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STONE S.C. hosted the 1999 Unicorn championships setting seven races over the first week in August on the river Blackwater.

One point decided the winner on the final race, making this the closest contest for many years.

Too much heat and fickle winds dominated the racing, with moored boats, seaweed and low tides mid day, causing problems for all competitors.

The first race was shortened after two laps and Phil Chester held on to a win having closely covered current champion, Garry Piper into second place. Bob Dorks, a local, finished third having led the race briefly.

The afternoon saw an easterly breeze setting in, Piper and Chester started together in the lead, only for Chester to hit an underwater mooring line, snap his tiller and capsize whilst attempting to recover a rudder. This left Piper clear to win comfortably with Chris Doughty second and Dorks third.

Tuesday was again light and shifty with Dorks and Colin Johnson taking over the lead from Chester after finding a good shift on the opposite side of the river. Chester took the lead momentarily on the final round only to see Dorks and Johnson sail passed to leeward on a reach when Chester got becalmed amongst the dinghy fleet. Dorks held onto the lead with Chester overtaking Johnson to take second.

The afternoon race again saw Dorks leading as Piper, Doughty and Chester were left at the back due to a large wind shift at the start.

Chester recovered to follow Dorks to the last run where he was able to drift passed and complete the race in first. Piper also improved at the last mark, passing Peter Toft on the short beat to the line to clinch third.

Wednesday saw both races dominated by Piper who, despite sailing to the wrong mark after the second beat, recovered well to slip passed Chester who had momentarily capitalised on the mistake.

A good breeze set in for the afternoon and Chester led Piper until he got in a tangle on the last beat, letting Piper in to win with Dorks in third.

The final race on Friday saw Piper and Chester on level points and a similar close battle for the remaining places.

Doughty powered off the line in a moderate offshore breeze, closely followed by Piper and Chester in third. These three didn't look back as they swopped places on the mile long beat.

Piper emerged infront with Chester chasing hard and Doughty third.

Doughty took second briefly as Piper sailed away clear for a win with Chester recovering to second just ahead of Doughty.

Piper won with one point but with a clear exhibition of skill in the breezy last race. Chester was a clear second overall\, with a good series, not falling below second in a race with Dorks third and Doughty fourth.

In order from the left: Colin Johnson, Richard Taylor, John Wade, Chris Doughty, Bob Dorks, National Champion Gary Piper (Gary, that's a cup, not a cricket box!!), Phil Chester, Peter Toft, Robert Higgins, Paul Conway, David Taylor

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