Volvo Noble Marine RS700 National Championship at Plymouth - Day 1

The Volvo Noble Marine RS700 National Championships started today with a breezy forecast. Everybody went out wrapped up (which was just as well) and had a great day on the water.

First start first race Neil Ashby and Jerry Wales got off the line first. We went left up the first beat and pulled a lead out on the rest of the fleet. Downwind was a lively event. Jerry rounded first with Neil second, closely followed by Richard Wadsworth and Ian Nolan. The next beat was a tussle between the four of us with the end result that Jerry pulled out the lead. On the third lap there was a huge wind shift and those of us on the left hand side of the course lost out: Neil and Robbie Bell. This meant that Simon Letten, Richard Wadsworth and Ian Nolan flew up the right hand side not to be caught.

Second race Dave Smithwhite had the best start and headed off left to the cliffs. We all tacked onto port to head towards to top mark which was a struggle to find. Jerry was first, Ian was second and Neil was third. Neil overtook Ian downwind going over the top of him with the kite up which is how it stayed for the next two laps with Alex Reid making an appearance in the top five as well. Kite block failure for Neil on the last drop let Alex get his first second at a National Champs and Ian took third with Neil in fourth.

All in all a tough day's racing with long legs. Summer has definitely gone!

Results after Day 1: