Sep 03 2012
Sandhopper Nationals Champion
The Bridesmaid has at long last become the Bride. Paul and Bruce Spratt are the national champions for 2012. Spratty has been chasing this title for almost 25 years in various sandhoppers with different crews, if only he had looked on his own doorstep before he could have managed it earlier, obviously Paul has benefitted from Bruce’s tactics and this is what clinched them the title in an event that went to the wire in the last race. Peter Thompson & Paul Dell were second in their ‘no expense spent’ campaign, Prey held together thanks to gaffa tape and bent over six inch nails has acted as an inspiration to us all, Petes mum said she was so happy to have her duvet cover back which pete used for a spinnaker and wished she had ironed it as this may of taken him to top spot.
The romantic indian for two paid off for Burrell & Beasley as they performed so much better on the sunday bagging a first in race 3.
26 boats competed in TBYCs flagship event which draws crowds from around the globe.
The hot favorite in windrush threw away his title hopes when he sacrificed his massive lead and went to the aid of a floundering lesser spotted eagle, having seen the bird out to sea in serious trouble he gave it the kiss of life and cpr, he then swam back stroke with the eagle barely alive clinging to his chest for two miles to the shore, he then ran barefoot for 3 miles to the rochford bird sanctury where the professionals took over. He declined to comment as the publicity shy Barry wanted to get back to his crew and complete the race.
Well done to team Spratt only 362 sleeps until we all do it again.
3 Responses to “Sandhopper Nationals Champion”
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Well diserved Team Spratty, all that traning drinking halves for the past 6 months has finaly paid off.
for the past week we have been hilariously entertained on the Sandhopper Class email loop by the one and only Barry Duce who surprisingly looked very much like Paul Spratt when lifting the trophy this weekend.
Bazza we are lucky to be privy to your humour and laugh out loud even when the laugh is on us,
thanks for lifting the spirits.
huge well done to Paul Spratt who sailed an impeccable series of races, first out of the blocks every race, being such a fair and encouraging competitor always i was surprised when Paul obviously tried to noble our campaign early by offering to lend us a newer set of sails.
For all those who travel round the country to open meetings will already know how extremely fortunate we are to have a huge ready built Sandhopper class at TBYC offering the very highest level of competitive sailing with any one of ten boats with the potential to win a championship race, all this on our own doorstep where the wind rarely fails and the sailing facilities exceptional.
Those further down the fleet which is where we all started also have the advantage of being shown every race by those at the front how best to sail the course in those conditions, free lessons happy days!
if you want to get involved in sailing in the fleet just like wanabee winner Matt Rainbow then step forward and show your colours, there are a couple of opportunities with one owner sadly moving away and one retiring. Paul Spratt will be happy to show you the ropes, email/number in the program.
Well Done Paul & Bruce Spratt 2012 Sandhopper National Champions
Huge thanks old chum for the ‘mahusive banter’…marvelous!
Every time i sail, windsurf, or paddleboard at Thorpe Bay, I always feel extraordinarily privileged to sail in such a superb area, with sailors who have proven themselves at the highest level in classes ranging from the Finn, Musto Skiff, Albacore, 707, Phantom and 49er, amongst others. There is always so much to learn and it was great to Peter prove see how much more important talent and a real feel for the sailing environment is over new sails and a clean bottom!! That being said we did better than usual with the help of the latter!! Shame this year we missed out on the Dutch contingent, but i am sure Martyn will be back in the saddle soon. Until then see you on the water chaps!!