Scorpion National Championship at Penzance Sailing Club - Day 3

Perspectives from the Pathfinders

Tuesday dawned with clear blue skies and a good breeze which was a welcome sight for the Scorpion sailors after a day ashore yesterday. An additional race was planned after losing two yesterday, so there was definitely a buzz in the dinghy park with the thought of three races in a good breeze today. The race team confirmed that we had an average of 16 knots today but there were definitely higher and lower spots across the race course today!

Scorpion Nationals at Penzance Day 3 - photo © Lee Whitehead / www.photolounge.co.uk

In chatting to the three different pathfinders they gave me the following view of their days on the water. From our own (mid fleet) perspective, it was a hard work, somewhat challenging and at times an exhilarating day!

Race 3 was lead off by Fiona & Gordon Taylor in 1951, and as first time pathfinder Fiona said she remained focused with her eyes on the telltales and keeping the boat fast, so didn't see where any of the other boats started on the line. They decided to remain on once released by the gate boat, and were pleased to round the windward mark in 4th but were disappointed to be passed by the "usual suspects" downwind and finished the race in 18th.

Scorpion Nationals at Penzance Day 3 - photo © Lee Whitehead / www.photolounge.co.uk

Tom and Rachael (2057) came out of the gate early and capitalised on some good shifts to have an unassailable lead within the first hundred metres of the start. Their winning margin by the finish was an over the horizon job, but were followed by Joe & Andy in 2057 and Ollie & Rob in 2053.

Race 5's pathfinders were AJ & Chris Eaton in 2014. They were somewhat reluctant having seen how Tom & Rachael had done coming out early in Race 3, but only have themselves to blame as they had been in 6th place in the previous race and only dropped to pathfinder 10th after a dip at the final gybe mark. Their concerns weren't alleviated by all of the top boats coming out early on their start but again decided to hold on after being released and rounded the top mark in 5th and kept this to the finish. Tom & Rachael (2057) again won this race but more closely followed by Ollie & Rob (2053) in 2nd, Chris & Alex (2021) in 3rd and Pete & Matt (2058) 4th.

Scorpion Nationals at Penzance Day 3 - photo © Lee Whitehead / www.photolounge.co.uk

So, on to Race 5 - and writing this report has begun to feel like sailing today (my energy is waning) but to finish the day Bazza Wolfenden & Adam Aziz in 2043 were our pathfinder. Consistent with the other two pathfinders of the day they selected to remain on once released but Baz tells me this was also based on the better pressure and numbers they were seeing going inland. They rounded in 2nd after some serious hiking (and keeping his crew calm) and remained in that position for the first lap, but kept their kite up too long at the end of the 2nd triangle leg, and lost out to Chris & Alex (2021) and Ollie & Rob (2053). Finishing positions were Tom & Rachael (2057) again in 1st, followed by Chris & Alex, Ollie & Rob with Baz and Adam holding on to 4th despite some pressure from Tim & Millie in 1903.

Scorpion Nationals at Penzance Day 3 - photo © Lee Whitehead / www.photolounge.co.uk

Looking forward to Wednesday, it looks like it will be a lighter breeze, so definitely some new challenges ahead.

On Tuesday evening the fleet enjoyed some well deserved beers and fish & chips, followed by America's Cup and SailGP Q&A with Chris Draper and Alex Hayman. There will also undoubtedly be some good nominations for the Pecker after the great racing!

Results after Day 3: