Stewart Brewing Squib UK National Championships 2024 at Royal Forth Yacht Club - Day 3

Stewart Brewing Squib UK Nationals at Royal Forth Yacht Club Day 3 © Cathy Ogden

Stewart Brewing Squib UK Nationals at Royal Forth Yacht Club Day 3 © Anthony Money

This morning there was absolutely no wind on the Firth of Forth, so the Squib owners and their crews were kept ashore until about one o'clock. When the signal came from Howard Steavenson event PRO to man the boats, there appeared to be some wind, but half an hour later when the Squibs reached the committee boat, it was completely calm.

The Squib fleet had to wait until 15.00hrs before a real breeze appeared from the south west blowing at 10 to 14 knots. These is just the conditions in which the Squibs excel, sunshine, flat water and a good breeze.

The fleet started on an even line without anything in the way of recalls, thanks to an ebbing tide which held the Squibs back. However, once racing, the competitors found the offshore breeze was shifting through up to thirty degrees, and the contrary tide was quite strong, but slightly less so on the left hand side of the course.

At the first leeward mark the order was Tom Jeffcoate and Mark Hogan in 'RicO'Shea', followed by Andrew Moore and Peter Hallinan in 'Wrinklies Retreat' and Gerard Dyson and Tony Saltonstall in 'Alchemy.' However, that shifting wind and strong time would challenge some of the competitors.

Second time around the order was 'RicO'Shea', 'Wrinklies Retreat' while Mickey Wright and Alex Porteous in 'Spoof' had jumped a place into third, ahead of Chris and Gillian Jordan's 'Croc'.

For the third round the wind strength increased slightly, and there was a much better lift along the shore on the left hand side of the course. At the finish the order was 'RicO'Shea' 'Wrinklies Retreat' and 'Spoof'.

Derek Gibb and Alistair Reed lead the silver fleet.

The discard system has allowed competitors to drop their worst result to date, which has had major impact on the overall result sheet. 'RicO'Shea' from South Caernarvonshire YC has moved to the lead, with 'Squib' from Royal Victoria YC in second place and 'Quickstep III' from Royal North of Ireland YC drops to third place.

Racing continues until Friday.

Results after Day 3: