Osprey National Championship 2026 at Mount's Bay Sailing Club - Day 2

Fifty shades of grey today but no mist thankfully meaning that three championship races could be held. With the wind continuing to blow over the hills and out to sea the sailing was going to be tricky to say the least with a definite phase appearing of good solid breeze that would then switch off at the most inappropriate moment.

The Osprey fleet all experienced this scenario on a regular basis upwind, downwind and across the wind! Those that could master the correct way up the beat benefited handsomely but this did mix up the order with some top teams caught in the pack and feeling the pain of mid fleet racing where every inch is fought for as if your life depended on it.

Joining the fleet this year is Osprey Mk II sail number 505 a boat built in 1964 looking the part in full varnish and coming across to the UK from Normandy in France to its original home at Mounts Bay for this event, sailed by Alexis and Dave Ackers. Great to see guys and welcome to the fleet.

Another mention has to be for 1276 sailed so well by Simon Brewer and Alistair Ramsden in race three today scorching around the course to lead at the windward and leeward marks but coming unstuck with spinnaker issues at the bottom of the sausage leg. So near yet so far but an inspirational performance for most of the fleet and surely more to come.

We have to commend Willy Crichton sailing 1341 with loyal crew Jon Batt just a few weeks from his 83rd Birthday and still as competitive as ever on the water. A proper Tiger that one.

Again there were many battles right through the fleet with pockets of boats performing superhuman efforts to gain that small advantage and unlock the place gains.

So what did we learn on day two?

Willy Crichton maybe nearly 83 but he has no plans to put the brakes on any time soon, literally as the poor old motorhome has given up the ghost in Cornwall and needs a pipe transplant.

1296 has been rolling along very well unlike the road trailer that also needed a bearing transplant.

Osprey 1338 now understands just how solid a Mk III wooden Osprey is and is apparently booked into a clinic in Turkey for a nose job to cure the new looking bow.

Finally 1175 named ' Able Too' but clearly not living up to that name once the trapeze fitting parted company from the mast and owner and crew Tim Bowden managed a perfect pike with tuck before a clean water entry and a high score from the judges nearby.

Tomorrow we all go again we hope although with lighter winds and allegedly some actual sunshine. Our thanks to all our Sponsors for this event and support to the class throughout the year, Craftinsure, Hartley Boats, Robline, Seasure, Clamcleat, Allen and Fernhurst Books.

Results after Day 2: (top five)

1st 1339 DJ Edwards and Mikey Greig
2nd 1352 Matt Rainback and Phil Angrave
3rd 1234 Terry Curtis and Peter Greig
4th 1357 Ian Cadwallader and Alex Knight
5th 1290 Martin Cooney and Peter Frith