Noble Marine Comet Trio Nationals at Exe Sailing Club - Day 2

Yet another beautiful day! The briefing was short and to the point - launch as soon as you can! The fleet launched bolstered by those unfortunates who had to work on Friday. So 20 Trios sailed down Exmouth seafront in bright sunshine and a Westerly F2.

The first start was delayed whilst the wind settled but soon the Race Officer Tim Graham sent the fleet round a triangle, sausage, triangle with a SW beat. The gentle F2/3 provided excellent sailing conditions, with those that played the shifts well up the beat gaining the advantage. Yesterdays winners Andrew and Caroline McAusland again proved to be the team to beat, but Bob and Colette Horlock pushed them hard in both races losing out by a boat length in the first race and winning the second by a similar margin.

It was a day when experience counted and the two 80 year old helms in the fleet acquitted themselves with honour. Tony Brewster crewed by Toby Elliot finished 3rd in the first race of the day and Martin Luce crewed by Andrew Soper were 5th in the second race.

The scheduled 3rd race was started but abandoned after Andrew and Caroline had done one lap as a feeble sea breeze had played havoc with the prevailing wind leaving great holes all over the course and some boats not even at the windward mark. After 20 minutes waiting for the wind to settle, racing was abandoned for the day and the fleet drifted towards the shore only for the prevailing wind to reassert itself and provide a comfortable sail back to the club.

With the McAuslands now having 4 firsts and a second from the five races sailed no-one can catch them and they will be crowned Comet Trio National Champions for the 6th time tomorrow. The other podium places are still up for grabs with Sam and Chris Mayne lying second on 11 points, Bob and Colette Horlock third on 12 points and Guy Farrant and Marilynn Booker 4th on 14 points.

Results after Day 2: