The 2008 Access Class National Championships were held at Burghfield Sailing Club on 10 and 11 July. The Friday forecast was for rain and squally conditions which duly arrived, but racing commenced on time at 1130 with 12 entries in both the 303 and 2.3 classes and two in the Access Liberty class, both of which were using electrical control systems. The helms of all participating boats had a qualifying disability under the rules of the Access Class Association (UK).

Race 1 for the single-handed 2.3s proved to be between Clare Andrew of Rutland and Ann Lewis of Frensham Pond with Clare winning after Ann apparently collected some Burghfield weed. The leaders in the 303 class, in which single- and double-handers compete together, were both from Frensham Pond with Paul Holzherr beating David Harris to the line.

Two more races were held after lunch, and Ann got her revenge, beating Clare in both races for the 2.3s. There was some concern when Chris Emmet of Rutland Sailability was tipped out of his part-electrical-control 2.3 by a particularly heavy squall. However, the Burghfield Safety Boat soon had him out of the water. There were new winners in the 303 class with newcomers Ian and his father Paul Clements from Chew Valley Lake winning race 2 and past champions Chris Atkin and Johnty Dickinson from Woolverstone Project (Ipswich) winning race 3. At the end of day 1 the 303s were evenly balanced with Paul, David and Chris/Johnty on similar points. The Libertys were also evenly balanced with Dave Durston of Whitefriars having two wins and Simon Harle of Rutland the other.

The forecast for the second day was more promising, and conditions were indeed much easier with the wind dying briefly during the sixth and last race. Race 4 for the 2.3s was a repeat of race 3 with Ann beating Clare, but an interesting battle was developing behind them with club-mates Janet Lee and Pat Jackson of Sussex YC scrapping for third place overall, each with two third places on the water. Paul Holzherr won race 4 for the 303s, and Dave Durston clocked up a third win in the Libertys. Race 5 followed back-to-back and there was a loud cheer when Geoff Gibbins’ 2.3 arrived first, with a good lead, at the windward mark near the clubhouse to break the apparent female monopoly. He held on to his lead to the finish, with Janet Lee second and Ann Lewis relegated to third. There was also a new winner, David Harris, in the 303s and Simon Harle succeeded in the Liberty class to give himself a chance if he could win the 6^th and last race.

Over lunch the leading contenders were busy calculating their overall prospects before the final race. It seemed that Ann Lewis and Paul Holzherr had the 2.3 and 303 classes won, but there was all to play for further down the fleets. Nevertheless Ann and Paul went afloat for what proved, in many respects, the most challenging race of the championships with significant variations in wind strength and direction. Chris Emmet established a lead in his part-electric 2.3 and held on until the last mark when Ann Lewis passed him to confirm her status as the National Champion. Ian and Paul Clements had another win in the 303s but, with only three races completed out of six, were out of contention overall. Simon Harle won the last Access Liberty race to become National Champion on a tie-break.

The organisation by Burghfield afloat and ashore was first class with two hoists used to transfer wheelchair user into and out of the boats and excellent courses for the 45 minute races. An AGM was held which will be reported on the website www.accessclass.org , together with the full results of the event.

The main prize-winners were:

Access 2.3 Class

1^st and National Champion 2008 – Ann Lewis – Frensham Pond Sailability

2^nd – Clare Andrew – Rutland Sailability

3^rd – Pat Jackson – Sussex Yacht Club

Access 303 Class

1^st and National Champion 2008 – Paul Holzherr – Frensham Pond Sailability

2^nd – David Harris – Frensham Pond Sailability

3^rd – Chris Atkin and Johnty Dickinson – Woolverstone Project

Access Liberty Class

1^st and National Champion 2008 – Simon Harle – Rutland Sailability

2^nd – Dave Durston – Whitefriars Sailing for Disabled

A tough open at Chichester the day before, plus the counter attractions of tennis and Formula One, reduced the field somewhat. But five visitors joined the nine local helms for Frensham’s annual meeting for Solos. Frensham can be a light weather venue, but this day of driving rain, thirty knot gusts and capsizes, ended with a narrow win by a home club entry.

First of the three race series was won by Frensham’s top Solo helm Keith Videlo, with second place going to Reading SC’s Simon Corper and third to Steve Jones from Littleton SC.

It might have been Videlo’s day, but for a severe blood injury from a boom in the face. Although Keith struggled on to finish the second race his challenge was over.

The race was won by Will Loy from Reading SC, with Corper second and Frensham’s Richard Harding third.

In the afternoon the rain ceased and the sun shone; but the gusts were as punishing as ever forcing a number of retirements. This third and final race went to Richard Harding with Steve Jones second and Will Loy third.

Commodore John Townsley, who had himself competed on the water, thanked all competitors, especially the visitors, plus the kitchen team and the safety boat crews who had been busier than usual. Thanks also went to Race Officer Tim Hemsley who manned the committee boat and set the courses in tricky conditions.

Final Result.

1^st: Richard Harding. 2^nd: Will Loy. 3^rd: Simon Corper.

Members of Frensham Sailability Access team had a triumphant weekend at the French national championships with a one-two result in the single-handed 303 class.

The meeting staged at Berck sailing club fifty miles south of Calais was sailed in some marginal conditions. The twenty five knot gusts on Friday afternoon were no problem for Frensham’s Dave Harris who showed immediate form with a first and second. Ashore Dave registered a protest against the French winner of the second race for an on-water incident. Dave was elevated to first place. Fortunately the protest caused no souring of Anglo-French relations with the other competitor acknowledging her error and shaking hands.

On day two strong winds delayed the start. When racing started Andy Sheaf and Kate Lintott in the double-handed class scored two wins and Dave Harris a first and third. Frensham’s Paul Holzheer found good form recording a second and third. Harris ended day two leading a French competitor with Paul Holzheer third.

The final day dawned with medium to strong winds. Paul Holzheer and Dave Harris scored a win each, which pulled Paul to second place in the final result. Andy Sheaf and Kate Lintott in the double-hander had a tough fight with a skilled Spanish crew and had to settle for second overall.

Picture L – R. Andy Sheaf & Kate Lintott. Paul Holzherr. Dave Harris

2^nd 303 two handed Access. 2^nd solo 303Access 1^st solo 303 Access.

The annual Ten Hour Race & Barbecue will take place on Saturday 19th July.  This is a great event for all the family whether you sail or not.

For more details see the events page.

If you want to sail in the race, get your teams together and start collecting sponsorship.  This year the proceeds will go to the Frensham Pond Cadet Class and to www.smile4rich.co.uk.  If you can't find a team, speak to your class captain who will be happy to find you a place in a team.

See photos of the 2008 Open Day by clicking here