Osprey National Championship 2026 at Mount's Bay Sailing Club - Day 1

It was like gorillas in the mizzle down in deepest Cornwall as the Osprey Class began the 2026 Nationals event at Mount's Bay Sailing Club.

Great expectations and seemingly a fair breeze blowing onshore fooled all into going afloat with a sense of purpose and determination but alas not too long into race 01 the wind slowly but surely began to lose the battle with the low cloud and misty wet stuff to the point that by the end of the race it was more a case of cruising in company and trusting in the compass to make it home.

To rewind to the start or more accurately the starts as the fleet were a bit too keen not once but twice with the pin end being the favoured area and soon becoming quite congested the trick was to find a scrap of space to windward of a competitor that wouldn't point to the moon from the get go, boat speed being key in these conditions. Finally away cleanly the fleet stretched they're legs and the pecking order began to be established with current Nationals Champions Matt Rainback and Phil Angrave soon out front with past winners Terry Curtis and Peter Greig in pursuit.

The triangle, sausage course was no problem for all in this weather and a tight reach to the wing mark was largely routine as was the gentle gybe and second leg. With a gate at the leeward end the in boat discussions were all about which way to go back up the beat. By now our regular yachts and yachting columnist and top chap Paddy Lewis with Mike Priddle doing all the work were looking very good in 3rd place and clear of another previous winner in Martin Cooney and our Chairman Peter Frith.

With 42 Ospreys on the course along with our good friends in the Contender fleet it was key to keep a good lookout but as the race progressed and the mist fell this became quite difficult and so when a sail was briefly seen it was prudent to try and keep it in sight hence the cruising in company term. By the end of the race it was hard to tell where anyone had finished and where home was. Not long after the finish the race team made the right call to abandon further racing for the day and so the spectacle of somewhere near 70 dinghies all running home together lead by a RIB unfolded no doubt causing a lot of headaches for the trolley team on shore.

So what was learnt on day 1?

Apart from the expected teams doing well and anticipated to do even better if the breeze increases there are plenty of other teams that can and will upset the running order, with Paddy and Mike on form and the Watkins girls excelling in the class association loan boat, through to Ian Cadwallader this time crewed by Alex Knight, and local legend Jeremy Stephens helming for Tim Bowden. A mention also to Mr Osprey, Oscar Chess crewed by David Downs who sailed a fantastic race to finish 9th.

We also learnt that a proper Cornish pasty is actually very filling.

Day 2 awaits with 3 races scheduled to catch back up.

As always the Osprey class thanks our title sponsor Craftinsure, our builder Hartley Boats, Robline and out other supporters.

Results after Day 1: