Pic: Richard Granger

Whitwell 2008, Five Events, One Great Success

The weekend of 17th / 18th May saw 175 competitors arriving at Whitwell, Rutland water to compete in The UKWA Inland National Championships, The Midland Windsurfing Association Event 4, The UK Kona Cup, The RYA Junior Championships and the famous spectacle of the Rutland Marathon. Despite the scepticism sometimes levelled at inland waters, Rutland again delivered perfect conditions for course racing.

On The main course, day one saw 4 rounds of racing for all fleets culminating with the Rutland Marathon, a long distance race around the perimeter of Rutland Water challenging both technique and stamina. This race has been held for 23 years and sponsorship is encouraged with proceeds being donated to The National Children’s Homes.

This years winner, collecting the Laura Ashley trophy, ‘The Flying Frenchman’ Mr Xavier Ferlet. Day two again saw perfect conditions and the race team again ran four rounds of racing. Fleet winners included Xavier Ferlet, Mark Page, Mike Blackgrove, Ed Strange, Robert Kent, Ian Craft and Sam Sills. On the junior course 63 talented young sailors grew in confidence as the weekend progressed. Undoubtedly they benefited from competing along side some of the top course racers in the UK and revelling in the atmospheres generated by such a large event. Nine races were held over the two days Fleet winners included Flynn Page, Daniel Wilson, Robert Griffiths, Samuel Hibdige, Oliver Bradley Baker and Tom Squires. Saturday evening also saw the Junior sailors competing in Human Table Football before joining the older competitors, parents and spectators for the Marathon Prize Giving and Rutland raffle.

Thanks to course race sponsors Boardwise, Junior Event hosts The RYA, Anglian Water and everyone who volunteered to make the event such a success.

Everyone raising sponsorship money for the NCH Charity was given a commemorative T shirt sponsored by Windsurf  Magazine, Starboard / Tushingham, Ultra Sport Europe, Rutland Watersports / Anglian water, Noblemarine Insurance Ltd, Demon Sails, Boards Magazine, Surf Sales/Dakine, The UKWA Midlands Region, Ricks Windsurfing, Mex Homes Ltd, Red Nemesis Dog, Oxendon Trailers, Boardwise, Surf Centre/Mistral, Dave Nobles, Trevor Steels Trailers Neil Pryde and Scottish Newcastle Breweries.

Total raised in excess of £2,600 thanks to everyone who contributed.