Strong onshore winds created challenging conditions for the UK’s leading sand yachting enthusiasts when they competed in the British Land Yachting Championships at Brean over the weekend.
The gusty weather left several of 26 competitors struggling to keep control of their yachts during the two days of races on Saturday and Sunday, pictured here.
Organiser Martyn Hayle from Brean Land Yacht Club told Burnham-On-Sea.com after Sunday’s racing: “The string wind meant we had to cut back the number of races during the weekend on safety grounds, which was a shame as the weather was bright and the sand was in perfect condition for racing.”
“We would have liked to have gone ahead with more races, but the weather was very blustery with gusts of up to 35mph. That said, we had a great weekend and the spectators were treated to some fast and furious action!”
The event – organised by Brean Land Yacht Club – was won by Jake Cookson (class 3) while local racer Deryk George won the standart class with Brean’s Martyn Hale second and Brean’s Craig George, 16, fourth. Class 7 was won by Mark Sidey and the minis was won by Chris Wright.
Local racers Craig George, 16, with Martyn Hale and Deryk George
The fast-paced action at Brean on Saturday
The winds created some challenging conditions for the races
The starter raises a flag to finish one of the races
