Bala gave the Catapult fleet a great three day event 13th-15th July, with hot sunshine to enjoy while the wind decided what it might do--each day started with a still lake, and each day produced a sound racing breeze. The good fleet of twelve boats had the full "top end" going head to head....three helms brought their blue winner's pennants from their last event but only Alex Montgomery held on to his, eventually gaining an emphatic points lead. (Photo Home page.) John Terry (equal second for the event with Paul Ellis) kept his grip on the TT leader board and  "yellow jersey" pennant.  (Results and fun races)       (TT Race report)

The traditional fun races went off in style, with the Pairs race (linking experienced and "improver" helms, (photo Home page)  giving a win to Syd Gage and John Terry, and the Relay seeing the southern Hampton Harrierrs come through in racing that had some real purpose under the fun. 

 Carsington on September 21st-22nd Cat Open gave  light SW--W breezes (and a sunlit Sunday.) Joining the Dart 18s and Sprint 15s made for a tactical challenges in resticted space, along with the swinging breeze. Gareth Ede and John Terry tussled at the front, Gareth coming through to win (and just wrest the Leader Board from John.) Syd Gage stepped up boat speed steadily, for a second place in the last race. (Results and report)

Saturday at the Northerns at Yorkshire Dales August 17th-18th brought rain and strong wind, with hard racing for an eight-boat fleet. Sunday's promised sunshine arrived but the wind picked up through the day, only two boats completing the last race (photo below) John Terry's trapezing skills took him to a good win (Report) with others vigorously contesting second, Stuart Ede gaining this on count-back, and three points covering second to fourth.

Overall Catapult impressed for speed and survivability in the event shared with the Finn and Contender fleets, a great atmosphere with mixed single-handers.

For the Nationals the following Bank Holiday weekend, Bridlington was again where Catapult meets the real sea, with a range of wind, tide and wave heights across the three days (surfing in to run up the beach.) Gareth Ede took the 2013 National Champion title, scoring six firsts after discard to emphatically win  (Report)  and get himself in  position to challenge John Terry on the Leader  Board

The battle for second was decided by half a boat's length in the seventh race, Alastair Forrest just holding off George Evan's challenge as the boats edged downwind against the tide in dying breeze.  (Below: Nationals winner Gareth Ede leads the fleet downwind over the NE swell, Race Three on Sunday)    

Alastair again contested the Round Sheppey Race on Saturday September 7th, the only Catapult in the long-distance race, taking just under 3 hours for the 41 miles, 23rd in a mixed dinghy and cat fleet of around 80, but well back on the Dart 18s, which could punch through the steep breaking chop kicked up by a fresh SW breeze against the tide.