Volvo Noble Marine RS800 National Championships - Day 3

RS800 Volvo Noble Marine Nationals day 3 © RS Sailing

With what promised to be the windiest day of the regatta the fleets headed out to the bay for four races to come. As we joined the cruise liners in Weymouth Bay we were greeted by a slight South Westerly chop and very little wind.

After an hour and a half of waiting the call was made to sail back into the harbour where we were greeted by a 12 knot South Easterly which gradually built above 15 knots for the races that day. Racing quickly got under way with Hayling boats leading the way to the first windward mark but Cameron Stewart's quick exit from the boat left Alice Masterman wondering what she had done wrong and allowed Megan Brickwood and Stephanie Orton to enter the top three. The girls then managed to overtake Rob Gullan and Calum Healey to take second place.

RS800 Volvo Noble Marine Nationals day 3 - photo © RS Sailing

The second race came to much the same with the top three being the same again with Rob and Calum managing to stay ahead of the girls this time. The third race came with a slight ease in the pressure, after two laps the race leaders Tom Morris and Guy Fillmore decided they had had enough of that race and sailed through the finish line to victory only to realise they had another lap to go! Fortunately, they managed to convince most of the top ten that it was a two-lap race who followed them, only to realise their mistake and head up round the finish buoy.

The final race of the day brought a fresh increase in pressure and Tom and Guy keen to make it a prefect day. With the fleet pushing the line and one boat being caught over the fleet got away, Rob and Calum came in from the left hand side to tack around the windward mark where they managed to stay ahead of Tom and Guy to claim the final win of the day. They were then closely followed by Hugh Shone and Fiona Hampshire, with Luke and Emma McEwen nipping at their heels.

RS800 Volvo Noble Marine Nationals day 3 - photo © RS Sailing

Going into the final day with a light forecast Tom and Guy lead the pack with eight points and a healthy lead but behind them second to sixth is closely contested with only five points separating the group. This group also contains the battle for top female crew with Fiona, Steph and Emma only separated by three points!

Results after Day 3: