AW Accounting RS300 Nationals at Weymouth - Day 3

Day 3 of the AW Accounting 2011 RS300 National Championships dawned bright and less breezy. A creaking, curry-filled fleet assembled for 3 races inside the harbour. At the briefing the PRO promised 8-10 knots from the SW for the whole day. As the start of race 1 approached, the breeze was building well beyond that bringing smiles to the faces of the fat and the fit, and whimpers from the light and infirm.

Race 1 quickly established the pattern of the right hand side of the track being the reliable route to the weather mark, with occasional jackpot shifts up the left hand side providing an elevator for the brave few. Bolland assumed his usual place at the front of the fleet, followed by Le Mare, Acres and Tom Kennedy. Bolland cleared off to take the win, with Le Mare winning the scrap for second from Acres.

Race 2 and now the breeze was fully switched on. At the first weather mark Bolland led narrowly from Jason ‘Splash’ Buchanan. These two pulled away from a gaggle of boats led by Neil Beveridge. At the final gybe Buchanan led, but then there was a loud splash and a cry of anguish and Bolland was back in front. Beveridge took 2nd, with a grateful Bees promoted to 3rd. This left Bolland retaining his vice-like grip on the National Championship title and not needing to sail the last 2 races.

Race 3 and Bolland wasn’t going to let anyone else have the limelight. Again he led at the first weather mark, followed by a group consisting of Kennedy, Le Mare, Bees, Acres, Keen, Jenkins, and probably some others as well. Bolland continued serenely at the front, though less far ahead than usual, whilst a battle royal behind ensued. At the start of the final beat (the race officer decided to kindly tack an extra beat onto the course, just to guarantee the maximum amount of pain) Bees was narrowly 2nd from Le Mare and Acres. Le Mare turned on the power, split tacks and took 2nd by a boatlength from Bees and Acres.

With 1 race left tomorrow Bolland doesn’t need to sail, resulting in the price of Stella rocketing on the world market as rumours of his impending thirst spread. Just 5 points separate Le Mare, Beveridge, Bees and Acres in 2nd to 5th. Big boys Le Mare and Beveridge will be biting their nails at the prospect of a light weather decider. Bring it on!

RS Games day 10 video

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