International Contender British Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club - Day 3

Day 1 of the International Contender British Championship at Hayling Island © Peter Hickson

The one thing we can all agree on is that it wouldn't be Stuart Jones's day. A bit more breeze and plenty of waves are no good for that pondy.

A grey day looked to me made for Simon Mussell to extend his lead, other big boys Ben Holden and Nick Noble also fancied the chocolates.

Race five begun with the pin paying for Gary Langdown, who by his own admission won the start. Regardless of this Simon and Ben used there upwind prowess to be first and second at the windward mark - the downwind allowed Graham Scott to close up. For some reason Ben and Graham lost their marbles and went to the unfavoured right and lost loads. This left Simon with a mighty lead with now Richard Batten in second with Jonesy now inexplicably in third. On the run Simon's boom broke and that was his day over. This left Richard to fend off Stuart, which he was able to upwind but failed down, somehow the Contender fleet had let Jones win, Richard was second.

In the next race the wind had puffed up to allow two foot trapezing on the reaches. Once again Gary won the start, or so he says. Left was the way to go and Ben Holden had that covered and led for two laps once again Richard followed by Graham Scott and Stuart bore down on him. Graham's offwind skill was somewhat hampered by a capsize at the gybe mark and then both Ben and Richard got out of Stuart's way to allow him to win a second race, what's happening to us?!

This has left Stuart in 1st with Graham maintaining 2nd but now Richard is 3rd.

Results after Day 3: