Zhik 29er Nationals at Restronguet Sailing Club - Day 3

Zhik 29er Nationals at Restronguet © Bill Tucker

Four races, 20kts and such nice people to deal with! A full on day with a strong whiff of adrenaline in the air. Records of all sorts were set. Like how long can an individual hang around while the fleet is racing before joining in? Like how many general recalls can be fit into one day? Like how much banter can one fit into a bucket?

Anyway, the fleet gave the RO plenty of opportunity to hone his fine art by only getting away for R1 of the final Gold series on the 5th attempt. But then it got serious and Ian Payne & Chris Berry made the most of it to open a small, but potentially significant, gap on the pursuers by the days end. With Friday looking dodgy it could mean that there are only 4 more races to go! Matt Venables & Will Alloway also had a stormer and surged into second ahead of Ollie Cooper & James Poyner who had to overcome a first race BFD. Owen Bowerman & Morgan Peach continue in solid vein and are 4th some 22 places ahead of the next U16 boat! Ben Batten & Finbar Anderson round out the top 5 after an up and down sort of day.

The Celtic challenge is warming up nicely with Sean & Tadgh Donnelley from Ireland in 7th with Gillies Munro & Daniel Harris from Scotland in 8th. The nautical Celtic tiger is roaring. Astonishingly Kernow's own Jack Hawkins & Chris Thomas are still in the hunt in 10th despite spending half the day watching after picking up two BFD's in the first two races.

The battle for the Ladies title is also as hot as cross buns. Ruth Allan & Alice Masterman have taken a two point lead over Joan Furness & Abbie Page who are tied with Vikki Payne & Steffi Orton. Other interest is whether the Loveridges claim for redress is granted after their main developed foil shaped holes in a pre start incident. And immense credit goes to the diminutive Jane Furness & Ellie Hide for battling against gravity all day long and beating the time trap every single time!

The Silver fleet refused to be outmuscled by the Gold when in R2 they managed to get 1/3 of the fleet BFD. The battle for the laurels is going to go to a worthy winner with the current 1&2 sharing honours on the day. Still leading are Cameron & Fraser Kitson Jones (Celtic tigers...) from Robert Baddeley and James Cunnison. Only 4 points separate the next three in the following order: Edward Coates & Tom Nicholls, Rob Morris & Tess Allan, Josh & Jake Davies. Smacking their lips with the fun of the chase are Will Acres & Finbar Preston.

And just to show how hardy they are after this mega long day, the above lot indulged in gig racing this evening. It was a proper giggle with the youngsters dreaming up all sorts of team names that Ben Cooper would have to comment on over the PA system. I won't name anyone but just imagine what hyperactive teenagers can come up with. My favourites were the "50% Welsh" team all dressed up and with a gig to go to.

Results after Day 3:

Gold Fleet

Silver Fleet