Astral Azure 2000 Class National Championship at Brixham Yacht Club - Day 1
by Mark Foley 17 Aug 2020 07:36 BST
16-21 August 2020
2000 Class National Championships day 1 © Mark Foley
A Covid boat park is a funny place; maybe we'll get used to it by Friday. Masks were worn until on the water. It's strange not seeing the smiles on faces of 2000 sailors at a Nationals. It's not a medical opinion, but frankly some masks didn't fit in a very flattering fashion, which makes me conclude some people have the wrong ears.
30 boats are a decent turn out in the circumstances. Some regulars were put off by C-19; others leapt at the opportunities afforded by not being able to go abroad and "working from home" to make their first Nationals appearance.
Torquay was in view on Sunday morning, being visible though shrouded in mist, on Saturday it couldn't be seen at all. The wind was easterly or south easterly. The opinion that if it's coming from the east it will not be shifty needs to be regarded with some suspicion. The breeze was light throughout; not enough for both to be on the gunwale much of the time.
Race 1 (Course set for 90 degrees)
Which was true on the first beat but not thereafter shifting southerly to 120 ish.
Coming out on top were Simon Horsfield and Katie Burridge, Tim & Linda Hulley and Johnny & Matt Sargent.
Race 2 (Course set for 120 degrees)
It took a while to get going, plenty of boats wanting to push the line at the pin end. After the first general recall the U flag went up after the second recall black flag was applied and one over eager helm was over.
It didn't appear to be a favoured side; quite a few boats you'd expect in the top ten appeared mid-fleet at the end of lap 1 and although some made progress through the fleet there was still a levelling up at the finish.
Rob & Sarah Burridge made the most of it taking first with Iain & Sarah Yardley an excellent 2nd and 2000 newcomers Isaac & Fresh (I didn't make that up) 3rd.
Similar conditions forecast for Monday, breezier later in the week.