Noble Marine RS500 National Championship at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Day 2

Noble Marine RS500 Nationals at Torbay Day 2 © Will Howitt

Day 2 of the RS500 Noble Marien National Championship 2026 dawned slightly greyer and cooler than day 1. The offshore breeze looked rather less convincing than the forecast suggested, but once the fleet left the shelter of Torquay Harbour, it proved appropriately feisty out in the bay.

Race 1 produced a surprise general recall for the eager RS500s. A quick turnaround saw everyone a little more cautious and a clean getaway. Big, shifty gusts on the first beat produced several changes at the front, with Michiel and Hilde looking sweet until the top mark, when Peter and James squeezed through into the lead, with Paul and Fresh nip and tuck behind. Both leading boats just managed to hold their kites for the entire reach.

Paul and Fresh had stolen the lead by the bottom mark but their charge was scuppered when Paul decided to exit the boat after the final gybe to the gate, resulting in an inevitable capsize. Emma and Luke snuck through and chased Peter and James for the remainder of the race, just holding off the late charge of Tim and Heather at the finish. Michiel and Hilde snatched fourth in a photo finish with Simon and Abi.

Noble Marine RS500 Nationals at Torbay Day 2 - photo © Will Howitt

Race 2 followed, after a chilly wait for the 700s and 800s to finish. Tim and Heather found their form from the start, rounding the windward mark at the front after an intense battle. Emma and Luke rounded just behind for a kite-ragging reach to the second mark.

A large gust knocked Tim and Heather over and forced Emma and Luke to drop their kite, allowing the (ever so slightly) heavier teams of Peter and James and Paul and Fresh to roll over with their kites flying. They stormed off downwind and held first and second to the finish. Emma dropped the mainsheet after the first gybe, resulting in a long and decidedly uncompetitive swim, while Iain and Anna sailed a great, solid race to finish fourth, just behind Tim and Heather.

By now, most sailors were feeling the cold after a combination of swims and wind chill, so everyone was happy to see the start flags go up for Race 3.

Michiel and Hilde had taken the opportunity to sail back into the harbour for some warmer clothing and only just made it back in time for a 'timed run' to the start line with the kite up. The first beat required plenty of nerve, sticking with the lifts and patiently waiting for the headers before tacking. Paul and Fresh found the best route to the windward mark, with Emma and Luke and Tim and Heather close behind.

Noble Marine RS500 Nationals at Torbay Day 2 - photo © Will Howitt

For the first time all day, everyone made it around Mark 2 with their kites up, helped by a welcome patch of lighter breeze. After plenty of position swapping on the run and the following beat, Paul and Fresh secured the win, with Tim and Heather overtaking Emma and Luke on the final run. Peter and James led the next pack, holding off Simon and Abi to the finish.

Back ashore, Royal Torbay Yacht Club laid on a tasty moules-frites dinner following the class's well-attended AGM and daily prize-giving — nothing to do with the free drinks, of course!

With lighter winds forecast for tomorrow, it will be interesting to see how the teams adapt to the change in conditions. With two more days of racing still to come, there is plenty of time for the leaderboard to change with gains still to be made!

Results after Day 2:

Results can be found here.