Squib Nationals Abersoch 2007

mike__penny_2Mark Bugler Vice Commodore of Weymouth Sailing Club led a team of 5 local boats including the 2006 Cowes week champions Mike And Penny Fenwick to the week long Haulfryn Squib National Championships in Abersoch, North Wales (24th to 30th June.)

 

The National Squib is one of the UK’s most popular one design two man racing keelboats, which are instantly recognizable by their distinctive tan colour sails. Squibs can be regularly seen sailing in the bay as Weymouth Sailing Club has one of the largest fleets in the country.

 

There were 97 competing boats from all over the UK & Ireland. The class is very competitive and included in the entries were over a dozen previous National and World Champions. The weather was particularly challenging with rain, gale force winds and big seas. 

 

The event was won by husband and wife team Mike and Penny Fenwick from Weymouth Sailing Club in their boat “Ghost Rider”. Mike and Penny dominated the event due to their incredibly consistent sailing with all but one result in the top ten. Their victory was all the more remarkable as they are a lightweight crew and were not expected to dominate in such a windy event. This is the second time that the National title has come to Weymouth (Pani-Munta won in 1997).

 

Mike and Penny now are setting their sights on the inaugural  “King of Cowes” competition, which take place on the Friday before Cowes week. All last years Cowes week class winners have been invited back to compete in identical SB3 racing keelboats for the prestigious title “King of Cowes” together with a first prize of a VW Tourag 4x4 car donated by the sponsors.