Adventure and Resilience Shine at the Miracle Midlands Sailing Championship

The Staunton Harold Sailing Club played host to the thrilling Miracle Midlands Championship over the Whit Bank Holiday weekend. David Turtle and Zara Frankton emerged as the formidable team to beat, leading the charge in a challenging environment. The blustery conditions cancelled the plans of at least three teams, leaving the waters open for five resilient boats, four visitors and one home team, to contest the championship.

Race 1 established the tone of the event. Graham Watts and Helen Jacks of the home team raised the anticipation by leading the fleet around the windward mark. However, Turtle and Frankton soon made their mark, overtaking the fleet with their formidable downwind prowess, leaving Watts and Jacks to fight pressure from the other competitors. Turtle and Frankton held on to clinch the first victory of the championship.

Sunday brought a similar forecast, but the teams agreed to sail only two back-to-back morning races. In Race 3, Watts and Helen’s daring strategy of hard sailing right to the farmhouse bank saw them secure a comfortable lead. A wind shift later allowed Turtle and Frankton to pass by, while Watts and Jacks managed to grasp onto the second position. Despite the blustery conditions, the sailing championship brought out the best in resilience, competitiveness, and teamwork.