Harken Miracle Nationals at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy - Day 5

Mettam & Phillips secure the title with a day to spare

The 2013 nationals is the first time an international competitor has entered the event, and therefore before racing a special presentation was made to Marcel and Giulia Neuteboom (pictured on yesterday's race report). Unfortunately they had to leave after racing today and will miss the prizegiving, but have promised to be back for next year's 40th anniversary event in the new facilities at Hunstanton.

The scene was set for some close racing as Sam Mettam & Geoff Phillips needed either 1 1st place or 3 2nd places to secure the title whilst Davy & Plank needed to win the last 3 races and hope they got a boat in between them and Mettam & Phillips.

The day's forecast was for 15-20 knots of wind and sunshine. The first part of the forecast was almost right, and Race 1 started in 22 knots of wind but with grey skies. Mettam & Phillips lead to the first mark followed by Dave Butler & Ross Fleming and Ally & Harry Jones. Mettam & Phillips made the most of the now dropping breeze to extend their lead by the bottom mark. Unfortunately for Butler & Fleming, one of the final gusts before the wind died hit them at the gybe mark and Dave showed the rest of the fleet that he didn't just build boats, but was also an accomplished swimmer! The race progressed with Mettam & Phillips putting a loose cover on Davy & Plank with the latter battling through to take 2nd place on the final lap, but they couldn't catch Mettam & Phillips who had therefore done enough to secure their seventh title.

Race 2 started in 12 knots of wind with Davy & Plank leading to the first mark followed by the Jones and Mettam & Phillips. With the welcome return of the sun, a building breeze and some very close racing the term 'champagne sailing' could probably be used. As tends to happen when these 3 boats have got together, the lead changed hands several times but Mettam & Phillips lead at the top mark on the final lap and managed to extend down the reaches. Davy & Plank came under sustained pressure from the Jones but managed to hang on to secure 2nd overall. This will be Jeremy's second 2nd place at the same venue this year after a good performance at the Flying 15 Nationals.

One of the strengths of the class is that it allows parent and child teams to compete against lightweight adult teams. Many of the children are reeping the rewards and are found at the top of the junior fleets. However it is good to see that last year's national champion Martyn Lewis crewing for son 13-year old Daniel (2nd crewing for his Dad at the 2011 Miracle Nationals) are currently putting in a top performance at the RS200 Nationals.

Results after Day 5: (nine races, 2 discards)