48 boats including the reigning National Champions, Ben & Keira McGrane, ex-World champion Chris Balding, two time GBR Olympic sailor Chris Grube plus a host of other top sailors, gathered at Brightlingsea SC for the UK Mirror Nationals from 1st to 4th June. To add a little International flavour, there were two boats from Ireland, warming up against GBR sailors prior to the Mirror World Championships in Sligo in July.
Great racing in the sheltered, if tidal, waters of the Colne Estuary. Cracking weather, a campervan site right next to the dinghy park, a bar and a galley providing breakfasts, packed lunches and an evening meal kept everyone fuelled up. Great organisation from Marie & Stephen Cross, Carole Heppell and the Brightlingsea SC crew.
Day 1 Race Winners
Competitors enjoyed great race management with PRO Phil Rust and his team getting all scheduled 8 races in.
With a large area of high pressure firmly established over the UK, racing started on Friday with a gusty and shifty 3-5 from the NE which built as the day went on. The main fleet completing three races, the first one in the last of the flood tide. After a couple of general recalls, the PRO switched to 'U' penalty starts which curbed the over-eager. There was also a Regatta fleet for those who only wanted to sail one race per day. On Saturday conditions were similar, but with more sun, and an earlier start, so the tide flooding for longer. Once again the main fleet did their three races and the Regatta fleet one. On Sunday conditions again similar. This time the main fleet just had two races to complete while the Regatta fleet did one, so a fairly early finish, allowing everyone time to pack up and enjoy the prizegiving before heading home.
Day 2 Race Winners
Adult helms with child crews dominated the top end of the fleet. Ben McGrane with 9 year old Keira crewing, finished comfortably ahead of Phil & 8 year old Oliver Smith. Chris Balding had 11 year old Adriana crewing to finish in third. Stuart Hudson with daughter Lizzie crewing were 4th, Paul Smalley had 8 year old Peter crewing to finish 5th . Top U15 helm was Poppy Armstrong with mum, Natasha, crewing who finished 13th. Top Youths (i.e. U19) were Jessica Greer & Myrtle Bamber from Ireland in 24th place, sailing a borrowed boat. The only all Junior (U15) boat was Willow Cross and Katie Bees from Brightlingsea in 37th
Youngest crew prize went to Saskia Leonard in 14th who also took the combined youngest helm and crew prize with her very youthful dad. Youngest helm to complete all races was Morgan Cross with dad Steven crewing, in 25th. The best team of three boats was Netley SC ahead of Bassenthwaite SC. The top wooden boat was James & Meris Date from Burghfield SC in 7th. Single hander Steve Bland retained his title finishing in 34th.
You can view all Tim Bees' photos on the Brightlingsea SC site on Smugmug
Once again we had What HAppened Today? (WHAT?). After everyone was changed and re-fuelled, a post-racing debrief by Chris Balding with input from Ben McGrane.
Other after sailing activities included a Beach Olympics competition on the sand in front of the club to round off a lovely sunny day.
Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Mirror nationals then enter your Gear Guide information to Yachts & Yachting here
Main Fleet Overall Results are final as of 15:05 on June 4, 2023
