British Contender Nationals day 1

by Stuart Jones / Matt Aston on 2 Sep 2012 Race One of the British Contender Nationals got underway in a light force one with big holes and patches. The fleet got away the first time to find that there were many snakes and ladders around the course.

Those on the ladders gleefully made their way down the first reach to only sit in the doldrums at the gybe mark and watch the whole fleet catch up and sit around the mark with them.

Chris How and Ben McGrane wiggled out first followed by a rowdy gaggle.

More madness followed as the holes, gusts and shifts continued to shuffle the pack. Thankfully the course was shortened after the run leaving Ben McGrane to win followed by Adrian Smith and David Evans

Race Two by Matt Aston
 
A speedy turnaround by the PRO got the fleet away with a clean start at the first asking in 10 knots of breeze. Everyone relishing the chance to stretch their legs finally after the difficult light first race conditions.

Ben McGrane lead at the windward mark from Martin Frary. By the gybe mark Stuart Jones had closed the gap on the two leaders. Tim Humphreys and Pete Dives revelled in the marginal trapesing conditions along with Matt Aston making up the top six.

The left hand side was paying and by the next windward mark Jones had pulled through to third, by the leeward mark Aston was chasing Frary for third as McGrane and Jones had now sailed clear.

It was now full trapesing all the way around the course but McGrane comfortably held his lead followed by Jones, Frary and Aston at the Sail Contender website