Volvo Noble Marine RS700 Nationals at Hayling Island - Days 1 & 2

Day 2 of the Volvo Noble Marine RS700 Nationals at Hayling Island © Alex Irwin / www.sportography.tv

Day 2 of the Volvo Noble Marine RS700 Nationals at Hayling Island © Alex Irwin / www.sportography.tv

Day One

Thursday morning dawned with light airs and a forecast for light and variable breeze throughout the day. After a couple of hours postponement and some last minute bumbling the fleet took to the water in the vain hope of the breeze filling in.

It didn't...

Day Two

More sparkling wall to wall sunshine as the fleet were released from the beach. Eventually a pleasant 6 knots gradient breeze arrived and the first race of the championship got underway.

First to the mark Jerry Wales was closely followed by Pete Purkiss with Colin Dacey in third. These three had a decent gap from the pursuing pack with Adam Golding of the home club ahead of the pack.

Race two got away with the majority going left. However the right hand side paid handsomely with the Snettisham trio of Colin Dacey, Ian Noland and Robbie Bell hard on the heels of Jerry Wales who recorded his second bullet. Class Chairman Richard Wadsworth after drinking with the Snettisham crew suffered an unusual bout of seasickness considering his naval background.

The third race started in a softening breeze with the fleet bunched at the committee boat end. First to the mark was James Bayliss who led the first lap. Andy Brown was able to find a passing lane and the final order was Andy Brown followed by James Bayliss with Huw Reynolds in third.

The Race Officer wisely postponed the fourth race in the dying breeze and sent the fleet home to enjoy the fantastic evening sunshine.

Results after day 2: