Imagine a vibrant sailing event that drew in over thirty entries, showcasing the spirited participation of both dinghy enthusiasts and windsurfing aficionados. The Notts County Sailing Club’s County Cooler of 2026 was an engaging mix of conditions—occasionally cool but comfortably not freezing—with a gentle to moderate breeze making the sailing experience lively. Bright sunshine on Saturday was a rare treat, lifting spirits and creating a perfect backdrop for racing.
The event was skillfully organized by Race Officer Martin Hayhoe, who designed a challenging course that combined upwind and downwind legs, including reaches and near-ideal runs. This setup created an exciting and diverse racing map, highlighting the capabilities of boats with different handicaps. As the results demonstrated, this variety led to close and competitive racing at the top.
Saturday’s races kicked off with Jake Willars from Notts County claiming victory in a Phantom class boat, setting an early pace. Kevin Hope and Andy Stewart, also sailing under Notts County in a Fireball, secured the second win of the day. Jamie Mawson, racing an RS600, consistently placed third in both Saturday races, establishing himself as a strong contender.
The final race on Saturday saw Kevin and Andy triumph again, with Christine Statham from Burton finishing second in an ILCA 6, and Jake in third. The points were tightly clustered among these top sailors, making Sunday’s competition all the more exciting as everyone approached the final day with chances to claim victory.
Sunday's conditions starkly contrasted Saturday’s—damp with light winds and occasional drizzle, posing new challenges. Despite the weather, Mawson demonstrated resilience by winning both races. Kevin and Andy remained steady, finishing second in both races, while Jake took third and fourth places. In the end, Kevin and Andy narrowly edged out Mawson by just one point to take overall victory, with Jake following closely behind.
In the youth category, Hayden Moore from Notts County secured first place in an Aero, while Christine Statham made her mark as the top female sailor in an ILCA 6, adding a celebratory note to the proceedings.
The windsurfing segment was highly competitive, with a majority of participants coming from Burton Sailing Club. Gerry Ball from Notts County dominated the Raceboard unlimited class by winning five consecutive races, showcasing impressive skill and consistency. Sam Birch and Joe Falkner, both from Burton, finished second and third respectively, confirming Burton’s strength in the fleet.
In the younger Techno class, Benjamin Boles from Burton delivered a flawless performance, winning all races. Esme Hartsell also impressed by finishing second in two races and third in two others, reflecting a promising future for youth windsurfing.
For more pictures and results, visit Notts County Sailing Club’s official site.
Looking ahead, the Midlands Winter Series continues with upcoming events at various clubs:
- Ogston SC: Wooley Jumper, 7th - 8th February ogstonsc.org.uk
- Staunton Harold SC: Staunton Blaster, 28th Feb - 1st March shsc.og.uk
- Burton SC: Burton Blizzard, 7th - 8th March burtonsailingclub.co.uk
Here are the detailed dinghy results, illustrating the strength and consistency across the fleet, with names, classes, and points that tell the story of a competitive and well-fought series:
json
{
"results": [
{"position": 1, "class": "Fireball", "sail_no": 15133, "helm": "Kevin Hope", "crew": "Andy Stewart", "club": "Notts County SC", "races": [2, 1, 1, 2, 2], "points": 6},
{"position": 2, "class": "RS600", "sail_no": 1001, "helm": "Jamie Mawson", "club": "Notts County SC", "races": [3, 2, -7, 1, 1], "points": 7},
{"position": 3, "class": "Phantom", "sail_no": 1036, "helm": "Jake Willars", "club": "Notts County SC", "races": [1, -4, 3, 3, 4], "points": 11},
...
// Additional results omitted for brevity
]
}
Similarly, the windsurfing competition showcased the dominance of Gerry Ball, who clinched five wins straight in the Raceboard unlimited class, reaffirming his reputation among local sailors. The youth windsurfing categories also demonstrated talent, with Benjamin Boles winning all his races, while Esme Hartsell showed consistency finishing in top positions.
This event not only highlighted the competitive spirit of local sailors and windsurfers but also underscored how weather conditions and course design can influence racing outcomes. It sparks an interesting debate: Do you think weather factors or skill determine the winner more in sailing competitions? Or is it a balance of both? Share your thoughts and experiences below, and let's keep this conversation afloat!
