505 UK National Championships at Felixstowe Ferry - Day 2

Day 2 of the 505 UK National Championships © Dennis Cartwright

Day 2 of the 505 UK National Championships © Dennis Cartwright

Today the UK 505 fleet awoke to conditions fairly similar to day 1. Beautiful sunshine but a few knots less of breeze.

Race 3 got underway with Alex Barry and Adam Kenney being gate boat. A clean start by all. The windward mark was a busy affair with Mike Holt proving his blistering upwind speed and charging into the lead, closely followed by Andy Smith & Tim Needham and Alex Barry & Adam Kenney in 3rd.

Two techniques to the downwind run meant interesting racing. Andy/Tim & Mike/Rob choosing to go higher and faster and the lighter Alex/Adam choosing to go lower and take advantage of the rather large waves. Alex/Adam managed to gybe early to cut inside Andy/Tim and haul into 2nd place with Holt still out front.

This running order stayed until the 2nd run where Alex/Adam low running technique got them into 1st place for the last beat. However a shift or two missed by the boys meant they were back to 2nd. The last run saw all three boats gybe a tad too late and mean a fight up to the leeward mark. Andy/Tim's superior ballast meant they rolled Alex/Adam putting them in 3rd. A great close race.

Race 4 had another clean start with the rabbit Charlie/Dougal getting the fleet underway. A shift up the left hand side of the beat put those out right on the back foot and desperately trying to claw it back. Phil/Dan rounded the windward in 3rd place but twin pole trouble meant their glory was short lived. The fleet blasted over to the right hand side of the run out of the tide, led by Andy/Tim. A cheeky early gybe meant Alex/Adam hauled a few boats in to round behind Andy/Tim in 2nd place hotly pursued by Tudor/Keith.

The guys in 1st and 2nd managed to consolidate their lead on the 2nd beat and pulled out a small lead behind the chasing fleet where place changing was rife! This stayed the same for all 4 laps. Special mention should go to Mike/Rob who not content with their 7th position, charged their way into 3rd and knocking on the door of Alex/Adam in 2nd.

Another cracking days racing at Felixstowe Ferry SC.

Results after day 2: