Rooster Elite One Design UK National Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club - Day 3
by Debbie Jarvis 12 Jun 21:54 BST
10-13 June 2026
Team Musto got their race skates on for day three of the Rooster Elite One Design UK Nationals. Martin Jones has owned a share of Elite #113 for a number of years but rarely gets the chance to sail her. After a tricky first day not helped when Chips fell out, he's now got her firing on all cylinders.
The day started with dark cloudy skies and a very lumpy ride out to Hayling Bay West in 20 knots of breeze. Three boats turned back into the safety of the harbour straight away, then #33 joined them when their main halyard broke.
The first race of the day started in 20 -25 knots & Team Musto lead at the windward mark followed by Mike Mc with Aids in third. By the first gate Mike had sailed over Team Musto and Joe Llwellyn had pulled up to third. By the second lap Team Musto had dropped back to fourth and Russell had climbed through from sixth to third, Joe in second.
The wind dropped to 15 -18 knots for race 2 and a wind bend and stronger tide skewed the course making it difficult to judge; resulting in lots of place changing. Joe lead at the top, Team Musto second and Mike in third.
With everyone gybing onto port it was easy to lose a clear lane so at the gate Russell had the lead with Mike in second and Joe in third. By the second beat Team Musto had pulled back up to second just behind Russell so it was all about keeping clear air on the final downwind leg. There was a four boat tussle to gain the inside on the final corner to the finish.
Team Musto got the win closely followed by Russell & Joe and Mike dropped to fourth.
The windward mark was reset for the final race and the fleet split more evenly upwind and downwind. The wind stayed in the upper teens and the sun started to break through.
Again it was Team Musto blasting upwind with Adrian Williams in #76 second at the top and David Hitchcock crewed by Fraser Elms & Ian Nicholson in third. At the gate Simon Childs in #15 had powered through to second with Team Musto still in the lead, positions they held to the finish.
However, there were lots of 'snakes & ladders' for the rest of the fleet with Ossie in #67 moving up from fifth to claim third.
Points are tight going into the final day with 5 points between the top four. Sunshine and breeze is forecast so it will be quite a showdown.
Results: www.sailwave.com/results/hisc/26eliteonedesignnationals.htm