Rooster Elite One Design UK National Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club - Day 1
by Debbie Jarvis 10 Jun 19:54 BST
10-13 June 2026
Day 1 - Rooster Elite One Design UK Nationals at Hayling © Debbie Jarvis
The Rooster Elite One Design UK National Championships kicked off in Hayling Bay with dark clouds looming over the Isle of Wight. Winds flicked 30 degrees depending on which side of the course the rain clouds rolled.
With one minute to go a 20 knot squall caused an extra lumpy sea state and both the committee boat and pin end boat dragged their anchors. Matt Stein, the Race Officer blew the AP at 30 seconds before the start giving the fleet an unexpected but welcome practice start. The wind had swung right with the squall so the line was re-laid & the fleet go away 20 minutes later.
Race one was a tussle between last years National Champion, Russell Peters, crewed again by Greg & Zeb; with David Nicholls (third as a crew in 2025) crewed by Watty & Nic. The wind dropped after the squall, the course was shortened & moved left resulting in some place changes with Adrian Williams, crewed by Tim & Andrew moving up; Mike McIntyre crewed by Andre & Rob plus Matt Abbiss, crewed by Rosie & Alain, slipping back. In the end as the wind picked up again Russell took the win; David second and Aids threerd.
Race two and again the sequence of the clouds dictated that the course was set left. This time the majority of the fleet headed out to the left. Those with speed in the lumpy sea & a clear lane gained from the pack.
There were different 'faces' at the front with Tom Hewitson, crewed by Mike & Jo well ahead at the first mark. Joe Llwellyn crewed by Matt & Jerry rounded second just ahead of Eddie Warden-Owen crewed by Martin & Andy.
The next black cloud held off until after the finish allowing for a more consistent wind bearing but the wind strength varied from leg to leg. At the first gate James Yearsley crewed by Anna & Jonny had pulled up to third, whilst by the final windward mark Mike Mc had pulled up third. Just as we thought Tom had the win in the bag Joe pulled an aggressive move at the final leeward mark to blanket Tom's wind & sail over the top to win by a boat length.
Cracking racing today with winds ranging from 9 - 20 knots whilst tomorrows forecast is looking very lively and very rainy so racing has been brought forward one hour to see if we can beat the blast. Watch this space.
Results so far: www.sailwave.com/results/hisc/26eliteonedesignnationals.htm