Harken Musto Performance Skiff Nationals at Paignton Sailing Club - Day 3

Harken Musto Skiff Nationals day 3 © Paul Manning

Harken Musto Skiff Nationals day 3 © Paul Manning

The forecast promised breeze, but come 11 o'clock – it was yet to deliver both in strength and a settled direction. Following the inevitable delay, the fleet set off for Race 6 in around 14 knots. The left hand corner paid and it was Jamie Hilton who led the fleet in to the top mark closely followed by Dan Kilsby and Dave Poston. By the leeward gate Jamie had extended his lead and again went left up the beat with the wind now sub 10kts. Dave Poston pulled through to second followed by Alex Knight. These positions were held to the finish.

Following a quick turnaround Race 7 got underway and the wind now settled on direction and having built to around 16 knots, Bruce Keen lead the fleet into the left hand corner but again it Hilton who picked the right lay and lead into the top mark in first position from Richard Stenhouse and Bruce Keen. Stem led into the gate but opted for the port hand rounding. Meanwhile Keen and Hilton headed left. Keen sailed high and fast into the left hand corner taking the lead. Hilton and Sten battled closely for second with Hilton picking a shift to get through. Positions were held to the finish. Keen, Hilton then Sten.

For Race 8 the wind had built further to around 17 knots. Bruce and Sten led out of the pin end. Bruce was looking odds on for leading into the top mark but let Sten tack inside and lead into the run. Hilton – clearly revelling in the solid breeze – closely followed in third with a Richard Evans in fourth and Jon Simpson trucking upwind in 5th.. Both Sten and Bruce gybed off early leaving Hilton to enjoy a belter of a gust down the right catapulting him into second behind Sten. Bruce however picked a great shift to pull through to first with Stenhouse and Hilton over standing the port lay. Bruce sailed off to finish first from Sten and Hilton.

Race 9 was away clear (see photo) again with Keen and Stenhouse coming out the pin end with Dave Poston putting the pressure on with his excellent upwind speed. Sten pulled through Bruce downwind with a port starboard near the leeward gate. Keen retook the lead from Sten and Dave and it was looking to finish that way until Dave pulled through Sten's lee on the final beat.

A great on the water in the conditions that the boat were designed for. Race management was top drawer waiting for the fickle early wind to settle. Tonight the fleet are enjoying roof terrace refreshments overlooking the stunning Torbay panorama before we convene at the club for a Ruby Murray.

Results after Day 3:

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