Noble Marine Allen RS100 Nationals at Brixham Yacht Club - Day 2

Noble Marine RS100 National Championships at Brixham day 2 © Gareth Fudge / www.boatographic.co.uk

The 100 fleet stirred some aching joints for the expected Force 5 South Westerly. The heavyweights were looking forward to the fun, while others were hoping to survive the day while keeping their masts pointing skywards.

As it turned out, the Force 5 never quite materialised, although there were a few big gusts to be sniffed out.

Race 4

What a difference a day makes! Andy Jones was basking in the glories of Day 1, but pulled the trigger a bit early so had to go back and started dead last. However his fellow Chew sailor Smart (your correspondent) went left and into some pressure to lead at the windward mark first. However some great sailing from Jolliffe spotting shifts correctly up the second beat saw him take the bullet from a fast charging Aarons with Smart 3rd.

Noble Marine RS100 National Championships at Brixham day 2 - photo © Gareth Fudge / www.boatographic.co.uk

Race 5

James Ross may be in the silver fleet, but those in gold need to keep a close eye on him. He sailed an exceptional race to take the bullet. This was going to be ahead of Jolliffe, but a port/starboard infringement on the run meant Jolliffe had to do a turn before the finish, letting through Andy Jones and Smart again third on the line.

Race 6

A big gust and shift meant the first attempt at this race was abandoned on the final approach. That let the gust blow through, leaving some lighter patches to swallow up the unsuspecting. Aarons and Jones went right and gained handsomely over the rest of the fleet who went left into a header. They led at the top mark and went right down the run, but a small gaggle behind spotted a humongous gust on the left and quickly gybe into it. Jones tried to gybe, but slipped leading to an expletive rich capsize. By the leeward gate, Aarons was well ahead with Eplett second and Smart gaining most from the big gust with Powell in hot pursuit. A hole gobbled up Eplett, while Powell sneaked past Smart on the run to take second behind the distant Aarons.

After six races, Aarons and Powell are on the same points and opening up a gap over Ross in third who has Jolliffe and Jones close behind.

Special mentions to Matt Johnson who succeeded in capsizing on the way to the start while trying to put on his sailing gloves (maybe put them on before going sailing?). While Duncan Barr took the genius tactical decision to hoist his kite before the spreader mark, to gain a few metres on those around him. However, realising he was going to struggle to make the spreader, he didn't fully hoist the kite, meaning the hull went to starboard of the mark, while his spinnaker went to port, catching the offending mark in the middle and providing many new expletives for those in ear shot. Oops!

Weary limbs were revived in the bar with sausage and mash and, following the Rooster prize-giving, a very entertaining pig racing evening with an exceptionally energetic host. Whatever he was on, I want some for the four races planned for Saturday!

Results after Day 2: