Kestrel National Championship 2025 at Stone Sailing Club - Day 3
by Liz Austin 7 Aug 21:43 BST
4-8 August 2025
Contributors: Chris Grice, Alasdair Hood and Dean Saxton
After the disappointment of race 2 (too much wind) and race 4 (too little wind) being postponed, Race 5 for the Rock Trophy got under way in 11 to 16 knots of winds Thursday morning.
Note from the author: the races are not being run in order due to postponements - we're all very confused. Work with us here...
Race 5
Stewart & Ken made a blinding start and easily led at the first mark. (So blinding they were, in fact, OCS (ed)) The first leg with the wind coming over the land became a fetch full of (annoying) holes - a condition which recurred throughout the day. Howie and Dannie fought through these to be second at the first mark and using their terrific downwind speed had taken the lead by the leeward mark from whence they proceeded to do a proper horizon job on the fleet.
Malcolm & Dannielle, after a so so first leg, fought through to challenge Stewart and Ken, eventually coming home 2nd. Stewart's start turned out to be OCS so the (unwitting) race for 3rd was conducted between Chris and Kenny in 1472 and Ian and Alastair in 1644, Chris and Kenny prevailing. At this stage the Championship was becoming a fight between Howie and Malcom, who were both clear of the field.
Race 2 (Ed: don't ask why race 2 comes here - we don't know either)
In gusty conditions race 2 (or 6) got under way with Stewart and Ken in 1648 first out of the starting blocks up the beat with strong gusts keeping the fleet on their toes. Rounding the windward mark first was 1648 (Stewart & Ken) followed by Malcolm and Dannielle in 1638 then Ian and Alasdair in 1644. An exciting long run run followed, before starting round 2.
The second round gave the fleet fickle winds and some gusty moments. Howie and Danni in 1574 came through the front of the fleet to push 1636 hard to the line coming 2nd after Malcolm and Dannielle in 1638. Stewart and Ken came in third but was over the line (again) at the start allowing Ian and Alasdair in 1644 to get third.
A much needed lunch was required after the morning's sailing.
Race 6
The eagerness continued into the final race of the day. Everyone was trying for an OCS award, but the race officer decided a general recall was necessary instead. Much confusion followed, was it 10 minutes? Was it 5 minutes to the start? Half the fleet went for 5 whilst others took a more relaxed view. Still, there were contenders for an OCS award. Malcolm and Stuart battled for the lead over most of the course, with positions changing 3 to 4 times, and Malcolm edging it at the finish.
As for the also rans, Howie and Dani having shown good boat speed in the previous races were starting to suffer from the previous nights entertainment. Rich and Liz, Steve and Dave and Dean and Mark were fighting for 4th place and with the breeze coming offshore and gusting more than a fiddlers elbow the experience showed.
Rich & Liz moved into 4th followed by Steve & Dave until both layed down at the gybe mark allowing Dean & Mark through. Andrew and Mark in the newest boat showed great heavy weather control until Andrew performed a double backwards somersault with tuck: and fell out of the back of the boat. Howie & Dani would have finished 3rd, but took an OCS allowing Dean & Mark to take the hard fought position.