GAC Pindar British Finn Championship at Mengeham Rythe Sailing Club - Day 1

After four races, Henry Wetherell has taken a commanding lead at the GAC Pindar British National Finn Championships at Mengeham Rythe Sailing Club. The top three is filled with U23 sailors with Cameron Tweedle in second and James Skulczuk.

An impressive 59 entries underlines the growing strength of the UK Finn fleet with 10 U23 sailors taking part. In recent years the British Finn Association has supported an U23 squad with grants and training, and four of those are among six U23 sailors in the top 10.

So far the weather has been characterized by a glorious sunshine with a moderate north-easterly breeze, which gradually gets switched to a sea breeze mid afternoon.

2018 GAC Pindar British National Finn Championships - photo © Peter Hickson

Wetherall got off to a good start with a confident win in Race 1, a race that survived several protests after some leeward gate confusion. The second race of the day was abandoned on the first downwind when the sea breeze switched the breeze 90 degrees. With no more time to restart the race before the water ran out at the club, the fleet was sent home for the day.

Defending champion, Hector Simpson won two races on Saturday, but a retirement in Race 1, with gear problems, and a 33rd in Race 3 leaves him in 10th overall.

The first race on Saturday was sailed in a diminishing north-easterly, with Simpson leading throughout. Tweedle led for most of Race 3, but the sea breeze switched on the second upwind, which caught many unawares and the race order was largely turned inside out. Those who stayed on the right were rewarded with a straight course to the finish, while those on the left were wanting. The race went to former champion Julian Smith, while most of the leaders picked up a high score.

2018 GAC Pindar British National Finn Championships - photo © Peter Hickson

The final race was sailed in the building sea breeze with Oscar raised for free pumping at the second top mark. Simpson took his second win of the day, but maybe has too much to do to retain his title, though the wind has been tricky enough not to count out anything.

The series concludes Sunday with a possible three races scheduled.

2018 GAC Pindar British National Finn Championships - photo © Robert Deaves

Results after Day 1: