British Moth National Championships at Staunton Harold Sailing Club - Day 3

The competitors were greeted with stronger winds than previous days, and after the 3 races the day before had a later start for the Amethyst Trophy.

With the strong gusting winds the fleet struggled upwind to the first mark. The first to arrive was Robbie Claridge who managed to plane away before the following pack arrived at the mark. Second and third were Toby Cooper and Tim Davison. By the end of the lap positions at the top remained unaltered. However the following pack members constantly changed positions.

For the second race of the day, The Thompson Trophy, the competitors sailed out to a force 4 gusting 6. As the race started David Taylor broke his shroud and limped back to the clubhouse on his lowers. As the start the bias changed from starboard to port. As the race got under way Steve Sergeant got away cleanely and led the fleet to the first mark by his close reaching technique. He was followed Toby Cooper and Tim Davison. Championship contender Robbie Claridge broke his mast at the third mark and retired.

As the racing continued there were a number of high speed capsizes that kept the rescue crew alert and busy. Toby Cooper, Steve Sergeant and Tim Davison battled to keep their positions with the deadlock broken when Steve capsized.

The race finished with Toby Cooper coming in first followed by Tim Davison and a quickly recovered from capsize, Steve Sergeant. Further back in the fleet Graham Pope and Toby Smith (sailing with a broken tiller extension) got passed Abby Freely (Hunts), in a new boat that was delivered to her on the first day of the championship, after she capsized but she remained in 9th position.