Chernikeeff/RYA Match Racing Plymouth Qualifier - Day 1

2000 Chernikeeff / RYA National Match Racing Qualifier - Mountbatten Centre, Plymouth

Ian Budgen today showed that he's not forgotten his Match Racing skills after four years of crewing for brother Andy in the high speed 49er Olympic dinghy. He is back helming and leads the field at this weekends Chernikeeff / RYA National Match Racing qualifier being held at the Mountbatten Centre in Plymouth.

Nine teams are competing to qualify for two places at this years Chernikeeff sponsored RYA National Match Race Finals being held in London's Victoria Docklands, and the chance to sail against some of Britain's best Match Racers.

Light winds and fog hampered racing with visibility down to 50 yards at times. Budgen managed to keep a clean sheet, even after picking up two penalties in the prestart against Belinda Kerridge for entering from the wrong side of the course. Kerridge started to windward, but failed to anticipate and keep clear of Budgens luff just after the start gun. Now only one penalty down Budgen showed superior speed around the race course giving himself space to take his remaining penalty and win the race.

There were no excuses aboard Budgens boat, instead they put it down to lack of concentration and a school boy error! Ian commented, I'm a bit rusty but it's a team sport and as a crew we're sailing the boat very well.

Ian's not completely new to the game having finished 2nd overall at the 1995 National Match Race Finals, beaten then by Andy Beadsworth.

Tornado sailors Rob Wilson & Will Howden have decided to enter the National Match Race competition for the first time this year, after losing out to Hugh Styles & Adam May at the Chernikeeff sponsored Olympic Trails earlier this year. With just one loss and five wins today they look sure to make the cut off for the semi finals tomorrow.

Results after day one: (Incomplete Round Robin)

Ian Budgen       5 wins  0 losses
Rob Wilson       4 wins  1 loss
John Greenland   4 wins  1 loss
Jamie Boag       3 wins  2 losses
Barney Chandler  3 wins  3 losses
John Horn        2 wins  3 losses
Ed Hill          2 wins  3 losses
Ed Thorburn      1 win   5 losses
Belinda Kerridge 0 wins  5 losses