International Canoe National Championship at Loch Lomond Sailing Club - Day 3

by Chris Hampe 29 Jul 2023 11:36 BST 26-29 July 2023

Loch Lomond delivered perfect sailing conditions for day 3 of the International Canoe National championships and the race officer set a four race schedule with a short break ashore after the first two races.

By the end of the day the podium positions have been decided with just the sailing challenge cup race left to be run on Saturday.

The day's racing was an eventful one with some racing getting a bit too close at times and there was a dismasting in race three as Chris Hampe's jib tack failed. A quick trip ashore and a spare jib rigged, Chris was back in action for the final race of the day. Despite the long day taking its toll on boats and sailors, the races were completed and the race officer did an amazing job to get all the races away as scheduled.

Robin Wood can no longer be caught at the top of the table with Mike Fenwick in 2nd clear ahead of Tony Robertshaw in 3rd. To be decided is the tight fight from 4th to 8th as an additional discard will come into play and tighten up the scores. Simon Beers from Germany currently holds onto 4th just ahead of the pack with Steve Clarke, Alistair Warren, Emma Grigull all in contention.

Saturday will be a long distance race for the sailing challenge cup, this race will take the boats south through Hells Gate and around a series of islands before finishing in view of the clubhouse.