| Rank | Boat | SailNo | Club | HelmName | CrewName | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Total | Nett |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Anna | 71038 | Netley SC | Ben McGrane | Keira McGrane | (2.0) | (8.0) | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 18.0 | 8.0 |
| 2nd | Lamborbeanie | 71013 | Bassenthwaite SC | Phil Smith | Oliver Smith | 1.0 | (12.0) | (9.0) | 3.0 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 37.0 | 16.0 |
| 3rd | YOLO | 70810 | Island Barn SC | Chris Balding | Adriana Balding | (8.0) | 5.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | (8.0) | 4.0 | 36.0 | 20.0 |
| 4th | Hypermouse | 70683 | Royal Lymington SC | Stuart Hudson | Lizzie Hudson | 4.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | (9.0) | 3.0 | (7.0) | 7.0 | 7.0 | 42.0 | 26.0 |
| 5th | Primary Cru | 70964 | Chew Valley Lake SC | Paul Smalley | Peter Smalley | 3.0 | 4.0 | (15.0) | 10.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | (18.0) | 67.0 | 34.0 |
| 6th | Black Pearl | 71039 | Netley SC | Chris Grube | Edward Grube | (17.0) | (23.0) | 4.0 | 12.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 78.0 | 38.0 |
| 7th | Shelly | 70182 | Burghfield SC | James Date | Meris Date | 13.0 | (24.0) | (23.0) | 7.0 | 4.0 | 12.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 89.0 | 42.0 |
| 8th | Wave Catcher Too | 70922 | Netley SC | Toby Wincer | Molly Wincer | 7.0 | 1.0 | 10.0 | (13.0) | 8.0 | (17.0) | 6.0 | 12.0 | 74.0 | 44.0 |
| 9th | 70668 | Bassenthwaite SC | Andy Smith | Lily Smith | 12.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | (14.0) | 5.0 | (14.0) | 10.0 | 72.0 | 44.0 | |
| 10th | Real Deal | 70971 | BSC | Peter Kyne | Zoe Goodwin | (33.0) | 6.0 | 1.0 | 16.0 | 12.0 | 6.0 | (42.0 OCS) | 8.0 | 124.0 | 49.0 |
| 11th | Renaissance | 69659 | Tralee Bay SC | Thomax Chaix | Ben Chaix | 5.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 11.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | (15.0) | (20.0) | 88.0 | 53.0 |
| 12th | BSC | 70625 | BSC | Mary Henderson White | Jenson White | (25.0) | 13.0 | (17.0) | 5.0 | 9.0 | 13.0 | 11.0 | 9.0 | 102.0 | 60.0 |
| 13th | Sea Glass | 70499 | West Kirby SC | Poppy Armstrong | Natasha Armstrong | 11.0 | 14.0 | 11.0 | (17.0) | (22.0) | 14.0 | 12.0 | 5.0 | 106.0 | 67.0 |
| 14th | Let it Blow | 71035 | Bassenthwaite SC | Alex Leonard | Saskia Leonard | 6.0 | 9.0 | (20.0) | 8.0 | (20.0) | 15.0 | 18.0 | 15.0 | 111.0 | 71.0 |
| 15th | Bluebell | 70650 | West Kirby SC | Angus Armstrong | Isla Armstrong | (23.0) | 3.0 | 14.0 | (21.0) | 16.0 | 21.0 | 10.0 | 16.0 | 124.0 | 80.0 |
| 16th | Bamm-Bamm | 71014 | Chew Valley Lake SC | Adam Broughton | Max Broughton | 9.0 | (21.0) | 13.0 | (42.0 OCS) | 15.0 | 9.0 | 19.0 | 17.0 | 145.0 | 82.0 |
| 17th | Revenge of the smurfs | 70832 | Netley SC | Heather Ross | Henry Ross | 10.0 | 16.0 | 18.0 | 14.0 | 11.0 | (20.0) | (22.0) | 13.0 | 124.0 | 82.0 |
| 18th | Blue | 70852 | Chew Valley Lake SC | Alex Knight | Harrison Smalley | 15.0 | (31.0) | 8.0 | 15.0 | 17.0 | 11.0 | (21.0) | 19.0 | 137.0 | 85.0 |
| 19th | The Chief | 71028 | BSC | Sarah Conlon | Lucy Eeles | 19.0 | (26.0) | 21.0 | 18.0 | 13.0 | (35.0) | 9.0 | 14.0 | 155.0 | 94.0 |
| 20th | Toothless | 70538 | Blackwater SC | Andy Pickering | Florence Pickering | 14.0 | 18.0 | (27.0) | 6.0 | 27.0 | 18.0 | (31.0) | 24.0 | 165.0 | 107.0 |
| 21st | Ida | 69020 | BSC/HRSC | Barnaby Smith | Josie Rist-Heppell | 18.0 | 17.0 | (26.0) | 23.0 | 24.0 | 16.0 | 17.0 | (26.0) | 167.0 | 115.0 |
| 22nd | Fred the Red | 70989 | Netley SC | Terry Hunt | Charlie Hunt | 26.0 | 11.0 | (42.0 DNC) | (42.0 OCS) | 29.0 | 24.0 | 16.0 | 11.0 | 201.0 | 117.0 |
| 23rd | Bede3 | 71011 | Hayling Island SC | Jarrod Simpson | Finn Simpson | (30.0) | 25.0 | 12.0 | 24.0 | (35.0) | 25.0 | 13.0 | 22.0 | 186.0 | 121.0 |
| 24th | Ready or not | 70646 | Sliga Yacht Club Ireland | Jessica Greer | Myrtle Bamber | 16.0 | 22.0 | (42.0 DNF) | 26.0 | 19.0 | 19.0 | (35.0) | 30.0 | 209.0 | 132.0 |
| 25th | Oarsome | 70945 | BSC | Morgan Cross | Stephen Cross | 22.0 | 15.0 | 29.0 | (30.0) | (32.0) | 29.0 | 23.0 | 25.0 | 205.0 | 143.0 |
| 26th | Wood stock | 70351 | Staunton Harold SC | Becky Priest | Ella Saunders | (37.0) | 27.0 | 16.0 | (33.0) | 25.0 | 28.0 | 26.0 | 21.0 | 213.0 | 143.0 |
| 27th | Hummingbird | 70587 | Netley SC | Leighton King | Penny King | 21.0 | 20.0 | (28.0) | 27.0 | 28.0 | 22.0 | (32.0) | 27.0 | 205.0 | 145.0 |
| 28th | Twinkle Toes | 70739 | BSC | Toby Heppell | Elodie Heppell | 29.0 | (42.0 DNC) | (42.0 DNC) | 20.0 | 21.0 | 23.0 | 27.0 | 32.0 | 236.0 | 152.0 |
| 29th | 70636 | Island Barn SC | Alex Balding | Priti Verma | 28.0 | (35.0) | 24.0 | 22.0 | 26.0 | 26.0 | 30.0 | (31.0) | 222.0 | 156.0 | |
| 30th | Blyskawica | 15563 | Restronguet SC | Martin Egan | Felix Heffernan | 24.0 | 30.0 | (42.0 DNF) | 28.0 | 18.0 | (42.0 DNF) | 29.0 | 29.0 | 242.0 | 158.0 |
| 31st | MCA Demo Boat | 70905 | Chew Valley Lake SC | Derian Scott | Arabella Broughton | 31.0 | 19.0 | 22.0 | 29.0 | (38.0) | 32.0 | 33.0 | (34.0) | 238.0 | 166.0 |
| 32nd | Clewless | 70998 | BSC | Finlay Appleton | Emma Appleton | 20.0 | (34.0) | 30.0 | 25.0 | 33.0 | 30.0 | (34.0) | 28.0 | 234.0 | 166.0 |
| 33rd | Get Real | 70959 | Burghfield SC | Anna Goodwin | Clive Goodwin | (38.0) | 28.0 | 19.0 | 31.0 | 34.0 | 34.0 | 25.0 | (39.0) | 248.0 | 171.0 |
| 34th | Peer Pressure | 70714 | The Poole Yacht Club | Steven Balnd | 32.0 | (33.0) | 25.0 | (42.0 OCS) | 23.0 | 33.0 | 28.0 | 33.0 | 249.0 | 174.0 | |
| 35th | Crimson Thunder | 70534 | Island Barn SC | Robert Forbes | Veronica Forges | 36.0 | 29.0 | (42.0 DNC) | (42.0 OCS) | 30.0 | 42.0 DNC | 20.0 | 23.0 | 264.0 | 180.0 |
| 36th | Surfs UP | 70972 | Reading SC | Jewels Vass | Shiloh Woodroffe-Vass | 27.0 | 39.0 | (42.0 DNC) | 19.0 | 31.0 | 27.0 | (42.0 DNC) | 42.0 DNC | 269.0 | 185.0 |
| 37th | Yeti | 70743 | BSC | Willow Cross | Katie Bees | 34.0 | 32.0 | (42.0 DNC) | 34.0 | (37.0) | 31.0 | 24.0 | 36.0 | 270.0 | 191.0 |
| 38th | Dipperforce | 71007 | Chew Valley Lake SC | Paul Nichols | Gabe Nichols | 35.0 | 36.0 | 31.0 | 35.0 | 39.0 | 36.0 | (42.0 DNC) | (42.0 DNC) | 296.0 | 212.0 |
| 39th | Squirt | 70513 | Reading SC | Ronald Vass | (40.0) | 37.0 | 32.0 | 36.0 | (40.0) | 37.0 | 37.0 | 38.0 | 297.0 | 217.0 | |
| 40th | Jaws | 65160 | BSC | Keela Tudor | Brett Tudor | (42.0 DNF) | 38.0 | (42.0 DNC) | 32.0 | 36.0 | 42.0 DNC | 36.0 | 37.0 | 305.0 | 221.0 |
| 41st | Halcyon Days | 71029 | Maldon Yacht Club | Micheal Gear | Matilde Gear | 39.0 | (42.0 DNC) | (42.0 DNC) | 42.0 DNC | 42.0 DNC | 42.0 DNC | 38.0 | 35.0 | 322.0 | 238.0 |
Prizegiving
Prizes were presented by long time Mirror sailor Craig Bond.
Trophy Winners
| Trophy | Awarded for | Winner |
| Marlow Rope Trophy | Winners Race 1 | Phil & Oliver Smith |
| Cassandra's Cauldron | Winners Race 2 | Toby & Molly Wincer |
| Winners Race 3 | Peter Kyne & Zoe Goodwin | |
| Peter Wilson Trophy | Winners Race 4 | Ben & Keira McGrane |
| Winners Race 5 | Chris & Adriana Balding | |
|
National Westminster(Currently missing), International Paint Trophy awarded instead |
Winners Race 6 | Ben & Keira McGrane |
| Winners Race 7 | ||
| Winners Race 8 | ||
| Proops Pot | First Lady Helm | Mary Henderson-White |
| Arthur Vine Trophy | Leading Helm & Crew U19 other than overall winners | Jessica Greer & Myrtle Bamber (IRL) |
| Harry Yule Smith Plate | Leading Helm & Crew U15 other than overall winners | Willow Cross & Katie Bees |
| Mike Devonshire Trophy | Leading Helm U15 | Poppy Armstrong |
| Hathi Plate | Leading Helm U13 | Anna Goodwin |
| Arthur Birt Trophy | Leading Helm U19 from the local (i.e. hosting) club. | Morgan Cross |
| Fleet Shield | Best Team of three boats entered from same Club | Netley SC |
| Lucas Trophy (which appears to be lost, the Victor Shaw Trophy has been used instead recently) | Leading helm over 39 | |
| 1963 Trophy | Leading helm over 49 | Pete Khine & Zoe Goodwin |
| Shavian Mug | Last on points who completed every race | Ron Vass |
| Topaz Trophy | Leading parent & offspring | |
| Silver Jubilee Trophy | 25th Boat Overall | Morgan & Stephen Cross |
| Dyno-Rod Cup | Best Devon or Cornwall Boat Helm & Crew U18 | |
| Bass Charrington Trophy | First single handed boat | Steve Bland |
| Super Crew Cup | Youngest Crew to complete all races | Saskia Leonard |
| Turbo Service International Plate | Youngest Helm to complete all races | Morgan Cross |
| MCA Shield | Youngest combined age to compete all races | Alex & Saskia Leonard |
| Ptwootle Trophy | 1st Wooden Boat | James & Meris Date |
| Aberdeen Trophy | 1st Scottish Boat | |
| Gulf Cup | 1st Welsh Boat | |
| Special Award Trophy | 2nd Team of three boats entered from the same club | Bassenthwaite SC |
| Jan Grieg-Gran Plate for Bronze fleet | Winners Bronze Fleet | |
| 3rd Overall Helm & Crew | Chris & Adriana Balding | |
| Pioneer Cup | 2nd Overall Helm & Crew | Phil & Oliver Smith |
| HL Twentyman Challange Cup (originally the Crew's Trophy was awarded, but this has been missing since 2008) | 1st Overall Crew | Keira McGrane |
| Daily Mirror Trophy | 1st Overall Helm | Ben McGrane |
Trophies in strikethrough text were not returned. The Abersoch Trophy, 40th Anniversary Trophy, the Mylor Yacht Harbour Trophy, the Roger Graffy Trophy, the Western Trust & Savings Trophy and the Navigators & General Trophy were not awarded.
The Nationals next year is scheduled for Friday 23rd to Bank Holiday Monday 26th August at Itchenor SC.
(Editors note: more details, photos, list of trophy winners will be added to this article as time allows)
