Comet Trio National Championships at Exemouth Sailing Club

Phil and Gill Morrison at the National Championships © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

Actions from the National Championships in Lyme Bay © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

A record 26 entries was helped by being in Exmouth where the largest Comet Trio fleet is based. Race Officer Ben Jennings had already headed out to Lyme Bay to set up course while his assistant Rick Newcombe briefed the crews.

The first race was the Olympic triangle/sausage course. In a sunny force 4-5 there was an unusual amount of overtaking on the spinnaker reaches of the triangle as the waves were surfed. Peter and Marjorie Scott from Shustoke SC won the race, followed by the Morrisons and then Les Arscott both from Exe SC.

In race 2 a windward/leeward course was set. During the downwind legs there were some new tricks from "Tigger", whose crew were experimenting with goose-winging with a half-extended spinnaker pole, making up several places. The race was won by Andrew and Caroline McAusland followed by Arscott and Scotty. That evening there was a most enjoyable curry and karaoke session.

On 4th August the weather was as forecast, with the wind strengthening to force 3 to 4, overcast at first becoming sunny. Race 3 saw another windward/leeward course, was won by Arscott followed by Scotty and Exe Commodore Garratt.

Race 4 was an Olympic course. Enthusiasm was increasing to the extent that there were so many eager starters over the line at the start that there was a general recall. The black flag rule was introduced for the second start, catastrophically for Mike Davies who was over the line. Steve Ashford from Whitefriars Sailing Club led for most of the race making use of a favourable line found out to sea. Steve was pipped at the post by Arscott, Scotty was third.

Race 5 was also an Olympic course. After another general recall the black flag rule was utilised with one more disqualification. Arscott again won followed by the McAuslands and Morrisons. The AGM was held after tea and scones, followed by a delicious three course dinner, entertainment and dancing.

Race 6 stuck with the Olympic course, and there was a lot less wind, now from the south east. Phil Morrison, the Trio's designer, and wife Gill were first to round the mark as in the next race. The very light winds meant that different crews did well. The downwind leg was better for the boats that kept their speed up using the wider angles rather than those who headed closer to dead downwind. The race was shortened and it finished with the Morrisons winning followed by Martin Luce and then Tony Brewster.

Race 7 found a slightly stronger wind which allowed a quicker race. Heading off to the left seemed to be better for getting to the first mark. There was lots of changing places in the slight puffs of wind and in the end it finished Morrisons, Scotts then Arscott

Prizes were presented by Bev, wife of Exe SC's Commodore Symon Garratt. First went to Les Arscott and Andrew Williams, second to Peter and Marjorie Scott and third to Phil and Gill Morrison, in forth place was a third husband and wife team of Andrew and Caroline McAusland. Thanks for a great championships to all at Exe SC.

Overall Results: