Noble Marine RS200 National Championship 2026 at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Day 3

Well, tricky Tuesday sure lived up to its name...

The fleet arrived down on the quay with 'all' sailors feeling fresh and well rested after the deadly combo of a big day of racing coupled with karaoke night. The wind looked promising and the sound of fluttering jibs on the shore got the excitement going.

After a slight delay to get the fleet off the slipway, racing got under way with the two Ben's leading the charge as pathfinders. The breeze was strong, providing tough hiking conditions for the beat. Ever so slowly the mark slipped closer. Boats looked for breeze at both sides of the course, skirting around the lighter patch in the middle. Towards the top, life got tricky with shifts and gusts being thrown out thick and fast. The Scottish boats led the charge with Ewan and Rory in first and Brendan and Ellan in hot pursuit.

Now came a choice: to gybe out or to hold on. Owen and Lorna had the answer: gybe out immediately. With decisive action, they led out left and found the breeze, jumping up about 15 places to challenge for the lead by the bottom mark.

Noble Marine RS200 Nationals at Torquay Day 3 - photo © Oli King

The second upwind followed and quads were quaking. Bows bounced over the chop left by the 200s testing their way downwind. Brendan and Ellan slipped into a high mode and climbed their way above other boats to hold the lead by the windward mark. Another gusty downwind followed, and sailing toward the pressure paid off. After some careful work to gybe inside, Ian and Emma worked their magic again to take the win. Boats followed thick and fast, Race 5 proved to be a tight one!

Next, followed a nice time for a breather and some rehydration. And it was at this moment the wind decided to do a big swing. The keen eyed amongst the fleet spotted a lessening in the wind, and those who can feel the force knew that a disturbance was afoot for the following race. Eventually the wind settled enough to allow the race team to start Race 6 successfully.

The first third of the beat was standard: strong breeze, lots of hiking, and every inch being fought for. But, following this, the breeze dropped, and from now on, reporting becomes more challenging.

Noble Marine RS200 Nationals at Torquay Day 3 - photo © Oli King

Boats spent some time bobbing around and searching desperately for where the next gust would come from. Some boats got lucky and slipped away without so much hindrance, skirting around the edge of the light patch. But, the majority of the fleet waited. Boats tacked, and then tacked back, sometimes without even changing their heading. Eventually things got moving again, and boats who were hard right got lucky making it around the doldrums first, with pathfinder Will and Erin (pathfinders) leading with the most colossal lead.

Knowing that the middle had to be avoided on the second downwind, the fleet split, with boats planing out to the left and right. The biggest gains came from the left, where the breeze funnelled down, a travellator for those brave enough to expose themselves to such risk.

The boats compressed into the dropping breeze, with all very much to play for at the leeward gate. Much dirty wind and chop was to be experienced near the gate, and again, it was a race out to either side of the course to find some wind. Many boats were caught out by the introduction of a new windward mark, but this mistake was actually rewarded with a reach back in on the port lay line in brilliant breeze, nicely avoiding the doldrums of the middle of the course.

Noble Marine RS200 Nationals at Torquay Day 3 - photo © Oli King

Again, Will and Erin led the charge on the downwind still with a huge lead but the gusts came from behind allowing both Jamie and Ellen plus Ian & Emma to close the gap. The wind had shifted providing a reach to the final gate, and not much chance for overtaking. Which made Jamie and Ellen's win pretty impressive as they slipped through to the right whilst Will and Erin stayed with Ian and Emma.

Back in the pack, the final rounding was scrappy, boats arrived to the mark four or five abreast, and much shouting ensued. With the exception of one turtled boat on the final reach to the finish, the fleet found a way through to the line and were all relieved that such a whacky race had concluded.

More of the same breeze is forecast for tomorrow- let's hope it's more consistent - bring it on!

Results after Day 3: