420 National Championship at Brightlingsea Sailing Club - Days 1 & 2
by Jennie Clark 26 Aug 2018 17:36 BST
25-28 August 2018
420 Nationals at Brightlingsea © Jennie Clark
The 420 National Championships got off to a flying start on Saturday 25 August with sparkling sunshine on the water making Brightlingea look incredibly pretty.
The wind was perhaps best described as fickle, but nevertheless the Race Officer managed to get 2 races in the bag, although with the late start it meant that the fleet arrived back to find the tide had very definitely 'gone out'.
Bullets on day one went to Haydn/William for race 1 and Rhys/Drew for race 2.
Sunday was forecast to be windier and it didn't disappoint. With grey skies and on onshore breeze it felt chilly launching. Despite the forecast conditions, the whole fleet, which comprises some pretty light and also relatively new teams, launched and headed out to the course, set off St Osyphs
beach. Rhys/Drew claimed the race 3, and with the wind building throughout a number of helms opted to come ashore and miss race 4. Others had gear failure and were forced ashore. Full marks to those who realized that the conditions were such to make dropping the main and coming in under jib only the sensible choice.
Race 4 saw Rhys/Drew once again take the line credits, and then the fleet raced home with some really fast reaches on the way back in.
The excellent hosts at Brightlingsea SC made sure the fleet were well fed and watered when they came ashore, with the home baking being a particular hit with some very hungry sailors.
With the wind forecast to be lighter on Monday and Tuesday there's still a lot to play for and there's the chance for the results board to see some
significant changes. For now the sailors are concentrating on tonight's social, with a theme of 'dress for what you want to be when you are grown up'.
Following Saturday night's 'Princess Party' it is anyone's guess what the costumes will be!