It is that time of year again, the D-Zero Class would like to wish all D-Zero owners and the wider sailing community a very Merry Christmas and (hopefully) a very Happy New Year.

I think we can all agree that 2021 has been a very strange year. We all started off in another lockdown but there was optimism for the sailing season with the vaccine rollout.

Unfortunately the Winter Series events didn’t take place with the exception of the Draycote Dash where our poster boy Tom Southwell took the honours and with it the W that goes with being the Winter Series Champion.

Poster Boy and current Winter Series Champion Tom Southwell

As we moved towards the start of the traditional sailing season it was clear that events early in the year were unlikely to take place with many events either being postponed or called off. Our own Nationals, scheduled for June, were no exception and the Class along with Largs sailing club took the early decision to push the event back to August to give it the best possible chance.

We had a very successful event with the class joining the 50 boat club for the first time and our designer, rapid sailing and all around good guy Dan Holman obliged us with his presence and duly took the title. He didn’t have it all his own way though especially on the first day where he was pushed hard by the likes of Nick Craig, Arran Holman and Gavin Fleming.

Yours truly giving it some at the 2021 Nationals at Largs

Our thanks go to Largs and our event sponsors RSK and Tunnocks for sticking with us despite the delay.

Unfortunately the Nationals being later in the season had a knock on effect for the Inlands which were only a couple of weeks later at Burton SC. Tom Southwell became Inland Champion just pipping 2020 Inland Champion Gavin.

From there the final major event was the Northern Championships at a D-Zero class favourite Yorkshire Dales. A newcomer to the fleet, Will Hitchman, overcame his day 1 race 1 woes where his sail was ripped during a capsize to take the title.

Will Hitchman trying to sail on at the Northern Champs

At the time of writing we have had 2 events on the 2021/2022 Winter series with the 3rd event due to take place at Burghfield. The Brass Monkey and Grafham Grand Prix have been postoned.

Looking forward to 2022 we are just putting the finishing touches to the calendar and will have it published very soon. We have a couple of new venues on the calendar at clubs where D-Zero fleets are starting to form so please do support them if you can.

Finally from me, I am stepping down as Class Chair at the 2022 AGM so this is my last official Christmas message. It has been a pleasure to represent you as D-Zero owners with Devoti as well as organise events and help the class grow. We do need a new Class Chair so if you think you can help do get in touch. I will happily advise and guide from behind the scenes.

Merry Christmas to you all and a very Happy New Year, I look forward to see you on or off the water in 2022.