Previous Champion of Champions

Despite the long trail of becoming a National Champion in order to achieve the entry list, then winning the event itself, several competitors have achieved the honour more than once.

Phil Crebbin and Laurie Smith have each helmed to win the event twice, Richard Estaugh had two wins as helm and one as crew to Chips Howarth, whilst Jim Hunt has achieved the honour three times as helm.

By 2008 three competitors, Ian Southworth, Geoff Carveth and Nick Craig had held the trophy four times, whilst the record holder, Mike Holmes, achieved the Championship honours five times over a span of eighteen years from 1978 to 1995. The return of Carveth in 2009 added an extra element of suspense - would Carveth or Craig achieve five wins to equal the achievement of Holmes? In the event Carveth, on top form, ably crewed by Emma Clarke, was the clear winner, nine points ahead in the final results to equal the five wins of Holmes.

Carveth did not qualify for the event in 2010, the Fiftieth Anniversry of the Championship, so the path to the winner's rostrum seemed clear for Craig. However, a new duo on the champions' list, Merlin Rocket sailors Stuart Bithell and Christian Birrel meant that Craig had to be content with second and bide his time.

At the end of the first day of the 2011 Championship the Craig/Lewis partnership finished in second place by one point to newcomers RS200 Champions James Peters and Alan Roberts. However, a masterful performance by the OK representatives on the final day of racing ensured the tables were turned and Craig joined Holmes and Carveth as five times winner of the event.

The 2011 Championship, the first after the Fiftieth Anniversary, turned out to be one of the most exciting for some years with several new helms on the scene, ensuring the exciting future of this well-established event.