International fleet of Sharpies seize the moment

Bosham Sailing Club hosted the British Championships this year and organised Olympic-format racing for these venerable boats.

Racing took place between Pilsey Island and East Head spit with a big tide and plenty of wind. The beautiful wooden boats dating from the early 1930s were up for the challenge of Force 6 winds on Saturday and Force 5 winds on Sunday.

Crews came from Germany, Holland as well as the north Norfolk coast to join local boats and braved rain and wind on Saturday and enjoyed a sunny and breezy ride back up the channel on Sunday afternoon for prize-giving.

The club hummed with entertainment on Friday by Dawn Gracie’s Vintage Do playing songs from the heyday of the class and on Saturday by Bosham-based Jazz Smugglers.

On the water there was some fierce competitive sailing. The championship was won by Chris and Tim Gibbs from Wells Sailing Club and second were Klaus Eisenblaetter and Swen-Owe Baumgartner from Germany.

Third was Dann Versteeg and Arnold Mulderij from Holland.

Bosham Club members gave strong support to all the visitors, by laying on some cracking racing, providing accommodation and helping to make the parties go with a swing.