Squib National Championship at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Day 4

The 51st Squib National Championship race 3 for the Abersoch Trophy and race 4 for the Royal Corinthian Plate were sailed today after racing being postponed yesterday due to lack of wind.

RTYC Race officer, Bill Butcher, had no difficulty setting a triangle /sausage course in the centre of Torbay in the freshening North Easterly wind. After a clear start RicO'Shea 136 took the lead at the windward mark closely followed by Aquabat 13 and Helmut Hydeing 105, Nigel and Jack Grogan from RCYC. They held these positions until the end of the race. Flame 802, Richard Smith and Jamie Freeman from WOBYC won the silver fleet with 16th position and Buccaneer 20, Sam and Ray Prime won the bronze with 25th. The 51st anniversary prize was won by Mosquito 727, Ben Luddington and Chris Brown from RCYC. Tuesdays sponsor The Old Salt Loft provided the prizes.

Squib Nationals at Torbay day 4 - photo © RTYC

Race 4 was run back to back with race 3 but on a more simple windward /leeward course. After some port end congestion at the start Squiggle established a lead closely followed by RicO'Shea and Brimstone. As the breeze increased the Grogans in Helmut Hydeing, chipping away at the leading trio finally moved up to second at the finish. To their surprise they learnt that Squiggle had been U flagged at the start and so they won the race that they were sponsoring. Nemesis 806, Raymond Apthorp and Ian Brand from RBCYC (Burnham) won the silver fleet and Buccaneer 20, won the bronze fleet.

Squib Nationals at Torbay day 4 - photo © RTYC

51st Anniversary prize was won by Quantum 780, Eddie Harper and Steve Dadd from Weymouth. Many thanks to Hyde sails for their generous sponsorship and free bar.

Squiggle's UFD deprived them of the overall lead which was now taken over by RicO'Shea with Helmut Hydeing second. The top 7 boats all have under 20 points in what is becoming a high scoring regatta. With strong winds forecast for the remainder of the week the championship has become an intriguing event and is still very open.

Results after Day 4: