The National Solo Nations Cup 2014 at Riva Del Garda - Day 3

With 3 races under our belts from yesterday, there was optimism that today would be another as we awoke to sunshine, a prelude to an 'Ora' kind of day. The atmosphere slightly sombre following the Dutch departure to Argentina on penalties though there was no rendition of 'Don't Cry for Me' from the English contingent. After all, we are the specialists' when it comes to losing those.

The fleet of 70 launched in plenty of time for the scheduled 1 pm start time and beat out to the race area as the Ora built to a steady force 5.

Race 4

The competitors set off on full rake with Pete Mitchell at the pin end and Charlie Cumbley and the majority at the committee end. There may have been team orders from North Sails but it was Pete who drew the short straw. At the top it was Andy Couch with a nice lead ahead of Charlie, with Andy Friar (Winder/North ST1) third. The fleet enjoyed some superb downwind sailing and at the bottom mark Charlie had taken the lead. Andy Couch was having none of it and re-took the lead, tucking inside Charlie at the top mark. Andy Tunnicliffe (Winder/Goacher and Michael Sims were making places downwind and at the gun the top five were Cumbley in the Sailboat,co.uk.Speed 5.5, Couch, Tunnicliffe, Sims and Ian Houston (Winder/North 3DL). Unfortunately Shane MacCarthy (IRL) was OCS so he will be hoping to discard that one.

Race 5

The committee boat was favoured, the trick was when to tack onto port to make for the cliffs. Once there finding the layline to the top mark and, hey presto your first round. With 52 Solos' all wanting to do the same thing it was Couch who once again led with a good lead from Cumbley. These two pulled away from the chasing pack including Tunnicliffe, Sims, Tim Law, Chris Brown and Iain McGregor. The fleet revelled in the 5 gusting 6 Ora and the sizeable waves caught a few out. At the gun it was Couch from Cumbley with Tunnicliffe and Sims repeating their race 4 result. Brown was fifth, the benefit of the Macdonald's diet really starting to pay dividends.

Race 6

The wind was continuing to build and the waves, not wanting to be left out, did too. Once again it was Couch who worked the lanes best to round ahead of Tunnicliffe but Cumbley, who had gone further right was in sixth or seventh. The fleet were really made to work hard as waves were breaking all over the track. Tunnicliffe was through into the laed at the end of the triangle but both Couch and Cumbley used their extra weight to power through. At the gun it was Couch from Cumbley then Tunnicliffe and Sims who both repeated their race 4-5 scores and McGregor who finished fifth to add the icing to his day.

So after 6 races it is Andy Couch who leads the Nation's Cup here in Riva del Garda but only on count-back from reigning champion Charlie Cumbley. Michael Sims is a further 10 points behind and Andy Tunnicliffe is fourth. Pete Mitchell, Tim Law and Chris Brown fill fifth, sixth and seventh and Dave Mitchell, Ian Houston and Ian Hopwood complete the top ten. Shane MacCarthy (IRL) is thirteenth and Gerard Post (NED) is fourteenth.

Friday is the final day of racing and with an early start of 9a.m and three races scheduled, should be enthralling. With 2 discards coming into play if the three races are completed there is still much to gain or lose. Both Andy Couch and Charlie Cumbley are big hitters and these two do seem to be destined for a showdown. I am divided as to who could take the title if it does go down to these two fine sailors. This is the Liverpool team of '77'against the Arsenal of '89'. This is the mighty hitting of Botham against the stylish batting of Tendulkar.

This is Froch versus Froch and I will be epoxied to the edge of my seat tomorrow. This is not Ainslie versus Scheit because neither are Scheit. Couch will be wearing the fabled yellow jersey as event leader and what is certain is that we will have a British yellow jersey victory.