Noble Marine Comet Trio Mark 1 National Championship 2026 at Exe Sailing Club - Overall
by Caroline McAusland 9 Aug 20:28 BST
7-9 August 2026
Day 3 of the Noble Marine Comet Trio Nationals beckoned with all to play for. The race officer delayed the start waiting for the wind to change direction and settle in. A much appreciated decision as the competitors had a lovely time looking at each others boats and trying to find the go faster "magic ingredient".
A gentle south westerly breeze awaited us - once again idyllic conditions - how lucky we were.
The first start was abandoned for a line change and then we were away - some a little too enthusiastically as Mike & Anne were OCS. This made them all the more determined to beat their rivals and they were soon in the fray and managed to work their way to second place overall.
Ian & Richard (428) had a good start and tacked early heading off to the starboard side of the course. Here they picked up a super windshift enabling them to be first at the windward mark. A first for them as Ian admitted a moment of shock as there was no one showing him the way to go. Hot on his heels were Mark & Malcolm closely followed by champions Chris & Ben.
Meanwhile those in the fleet who had chosen the port side of the course thinking the tide would be helpful were rather disappointed and regretting their decision.
Mike & Jenny got confused and rounded the leeward mark the wrong way loosing their second place & Sue & Karen had a spinnaker "issue" and dropped several places. So lots going on during our last race which made for much merriment ashore as we discussed the day and what ifs.
Chris & Ben Biglin were deserved champions having sailed an excellent series followed by Mike & Anne Way & thirdly Caroline & Andrew McAusland.
Guy & Graham were awarded the Ancient Mariners prize and Jamie & Eli the prise for First Boat Number Under 500.
A great weekend had by all and thanks to the huge number of people who so willingly gave their time to make it such a success.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 504 | Chris Biglin | Ben Biglin | 1 | ‑3 | 1 | 1 | ‑3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 2nd | 513 | Anne Way | Mike Way | ‑4 | 4 | (RET) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| 3rd | 501 | Andrew McAusland | Caroline McAusland | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ‑5 | 3 | ‑6 | 11 |
| 4th | 509 | Guy Farrant | Graham Sykes | 3 | 2 | 3 | ‑5 | 2 | ‑4 | 3 | 13 |
| 5th | 512 | Mike Hart | Jenny Hart | ‑7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | ‑10 | 5 | 4 | 22 |
| 6th | 511 | Richard Salis | Carole Williams | ‑11 | ‑10 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
| 7th | 435 | Jamie Grigor | Eli Baxter | 8 | 8 | (RET) | ‑13 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 37 |
| 8th | 369 | Mark Nicholson | Malcolm Crundwell | 5 | 11 | 7 | 10 | ‑15 | ‑13 | 5 | 38 |
| 9th | 514 | Poppy Salis | Jane Higgins | ‑12 | ‑15 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 40 |
| 10th | 515 | Sue Frost | Karen Wilson | ‑17 | ‑16 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 45 |
| 11th | 361 | Alex Fastnedge | William Fastnedge | 9 | 7 | 5 | ‑14 | ‑16 | 12 | 13 | 46 |
| 12th | 394 | Simon Gregory | Nick Coombes | ‑15 | ‑14 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 51 |
| 13th | 348 | Chris Mayne | Sam Mayne | 6 | 13 | ‑15 | 12 | 13 | 11 | (DNC) | 55 |
| 14th | 502 | Nick Webber | Andy Douglas | ‑16 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 11 | ‑15 | 14 | 56 |
| 15th | 426 | Jamie Lee | Mike Upton | 10 | 6 | 10 | ‑17 | 17 | (RET) | 16 | 59 |
| 16th | 1509 | Peter Owens | Debbie Woodcock | 13 | 9 | 11 | ‑15 | 12 | ‑16 | 15 | 60 |
| 17th | 428 | Ian McKay | Richard Stradling | ‑18 | ‑17 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 68 |
| 18th | 495 | Patsy David | Tony David | 19 | (DNS) | (DNC) | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 89 |
| 19th | 487 | Symon Doliczny | Lou Doliczny | 14 | (RET) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 94 |