Although billed as an area championship the Mirror Southerns at Warsash SC attracted 46 boats from all over the country, with entries as far a field as Gateshead and Windermere in the north, and Penzance in the South West. Many were looking to achieve a high enough ranking to qualify for the 2005 Worlds, this being the final qualifier. The event attracted a star studded entry with all 2004 Champions, including National and European, present.
Poole Yacht Club had a fantastic turnout of 40 Mirrors for the Southern Championships. Twenty of these boats also competed in the South Traveller which consisted of the three race results on the Saturday. All races were sailed as Triangle - Sausage courses throughout the weekend.
42 Mirrors from 10 different clubs braved the elements in Chichester harbour over the weekend of 29-30th June 2002. The largest contingent came from Poole, with 10 boats, closely followed by Itchenor with 7. Many of the top dogs in the Mirror Fleet were present, making for hotly contested and very exciting racing. The Race Officer (Andrew Francis) favoured a trapezoid course with a long beat from Transit to just south of the Thorney channel entrance, which was much enjoyed by the competitors.
Hillhead SC welcomed a huge turnout of 43 boats most of whom dared to brave the F6 winds and the large 'Solent chop' to start the first race. Locals John Pink and Tom Weeks, ex Mirror sailors, now 29er European Champions, took the best start of the fleet but having not sailed a Mirror for a few years were soon overtaken by Rob Grieg-Gran and Jonny Telford. Lucy Macgregor and Nerissa Booth followed with Guy and Ben Wilkins also chasing. On the second beat, Matt Burge and Chris Doe in their brand new boat moved up through the fleet, as unfortunately both John Pink and Lucy Macgregor were forced to retire due to gear failure.
5 Races with one discard. Fabulous sunny conditions with easterly winds, force 3 to 4. It was also really nice for the spectators with the windward mark close to the Club lawn.