Musto Lark National Championship 2025 at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club - Runners and Riders
by Nigel Hufton 16 Jul 08:40 NZST
27-30 July 2025
Musto Lark National Championships at Weymouth © Robert Deaves /
www.robertdeaves.uk
The Musto Lark Nationals (27-30 July) returns to the golden sands and turquoise waters of Abersoch, a venue that promises champagne sailing and tight tactical racing.
With over 30 boats already entered, and Musto-sponsored prizes across the fleet, there will be the usual mix of great sailing and family-friendly fun. Find out more at the event webpage. If you want to join us (it's the week before the RS200s are in Abersoch!), we have boats available to borrow - contact
The fleet will be competitive, with 9 of the helms and 5 of the crews having held the Silver Lark trophy before. Below we've narrowed it down to the Top 10 contenders and those to watch in Category Prizes.
Top 10 Contenders
Tom Gillard & Rachael Gray. The clear pre-event favourites. Tom is the current holder and Rachael has won before - together, they have won numerous championships in other classes. Expect them to be dominant if it's windy again.
Ed Bradburn & Holly Evans. Won the championship in 2023 and 2nd last year. A dominant win at a windy Rock Open this year - and lots of sailing in various classes in between - means they can do it in all conditions. Should be Top 3.
Stuart & Nick Hydon. Twice winners and looking for that elusive third win to become Lark 'Gods'. Came 4th last year. Brilliant tactics and boat speed and an uncanny ability to thread their way through the fleet. The shiftier the better. Could be Top 3.
Chris & Nic White. Chris is one of only two people to have won the Larks as both helm (twice) and crew. Nic won with Chris in 2021 and were 3rd last year. Blistering in a breeze. Could be Top 3.
John and Vicky Brickwood. Three-times winner John is reunited with his championship-winning wife. They have heaps of experience and talent and will do well in all conditions, but the shiftier the better. Should be Top 5.
Nigel Hufton & Chris Whitehouse. Nigel won the Champs as crew in 1994 and is still trying to complete the double. 5th last year and now re-united with Chris Whitehouse - together they have come 2nd and 3rd before. Could be Top 5.
Tim Fells & Chris Allen. Two champion helms together! The wily veterans, Tim is three-time winner and Chris is the only other Lark sailor to win as helm and crew. You don't bet against experience in a tidal venue like Abersoch. Could be Top 5.
Guy Brearey & Holly McArthur. Newcomer to the Nationals, Guy has Top 5 results inland and top match-racing skills. Pairing with talented Merlin and sometime Lark sailor, Holly, expect to see aggressive starts and sharp tactics. Expect Top 10.
Emma Harris & tbc. Past champion Emma is. Emma is always able to thread her way through the fleet if necessary and can do it all conditions. With a strong crew pairing, they should be Top 10.
Jonny Coate & Kate Phillips. 10th last year, but many podiums inland, they have been rising steadily through the Lark fleet and have the starting and boat handling to mix it with the top tier. Should be Top 10.
Ollie Goodhead & Katie Keith. This new pairing is going well, with many Top 5 finishes this year. Could be Top 10.
Samuel Bailey & Kamila Czartolomna. Successful inland and improved to 11th last year, so could bang in a big result or two. Could be Top 10.
Category prizes
As ever, there will be keen competition - and lots of fun - for the category prizes.
1st Female Helm - Past Cadet champion Hannah Carruthers is a rising start in the fleet, while Bee Nee and Freya Sewell are talented newcomers, but can anyone break the stranglehold of past National Lark champion Emma Harris?
First helm 25 and under - Hannah Carruthers has an even better chance in this category, but newcomers Bee Nee, Harry Chatterton and Freya Sewell are all talented newcomers.
First helm 21 and under - Freya Sewell and Bee Nee should battle this one out, but the dark horses will be the Weymouth youths who have been tuning up against each other.
Highest-placed Married Couple - Chris & Nic White will battle out with John & Vicky Brickwood, but could the ever-improving Jonny Coate & Kate Phillips deliver an upset?
Winner of 'Silver Fleet' - Regular 'Silver fleet' sailor Steve Chatten is teamed up with top crew Charlotte Stewart and looks like the one to beat, but could it be the year for the ever-improving Nigel Scott & and Tegwyn Tricker?
Winner of 'Bronze Fleet' - The Weymouth youths are likely to be fighting hard for this trophy - but look out for George Graham and (new to sailing) Jessica Hooker, or Paul Bottomley/Mya Petersen.
First helm in the Crews' Race - The crews' race is always as closely-fought as the main event - it's called the 'Hard to be Humble' trophy for a reason! This year, look out for Rachael Gray, Chris Allen, Chris Whitehouse and Nick Hydon.
It should be an amazing four days of competitive sailing, fantastic socials and sun, sea and surf that only Abersoch can offer!