Police Dinghy Nationals - 11th & 12th June

Published 14:56 on 1 Jul 2025

22 boats entered for the PSUK National Dinghy Championships held at the Cheshire Constabulary club at Winsford. 2 days of fantastic racing was promised, with Race Officer Jon Close and team co-ordinating the event on the water.

Most competitors arrived at the club on Tuesday evening, to be greeted by a stunning sunny evening and most excellent BBQ. Tactics were discussed and plenty of liquids were taken on board to ensure hydration for what was promised to be a very warm breezy first day of racing.

Accommodation at Cheshire HQ just up the road was an excellent choice for 17 sailors, with others staying in a variety of camping at the Club.

Wednesday dawned as promised with wall to wall sunshine and as breakfast was served, the wind filled in nicely from the southerly end of the lake.

Cheshire ACC Bill Dutton welcomed everyone and Jon Close gave us his words of wisdom to our visitors about the location, including the classic, "see those ducks at the end of the lake they aren't swimming, they're walking" to give an idea of the depth of water!

The fleet was varied ranging from the Phantoms through the several ILCA 7's(Lasers) to the Comets. But the racing was keen and well-mannered throughout the fleet, even with several capsizes due to the gusty conditions. Lunch followed the first race, then races 2 and 3 back-to-back in the afternoon saw many tired sailors come off the lake for a welcome spread of tea and cake (and paracetamol!).

It was fantastic to see a few newcomers to the competition, including Richard Gibson from Cheshire and those from slightly further away representing Devon and Cornwall, Andrew Millett and Jason Kelly.

With fantastic catering by the club, the first day closed with dinner and much discussion about the sailing, all were conscientious about fluid intake. Another stunning sunset closed the first day.

Thursday dawned a better day than was forecast, and racing got underway promptly at 1030 with 2 more races back-to-back. The wind was building nicely again from the south end of the lake, but with it swinging towards the dreaded west that locals knew would cause some nasty swinging gusts time was of the essence.

All went smoothly with 2 slightly shorter races than the day before, and we were all packed up and well into the prize giving before the rain finally made its appearance.

It was a wonderful occasion to have Mr Richard Sivers to present the prizes, not only as he is a great supporter of the PSUK Dinghies, but also as he competed in the very first Dinghy Nationals exactly 50 years ago.

Olly Saunders (NCA) cleaned up winning 4 races, with Alex Piggott (Notts) taking prize for the Laser Nationals winner and coming 2^nd in 4 races. Local Frank Lafferty won the Maiden Trophy for best place helm who hadn't previously won a trophy.

Kerry Morgan (Hants) was the first winner of the new prize for 1^st Lady helm, presented by Cheshire Constabulary.

As the last cake was cleared and final visitor made the bumpy start to their journeys home, the weather promised arrived, and it was a great relief we hadn't been sailing at the end of the day!!!

It was an absolute honour to host the championships at Winsford and although the Cheshire Police Sailing section is coming to an end, the Cheshire sailors will be continuing to participate particularly now we are all retired (well in 6 days!) did I mention that?

Beth Colbourne

Follow this link to the photos in the gallery Winsford Flash Sailing Club

PRIZE WINNERS:

Last updated 14:59 on 1 July 2025