Harken 2000 Class National Championship at Pwllheli Sailing Club - Day 4

After a day of very light winds and no racing, the Harken sponsored 2000 Class National Championships continued with three races today at Pwllheli Sailing Club. The wind was a gentle SW, that gradually swung to the West, and increased from the 8 to 9 knots in the first two races, to a much better leg stretching 12 to 13 knots in the third. 3 races were fitted in, bringing the racing back on track before the final two races tomorrow.

The class, as seems traditional after a day of no racing, pushed the start for the first race, resulting in a recall and black flag start. Graham and Kristina Sexton led the fleet nicely from the restart by beating up the left hand side of the course (the left seemed to pay as long as that beat didn't have any swing in the wind, but if there was a swing during the beat, the right hand side paid). But it was Jasper and Laura Barnham who read the swing on the final beat correctly to take the lead at a very appropriate time: around the last windward mark. Rob and Katie Burridge took 3rd.

There was a short postponement for the start of the second race, as the course needed swinging to meet the new wind: although it is never a good idea to keep the 2000's hanging around for too long between races - the fleet is always keen to get racing again and so everyone pushed the start again, this time with two recalls under the black flag resulting in a number of boats hanging around in the sunshine waiting for the final race of the day. This race, Jasper and Laura nailed it from the start, while Rob and Katie had a "please don't mention that race again". Graham and Kristina continued their good form with another 2nd, while Dave Adams and Richard Thomas took 3rd.

The course was swung again for the third race, and a general recall (just one this time) allowed time for the wind to keep building. Jib halyards were slackened to allow the rigs to be raked back, and crews were starting to hike hard. Under the black flag a clean start was had, and boats either went right (hoping for the swing), or went left (hoping for a tidal advantage). In the end, it was Jasper and Laura (again) who took the best course up the centre of the beat, reading the shifts and swings very cleanly. Rob and Katie flew down the runs by going high and fast, but not quite fast enough to catch Jasper / Laura. Dave and Richard were enjoying the stronger wi9nd with another 3rd. Fergus Barnham and Serena de Nahik finished 4th in every race.

After 7 starts, it gets hard to remember who started where - but whenever the 3rd hoot sounded, there was always some boats who breathed a sigh of relief, while others who had managed to make a good clean start were annoyed. At the end of the day, the sun was shining, making packing up the boat enjoyable and the fleet are looking forward to the first 2000 Class Dinner tonight.

Results after Day 4: (after eight of 10 races)

1st Jasper & Laura Barnham, 7pts
2nd Rob & Katie Burridge, 10pts
3rd Dave Adams & Richard Thomas, 18pts
4th Graham & Kristina Sexton, 20pts
5th Fergus Barnham & Serena de Nahik, 24pts
6th Chris & Tom Hall, 35pts
7th Matt & Clare Sargent, 41pts
8th Simon Horsfield & Tom Bernall, 49pts
9th Christopher & Mark Thomas, 49pts
10th Natalie Roach & Alex Pickles, 53pts
11th Iain & Sarah Yardley, 63pts
12th Chris & Gill Jordan, 63pts
13th James & Jenny MacGregor, 74pts
14th Tim Hulley & Richard, 79pts
15th Chris & Emily MacDonald, 79pts
16th Graham & Lucy Dalton, 80pts

You can also follow the 2000 Class on www.2000class.org, Facebook and on Twitter (#‎2000sailing ‪#‎2000nationals hashtags).