Noble Marine RS800 National Championship at Brightlingsea Sailing Club - Day 1

Spinnaker hoist on day 1 of the Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Brighlingsea © William Stacey

Twenty boats set sail from Brightlingsea Creek towards new racing waters for most of the fleet. Some were sceptical of the forecast, but the first day of the championships ended with three races sailed in a variety of conditions from underpowered to twin trapezing upwind, putting the championship one race ahead of schedule.

The fleet tried to understand the conditions during the first race, which provided a good shake out to rid any mishaps early: like being OCS, not checking the number of laps when leading a race, or ripping the rudder off the boat. Needless to say the Brightlingsea locals made the most of the home advantage with Eddie Bridle sailing with Tom Kyne, and David Conlon sailing with Ed Gibbons getting some solid results in the top ten.

Startline on day 1 of the Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Brighlingsea - photo © William Stacey

The first race saw a number of lead changes, with Leo Wilkinson and Guy Fillmore able to take advantage of a kite hoist snag to overtake Monique Vennis-Ozanne and John Mather on the last leg to win.

Monique and John went on to prove staggering speed and solid tactical decision making in the light breeze to win race two and three by some margin.

Keel the boat flat on day 1 of the Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Brighlingsea - photo © William Stacey

Behind the speed-ship there was plenty of place changes in race two and three. The ever-consistent Luke and Emma McEwen started a strong series of results with two seconds. Fin Armstrong and Ewan Gribbin had got to grips with the reduction in power from their usual 49er in the second race to finish third, and Mathias Berthet, jetting in from Norway for the regatta, overcame the same problem with James Hall in the third race, to also finish third.

It's shaping up to be a tight series!

Results after Day 1: