RS Aero Magic Marine UK National Championships at the WPNSA - Day 2

Sailors were met this morning with a steady 10-12 knot breeze from the North East. Four races were scheduled in the 2012 Olympic Waters of Weymouth Bay.

After a long sail out to the start line, race 1 got underway on time with 74 boats on the start line to compete in the daily handicap style race. A short beat and a rapidly dying breeze kept racing tight and it was those on the left of the course that sought out the better pressure to reach the mark in the lead. Henry Jameson picked up where he left off, taking the bullet in the 5 rigs. Meanwhile overnight leader in the 7 rigs, Glen Truswell took the bullet in his fleet, ahead of Peter Barton and Jack Holden. The fight for the win in the 9 rigs came down to the final mark when Olympic medallist, Simon Hiscocks battled for pole position against Luke Deegan. It was Deegan that came out on top and crossed the line ahead of a cursing Hiscocks.

After a short wait as the wind clocked round, race 2 got underway in a solid 10 knots. This time it was Will Taylor's turn to lead the way in the 5 fleet after a strong start. Not far behind him were Henry Jameson and Matthew Caiger. Peter Barton took his second win of the series in the 7 rigs, ahead of Truswell, while Robbie Wilson of Wormit Boating Club in Scotland finished 3rd. It was Luke Deegan that led the way in the 9 rigs for the second race of the day, this time chased by David Rickard.

A steady increase in breeze saw 15 knots on the start line for the 3rd race. Will Taylor took to the breeze like a duck to water in the 5 rigs and finished with a strong lead while Louis Wright of Hayling Island Sailing Club, also evidently enjoying the breeze, took 2nd. The battle between Barton and Truswell continued in the 7 fleet, with Truswell returning to the lead for the finish. Jack Holden of Arun Yacht Club took 3rd. Luke Deegan was starting to make it look easy in the 9 rigs, casually posting another bullet ahead of Rickard and Hiscocks.

RS Aero Nationals at the WPNSA day 2 - photo © Frances Peters

A fourth race in a building breeze after a long upwind sail to the race course started to take its toll on sailors. Boat handling was proving more of a challenge and hiking was becoming increasingly intermittent across the fleet! Will Taylor made an exception to the rule, taking the win in the final race by a good margin and putting himself in pole position overnight. After gear failure off the start line in race 3, Matt Caiger came back fighting and was happy to take 2nd in the final race, securing 3rd place overnight behind Jameson. Meanwhile Debbie Degge sailed a consistent day to leave herself in 4th place overnight and leading lady. In the 7 fleet, Glen Truswell was taking no prisoners and took another bullet, securing the leading spot overnight. True to form, Barton took 2nd place, leaving himself just 3 points shy of Truswell going into the final day. Fergus Barnham of Snettisham Beach Sailing Club sits in 3rd place overnight after a consistent day. Determined to beat Deegan's winning streak in the 9 fleet, David Rickard crossed the line 1st in the final race, leaving himself in 2nd going into the final day ahead of Simon Hiscocks and Matt Thursfield, while Truswell remains in the lead.

A long day on the water will now be concluded with a BBQ on shore, before competitors head over to Weymouth to let their hair down in advance of the final day of racing tomorrow.

Results after Day 2:

For more info on the RS Aero Class visit the website, www.rsaerosailing.org or the facebook group, www.facebook.com/groups/rsaeroclass.