Noble Marine Allen RS600 National Championships at Brixham Yacht Club - Day 3

Noble Marine Allen RS600 National Championships - Day 2 © Gareth Fudge

The third day dawned with some hoping the breeze from the last two days would moderate somewhat and we might even see some sun in the sky.

Due to the forecast for Sunday looking very flat a potential fourth race was on the cards, which was bad news for those who had sampled the Torquay night life and then posted the video on the WhatsApp group at 3 AM!

As it turned out the breeze was very similar to yesterday, but with more West and South in the direction it was very much a day for keeping the head out the boat and an eye on the compass.

The first race of the day got away cleanly with the fleet mostly heading to the left hand side. Those that went most left looked good coming into the windward mark but left themselves a high risk tack to complete in the face of the starboard-tacking George Smith who came in on the lay line. Alex Piggott was first round but rolled at the mark by George. A nip and tuck reach left a good group to battle down the first run. George went too far left with eyes on the wrong mark at one point allowing the battling group back through. Jamie Mawson came through best and lead for the rest of the race, chased down by George and Ian Montague and Alex Piggott (transferring his nightclub moves into boat handling).

Noble Marine Allen RS600 National Championships - Day 2 - photo © Gareth Fudge

The second race had a slightly more moderate breeze, allowing the lighter sailors advantage on the reaches and runs. George managed to hold off the attacks of Mike Iszatt, Jamie and Chris Haslam, but the racing was getting tighter and the mental arithmetic had begun.

Race 9 was again more moderate and Jamie sailed fast out to the front. George couldn't hold off the ever-fast Chris downwind and had to follow him across the line. Matt Potter sailed a very good race and defended hard on the reaches to hold his position from those chasing behind. Another close race and another win for Jamie meant the scores in the gold fleet were getting tighter and tighter. The silver fleet was also up in the air as Alex Piggott had an uncharacteristic 11th meaning it was tight between him and Jon Heissig. Jamie Watson was having a very consistent day to sure up his position at the top of the bronze fleet and his newly acquired rudder fittings seemed to be holding firm.

Noble Marine Allen RS600 National Championships - Day 2 - photo © Gareth Fudge

A straw pole discussion was had about the fourth race and the majority were keen. The race team turned the start around fast again as they had done all regatta. There was some pre-race cat and mouse between George and Jamie but Jamie managed to find a good spot at the committee boat once those at the boat end had slipped down a way. The left paid significantly and Ian Montague and Jon Heissig sailed well to get to the front with George chasing behind. Jamie went from broke and sailed fast but up the less favoured side and found himself in the pack on a long starboard lay line. George overhauled Jon and Ian to get his nose out in front and managed to keep it there till the end. Jon Heissig sailed his best race of the champs to come second and hold off Monti in 3rd. Chris Haslam and Alex Piggott had another good race and rounded out the top 5. Scott Holland, new to the boat this year, sailed fantastically well, especially upwind to finish 7th with his best result yet and a big smile on his face as he crossed the finish line.

The fleet made their way in with the promise of an AGM but more importantly fish and chips! The AGM welcomed Jamie Mawson onto the committee and also welcomed Jim Hood of RS sailing who updated the fleet on the current progress that has been made bringing the RS600 back under the RS sailing wing. We are grateful for all the work that Jim and his team have done and are looking forward to seeing the boat back on the website with spares and sails in stock. A presentation (long overdue) was made to Ian Montague for all of his work as class chairman with a framed picture from the Weymouth nationals.

Many chose to hedge their bets on tomorrow's light wind forecast and prop the yacht club bar up. The race officer has wisely decided to postpone an hour to give any breeze chance to fill in and settle.

Results after Day 3: