The phoenix arises from the ashes as the UK’s 49er FX and 49er fleets host the first National Championships in several years.
In recent months, a real resurgence has taken place, driven by several initiatives. The Crew for Gold Programme, led by the RYA and British Sailing Team, has introduced a number of female FX teams, while a strong 29er fleet has pushed talented and motivated young sailors into the post-youth competitive scene.
Fifteen FX teams and thirteen 49er teams, including participants from Ireland and even a team from the USA, gathered at the National Sailing Academy in Portland for four days of racing.
However, as often happens during this time of year, the weather had other plans. The first two days were cancelled due to excessive wind speeds. Saturday brought a change, with an unstable northerly wind between 5 and 15 knots.
Racing kicked off promptly, and patterns began to form. Ellie Keers and Jess Jobson sailed to a strong victory, while Will Pank and Tommie Grit took advantage of strategic positioning to win the first 49er race. Aled Llewelyn Jones and Sam Webb followed closely in a 49er with an older rig.
In Race 2, Ellie and Jess continued their dominance, winning again, while Will and Tommie secured another victory in the 49er category.
Race 3 saw a shift in the leaderboard, with Simon and Amelie Hiscocks taking the win in the FX fleet, while Team USA’s Andrew Mollerus and Trevor Bornath claimed victory in the 49er fleet, followed by the rising team of Finn Armstrong and Ewan Gribbin.
As the regatta progressed, it became clear that Sunday’s forecast of stronger winds might cancel further racing. Saturday’s races became even more decisive.
In the FX fleet, the Irish team of Ben O’Shaugnessy and Ethan Spain navigated the wind shifts skillfully to secure a win, while behind them, a battle for the overall lead was unfolding. Simon and Amelie, as well as Ellie and Jess, fought for every point. In the 49er fleet, Will and Tommie held their own but were closely followed by other strong competitors.
Then came the twist: despite the forecast, Sunday turned out to be sailable, at least for a while. A race was launched, testing the endurance and tenacity of the sailors as the wind continued to build. By the finish, only three FX teams and two 49er teams crossed the line.
The final race sealed the championship, with Ellie and Jess taking the overall victory in the FX fleet, followed by Ben and Ethan, who surpassed Simon and Amelie. In the 49er category, Will and Tommie managed to secure second place behind Finn and Ewan, despite tough conditions.
This event marked a promising start to the resurgence of the class. A meeting was held to re-establish the Class Association, and plans for future events in 2025 are already in motion. Thanks to sponsors like Allen, Ovington Boats, and Marlow Ropes, who provided numerous prizes, the class looks set to continue its growth. Follow the UK 49er Facebook page for further updates.