2023 Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championship at Restronguet Sailing Club - Overall

Day 3

The penultimate day of racing had a perfect forecast. The breeze had swung a full 180 overnight and began to fill in from the south all morning. With a falling tide, it would be a wind over tide racecourse on the Carrick Roads, meaning it could get lively as the day went on. As the forecast for Sunday still looked ominous, race officer Ralph Singleton scheduled a further four races - another big day ahead.

Race 6 started out with a gentle 8 - 12 knots, shifting around a little, which mixed things up at the top. Those out to the left on the first beat won to the beat, led by Rob Richardson and Eddie Bridle. The downwind leg was full of snakes and ladders through patches of pressure, but Rob and Eddie managed to stay ahead and lead through to the final lap of the three-lap race. The breeze increased by this point, and despite a poor start, Bill Maughan clawed back to third at the final windward. It wasn't to be for race leader Rob, who fluffed his final gybe and went swimming, allowing Eddie to take the bullet, with Bill Maughan second and Dan Vincent in third.

Mike Matthews and Eddie Bridle during the 2023 Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Restronguet - photo © Ian Symonds

Race 7 got way in a more consistent pressure. It had clicked a little left and increased from the first race, and the sea started to get a little less forgiving with wind over tide taking effect. Bill Maughan was hot out of the blocks at the pin end, taking good lead into the windward mark. Rob Richardson, keen to rectify the frustration of the previous race, was in pursuit with Bruce Keen following. Bill Maughan extended as the race went on, finishing a long way in front, with Bruce overhauling Rob to take second, and Rob taking third.

Start during the 2023 Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Restronguet - photo © Ian Symonds

Race 8 got under way in similar fashion, although, as per the previous day, the racecourse was lengthened, and laps reduced to two (some tired bodies were very appreciative!). Bill Maughan again got away fast at the pin end but was chased more closely this time by Rob Richardson. Fynn Sterritt and Jamie Hilton also having a close battle behind. The breeze had got up towards 20 knots at this point and sea state was that bit more unforgiving. There was plenty of pressure on at each bear away or gybe, and even straight-line downwind sailing was becoming somewhat more twitchy! There were plenty of hulls on show at each gybing spot, with many of the fleet just happy to stay upright. Bill Maughan kept his cool under pressure and took his second bullet of the day, with Rob second and Fynn third.

As a 9th race meant another discard would kick in, Bill Maughan had a commanding position at the top, but the fight behind for podium spots was ferociously tight. The race got under way, and Jamie Hilton immediately resumed his battle with Fynn Sterritt, the two leading at the windward. The race became a battle of attrition as tiredness set in. Staying upright was the aim of the game. Jamie held on to his lead from Fynn, which would prove vital in the overall results, and Bill Maughan rounded off a blemish free day with a third place.

Ollie Bull during the 2023 Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Restronguet - photo © Ian Symonds

Ashore there were a handful of sailors thinking that would be it for the week, meaning a good night out in Falmouth was on the cards. Some of fleet headed out to watch the Rugby World Cup, which was enjoyable for the Irish contingent among us; not so much for the South African (sorry Euan!).

Day 4

The final day of the event started with a deep low moving in and 30 knots blowing over the racecourse. As predicted the day before, getting out today was looking unlikely, so it came as no surprise when the race officer made the call at 10am that there would be no racing. This meant the results of Day 3 concluded this year's championship, with Bill Maughan officially crowned as the 2023 UK National Champion!

A huge congratulations to Bill, who was flawless on the racecourse and won the event with a comfortable margin of 11 points and an impressive four bullets! Joining Bill on the winner's podium was Jamie Hilton in 2nd place, and Eddie Bridle in 3rd place.

Podium in the 2023 Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Restronguet - photo © MSCA

The PRO did a great job by managing to get in 9 races across the event despite the unsettled weather from the recent storms, which presented some very challenging, but fun conditions! Whilst having four races on two consecutive days really tested the stamina across the fleet, everyone was grateful to get out and do some racing.

Top 10 places and category winners included:

Top 10
1st - Bill Maughan
2nd - Jamie Hilton
3rd - Eddie Bridle
4th - Dan Vincent
5th - Bruce Keen
6th - Rob Richardson
7th - Fynn Sterritt
8th - Euan Hurter
9th - Brian Greensmith
10th - George Cousins

Silver Fleet
1st - Dave Poston
2nd - Ollie Bull
3rd - David Annan

Youth
1st - Eddie Bridle
2nd - Rob Richardson
3rd - Ollie Bull

Master
1st - Dan Vincent
2nd - Richard Pelley
3rd - Mark Cooper

Grand Master
1st - Brian Greensmith
2nd - Richard Smith
3rd - Rob Trotter

Legend
1st - Steve Wright

As part of Sunday's prize-giving, a special mention also went out to local sailor, Ollie Lobb, who was instrumental in helping to organise this year's event at Restronguet Sailing Club and was also sailing his first UK Nationals in the Musto Skiff. Luke McGill also had a special mention for the lowest placed boat that completed every race.

A big thank you to all the volunteers at Restronguet Sailing Club, including the PRO and his race team, the onshore team, and the bar and catering team. Lastly, thanks to our event title sponsor, Noble Marine insurance for supporting the pre-event training with Alain Sign and the 2023 event, and to our class title sponsor, Musto, for providing the prizes.

Competitors in the 2023 Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Restronguet - photo © MSCA

Well done to all 41 competitors who participated in this year's UK Nationals. It has been a fantastic few days of racing, and we are already looking forward to next year's championship, which is planned for Filey in North Yorkshire. See you all there!

Overall Results: