Noble Marine RS800 National Championship at Brightlingsea Sailing Club - Day 2

Kites up on day 2 of the Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Brighlingsea © William Stacey

Day two of the RS800 nationals dawned with blue skies and a warm sun, much to the chagrin of the camping sailors whose tents morphed into saunas for the second morning in a row.

What was lacking however was wind with the sailing area resembling a mill pond through the haze so the PRO sensibly set a two hour AP allowing for the sailors to rest their weary legs after the prior day's squatting conditions. It did free up some time however for the daily prize-giving, handing out bibs for the top three and accolades for "speediest sailor / dodgiest GPS" from the prior day - and of course our mid-fleet heroes.

Tom Walker & Alice Masterman on day 2 of the Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Brighlingsea - photo © William Stacey

With the sun disappearing behind welcome clouds, some sailors turned their concern over yesterday's sunburn to whether the wind would build sufficiently - however as if knowing the gravity of the event, it started to build slowly from the South East and the fleets were dispatched promptly into the incoming tide.

It was the RS800s turn for the joyous outer loop, meaning any tactics gleaned from the prior day would have to be revisited. A three lapper was optimistically announced by the PRO and a fickle 6/7 knots rolled down the course, the windward mark barely in sight in the haze. It turns out that the "curse of the bibs" lives true - with Leo Wilkinson and Guy Fillmore involved in a start line altercation requiring spins, subsequently rounding the top mark towards the back of the fleet, only just behind Monique Vennis-Ozanne and John Mather who had struggled to find any pace in the lighter conditions. Luke and Emma McEwen however found some absolute rocket speed and led from start to finish. Other bib contenders emerged finding their pace, Joe Bradley and Hugh Shone posting a solid second, and Mathias Berthet and James Hall starting to crank up the pace - and also realising that it's preferable to have the daggerboard inside the slot, not under, whilst racing. As the fickle breeze whimpered on we were finished after two laps, and the standings blown open.

Luke & Emma McEwen on day 2 of the Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Brighlingsea - photo © William Stacey

A similar setting for race two: a clean start for all and some of the closest racing of the regatta so far - with boat after boat rounding inches from one another. Thus started one of the greatest soak offs seen in fleet history with some boats on the verge of gybing and crews well and truly on the leeward, a fleet split at the leeward gate ensued much excitement, until a huge left shift ensured all those rounding the left-hand gate had a large advantage. Luke and Emma had not to worry as they were already so far ahead, Ben Palmer and Dicken Maclean spotting the shift well to post a second and best result of the event so far and Mathias and James in third.

No respite for the fleet with the AGM starting after racing followed by games and a pirate party, everyone is having a great time.

Results after Day 2: