2025 Sonata Eastern Championships
Published 22:16 on 6 Jun 2025
2025 Sonata East Coast Championships sponsored by Advocate
The 2025 Sonata East Coast Championships were hosted by Colne Yacht Club in Brightlingsea and sponsored by Advocate.
The event delivered everything weve come to expect from this beloved class at a very friendly yacht club tight racing, Pre-start battles, general re-calls and enough mark-rounding drama to keep things interesting lots of beer drunk and stories told in the club house afterwards.
With 10 Sonatas on the start line, ranging from local club warriors to hardened championship veterans, it was always going to be a weekend of competitive but good-natured racing despite the typical bank holiday weekend bad weather. Hosted superbly by Colne Yacht Club the event featured five windward Leeward races over two days, barbecues, a band and plenty of post-race storytelling.
Day 1 Moderate Breeze, Maximum Jockeying
Saturday dawned with grey skies and a stiff wind but the 10 boats motored out to the start line to find a well laid Windward leeward course while the winds settled and visibility improved. With a very variable forecast there was a range of sail plans on display for the first race. Some cautious with No.2s and reefed mains and some with full mains and no.1s all boats were ready for battle.
- Race 1 saw BD2 escape with clear air, leading from start to finish while the rest of the fleet played snakes and ladders.
- Race 2 saw the first general recall of the event with boats jostling for the start.
- Race 3 Saw multiple race position changes and close racing from the whole fleet.
By the end of Day 1, the Leader board was tight, with only 1 point between each of the top 3 boats. Doris was in pole position.
Day 2 Pressure On (and in the Sails)
Sunday brought a proper breeze 18 to 25 knots from the southwest, building with gusts reported of up to 30kts. The race start was a little less dramatic than day one as crews cautiously made their way to the line. But by the time the boats had made it to the windward mark their nerves had settled and the race was back on.
- Zingy sailed to success with a little bit of match racing on the downwind leg and an honourable lead. Meaning they also took the overall win for the event.
- Doris sadly threw away some points after having a great day on the water (and in the club house the night before) not making it to the start area in time for race 5.
Special Mentions
It is noted that there were a several boats who are new to the sonata fleet and some crews who are very green to sailing and although they may have been toward the latter half of the fleet, they sailed very well in the strong winds and werent afraid to get stuck in on the start line.
The event organisers on MK4 (and local legends) also managed to achieve a very honourable 5th place in each race making them the most consistent boat for the event.
The whole club, from organisers to race officers and bar staff made this a fantastically well run event.
Final Results
After five races (with one discard), the final standings were:
1st Zingy (Dan Willet) 2nd Doris (Oliver King) 3rd BD2 (Alistair Bolton and the Medway Team)
(Full results are shown at the bottom of this report)
Shore Side Highlights
Saturday night saw sailors swapping stories, tactical theories, and beverages in equal measure. The live music from Punch it like Chewie added to the atmosphere. Colne Yacht Club seem to be very social and the club was packed with competitors, their families and other club sailors who hadnt even been racing all were extremely welcoming of us on BD2 as the visiting yachtsman and treated us as if we royalty.
Conclusion
The Sonata East Coast Championships once again proved why this class continues to thrive: tight racing, great camaraderie, and just enough madness to keep it fun.
Until next time see you all at the Nationals!
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Last updated 22:31 on 6 June 2025
