Volvo Noble Marine RS100 Nationals at Exe Sailing Club - Day 3

Volvo Noble Marine RS100 Nationals at Exe © David Smart

Andy, Steve and Al modelling their leaders bibs during the Volvo Noble Marine RS100 Nationals at Exe © David Smart

I must start today's report with an apology to Sue (knees behind ears – don't ask) Eplett. She received a text from her brother saying 'Please explain'. In order to avoid any embarrassment I must clarify that it was all about Pilates positions. I am sorry for any confusion I may have caused.

Last night ended with an excellent rock band at a local pub where Sue (dance leader) Eplett succeeded in getting the whole pub dancing on the dance floor. During the gig, Al Dickson was given the Tambourine to play with the beat. Unfortunately the tambourine and beat never met. He may be able to sail, but he's a poor musician.

There has been a suggestion that the wives should do the write up of the day's racing:

• Some blokes (aka old gits) went out on the water
• They came back
• They talked technical b****cks
• They had a drink
• They were all robbed

Race 3

This was a light wind race, with a Northerly Force 2 with shifts and holes to catch the unwary. The fleet was well spread out across the unbiased line. Clive Eplett started at the pin and went left to be first at mark one followed by Greg Booth and Ian Gregory. The light wind specialist, Giles Peckham, searched for a lane down the middle of the run with Ian Gregory getting ahead at the leeward mark with Giles second. Greg decided to overstand the leeward mark to lose out a load of places. However Giles was able to sniff out the shifts and pressure up the beat to take the gun ahead of a very rapid Clive Eplett recovering second with Ian Gregory third, Steve Lee fourth and a poor result for Mr Tambourine man in 5th.

The buddy system had been working well, but Lord Giles Peckham misunderstood how it worked. His buddy, Nathan Muggeridge, had asked for some downwind advice. However, Nathan found himself ahead of the Lord at the windward mark, so Lord Giles sailed below him on the hoist and then kindly luffs Nathan who capsizes. Nathan should find a new buddy.

Race 4

The breeze remained light and the line was again square, but Clive Eplett had a plan. He started at the pin again and went left. This showed no originality as it was identical to his plan in Race 3. Unfortunately for the rest of the fleet, it worked again. The others at the pin included Al Dickson, Andy Jones and Stewart Hawthorn. They led the fleet with Stewart enjoying the view at the front of and vowing to do it again. The other notable event were the 6 boats OCS, with only 2 returning. They included Huw Powell who is trying to go for an OCS on every day. The rest of the race was an attempt to kill Eplett from stress. Firstly when Dickson and Andy Jones got the right side of a persistent shift on the second beat, then when the Shorten Course was clearly signalled for the RS300s, but whether this applied to the RS100s too seemed to be a secret. Eplett just about kept Dickson behind with Jones taking third, with Stewart Hawthorn 4th and Chris Goldhawk 5th enjoying a foray towards the front of the fleet, where he feels he really belongs.

Race 5

The wind was slowly building to a steady Force 3, but the start was heavily biased to the committee boat. Al Dickson was early at the committee boat and caused complete carnage by turning back, and trying to hit every single other boat. Some technical language was used and Al did a few turns. Huw was now starting in the third row to avoid another OCS. Andy Jones led at the windward mark, with John Richardson making a brief show at the front. However John suffered a silicone moment when gybing, falling over and taking a swim. He wasn't happy, but this opened the way for Giles Peckham and Greg Booth. Giles had said to Greg that they should gybe off, which Greg did, into a hole while Giles sailed on in breeze once John had capsized. Andy Jones was again snapping at the heels of the leaders and while Greg sailed away for a comfortable win, Andy took second with Rob (the true youth) Richardson 3rd, demonstrating the energy and great boat handling of a future champion. He just needs to develop a little consistency (and avoid being OCS). His time will come. Mark (The guvnor) Harrison was 4th followed closely by the ever threatening Steven Lee.

Race 6

The wind had built to a Force 3. The line was pin biased again, but the fleet was shy (not a term used often for the RS100 fleet). David Smart spotted this shyness and led off the middle of the line and used Clive's tactic of bagging the left hand corner to good effect. He led round the windward mark with Andy Jones making a brace of Chew Valley boats to the fore. On the run David Smart gybed early for the layline, sailing low and slow and leaving a ray of hope for Al Dickson on a charge. Behind them were Steve Lee and Huw Powell having a ding dong battle, with Steve sailing Huw into the RS300 fleet. Huw used lots of words that cannot be written down before the 9 o'clock watershed.

At the second windward mark Al Dickson had nipped in front and had the temerity to luff David Smart. David avoided contact, but gave the Youth a tongue lashing for his lack of respect. While they swapped the lead a couple of times, Al (Tambourine man) claimed the gun, with David 2nd, Andy Jones 3rd (showing incredible consistency), Greg Booth 4th and Clive Eplett 5th. Steve and Huw were nowhere to be seen.

It had been a great day's racing, although Mostyn was less happy with winning the 'RS of the day' award for losing his nut on the beach. Mark Harrison helped him out as he had a spare.

Simon Geyman also deserves a mention for his devotion. He missed the day's racing to get to Wembley for a Billly Joel concert on Saurday night. He returns to Exeter train station at 11.00, but does not yet know that the first race start has been brought forward to 10.30. He probably won't feature strongly in that race.

Before the final day, the positions are close, with Al Dickson just 3 points clear of Andy Jones and Greg Booth, Clive Eplett and Steven Lee separated by a mere 2 points. There is lots to play for with 4 action packed races promised for the RS100's Super Sunday.

Results after Day 3: