By Richard Whitehouse
The hot, dry summer had its effect on Combs reservoir, a canal header in the Peak district. The water level was the lowest for many years but still deemed “sailable”.
Three visiting sailors, (one in an original “classic” Byte) and five local club members took the long trek down the shore to the central puddle. The wind blew from the South, curling over and around the hills and trees and swirling across the “lake” at between 1 and 12mph (on almost every leg of the course).
Seven Bytes ignored the weather warning and turned up for the event. (8 if you count John Futcher who came just for a blast on Sunday but did not qualify). Four races were held on Saturday and two on Sunday. Only Stu, Rachel and John braved the big winds on Sunday! They all sailed magnificently. I know as I was out in the Patrol Boat!
Byte National Championships at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy
by Emma Pearson
Day 0
With a healthy 35 entries and a history of stiff competition, the Byte Nationals is always a readily under-rated dinghy racing event. For the past 8 years the over all trophy has been alternating between Rick Whitehouse and Louis Saunders but with Louis taking a sabbatical and a mixed weather forecast Rick appeared to be the only one to watch.
| Rank | Sail | HCap | Helm | Club | R 1 | R 2 | Nett |
| 1 | 3693 | 1144 | Richard Whitehouse | Combs SC | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 3616 | 1144 | Charlote Hitchmough | Bowmoor SC | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 3 | 3608 | 1144 | Stuart Noore | Netley SC | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| 4 | 3577 | 1144 | Rachel McKinder | Weston SC | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | 3611 | 1144 | Celia Rushton | Weymouth SC | 3 | 10 | 13 |
| 6 | 867 | 1144 | Kevin Moore | Netley SC | 8 | 6 | 14 |
| 7 | 1623 | 1144 | Richard Woods | Torpoint Mosquito SC | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| 8 | 3607 | 1144 | Julian Bosch | Alton Water | 6 | 12 | 18 |
| 9 | 2623 | 1144 | Jo Andrews | Felpham Sailing Club | 14 | 5 | 19 |
| 10 | 1446 | 1144 | Amber Poulloin | Weymouth SC | 11 | 8 | 19 |
| 11 | 3587 | 1144 | Paula Bentley | Felpham Sailing Club | 9 | 11 | 20 |
| 12 | 3078 | 1180 | Emma | Weston SC | 12 | 9 | 21 |
| 13 | 3298 | 1144 | Jill Gill | Felpham Sailing Club | 10 | 15/DNF | 25 |
| 14 | 483 | 1144 | Lou Dicker | 13 | 15/DNF | 28 |