The 2025 Graduate Southern Championship at Chipstead Sailing Club took place on the weekend of May 4-5, 2025, alongside the Heron Nationals, attracting fierce competition and remarkable performances despite the challenging weather conditions. The event was held over 1.5 days, marked by gusty and unpredictable north-easterly winds that kept sailors on their toes throughout the races.
A Challenging Start for Competitors
The first race of the five-race series kicked off with palpable excitement as strong gusts whipped through the fleet of eleven Graduate class boats. As the sounds of rigging clanging and sails snapping filled the air, newcomers Michael King and his 11-year-old daughter Scarlett braved the rough conditions, despite only two months of sailing experience. Their participation in the challenging weather was a notable highlight of the event.
Race one began promptly, with a bias favoring the port tack, and Roger Cherrill & Sarah Jane Critchley surged ahead from the middle of the line. They quickly gained the lead, followed closely by John Clementson & Mel Titmuss, and Alan Warren & Marion White. Ric Lewis & Harry Durrant faced a setback early on with a start-line tangle but managed an impressive recovery, eventually reaching fourth place. The race saw some close calls, with John & Mel nearly broaching but recovering skillfully to finish in second place. They eventually overtook Roger & Sarah Jane to claim the victory, with Ric & Harry finishing second and the latter crew securing third.
Strong Contenders and Rising Stars
As the second race unfolded after lunch, the wind showed no sign of abating, and newcomers Andrew Hubble & Sandra Jordan joined the fray. Their swift start left the competition behind, and they found themselves battling for position with seasoned sailors like John & Mel. Despite their best efforts, John & Mel managed to take the lead once again, while Ric & Harry climbed to second place. A special mention was made for Michael and Scarlett, who completed the race in tenth place, showing resilience despite the tough conditions.
Race three featured another fierce battle for the top positions. John & Mel maintained their dominance, finishing first, with Roger & Sarah Jane managing to hold off Ric & Harry for second place.
The Final Day: Intense Winds and a Close Finish
The second day of racing brought even stronger gusts, causing technical issues for some crews. Michael & Scarlett were forced to retire from race four due to a technical failure, while Roger & Sarah Jane also withdrew from the competition. Despite the tough conditions, John & Mel continued to display their prowess on the water, securing first place once again. Ric & Harry finished in second, with Alan & Marion completing their best race of the event in third.
In the final race, only seven boats remained on the water. Once again, John & Mel claimed the top spot, with Andrew & Sandra finishing in second, followed by Ric & Harry in third. The final standings solidified John & Mel as the overall winners of the Open competition, with Ric & Harry taking second and Andrew & Sandra finishing third, despite having participated in only four races.
A Successful Championship Despite the Weather
The Graduate Southern Championship at Chipstead Sailing Club concluded with high praise for the event organizers. Mick Kostiw and his duty team were commended for their excellent work in managing the race amid challenging conditions. The victory went to the consistent and skilled team of John & Mel, while Ric & Harry’s strong performance earned them second place. Special congratulations were extended to the junior sailors, Harry and Scarlett, who showed great promise. Overall, the competitors showcased resilience and determination, making it a thrilling and memorable championship.