GJW Direct Lark Nationals at Penzance Sailing Club - Day 3
by Ally Dart 19 Aug 2014 23:36 BST
16-22 August 2014
Today started with blue skies and 15 knots from the North West, with a few helms and crews looking like a sight for sore eyes after crews union beach games and helms Board of Directors pub crawl the night before.
With James Stewart and Millie Parsons in 2492 as pathfinder starting the fleet split 50/50 up the first beat with the wind shifting as much as 30 degrees at times there was lots to win or lose! With a big shift to the right on the top section of the first beat this gave enough leverage to the leading boats on the right hand side to sneak in front with Nigel Hufton and Will Kennedy (2470) going round first at the top mark followed by Emma and Matt White (2471), Steve Hall and Ally Dart (2533), then Holly Hewat and Karen Falcon (2503) and Ed Bradburn and Lucy Evans (2526).
With a tighter than expected reach a few places were gained with Pete Gray and Rachael Rhodes (2531) pulling through to 4th. With another shifty beat Emma White and Steve Hall sticking to the right side of the beat at times it looked like Pete Gray and James Stewart had gained an advantage, but after big shift at the top of the beat, this gave Emma White and Steve Hall enough of a advance to keep their positions.
Down the run Charlie Roome and Jez Stephens pulled through to 6th. With Steve Hall having a good last beat he sneaked round the windward mark ahead of Emma White and with Charlie Roome also gaining a couple of places.
Race 6 finish positions:
Nigel Hutton and Will Kennedy 1st
Steve Hall and Ally Dart 2nd
Emma and Matt White 3rd
Charlie Roome and Jez Stephens 4th
Pete Gray and Rachael Rhodes 5th
Ed Bradburn and Lucy Evans 6th
Overnight leader still remains as Charlie Roome and Jez Stephens.