15 boats took to the water at Rutland Sailing Club for in the 2024 Brady Championships, with members travelling from as far south as Odiham, and as far north as Lossiemouth. With many returning Brady champions, the racing was always going to be tight.
The first morning proved a tricky affair with the wind starting to fade as Race 1 began. A race of snakes and ladders, with wind awareness being key as many boats parked up looking for breeze and massive position changes. Ben Hawkes and Jonny McVey triumphed in the mornings only race before a return to shore and a wait for more wind. Luckily the wind filled in over lunch with Steve Bales the Race Officer planning three races in the Afternoon. The afternoons shifty 8kts breeze provided many passing lanes. Mike Wood and Olie Lee prevailed in race 2 and 4, with Kev O’Brien and Laura Homles-Short taking the third race. At the end of day 1 it was tight at the top with Mike and Olie leading Kev and Laura by just a single point. Ben and Jonny holding onto 3rd ahead of a chasing pack of three. In the midpack, scores were extremely tight, with Andy Dring and Simon Laken one point ahead of Ben Reed and Calum Wilson for 5th place. People’s champions Wayne and Tristan two poina-1ts ahead of Ste and Alex Twigg for 7th. With 9th to 12th separated by only a handful of points. This Brady was shaping up to be a tight one throughout the fleet.
Day two welcomed tired sailors with a stead 10-12 kts northerly wind and falling temperatures. Excitement was masked by shivering in the boat park as competitors docked out. Ben and Jonny once again proved themselves to be first race heroes storming to victory once again, ahead of an ever-consistent Kev and Laura who took advantage of Mike and Oli’s hiccup in 4th. Kev and Laura continued their strong morning taking race 6 victory, snatching victory from Dringy and Simon on the final beat, while the best Mike could manage was a 3rd place. As the sailors returned to the club house for lunch and some much needed warmth all the talk was around the tightness at the top. With Kev taking the lead, 2 points ahead of Mike in second. While Ed Dodwell was holding off Dringy by a single point.
The tension and excitement were evident as the first race of the afternoon started with two general recalls as all sailors throughout the fleet were pushing the limits at the start, trying to capitalize on their final two opportunities for a result. On the third attempt race 7 was underway. Day two’s conditions continued to reward those sailors with their head out the boat, searching for the shifts and gusts that were rolling down the racetrack. Mike and Oli were keen to regain the lead storming off to victory, as Kev had a rare slip up in fourth place as Ben H and Dringy pushed the two leading boats the whole race. The discard meant the regatta would come down to the final race with the boats tied on points.
The final race started clean with the two leaders streaking away fighting for the victory until one mistake gave Mike the upper hand and he never looked back storming to victory, even as Kev sailed excellently to come back through the fleet finishing the final race 3rd, behind Dringy and Simon. The final race was a true example of how competitive the fleet had become over the event, with no gaps front to back, and multiple lead changes. In this final race there were many honourable mentions such as Neil and Bernard who were snapping at the leading packs heels all afternoon, Ste and Alex T, who despite starting well behind the fleet after trying to fix a spinnaker issue prestart sailed through the fleet recovering to 9th. And finally, Alex M and Georgia who managed to overtake 3 boats in the short final beat to finish 11th.
After handshakes were exchanged onshore and dinner was served talk of the competitors was how it had been a “Classic Brady”, 15th RAFSA Boats entered, close racing throughout the fleet and as always, a very sociable and friend event. The Brady Dinner did not disappoint and much celebration and applause as the awards were handed out.
Mike Wood & Oli Lee won the Brady Trophy, with Oli also taking home the Novice Trophy. Kev and Laura finished just 1 point behind in 2nd, and Ben Hawkes and Jonny McVey rounding out the podium. The race officers champion was awarded to Alex Morley and Georgia Glynn. And as always a special thanks to Steve Bales, Neil Wilkinson, Martyn Pearce and Tony Barnby for their endless work as the race committee. Alex Nikoloudakis also took home the RAFSA Series Overall victory thanks to his consistent performance throughout the event. Alex N was always awarded the RAFSA (D) Pack Horse Trophy for his endless work for RAFSA this year.
As the event organiser I would like to thank all the competitors for making it an excellent event. And thank everyone who helped across the event, especially Alex N, Bernard, Lewi and Tristan for their work preparing the RAFSA Fleet of 2000’s for the event. I look forward to welcoming all the competitors and more to next year’s Brady Trophy and the RAFSA Series Events.
Ben Reed
RAFSA (D) Events Manager
