The Grafham Water Sailing Club welcomed sailors for the D-Zero Open over the weekend of May 17–18, delivering a test of skill and strategy under shifting and unpredictable conditions.
This year’s event, extended to two days, ran alongside the Hadron H2 Inlands and RS600 Inlands, bringing together three vibrant racing fleets. Although the D-Zero fleet featured only eight entries, the level of competition was strong, with six local sailors joined by visitors Gareth Tweedle from Emsworth and Terry Brooks from Oxford.
Race Officer Peter Curtis and his team ensured fair and orderly racing, carefully managing the courses to minimize overlap between fleets. Saturday’s racing took place in a northerly breeze of 8–10 knots, with occasional gusts reaching the mid-teens. Curtis had cautioned sailors to expect frequent wind shifts, and his forecast proved accurate throughout the weekend. Sudden changes in both wind direction and strength kept competitors alert across all races.
The opening day saw Neil Washington dominate the fleet, taking victories in the first three races with a combination of consistency and tactical awareness.
Sunday brought cooler temperatures but similar wind conditions. In race four, Colin Glover found his rhythm, edging out John Aston and Washington to claim the win. Glover repeated his success in race five, passing Washington on the final leg to take another victory. However, by the conclusion of race five, Washington had already secured the overall win through his earlier string of first-place finishes.
The sixth and final race began with a significant wind shift to the left, mirroring race three. However, the breeze vanished shortly after the start, creating a challenging scenario. The wind eventually returned on the left side of the course, where Glover and Aston capitalized. Despite the fluctuations, Aston held his lead and crossed the line first.
In the overall standings, Neil Washington emerged as the D-Zero Open champion, with Colin Glover and John Aston finishing second and third, respectively. The event showcased not only individual excellence but also the strong spirit of competition across all participating fleets.