Gul Scorpion National Championship at Tenby Sailing Club - Day 1
by Hannah Edge 6 Aug 2018 06:46 BST
5-10 August 2018
After much anticipation, the 2018 Gul Scorpion Nationals hosted by Tenby Sailing Club got under way. The fleet were greeted with torrential sunshine and brutally light winds. After a fabulous Commodore's reception and buffet on Friday evening. The dinghy park was bustling with early riggers and bimblers, all keen to get afloat and get some fun competitive racing started.
The beach masters released the fleet and soon the armada were congregated at the start line. The fleet were eager to get racing and, as such, a general recall was needed before the fleet got under way. The first beat split early on, with one third heading right and two thirds disappearing left. At the windward mark it was the purple kite of Dave Elston & Elizabeth Bowers 1981 who popped first, after a little gap they were followed by Trish Walker & Hamish Walker 1990. Seconds after the hoist, Trish & Hamish were rolled by Alan Krailing and Simon Forbes 2034 who took a straight line all the way to the wing mark, gaining water on Dave & Liz on the gybe, sailing away to a convincing victory with Dave and Liz taking a well earned second place. Andy Mckee and Stevie Graham 2042 managed to nip in front of Trish and Hamish to take a third.
With the front four set, further down the fleet there were tight battles between the Scorpions as the wind dropped, the fleet began to compress at the bottom of the first reach, some boats who opted to go high carried their momentum around the wing mark, managing to nip around before the majority of the fleet got cosy at the mark. The second reach was a case of musical statues, with the most patient sailors collecting their dividends around the lewd mark for the short 'sprint' to the finish line.
As the last boat completed the practice race, the Scorpion sailors voted with their speedos and bikinis, diving into the still waters of Tenby bay and the race officer decided to postpone any more racing until day two.