Squib National Championship 2025 at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Day 1

Squib Nationals 2025 at Torbay Day 1 © Edward Aspinall

The 46 Squibs launched on Sunday took part in a Practice Race and the first Points Race on Monday in a variable westerly wind, off the land with a flat sea. Conditions were difficult with up to 40 degree windshifts and variation in strength from 6 to 16 knots.

In the one lap Practice Race Richard Smith and Graham Reeve sailing "Flame" from Waverley and Oulton Broad were first to the windward mark having taken a far right route closely followed by Nick Whipp and James Budd from SCYC sailing "Cariad Bach". Nick Milton and Gavin Kemp sailing "Atlanta" from RCYC were third. Flame held onto the lead to the end, Atlanta came second and Cariad Bach third.

Squib Nationals 2025 at Torbay Day 1 - photo © Nicola Davies

It took four attempts to start the first Points Race. Class Flag, U Flag and two Black Flag starts where 6 boats were OCS before the fleet got away.

Jack Grogan and Mike Banks sailing "Budgies Tongue" again went right and lead at the windward mark with Nick Whipp close behind.

Squib Nationals 2025 at Torbay Day 1 - photo © Nicola Davies

Ray Apthorp and Ian Simonds in Cheque Mate were third and Richard Smith, fresh from his win in the Practice Race, was fourth. Last year's champions Micky Wright and Alex Porteous sailing Spoof from RCYC were fifth.

Budgies Tongue held the lead in this four lap race to the end despite nearly capsizing and filling up on the last beat. There were position changes behind with Cariad Bach eventually second, Flame third, Spoof fourth and Bryan and Jenny Riley sailing Brimstone fifth having pulled up steadily throughout the race.

Results after Day 1: