Musto Skiff Nationals Day 1

by Musto Skiff on 16 Aug 2011 The Musto Performance Skiff National Championships are being hosted by the Mounts Bay Sailing Club and have now completed the first day of racing.

Race 1 was postponed to allow the forecast breeze to settle at 220 degrees. After two general recalls racing got away at the third attempt. The fleet initially split pretty evenly, the right side appeared to have more pressure and boats from this side of the course led at the windward mark. This was to be a feature of the day's racing in picturesque Mounts Bay.

A close battle between defending champion Bruce Keen, James McIntosh and Mike Palfreman, ensued, with these three consolidating their lead on the fleet on the second lap. McIntosh took the win in a steady six to eight knots from Keen, closely followed by Palfreman.

With the breeze stable at 210 and eight knots, race 2 got away at the second attempt with the majority of the fleet choosing the right hand side of the course. Keen pulled through to take a comfortable win from Griff Tanner. Race 3 was clear away at the first attempt and again the majority of the fleet went in hunt of extra pressure on the right.

The first mark rounding was very close between a group of boats headed by Jamie Hilton and including Rick Perkins and James McIntosh. Previous race winner was further back in eighth but still in contention. On the final downwind leg, Perkins, Hilton and McIntosh gybe set, but Keen headed right. Perkins won from McIntosh and Keen was third.

Overall:

1st : Bruce Keen
2nd: James Macintosh
3rd: Griff Tanner
4th: Mike Palfrayman
5th: Rick Perkins

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