Parkstone’s Michael Atkinson was the runaway winner of the Laser class at Poole Week.

Atkinson dominated the event’s largest fleet of 27 boats. His six wins and three second places secured him an unassailable 12 points to count from nine outings.

The remarkable total was half the amount of his nearest rival fellow Parkstone member Roger Hakes.

In the 23-strong Flying Fifteen fleet Chris Gorringe and crew Nadia Hose had a clean sweep of bullets counting, just a DNC (Did Not Compete) for Friday when the series was already in the bag.

Ant Hackforth and Carrie Wilkes, meanwhile, sailed their Merlin in the Handicap fleet because many other of the class’s boats were away at the nationals.

The Parkstone pair won with all aces counting and discarding a two and a three.

There was drama until the end in the Darts with past Commodore Bryan Drake and crew Rosemary Crinnon holding a slender lead.

In the final contest, Bruce Stunt and Mary Hill won to level the points and take the trophy on countback.

Parkstone members headed the leader boards in all classes – except one.

The Albacores were won by visitors John and Nicola Carlin from West Kirby Sailing Club.

Poole Week passed off without a hitch, which is a remarkable achievement considering the size of the sailing fest.

Almost 150 boats of all shapes and sizes sailed in 10 classes from three different start lines.

The competitor list of some 200 plus is only exceeded by the number of volunteers.

These man the committee and safety boats, compile results and organise social events, over the six-day Parkstone Yacht Club-hosted event.

On the water sailors were blessed with good weather – at least by 2012 standards.

There were a couple of ‘fresh’ wind days but nothing the participants couldn’t handle.

Poole Week winners – Albacores: John & Nicola Carlin. Wayfarer: Geoff Gibbons & Dave Moy. Dart: Bruce Stunt & Mary Hill. Flying Fifteen: Chris Gorringe & Nadia Hose. Dolphin: Nigel & Tessa Yeoman. Shrimper: Peter & Judy Fontes. Handicap: Ant Hackforth & Carrie Wilkes (Merlin). RS 200: Stewart/Jade/Jack/Roy Bowen. XOD: Kim Slater/Julian Lee. Laser: Michael Atkinson.

  • Parkstone Yacht Club’s John Gorringe and Toby Lewis slipped from third to 19th in the Merlin Nationals.