British Championships 2009

From the 14th-16th August 2009, Holt Farm, Southam played host to the British Flyball Championships. With a huge turnout of clubs and a staggering 32divisions (as opposed to 22divisions in 2008), it was set to be the biggest event of the flyball calendar, and it certainly didn't disappoint. A huge well done to Steve and Bridget Leek, as well as the rest of the Dolphins, and the BFA Committee, for organising the tournament.

Divisions ran in reverse order, with divisions 22 to 32 running on Friday, 11 to 21 on Saturday and 10 to 1 on Sunday. Three arenas were run like clockwork throughout to ensure a fairly early finish on all of the days to go onto presentations. All teams received rosettes, and goodie bags provided by the ever generous CSJ containing herbs, vouchers and food samples. Divisional winners were also given team photos, a team trophy and a trophy for each dog.

Away from the flyball, two excellent nights of entertainment were provided by the organisers, and the Mad Mutts flyball team. A neon themed night on Friday saw people don their most bright clothing, and a more formal night on Saturday evening saw dresses, suits and shirts - not the usual flyball attire!

Along with an increase in the number of divisions, there obviously a huge increase in camping units too. The venue owners kindly offered another field for dog exercising, and the canal is close by too. Also a welcome addition since last year were showers for flyballers to use!

Sunday saw the fastest divisions, and several personal best times set. From about 9am onwards, people were leaving their chairs by the side of arena two, so as to get a ringside seat for the action in division 1. With only fractions of a second separating those in the top division, and with four of the teams having gone under that illusive 17s barrier, it was looking set for some close racing.

The Division 1 line up:

Bassett Hotdogs
High Flyers
Live Wires
Shooting Stars
Cleveland Comets
Molten Magnets

PLACE	TEAM	FASTEST TIME	SEED
1st	Bassett Hotdogs	16.85	1
2nd	High Flyers	17.00	2
3rd	Cleveland Comets	17.13	5
4th	Molten Magnets	17.46	6
5th	Shooting Stars	17.45	4
6th	Live Wires	16.94	3

*This division was already predicted to have close and nail biting racing as three out of the six team were already previous champions. Molten Magnets gained the title in 2005, Live Wires in 2007 & High Flyers in 2008.*

A nailbiting first race saw the Bristish Champions 2007, the Live Wires, race the British Champions 2008, the High Flyers - resulting in a 3-2 victory for the Flyers, who looked set to continue their championship campaign. Several races in every team had lost at least one race, except for the Bassetts Hotdogs who had set the British Record a few weeks earlier. After the morning racing, it still looked like anyone's game.

Clearly evident in division 1 this year was the battle of the height dogs, four of which are terriers and three taking up their anchor position. Millie the JRT from High Flyers making her first team debut as lead dog, holding her own in the toughest division 1 of the year. Belle (Live Wires), Dot (Shooting Stars) and Lizzie (Bassett Hotdogs) raced each other as anchor dogs in style - several comments made about "where do we get ourselves a Lizzie?" as the terrier cross outran almost anything she was up against.

Afternoon racing was equallly close, when Bassett raced High Flyers, they knew if they won they'd have the championship. A very close few legs, but Bassett just had Flyers and went on to become British Champions 2009 and British Record Holders. Huge congratulations to Bassett Hotdogs!

To watch Bassett Hotdogs in action, there are several videos on youtube, here.

Huge Congratulations to all teams, especially the division winners and also to Leeds 'Owlers who won the Feelwells Team Challenge Trophy for their teams winning 80% of their races throughout the weekend.

A full list of divisional winners

Division	Winner	Fastest time
1	Bassett Hotdogs	16.85
2	Bristol Ball-istics	17.65
3	Northants Falcons	17.85
4	Dippy Dolphins	17.59
5	Doncaster Bellestars	17.98
6	Brigg Muttley Crew	17.94
7	Barney 'Owlers	18.25
8	High Voltage	18.20
9	Fylde Coasters	18.57
10	Rotherham Runaways	18.80
11	Molten Magic	19.15
12	Wilmslow Jackals	18.96
13	Tyne Tailwaggers	18.91
14	Red Rose Renegades	19.22
15	Rotherham Riders	19.97
16	Wimbledon Whizzers	18.99
17	Mansfield Mavericks	19.73
18	Fylde Rollercoasters	19.99
19	Hotshots Hyperdogs	20.35
20	Blackpool Quasers	22.76
21	Rotherham Runners	20.60
22	Lightning Bolts	20.34
23	Crazy Canines	19.62
24	Night 'Owlers	21.10
25	Malmesbury Monks	20.08
26	Covert Clangers	21.10
27	Hampshire Hopefuls	21.11
28	Hotshots Hit 'n' Run	22.81
29	Water Orton Underdogs	22.06
30	Northants Eagles	23.56
31	Red Rose Rogues	25.89
32	Blackpool White Dwarf Stars	25.51