Musto Lark National Championships 2022 at Pentewan Sands Sailing Club - Day 1

The first day of the 2022 Lark Nationals kicked off today at Pentewan, with 35 boats from all over the country contesting two races on Mevagissey Bay.

The forecast was for very light WNW winds, but crews found little breeze to speak of on arrival at the boat park. After a short postponement ashore, a light sea breeze filled in from a more easterly direction, which was enough for PRO Mike Ward to release the sailors onto the water.

With the breeze settling in a more south easterly direction, the fleet showed their eagerness to get stuck into race one with the first start abandoned under a general recall. A second attempt got away in 6-8 knots of breeze, with crews weighing up a choice between a tidal advantage on the left of the course, and some right hand pressure which seemed to be filling in now and then on the other side.

Stuart & Nick Hydon showed their impressive form by leading the fleet for the race and taking a commanding first race win. Matt White & Marion Enkel took second place, followed by Tim Fells & Frances Gifford rounding out the top three.

As the breeze went further to the right, the course and line were re-set for race two which now saw a similar strength breeze but from a slightly more southerly direction. The fleet jostled for position on a nice square line only for the breeze to shift further to the right just before the start. Those who started near the committee boat in a good lane benefited hugely from this shift and almost fetched mark one.

The skewed course made the legs fairly processional from mark one, but there were still gains to be made in finding a good starboard tack lane on the upwind legs. Once again the Hydons showed the way and took their second bullet of the day. The top three in race two was filled by Alan & Tom Krailing in second, and Harry Pynn & Gemma Cook in third.

Racing continues tomorrow with three races scheduled and 10-12 knots of breeze from the East forecast.

Day 1 of the Musto Lark Nationals at Pentewan - photo © Robert Deaves / www.robertdeaves.uk

Results after day 1:

Day 1 of the Musto Lark Nationals at Pentewan - photo © Robert Deaves / www.robertdeaves.uk