Choppa Race) No competitors so not sailed

WEDNESDAY 29^th JULY YACHTING MONTHLY CUP

Martin Roberts, Graham Butler and Derek Priestley did not enter. Rob MacIntosh sailed David Lindsay’s “Jouster”, Martin Dovey sailed his own boat, “Amlor” instead of Mark Dicks. Robert Bell sailed “Pegasus” and David Bell sailed “Loki”. Nigel Brown entered the vintage yacht, “The Saint”, giving a total entry of 17 yachts. The full fleet

was divided into 4 small fleets. Fleets A, B, and C had 4 members and fleet D had 5.

Each small fleet sailed a “Round Robin” of 2 beats, so both boats of a pair each had a weather berth. No runs were sailed at this stage. The top 2 yachts of each fleet went forward to give 8 yachts through to the Knock-Out stage.

Fleet A
1^st Shaun Wyeth 5 wins
2^nd Robert Bell 4 wins

Fleet B
1^st David Bell 5 wins
2^nd Russell Wyeth 4 wins

Fleet C
1^st Jeremy Brown 6 wins
2^nd All 3 other yachts each had 2 wins so a 3 boat “Round Robin” was sailed by Damian Ackroyd, Martin Dovey and Peter Whiteside. This resulted in Martin Dovey and Peter Whiteside each winning 2 beats, so they had to have a further sail-off. Each won a beat so a deciding run was sailed which was won by Martin, who then went through to the Knock-Out stage.

Fleet D
1^st Peter Fothergill 6 wins
2^nd 3 yachts each had 4 wins so a 3 boat “Round Robin” was required for Josh King, Brad Gibson and Rob MacIntosh. Rob won with 3 beats.

Knock-Out 8 Starters Quarter Final

Shaun Wyeth v Martin Dovey winner Shaun
David Bell v Rob MacIntosh winner David
Jeremy Browne v Russell Wyeth winner Russell
Peter Fothergill v Robert Bell winner Robert

Semi Final

Shaun Wyeth v David Bell winner David
Robert Bell v Russell Wyeth winner Russell

Final

David Bell v Russell Wyeth

Each won a beat so a run was required and was won by Russell and Lewis Wyeth, now the 2026 winners of the Yachting Monthly Cup.

A fish and chip supper, free to competitors, officials and families was enjoyed after racing, followed by Uncle Derek’s quiz, based on knowledge of the history of the Yachting Monthly Cup.

VANE A NATIONALS ENTRIES 2026