Harken Miracle Nationals at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy - Day 1
by Sam Mettam 12 Aug 2013 09:44 BST
11-16 August 2013
Forty Miracles arrived at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy for their National Championships sponsored by Harken & Gibson Sails to be greeted by sunshine and 10-14 knots of wind. Special mention goes to Marcel & Giulia Neuteboom who travelled from the Netherlands to be one of the first international entries to the Uk Nationals. (Miracles are sailed in many countries including Australia, Malta and the Netherlands, although they are strongest in the UK).
The practice race got away with pre-championship favourites Jeremy Davy & Ethan Plank sailing1 their Butler boat coming out of the Starboard end of the line to lead around the windward. they were followed by Sam Mettam & Geoff Phillips sailing their new Boatcraft boat and Nick & Indigo Smith in a Kelly boat. The leading three boats managed to get away from the main pack, and finished in that order despite some place changing between Mettam/Phillips and the Smiths.
In Race 1, with slightly less breeze, Davy & Plank once more led around the first mark followed by Richard and Katy Byne. Dave Butler sailed an excellent first leg only to arrive at the windward mark at the lead of a group of boats who had gone left on port with the bulk of the fleet arriving on Starboard. Slots were few and far between and several front runners got caught out including Dave himself. On the second beat the Smiths got through the Bynes. Further down the top 10 Ally & Harry Jones and Martin & Abby Huett were showing good speed in their new Butler boats.
The competitors retired to the club for a well-attended Quiz, won by the 'Weymouth Wizards'. Some competitors need to be careful on the race start line today though as the Race Officer's Bar team suffered a shocking defeat!
Results after Day 1: (top ten, 1 race)
1st 4023, Jeremy Davy & Ethan Plank (Hayling Island SC)
2nd 3805, Nick & Indigo Smith (Thornbury SC)
3rd 3673, Richard & Katy Byne (Draycote Water SC)
4th 4051, Sam Mettam & Geoff Phillips (Hayling Island SC)
5th 4055, Ally & Harry Jones (Draycote Water SC)
6th 4056, Martin & Abby Huett (Draycote Water SC)
7th 3740, David & Michelle Raines (Leigh & Lowton SC)
8th 4040, Neal Gibson & Keith Macey (Redoubt SC)
9th 4010, Dave & Ross Southwell (Leigh & Lowton SC)
10th 4047, Yvonne & Brian Mumford (Redoubt SC)