The Armed Forces' dinghy sailors delivered an outstanding performance at the Astral Azure 25th Anniversary 2000 Class National Championships, held at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club (RTYC) in Torquay.
The Royal Navy Sailing Association (RNSA) emerged at the top, clinching the top-scoring club trophy by outpacing the Army Sailing Association (ASA) and Royal Air Force Sailing Association (RAFSA).
A total of 11 Service teams participated in the event, competing against a fleet of 42 boats. The championship featured a demanding schedule of 10 races spread over several days, with two races held each day.
RNSA set the pace from the outset. Ed Connellan, sailing with his Dad Andrew, won the first race despite this being his debut in the 2000 dinghy class. This impressive start placed them in 5th overall at the end of day one.
Natalie Johnston and Chris Keatley also performed strongly, finishing the day in 6th overall, tied on points with the Connellans. Meanwhile, James Whitehead and Alice Moore ended the day in 7th place, only a point behind, after a solid 3rd-place finish in one of the races. Juliet Barnes, representing Hooe Point Sailing Club, held 12th position.
The event was blessed with fantastic conditions and sun-filled skies, which made for glamorous sailing. However, the racing was challenging, with overall standings frequently shifting. RNSA continued to excel, particularly on the third day when Ed Connellan secured another race victory, and Juliet Barnes followed closely in 2nd place.
In the sixth race, Service sailors dominated the leaderboard, with Matt Sargent and Zak Mitchell from ASA taking 1st place, followed by James Whitehead and Alice Moore in 2nd, and Ed Connellan in 3rd.
A rest day allowed sailors to recover and explore the local area before the final days of racing. A special mention goes to Alice Moore, who organised a free fish and chip meal for the younger sailors, embodying the 2000 class ethos of “Fast–Family–Fun."
As the competition resumed, sailors faced grey skies and winds exceeding 20 knots, which proved challenging for many. Despite the tough conditions, service teams continued to perform well.
Ed Connellan scored two 2nd-place finishes, leaving him just two points behind the event leaders going into the final day. The ASA teams also showed strength, with two teams overtaking James Whitehead and Alice Moore, who slipped to 8th place, while Juliet Barnes moved into 9th.
Unfortunately, Natalie Johnston and Chris Keatley were forced to withdraw from the remainder of the event due to unforeseen circumstances, a disappointment given their strong start.
The final day saw intense competition as the championship title was still up for grabs. Ed Connellan, just two points behind the leaders, was determined to make his move. He started strongly, edging out the leaders Ollie Groves and Ester Parkhurst.
However, shifting winds kept the two boats neck and neck for much of the race, leading to a fierce tacking duel. A single mistake allowed Groves to gain the advantage, ultimately securing the race win and the championship title, while Connellan had to settle for a well-fought 2nd place overall.
James Whitehead and Alice Moore managed to climb back up the leaderboard, finishing in 7th place by overtaking Matt Hartley and Caitlan Andrews from ASA. Juliet Barnes secured 9th place, and despite missing four races, Natalie Johnston and Chris Keatley still managed to finish 19th overall, a testament to their strong early performances. Thanks to the consistent efforts of all its teams, RNSA claimed the trophy for the top-scoring club.
